The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-05-30
,uApPANT TAKEN FOR BALK-
WAN VAN CHARGING ASSAULT
WITH INTENT TO MURDER.
MORRILL, TAKES ACTION

1,rss Special Warrant Returnable to
IJ;,self and Orders Negro Held in
pibb County Jail. Prisoners Attor-
aau Aided in Effecting Arrest and
preventing Possible Lynching. AG
There was considerable excitement
: conrt circles following the acquittal
:, Terrell superior court of Lit Balk-
.,,o the negro who was tried here
,,oder change Of venue on a charge OF
murder resulting from the killing of
hutch Jordan, well-known white
f,rmer of Miller county, in May, 1921.
There was strong feeling against the
zorro in Miller county, and rumor
,,ocoroe current that he was in danger
of being lynched.
When the jury returned a verdict
.couitting Balkman inquiry was made
bv his attorneys and by Judge Worrill
there was any other charge against
him None was known, and the pris-
orer was discharged. Soon a report
became current that the negro was
h danger of being lynched, and he
was advised to take the first train,
which he did-the Seaboard, which
BASED Dawson few minutes later.
Vben news reached Colquitt, in Miller
eountv, that Balkman had been &C
Eutted another warrant was sworn out
md given to a police officer, charging
ZAbe negro with assault with intent to
murder George Jordan, son OF
Dutch Jordan, the man he killed, this
Involving the same transaction. Threats
bf violence were made, and it became
Evident that if he was returned to
Miller county there would be trouble.
attorney w. |. Geer, who represent
ID Balkman, advised that if the war
liant was turned over to a deputy sher-
Nj who would protect his client he
would have him put in jail.
The warrant was then placed in the
hands OF Deputy Sheriff Godfrey, Of
Miller county, and that officer and Mr..
5eer came to Dawson, where the
whole situation was explained to
udge Worrill, who then issued a
special warrant returnable to himself,
S he had right to do, and ordered
BaIkman arrested and put in the Bib
bounty jail. This was done, the arrest
icing made in Macon next day, where
be negro had gone on advice of w.
D. Cooper, one of his attorneys. Judge
Morrill, also passed another order,
passed upon evidence of probable VIC
knce submitted to him, directing that
he prisoner be held in Bib county
R and to be released only on his or
er Balkman is now in that Jail, and
pill probably remain there until the
grand jury of Miller county meets in
une Ii he is indicted the venue will
probably be changed, as the court OF
appeals has already decided that he
ould not get a fair trial in Miller
county and that it would be unsafe to
~ him there.
TRIAL OF BALKMAN.
In the trial of Lit Balkman evil
4ence was submitted that the negro
snd Dutch Jordan, a well-known white
Rrmer OF Miller county, had dis
Rute over pillow stock which the ne
ro found on Jordan's place, that Jor-
ian threatened to kill him and went in
ms house to get shot gun, and that
ordan's son opened fire on Balkman,
Fho returned the fire with a gun load
H. with buckshot Dutch Jordan was
klIIed and his son wounded. The prose-
kutlon contended that the killing of
loTdan at his home was an unpro
4oked murder.
s Following the homicide Balkman
aS taken to the Bib county jail to
prevent possible violence, and the pris
ener remained there until he was
drought to Dawson for trial on
*nange OF venue. The removal of the
- from Miller county was strongly
opposed by the prosecution, and Judge
oITrlII refused the petition of the de-
~ hdant that the trial be held in a
county other than the one in which
e Killing occurred. An appeal from
oase Norrill's decision was taken to
'e state appellate court, which ordered
81 Ghaange OF venue.
DaIEnan was defended by w. [.
-, OF Colquitt, and W. o. Cooper,
Macon, and the prosecution was
&onldggcted by P. D. Rich, of Colquitt,
nd solicitor General B. T. Castellow.
was hard fought by both sides and
Rl'5FeSt ran high.
a large number of Miller county
Reopie were here to attend the trial,
Idhy OF them being friends and neigh
u'S on the man who was killed. The
lso'ier was not without friends, how
SI' as number of prominent and
Inuental citizens of the county were
gre IN his behalf.
PhRGEANT JAMES SAILS
ON TOJTD To r1TITS onTEATr