Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-09

ConneU Is Freed
By Federal Jury
In Peonage Case

q Willard Connell, well-known
Dung Pike county farmer, who has
cen on trial in the federal court
ere all the week on a charge of Pc
hage, was found not guilty of the
barge by the jury Friday shortly
&ter noon. The jury deliberated only
re minutes before reaching it's YER
ct of acquittal.
The defense rested shortly after
burt convened Friday morning, and
fter District Attorney Alexander
hd called several witnesses in re-
lttal, both sides agreed to submit
be case to the jury without argu-
ent.
Judge Samuel Sibley delivered his
barge, explaining to the jury the
w covering peonage and instruct
&g them carefully to consider the
idence before reaching their YER
CT. He read portions of the thir-
enth amendment to the constitution
the United States in explaining
e peonage laws.
Young Connell issued a statement
Immediately following the verdict, in
hitch he said that he had never been
hilty of peonage in any form, and
lat he was glad that the jury had
quitted him.
1T was all brought about by
inch of lying, trifiing negroes that
r. Hooper Alexander got to come up
re-" Mr.. Conner said. Il don't
can any reflection on the >charac-
of Mr.. Alexander, but I was
Yer guilty of peonage and never
II be-"
The government alleged that the
PENDANT had held in peonage Cor
illus Alexander, a negro. 1t al
pm the Connell farm he was
Ought back on warrant which
arged him with cheating and
finding, but that Alexander was
yer tried, and that the warrant
hs sworn out so that the negro
light be brought back and held on
e ConnelI place until he paid an al
eed debt to r. c. Connell, father
the defendant.
Alexander disappeared from the
nnell plantation shortly after the
vernment instigated an investiga-
IN. His body was later found in
swamp, decapitated. The defense
eyed that Alexander was killed by
other negro in a quarrel over a
gro woman, while the government
cred considerable evidence in to
ort to offset this allegation.
Attorney Reuben r. Arnold con-
cted the case for the defense,
lie associated with him were
dge j. J.. Flynt, Fudge Lloyd |
of Griffin. The governments case
s presented by District Attorney
exander, assisted by Assistant
Etrict Attorney Lindsay.
Willard Connell took the witness
nd in his own defense shortly be-
e the close of Thursdays session,
made a sweeping denial of the
Urges that he had held a negro in
image. or that he had ever at
Fhe defendant told his story in
ar tones. He answered questions
direct and cross-eXamination
spIy, ard declared that he had al |
gs gotten along well with negro |
I'm hands employed on his fathers |
life had any trouble with any ne |
fThe first 1 knew of Cornelius" the
ness said, was when he came to |
fathers plantation in 1919. I |
Ter had anything to do with him |
all, and not until the following |
gust, when he stole pistol from |
did have anything to do with |
III swora ol1t a warrant for him for |
aling my pistol, and learning that |
was in Douglasville, l went with |
sheriff to bring him back. Com |
back, Cornelius admitted steal |
my pistol, and said he lost it in |
Erap game He said he could get
Out of jail and let him dome to
TX for me. 1 told him that I had |
&hty of farm hands, and did not |
bit him TO work for me-"
Fhe witsSss then told of how Phil |
pre, a cotored man, who was farm
on shares for his father, r. C.
nell, said he would like to have
ered to get him out of Jail.
ID told Phil Moore that it would
&all right for him to get Alexan-
n out of jail, if he paid the costs,
got my pistol back for me. l
bit with Phil Moore to the jail in
ulon, but did not pay the costs.
Moore paid the costs and Alex
Ter went to work for Phil Moore.
id not get any money from Alex
Ter for working on Phil Moore's |
ce, nor have I to this day ever
item my pistol back"
The witness denied emphatically |
wing anything of the death of |
xander. He also denied that he |
ever in his life whipped negro.
Threatened to kill negro. !