The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-22
ACTION BY GRAND' JURY ON DOWL |NC. FLOGGING DELAYED.
Absence of Solicitor Davis Causes PoStponement, But Investigations Continue
 to Locate Others

Final action of the grand jury in- vestigating the abduction and flog- ging last May of Dr. J. D. Bowling, county and city health officer, by a band of 10 men, has been postponed from Friday until Monday morning, it became known Wednesday night Alteration of the plan to reconvene the grand jury Friday afternoon at 2;30 o'clock was necessitated by the sudden calling from the city of Soli citor Jim Davis, who is directing the presentation of evidence against sus- pected members of the flogging party before the inquisitorial body.
 Meanwhile investigators headed by C. W. McPhail of the United States department of justice are continuing their efforts to solve the identity of members of the band who perpe trated the outrage. It is understood that they are sure of securing indict- ments against some of the members of the party.
 Porter N. Newman, Acipco plumber, alleged to have been identified as leader of the gang which abducted and whipped pr. Bowling. remained at his home Wednesday following his
 
 afternoon on bonds aggregating S3,O00 to answer indictments returned against him for his alleged implica- tion in the Kidnapping of Ed Herman Daniels North Birmingham negro taxi driver. the night of February l2. His release on bond in the Dan iels case followed the granting of writ Of habeas corpus by Judge Har- rington P. Heflin of the criminal court, ordering his release from cus- tody on charges placed against him by the city under ordinance 523-C, relating to dangerous and suspicious characters, for his alleged connec- ton with the Bowling attempt at flogging.
 w M. Yerby, Mt. Pinson dairyman. who is under indictment for alleged complicity in the Daniels Kidnapping, and connected by rumor with the Bowling abduction, is confined to the South Highlands infirmary by pistol wounds sustained the night Daniels was kidnapped. Yerby is under guard at the hospital and has talked to no one since receiving his injuries. New man denied all connection with either the Daniels of Bowling abductions upon his release from the county jail Tuesday afternoon.
 Officials who are conducting the investigation in the Bowling flos- ging have expressed themselves as pleased with the nature of the deyel- opments and are reasonably sure that the grand jury will return true bills" Tn the case. It is said that at least three members of the party have been identified. Officers admit that Newman has been identified by Annie Laurie Lightner. negro maid at the Bowling home, but refuse to make public the names of others who are said to have been recog- nized as members of the party.
 Original plans of those conducting the investigation called for a vote of the grand jury Friday afternoon. The plans were altered Wednesday afternoon when Mir. Davis was called away from the city. The jury was called into special session Monday by MT Davis to probe the abduction and flogging of Dr. Bowling. ANer hearing a number of witnesses it re- cessed until Friday at 2:30 o'clock
 It is believed that when the jury meets Monday additional evidence will be presented to it linking other persons with the flogging of Dr. Bowling. A vote on indictments in the case is expected Monday after noon.