Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-23
SENT TO GOVERNOR
BY BLOODWORTH AND JONES
MAKE FINAL PLEA FOR LIFE

drink because our companions did.
One day we found in a swamp near
where we were staying a barrel with
about six gallons of whisky in it.
Took Barrel of Whisky
eve taken it for our use we DO
not know who it belonged to. 1t
was about two weaks before this
awful trouble came to us and we
stayed drunk the entire time of
two Weaks. | cannot remember
much about it because we were
under the influence and had bin
for some time and was after until
we were arrested. we drink the
last of the whisky we found the
morning before we were arrested
the next day. the morning We
were arrested that afternoon we
bought some and none of that was
mentioned in our trial. everybody
was fighting mad with us. when
we were arrested we was carried to
Butler, Ga, and stayed about 80
minits. There was a crowd coming
from Reynolds to kill us and we
was hurried 10 Columbus. we stayed
in Columbus just IA few days and
carried back to Butler for trial.
But it was put off until a few
DAYS later while we were in Butler
that one night we was guarded the
whole night by the jailer and one
more man. But they would have
bin a very little protection with Il
mob. Then we were carried back
to Butler for trial. in about 10
days (ten days from our Arrest until
the triaD even the judge passed
some affal remarks about us in the
presents lof, the jurors. there was
all kind off fakes told on us. None
of the crowd was allowed to pass
out of the courthouse while we were
being taken out. | did not know
anything about courts before. while
they was drawing the juror it was
unknown to me what it ment. |
knew nothing about God. My jailer
Mr.. w. d. Layfield knows that |
did not. he tried to talk with me
about Him. But 1 would not pay
any attention to him whatever.
soon the Christian people begain to
visit me and to write me letters.
Then / learn to know something
about my Master. | am not writ
ing to you untrue and will you for
the sake of others allow me a
chance.
Il have said a resolution TO work
for God if you will. / am not
afraid to die at all but I can see
where / can help others and many
one who is now as | was | can
| help. if | had have had some one
] - fol Il
| have been somebody today. But
did not nobody wouldn't have any
thing to do with me or to say to
me because 1 was sinner and be-
cause of my COMPANIONS. I cannot
tell you how sick and sorry [ am of
/ it all. But l can't help it I didn't
| know. This one year of staying in
| Jail has been like life to me and
save someone else please will you
! help me
"Respectfully
"GERNIS BLOODWORTH."
Jones Letter
Willie Jones letter to the governor
! follows:
Hon Clifford Walker
Gov of Georgia
L want to give you the history
! of my life and ask you will you
| please reconsider my case as | have
| never ben allowed to say a word
| are make any stament. And the
| facts of my case has never ben
! brought to light. it has ben hid just
| like black clouds hides the stars. |
was borned in the mountains some
! few miles below Atlanta, Ga, on the
/ 18th of Dec 1905 and some few years
/ later my father moved to taylor
county where he has lived ever since.
/ he is a farmer and the very poorest
among them and when l was birthed
/ in this world | came here sickly
| and had to be cared for just like d
I baby until / was near II years old
! and that taken almost all of my
/ chance from school and church there
! is in family : boys and , girls
! and l ben more on my parents TO
/ rase and all the rest put together
and l have had about months
| schooling in all. and I have almost
! learned what 1 know about writing
! since l been in iail.
/ I never knew anything but some
/ thing rong until l came TO prison
/ was always divised by my older
/ brothers that it was all right to
/ drink and they made and sold drink
they never told me not to do such.
but always had me going TO carry a
quart or gallon to some of their Gus
( toners and that was all l ever knew
to do. and when this crime was
committed We had been drinking Of
/ feI for more than 10 or 3 days and
+ my mind was so much rocked until
l didn't know what l was doing
( God in heaven knows l never
+ had anything against Mr.. Under
wood, and wouldn't have harmed
/ him for nothing in this world if
/ had known what I was doing. never
/ knew anything about God until
/ came 10 jail. but I have confess
of my sins and crime and are ready
/ to so. but if you will only let ne
/ spend the rest OF my life in prison
l feel that I can lead souls 10 Jesus
and save someone from the same
y