Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-07

of all persons who contributed to
the fund to pay their fees.
This forced the state to ask a re-
cess until it could communicate
with Governor Dorsey and ascertain
the names of the persons who au-
thorized the employment of the at
torneyS.
A number of members of the At
lanta Committee on Church Cooper
alton were named among those who
employed counsel to prosecute Will
liams and defend Manning Attor-
Eey Johnson, of the defense. >.harac-
terized these men as SECRET prose-
cutors."
Federal Agent Testifes
Greene F. Johnson, of defense
counsel, said he would move that
Manmngs testimony be restricted to
statements concerning the death of
Lindsey Peterson. He argued that
the negro ought not to testify as to
circumstances attending the death of
the other ten negroes on the death
farm
Attorney Howard declared Will
liams is charged with a "series of
killings" that they are closely con-
nected,, and that Manning should be
allowed to repeat the entire story
he has already told to the grand jury
A warm fight over the admission of
this testimony was in prospect
Agent Brown said he made a trip
over the Williams plantation in COM
pany with Huland Williams and the
defendant. He declared he saw a
house that greatly resem bled a
''stockade." He said he saw heavy
iron bars, locks and chains. There
were large number of "bunkS" in
the house, he said. The defendant
bent over closely to hear the evil
dence.
49, In his his hand he held a rose his
wife had brought him. Later. d
four-year-old boy, his daughters
child, curled UP in his arms and went
to sleep. Williams stroked the child s
face and talked with his wife in low
tones. He was discussing the testi-
mony of the federal agent.
Agents Testimony
The witness began to tell of con-
versation he had on the Williams
farm with Leroy Williams, son of
the accused farmer. II had heard
that Leroy Williams killed a ne
gro" began the witness.
Il object" said Attorney Johnson,
on his feet in an instant.
The jury was sent from the room,
and Attorney Johnson and Attorney
Howard were in the midst of a spir-
testimony. Mr.. Howard said the
state would show that "a number of
negroes were killed on the Williams
farm within a short time, for the
purpose of hiding peonage." He said
he wanted to show by Mr.. Browns
testimony that apprehension on the
part of Williams was his motive in
dispOsing of the farm hands.
Attorney Johnson said, the state
is trying to sweep in everything be-
fore the jury" without ruling,
Judge Hutchinson ordered the jury
brought back.
Mr.. Brown continued: Mr. Will
liams told me if he had violated
peonage laws he had not done so in
tentionally. He admitted he 'bailed
out many negroes from Jail in At
lanta and Macon. / told Williams
had information he locked up his
negroes at night and that Clyde Man
ming guarded them.
He denied this emphatically. HE
told me his son got some negroes
from the Atlanta jail Attorney
Johnson here took UP the cross-ex-
animation.
Mr.. Brown admitted Special Agent
A. J. Wismer accompanied him to
the death farm He said VIII
reached the place, and that he and
Wismer talked to Clyde. Manning
and other negroes before Williams
came up. Did you tell those negroes
IndC IIl6y were ana ONSL
worked?" asked the attorney.
st did not" said the witness.
did you tell them they ought to
make $40 a month";"
81 did not
Didn't you admit to Williams that
Clyde Manning had told you lies
about certain conditions?" asked Mr..
Yes, that's true" replied the wit
ness.
ness if he did not tell Doyle Camp
bell, solicitor of the Ocmulgee cir
cult, that he found conditions good
Agent Brown hesitated and said
he chad no recollection of making
the statement"
The witness twisted in his chair
He had been on the stand for more
than an hour. Attorney Johnson was
firing questions at him in RAPID
succession.
Didn't Williams ask you what
peonage was, and didn't you explain
to him your conception Of the laW?'
pressed the attorney.
"That's true" he answered.
you may come down." said attor-
ney Johnson.
T. j. Wismer, special agent of the
of justice. took the stand
81 talked to Clyde Manning, John
Brown, and Johnny Williams, ne
groes, before [ saw Williams" he
said. He corroborated the testimony
of Agent Brown.
Edward S. Chastain, a department
of justice agent, was sitting with
counsel for the state.
Attorney Johnson, of the defense
demanded to know who he is anC
what business he has around here
He asked if che is one Of voluntary
prosecutors ?"
Attorney Howard replied that Mr.
Chastain was a government agen1
here on important business"
Manning on Stand
Attorney Johnson drew from Mr.
Wismer the statement that he found
nothing seriously wrong" on the
Williams farm.
Didn't you tell several men, in
Covington that you found nothing or
the Williams farm on which to base
a prosecution" asked Attorney
Johnson. Il don't think [ put it that
strong" replied the witness.
Clyde Manning, self-confessec
slayer of eleven farm hands, took the
witness stand. There was no change
in the expression on Williams face
as his former "trusty" and right
hand man. sat before him. Manning
was calm and composed.
Judge Hutcheson, on motion of At
torney E. Marvin Underwood, in
structed Manning as to his lega.
rights You do not have to answer
questions that incriminate you, I'm
less you desire to do So" said the
court
Attorney Howa~" 80 n to question
the states star witness.
L lived w!La a.. ny William.
for thirteen years. he began. Al
attempt by defense counsel to have
department of justice ""'-~'-'' W.
and Brown, who had already testified
excluded from the - 49,.
unsuccessful.
The state announce !; " go NJ
again place the "~c
Manning named all the negroes VIII
resided on the Williams farm, an