The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-05

After he had told his straightfor- ward story in answer to questions of his counsel. Judge Horace c, Wilkin son, special prosecuting officer for the state, was unable to bring about any contradiction and Lancaster held to the story as long as he was before the judge and jury.
 The testimony supported that given by other national guardsmen, who have appeared as witnesses for the de- fense and bore them out to the small est detail. Lancaster was called to tho stand after several witnesses had told the jury he had an excellent reputa- ton in Tuscaloosa county and after others had testified that they would not believe on oath Guy Cannon and Clyde Springer. two soldiers who gave testimony against Lancaster.
 ft WAS m important day for the
 defense because 1t hnd furnished
 testimony preceding that of Lan-
 caster that persons present at the
 time Lancaster is alleged to have
 remarked that he intended to cut
 some notches on his gun did not
 hear such statement, and that Lnn-
 cnstcr several days preceding the
 lynching hnd delivered to the sup-
 ply station an overcoat bearing
 the initials "R. I.,- which was
 found between two walls of the
 barracks after the Iynching
 GLOVES DON'T FIT
 The state consumed less time In the cross examination of Lancaster than in the examination of any important wit ness for the defense. It's first re {. quest of Lancaster was that he put on pair of gloves which wero found in the pocket of the coat bearing the initial, "R. L." after the lynching
 The defendant complied. They
 were too large. He then admitted
 that he used cigars hut never
 owned cigar holder cv used one
 in his life. cigar boider was
 found in the same ovcrconf. Judge
 Wilkinson then nskcd n few q ses-
 lions, inc answers of which were
 mere repetition of his direct testf-
 mony, and the cross-examInntion
 was concluded
 Lancaster gave the jury a history of his life from the time he resided near Buhi Romulus beat, Tuscaloosa county, until he was stationed at Townley in coal strike district.
 lie declared he was on patrol duty in Townley between and 12 o'clock the night of the lynching; that he. witn other members of the patrol, which he enumerated, left the town at midnight and walked to the barracks. where he retired shortly after 12 He did not wake again until 4;3o o,cloc,S when he was called by Lieutenant Mc Bride and Sergeant Thompson, who were checking quarters
 DENIES STATEMENT He denied that he said anythinr at mess that morning about cutting notcnes on his gun, or that Clyde springer asked him who fired the first snot, or that he pointed toward him self. He also denied that he remarked that any person who told on the com pany would follow Baird
 Were such statements made by you In the presence of anybofy?' the de- fense asked.
 NO, Sir" answered Lancaster He denied that he asked a shine boy in the presence of Guy Cannon to clean the mud off his gun before the deputies arrived. He declared there was no mud on the gun or soabbard. lie denied that he asked any person 10 get him pair of dry shoes and said he had two other pairs of shoes In his room at that time. 1 Lancaster stated positively that he did not invite Guy Cannon to be a member of the party which was to ro to the Jasper jail to get Baird and de nied mat he ever invited any soldier 10 accompany him. He also declar.d that he did not tell CorporaI Kav |, was all right when Key said he ~ afraid they would find the clothes be- tween the walls or that Key ever said anything to him about being afraid Did you put those clothes between the walls of the parracks?" ask[ l Senator Carmichael.
 l did not answered Lancaster/ x Do you know who did?" T do not" ae The defendant also testified that hA did not ask any one to clean his aiS3n. matic riie, that no one ever asked hfu | why they did it. or that he ranfled' don't say anything about it aa sh<v will suspect the company" DID NOT POINT AT SET .g,# # l He did not hear Bugler Richas sy48A reading q newspaper and he dist ,s.f ] point to himself when that portinn X} ! the story was reached which ss5.3 < member of the mob warned a prfs5I < 1. l that he would never make anothes zet i | cry 1T he made one that night while Baird was being removed from jail | Did you see Leslie West or his car at all that night?" Senator Carmichae asked
 | ''I did not replied Lancaster. | 4 " SSe tSStbtSu itc PiCheQ up 1l8uCASkcf and other soldiers at the drug store ana drove them to the barracks where they l obtained another car and all left for the Jasper jail
 night?'
 1 'I did not.
 Senator Carmichael than asked Ian. caster a long question which included 1 whether or not he joined mob which went to the Jasper jail. took possession iof Baird. removed him from the 1At and executed him beside the road.
 T did not" was the calm reply of the defendant Lancaster admitted that he was in the jail January and saw Baird but declared he did not look at the locks He said snag on the overcoat which he turned In January 1 and which was found between the two walls was gotten al Coal Valley during December and was not turned in before because thers was no supply station at that point. During the cross-examination the stats