Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-05
Trial of Gunner
OF Murder Farm
Set For Tuesday

An exceptional legal battle Will
egin in Covington Tuesday morning
i L 9 o'clock when John S. Williams,
Fealthy owner of the Jasper county
death plantation" goes on trial for
Is life before Judge John B. Hutche-
on ana a Newton county jury.
Both sides will be represented by
egal talent that ranks with the
est in the south, and the prosecu-
ION and defense are primed for a
purt struggle that will draw the at
ention of the whole nation while 1t
in progress.
The recent series of gruesome muir
ers of negro farm hands employed
N Williams and the subsequent dis
bvery of eleven bodies on his plan
ation and the Alcovy river have STIR
Pd the people of Jasper and Newton
bunties to a high pitch, and they
re grimly determined that justice
hall be wrought in the case.
Manning to Face Trial
Clyde Manning, negro "trusty' on
be murder farm" who mas con-
bssed he killed five negroes at VIII
ans command and helped him
rown six others, is also under in
*ctment for murder and will be
faced on trial Immediately after
iIiams' case is concluded.
A number of important develop
ents in the sensational case were
hnounced Saturday. They were:
1. E. Marvin Underwood, one Oh
he best-known lawyers in the coun-
y. was employed by number OF
rominent Georgians headed by W.
foods White, of Atlanta, to repre-
Fnt Clyde Manning, the negro de-
ndant in the case and star witness
gainst Williams.
2. Governor Dorsey announced he
Rd engaged the services OF Wllllam
i Howard of Augusta, former con-
ressman from the Eighth district
nd widely known and brilliant law
b., to act as special counsel for the
ate in the prosecution of Williams
he governor said he employed At
rney Howard subject to the APPROX
of Solicitor General A. M. Brand,
the Stone Mountain circuit. So
eitor Brand had told The Journal
rlier in the day that he welcomed
by legal assistance in the caSe,% I'D
is means that former Congressman
oward will be associated with the
Blicitor and Ass xstant Attorney Gen
citor Brand and Assistant Attorney
eneral Wright are both able law
ers. Solicitor Brand. Mr.. Howard,
r. Underwood and Mr.. knight will
eet Monday in Atlanta and go over
e whole case.
3. Atlanta agents of the federal
partment of justice announced
ey would place at the states dis
sal a mass of evidence accumulat-
by them in their peonage investi-
ton, corroborating important parts
the negro Manning's recent con-
ssion Various parts of his con-
ssion will be corroborated by ap-
oximately twelve witnesses, m
1ding several white people, it was
vincent w. Hughes. in charge
the local bureau of the depart
ent of justice. came warmly to the
Tense of Newton county in connev-
pm with various exaggerated re-
rts which have gone abroad to the
ect that peonage was being wide
practiced both in Jasper coun y
d Newton county.
Free of Peonage
Thorough investiga tions by our
ents have found Newton county to
free of peonage," declared Mr..
ughes. I'VE have received splen-
support from the county officials
Newton county in the Investigation
+ have made. and we fell that the
king of the name of Newton county
tn peonage charges does the citi-
rs of that county an injustice"
.. Announcement that indict-
ents charging peonage against
illiams and his three sons, Mar
h, Huland and Leroy, will be
ught by federal agents before the
nited States grand jury when that
bdy meets Monday morning to probe
e reported existing conditions in
3sper county.
THAT peonage conditions obtain on
proXima tely five other farms in
&sper county was the statement of
apartment of justice agents on the
he Of the federal grand jury's probe.
In announcing that Attorney Un1
$rwood has been retained to repre-
nt Manning in the murder charges
kainst him. w. Woods White made
he following statement:
"A number of interested citizens
ON the state at large, feeling espe-
ally under the peculiar facts of
be demand that Clyde Manning
we the benefit of competent coun-
at his trial, and Manning being
liable to employ the same, have re-
1ned counsel to represent him.
pch counsel will be, E. Marvin I'm
ill be associated with him. and
hose name will be announced
ter"
Attorney Underwood was general
lunsel of the United States railroad
ADMINISTRATION during federal con-
ol of the railways. Prior to that
+ was assistant attorney general of
] e United States. Recently he re-
lrned to Atlanta. his old home, to
Factice law.
Solicitor Brand was in Covington
hturday interviewing state wit
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