The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-28
CHAINED TOGETHER,
BODIES WEIGHTED
DOWN WITH STONE
Coroner's Jury Finds That Vic
Tins in at Least Two Cases
Dug Own Graves Before
Being Slain
BY Associated Press

Monticello, Ga, March 27.-Two
more bodies were recovered from the
Alcovy river here today, making a
total of IL bodies that have been
found in connection with peonage in
vestigations that have been conducted
on the farm of John Williams.
The bodies found today were chained
together and weighted down with
sacks of stones and iron attached to
the head and feet.
A coroner's jury Investigating
the death of six negroes whose
bodies were found buried and the
three others found in the river,
fixed the responsibility in each
case. In two instances MT least, the
jury found that the negroes were
forced to dig their own graves.
The bodies were disinterred placed
in collins and late today were brought
to the Jasper county pauper's ceme-
terry, the county paying the expense.
DUG OWN GRAVE
The coroner's jury conducted the in
quest by numbers The first inquest
was over John Williams, same name as
the plantation owner, whose grave was
dug by himself. The Jury was in
formed that the negro was sent to a
pasture in ravine not. far from
creek to dig a post hole. After dig
ging the hole, Manning's confession
shows that he struck Williams over
the head with an ak. pushed the body
into the hole and covered 1t up.
Johnny Green was No. O. He was
sent to the same pasture to bring cows
back to the stable. Manning says he
Killed Green in the same way, but had
to dig the grave.
Willie Givens was referred to as No.
3. He was killed on his way to a coun-
try store, in the same ravine, but
Charley Chisholm was named as the
negro who Killed Givens.
The jury Travelled four miles across
the country to the Campbell planta-
ton, also operated by John Williams
Fletcher Smith. body No. 4, was found
there. Smith was sent to dig a well
and when he had dug deep enough 10
receive his body, Manning's confessicn n.
as repeated to the jury. showed that
he killed him with an ak and then COW
cred up the hole.
BOTH ARE BLAMED
Verdict in the case of No 1. John
Williams, was that williams met deaf,
at the hands of Manning, the planta-
ton owner. Williams being implicated
by the jurys verdict.
The same verdict was returned in the
case OF NO q, tommy Green
Ih the case of No. 3. Willie Givens, the
jury held that Chisholm did the killing.
In Nos and 5, Fletcher Smith and
big john" Manning again was held
responsible.
In the cases of Nos. and 8, Little
Bit" and John Brown, the jury held that
the negroes, Manning and Chisholm. and
John Williams, the plantation owner,
were responsible
The verdict for No. 6, Charley CHS
holm, read: I'VE. the jury, find that
Charley Chisholm met his death at tine
hands of Clyde Manning and John s.
Williams"
Williams came here from near Forsyth.
in Monroe county. q years ago. Reports
that followed him here indicate that his
home and other buildings on his plan
tation in Monroe county were destroyed
by fire at that time.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATION
About March two department Of Jus
tice agents. A. J. Wisner and E. S. Chas-
tain. came to Jasper county to Invest.
gate alleged pebnage practices on the
Williams plantation. They called on WI
Continued on Page Two,