The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-30
.Peonage May Be Charged By Federal Government Due
 To Leasing Of An Aged Me-
 gro To Lumber Company.
 U. s. Agents Investigate
FEDERAL GRAND JURY TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION
Charge Negro Was Not Con-
 vict But Became Mixed Up
 With Party Being Sent To Camp And As Result Died Of Wounds Of Whipping Boss

TALLAHASSEE, Fla, April D. (By Associated Press. )-The federal government has stepped into Flor ida's convict flogging affairs, it be- came known here today when Fred Cubberly, United States district at torney. announced he had under con sideration making the leasing of Ned Thompson, 65-year-old negro, by J. R. Jones, deposed sheriff of Lee county. to the Putnam Lumber com pany, subject of federal grand jury investigation.
 An agent of the department of jus tice arrived here several days ago and conducted an inquiry as to whether Thompson was held in peon- age. He made a report to MT. Cub berly, who is now laying plans tC present the matter to the grand jury, which convenes in Pensacola during the first part of May.
 Thompson is now dead-dying, it is contended, in the Leon county Jail s after having been leased out to the Putnam Lumber company. and re- turned by them because he was not physically fit to perform hard labor. Died of FIossinE.
 Thompson's death, Leon author ities assert, was from natural causes but federal officials are in possess sion of evidence, they declare, tend ing to show that death was due to excessive flogging he. received at the lease camp before being rejected.
 The. aged negro came in~contact with the county convict lease sys- tenn thrt ugh. an alleged error. there being no charge against him at the time he was sent to the camp of the lumber company. A peace warrant was taken out-against him by ne- gro woman and as the result he be- came mixed with a shipment of pris- oners from the local jail to the log gink camp.
 Testimony adduced before the joint leEislative committee Investigating the death of Martin Tabert of North Dakota brought out that Sheriff Jones made a personal profit Of $25 flor each prisoner leased to the com pany. The sheriff was busted from office last week when the Senate ap- proved Governor Hardee's rect mmen . dation that he be removed for mal- feasance.
 The death of Thompson has been a subject of inquiry by the legislative committee. Two doctors have testi , fled to having treated the negro, and one gave the cause of death as tu- berculosis. Sheriff Jtnes denied the negro had been leased out, While Jerry Poppell. former jailor, told the committee the negro was sent to the camp and later brought back with his back lacerated from many lieks from a whipping boss strap.
 U. $. Agents At Work.
 Tt also became known today that federal agents have worked exten- sively in investigatin alleged pee IT. age conditions among the lumber i, camps in this section, particularly in the territory in which the Putnam company operates. The inquiries of these agents have never been laid before a grand jury. it is understood.
 sThe legislative committee will re- convene Tuesday morning. reopening its inquiry into the office of County Judge B. F.. Willis Of Leon county. who Is charged with having entered into coliusion with former Sheriff Jones in connection with the leasing of prisoners to the Putnam com pany.
 After the Willis case is disposed or fine committee will enter upon re- ported brutalities at the private lease convict camp formerly owned py state Senator T. J. Knabb, near Mac (tleuny.