The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-23
DEATH ENDS FIGHT
OVER R. 7. COLDSBY
Vicksburg Negro Fence Wins
Freedom He vainly Tried
to Buy.

Vicksburg, Miss. Feb. 21.-Deatt
determined the status OF the motor
ious negro fence, R. T. Goldsby
whose name has appeared in news
paper reports and dispatches with
great frequency in the last fourteen
months. He was an escaped convict
who was to have appeared before
Chief Justice Sidney Smith Thursday
Of this week in habeas corpus pro-
ceedings instituted by Travelling
Sergeant Sam Nunery, in order to
take him to the state farm at Parch-
man, but last night at o'clock be
was stricken with a complication OF
Bright's disease, stomach trouble
and heart trouble and died at 10:00
o'clock. DR.. S. Myers, city and
county health officer, attended him.
Goldsby's name has been mention
ed in connection with an ex-govern-
or, the present governor, the govern
or's campaign manager, State Sena-
tor Harry X. Murray, of Vicksburg,
and his name appeared in a writ of
habeas corpus issued and signed by
the chief justice of the state, COM
manding the sheriff to produce him
in court, with the chief justice sit
ting as the court.
Goldsby was about SIS years of
age. He was tall negro, over six
feet in height and weighed when
first arrested little more than a
year ago. nearly 800 pounds. He
weighed at the time of his death
about 225.s When first arrested he
had considerable property and cash
more than 100000, it was stated.
Some of his porperty he turned ov-
er to his alleged son, and he recent
ly instituted suit to recover the pro-
perty. declaring the boy was not his
son.
GOLDSBY PLEADS GUILTY.
Goldsby had been in the saloon
business in Missouri at one time,
killed a negro, served a while in the
penitentiary in that state. and was
pardoned. He came to Vicksburg a.
bout thirty years ago. He opened a
negro restaurant, lodging house,
gambling house and, as it later de-
veloped, trained a gang of young
negroes to steal for him, as well as
number of wagon and truck driv-
ers, the authorities say. He acted
as the fence. He was arrested sew
eral times for violating the prohibi-
tion law, but contrived to get out of
1t. Mayor ]. J. Hayes, as head of
the local police department, conduct
ed a vigorous campaign against the
burglars and thieves the latter part
of 1919, with the result that eleven
arrests were made. Goldsby being
one of the number. He and seven
others were convicted, the others are
on the state farm. He was indicted
on eight charges. He was convicted
on one charge, and pleaded guilty
to the second, receiving a stolen ov-
ercoat, which he had given to his
alleged son and which was seen on
the back Of the young negro by the
owner, this esidence being regarded
as too heavy for him to deny. BY
agreement of his counsel not to seek
a pardon, he was sentenced on one
case to five years on the penal farm,
and the remaining cases were re-
manded to the files.
1t was later shown that one of his
attorneys, State Senator Harry K.
Murray, of Vicksburg, lost no time
in communicating with Goldsby by
mail and personally. to secure a par
don. Goldsby was convicted at the
April, 1919, term of the Warren
county circuit court. In May gov
ernor Russell suspended the sentence
this on application of Captain Schau-
Der, of Laurel. Goldsby went to
Chicago. 1t was state the suspen-
soin was to carry him over until the
board of pardons could hear this pc
tition for pardon. The matter was
kept quiet and became known when
some negroes returned from the Ma
tional Republican Convention, and
reported having seen Goldsby in Chi
cago.
A committee from Vicksburg call
ed on Governor Russell, went over
the Goldsby case at length, and the
governor agreed to issue call on
the governor of Illinois for a requi-
sition so that the negro could be re-
turned to Vicksburg. Mayor Hayes
and Sheriff Shannon went to Chica-
go, landed the negro and he was
'railroaded" to this city.
He was placed In Jail He said
Senator Murray had obtained par
don for him. He said he had the
letters the state senator had writ
ten. He further said that he had,
paid Senator Murray $500, and
paid Schauber $1,000. The latter de-
MED that he had received any mon
ey from the negro. having returned
what had been paid when he learn
ed all the facts In the case.
BAR ASSOCIATION BUSY.
Senator Murray denied the whole
thing. He said he did not know Of
any move to obtain a pardon. His
letters confirmed Goldsby's state
ments. Murray used his own sta
tionery, and his letters were given
to the Investigating committee OF
the Vicksburg Bar Association which
was appointed to Investigate the en-
tire matter. Murray's letters to
Goldsby said that Ex-Governor Bill
bo was acting with him. Ex-Gov.
Bilbo issued a statement to the press
that he acted in the case, and it was
legal SO far as he was concerned.
Goldsby was hailed into court the
second time. He was convicted and
sentenced to serve i've years. Short
Iy after his delivery at Parchman he
bribed night watchman to leave
his cage door unlocked. The night
watchman confessed and was SEN
fenced to serve a term himself. while
Goldsby made his way to Toronto,
Canada. He bought poolroom
there.
II was learned that he was In To-
- 4aaa'l