The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-28
TWO MORE BODIES RECOVERED
Total of Eleven Have Been Found in
Connection with Peonage ln~
vestiuation

MONTICELLO, Ca, March 27-Two
more bodies of negroes were recovered
from the Alcovy river here today, max
ing 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 stone and iron attached to the head
and feet.
A coroner's jury investigating the
deaths of five negroes whose bodies
were found buried and the three found
in the river, fixed the responsibility in
each case. In two instances, at least,
the jury found that the negroes We're
forced to dig their own graces.
The bodies were disinter-eS, placed
in collins and buried late today in the
Jasper county paupeIs' cemetery, the
county paying the expenses.
Inquests were held today over three
bodies found buried on the Williams
plantation, two found on the Camp
bell plantation, also operated by Will
liams. and three taken from the AlcOvy
river Three other bodies were taken
from the Yellow river two weeks ago.
Victim Dug Own Grave.
The coroner's jury conducted the
inquest by numbers. The first inquesc
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 a ravine not far from a
creek to dig post hole. After digging
the hole Manning's confession shows
that he struck Williams over the head
with an axe, pushed the body into the
hole and covered 1t up.
Johnny Green was number two. He
was sent to the same pasture to bring
COWS back to the stable. Manning
says he killed Green in the same man
ner, but had to dig the grave.
Willie Givens was referred to as
number three. He was killed on his
way to country store, in the same
ravine, but Charley Chisholm was
named as the negro who killed Givens.
Buried in a Well.
The jury travelled four miles across
the country to the Campbell planta-
ton, also operated by John Williams.
Fletcher Smith. body number four, was
found there. Smith was sent to dig
well and when he had dug deep enough
to receive his body, Manning's confess
sion, as repeated to the jury, showed
that he killed him with an axe and
then covered up the hole.
A verdict in the case of number one
John Williams-was that Williams
met death at the hands of Manning,
the plantation owner Williams, being
implicated by the jurys verdict.
The same verdict was returned in
the case of number two-Johnny
Green.
In the case of number three-Willie
jury held that Chisholm
did the killing.
In numbers four and five, Fletcher
Smith an big john" Manning was
again held responsible.
In the case of numbers seven and
eight, .Little Bit and John Brown,
the jury held that the negroes Man
ming and Chisholm and John Williams,
the plantation owner, We're responsible.
The verdict for number six, Charley
Chisholm, read: 1--WE, the jury, find
that Charley Chisholm met his death
at the hands of Clyde Manning and
John S. Williams"
Williams came from near Forsyth in
county p years ago. Reports
that followed him here indicate that
his home and other buildings on his
plantation in Monroe county were de-
stroyed by fire at that time.
Around March /, two department of
Justice agents, A. J. Wisner and f. S.
Chastain, came to Jasper county to in
vestigate alleged peonage practices on
the Williams plantation. They called
on Williams. among others, but it is
said that Williams gave satisfactory
explanation of his operations.
Guarded Negroes With Gun.
At that time Williams is said to
have had only IL negroes. The special Il
agents went to the farm of Hulon Will
Jams, a son of John Williams, where
hey are said to have seen three or four
negroes at work and Leroy Williams,
/ son. is said to have been guarding
he negroes with a gun.
The Williams are said to have re-
;ented the visit of the governments |
agents and, after the agents left the |
premises, Williams is said to have be- !
come apprehensive of the rsults. The
.hree sons of Williams were at that |
lime said to have been sent away from |
he plantation. These sons are Hulon. !
Leroy and Marvin. They were gone
or three weeks.
1t was after they left, it was alleged, !
hat the bodies were disposed of. The |
sons have not been arrested. War |
ants for their arrest were returned |
o the governor today as county Of |
icials said that there was no informa- |
ion connecting them with the case.
When Williams was before the grand |
ury it develops Manning was in the |
,ourt house at Covington telling all |
hat he knew of the killings. 1t is !
danning's information that has led to |
he discovery of the bodies. the indict- !
nents and other developments. And !
Manning says that it was through fear |
hat Chisholm might give this infor- |
nation that Chisholm was put out of |
he way.
A n MIA IzKEHINNn