The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-11-04

Z Ian. testified that he examined the
shoe print u Miss Parsons assailant
and that II was made by a broad-toe
shoe. such a. il worn by the con
victs |, va. proved that the doc
tors shoe was pointed.
Houston Holiday. the negro dish
washer. who was on the dinner way
on. was the only one Of the negroes
before the grand jury who showed
nervousness. According 10 County
Attorney Forester The negro at
one time during his grilling showed
indications II breaking down. the Of
fetal said
Answering criticism that the in
vestigation should not have been al
lowed 90 end. the Harlan officials
charged that the guards at the con
wet camp had covered up and made
II impossible for them to fasten ths
crime on one ~ the negroes They
openly accused the camp authorities
Of being laX IN guarding the convicts
and then With deliberately striving to
shield them during the investigation
Commonwealth Attorney II Grant
Forester was the first official with
whom correspondent talked after
arrival IN Harlan
Commonwealth Attorney Talks.
THE teachers thought we should
have held DR. Winnes. They jumped
TO the conclusion that he was guilty
the momen, the body was found
We did not believe he was guilty
The circumstahtial evidence might
have been strong enough for Us TO
have held him had the convict camp
not been there Five negroes. the
evidence shows. might have commit
ted the crime.
Politics. II would nave been the
expedient thing for Us to have taken
the view that the doctor was guilty
The people were clsmoring for "a con
viction. The Pine Mountain School
influences a large vote. One Of the
guards suggested to me that II was
to my interest to push the case
against the doctor You see there is
a circui, judges race next year
But rather than attempt to rail
road man whom | believe innocent
and fllmslest Of circumstantial evil
dence. and he might have been con
victed under pressure Of an aroused
public sentiment. would sacrifice
any political ambition may have.
The crime bears all earmarks Of that
Of a negro
When questioned "a TO specific evil
dence Of certain witnesses, the Com
monwcalth's Attorney was able to
give only more or less general an
swers. He was busy trying cases
and his brother, the County Attorney.
he explained conducted the investiga.
ton before the grand jury.
The camp guards not only did not
help rs in the investigation" he said.
but they impeled il. shielded the
convic,s and made Il impossible for
u 10 find the guilty man"
Asked as TO what further steps
might be taken. the Commonwealth
Attorney applied. after moment OF
thought. that he would resubmit the
case TO the next grand jury. which
viii convene in January.
What else can be DONE" County
Attorney J. c. Forester declared. az.
ter he had given the substance OF evi.
dence before the grand jury and
pointed out that lat least five negroes
might have committed the crime"
THE grand jury" he said. has de-
cided there was not enough evidence
to indiet anyone. II heard every
witness who knew anything that had
a bearing ON the case"
The camp guards prevented the
Harlan authorities from holding a
successful inquiry, the County Attor.
ney declared. and he. like his brother.
openly charged that the guards "eov-
cred up"