Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-05
WILLARD CONNELL,
PIKE FARMER, ON
TRIAL FOR PEONAGE

Willard Cornell. q prominent Pike
county farmer, went on trial Mon
day in United States court for all
legged violation of the federal peon-
age laws in case that has attract
ed widespread attntion throughout
Georgia due to it's sensational de-
tails.
The government charges that Con-
nell Illegally Swore out warrant
for Cornelius Alexander, a negro
farm hand, charging him with cheat
ing and swindling, in order to re-
turn the negro to his plantation to
hold him in peonage.
The defense contends that the AL
eXander negro actually stole pistol
and other property from the Council
farm and suddenly disappeared. Con-
nell denies he had the negro arrested
for the purpose of returning him to
his farm as employee, but that he
swore the warrant in order to have
Alexander brought to trial for the al
legged theft.
NV SA ell NASlS eALtCl NllS 4SoIAI VI
Alexander to Carnells farm his body
was found in the Flint river.
Strong Counsel
A brilliant array of counsel ap-
peared in the case, Reuben Arnold,
Lloyd Cleveland. of Griffin, repre-
scented Cornell, while Hooper Alex
ander, United States attorney, con-
Quoted the prosecution.
The Connell farm is located in Pike
county, one mile distant from that
served IS months in the federal pen
itentiary for peonage.
Efforts by the defense to obtain
a continuance of the case due to the
absence of material witnesses were
overruled by Judge sipley after. a
spirited argument between District
Attorney Alexander and Mr.. Arnold.
The defense declared Sheriff w.
NJ. Marsh. of Pike county, who ar ar
absent and that oliver slaton, a
negro farm hand. also was not to
be produced at this time. These
were declared to be important wit
nesses for the defense, and the court
was asked to grant continuance
until they could be brought into
court.
The district attorney opposed a
continuance on the ground that the
Slaton negro also had been sub
poenaed by the government, and that
he did not believe Slaton would
evel 1e available for either side
81 have information" said Mr..
Alexander, that night ~jders' in
Pike county have warned Slaton to
keep out of this case"
Attorney Arnold characterized the
district attorneys remarks as I'M
called for and unjust" declaring the
defense desired Stations appearance.
e JI}dse Flynt, Of the defense, also
ridiculed Mr.. Alexander's contention
and declared his statement was "un-
81 live in spalding county, just
adjoining Pike" said Judge Flynt'
"and [ know"
At this juncture the negro Slaton
strolled nonchalantly into the court
room This caused counsel Tor the
defense to laugh heartily, while the
district attorney said he was ready
to proceed to the trial. c,,,,4r
Marsh. the other absent witness, be
ordered to appear in court not later
than Thursday. ., -,
Mr.. Alexander declared it would
take a week to try the case. Attor-
neys for the defense stated they Pc
lleVeQ the case SOul' w
A demurrer to the Indictment,
which contains seven counts, was IN
terposed by the defense as soon as
the jury was impaneled.
Judge SibEey sustained the demur-
rer on three counts in the indictment
and ordered Cornell placed on trial
on the remaining four counts.
First witness
The first witness was Ollie Alex
ander. wife of the alleged peon in
the case She told of how her hus-
band left the plantation, of his ar
rest under a warrant sworn out by
the defendant, and of his subsequent
mysterious death. She was emphat-
ic in her statement that negroes on
the Cornell farm weer held in peon-
age. Cross examination by Attor-
ney Arnold failed to shake her testl-
mony.
Attorney Arnold drew from the
witness the statement that her hus-
band frequently quarreled with ar,
other negro who had been friend!,
with her on numerous occasions. The
inference was drawn that the de-
Tense will seek to show that Alex
ander's death was at the hands of
this third negro as a result of
triangular love affair.