The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1925-06-26
'KU KLUX WATCH TRIAL
BEFORE GRAND DRAGON
knights of the Nightshirt Flock to See Law
Take Its Course When Negro is Tried for
Staying of White Man

Strange things comes to pass
in North Carolina these days,
and none more strange than
the events leading up to the
trial. of Jim Ballard, Gates
County Negro who is on his
way to conviction for the mur.
der Of Vernon Eason. young
deputy sheriff on May S. Hun
dreds of spectators, some Ku
kluckers, and some who are
not, are flocking to the lit
tie courthouse in Gatesville to
see the law take its course be-
fore the Grand Dragon of the
Ku Klux Klan in North Caro-
lima.
The knights Of the nigttshirt in
North Carolina, were frustrated in
their attempt to lynch Ballard for
the Staying of young Eason, popular
Gates County officer, when Nat
Riddick, who captured Ballard, took
him in car across the Winton
Ferry, and spared the county the
shame of lynching. But the Ku
Kluckers of Gates County, and near
by sections, are flocking to see the
negro tried and convicted before
Judge Henry A. Grady, admitted
Klan official, who is presiding at
the special term of Superior Court.
Arraigned with Ballard H. acces-
sories in the crime are his brother
Hebe, and Cora and Lucy Ballard,
wives Of the two: Daniel, Joe, Roy,
and Oscar Ballard, Sallie N. Bal
lard, Jacob Winn and John Clark,
who have been huddled in the cells
of the Gatcsville Jail with young
baby making nine in all. Not one
of the persons held in jail were
given Il preliminary hearing, and
had to wait Oh the GraAd jury until
Monday of this week. 'e. .,-t
True bills were brought against
Jim ballard for the murder of Ver-
non Eason; and against John Clark,
Jacob Winn. Allen Winn, Isaac
Hare and Lucy Ballard, as accessor-
les before the fact.
Change Of Venue Denied
Two days were taken up this
week in selecting the jury in this
trial that is being watched so close
" by Klansmen. Two special
venires, one of 112, the other Of 123
men were called, before the jury
could he selected. Judge Grady
overruled a motion for a change Of
venue. which was asked by the
defense on the ground that senti-
ment thruout the county was widely
hostile to the defendants and a
fair trial could not be obtained.
Newspapers were introduced as evil
dence that sentiment was against
the defendants.
And so the battle goes in Gates,
with hundreds watching for the out
come of case i'm which negro
man is tried in white mans court
for the murder Of a white man, be-
fore the Grand Dragon of the Ku
Klux Klan. Hundreds are anxious
to see Il negro become the first
victim from Gates County for the
electric chair. 80
The murder for which Ballard Is
being tried occurred on May 4.
Vernon Eason. popular young De-
putty Sheriff, impetous fearless.
energetic. feeling heavily the weight
of his obligation, and enthusiastic
in seeing that the warrants in hi
hands were promptly served, .wer
TO Jim Billiards. home to arres
.NOuk Ddlldlu JI., loi poS'o'Ns
Pushing his way past jim Ballar'
who blocked the door Of the home
and denied him entrance. he told
Ballard to respect the law and al
low him to search for the boy.-at
the point of his gun. EasOn found
the boy in the Garret Of the wretch
ed negro hut and took him to jail.
1t is alleged that Ballard told
Eason he would never enter his
house again and return alive.
Eason secured a warrant charging
Ballard with resisting an officer. re-
turning with his brother Millard
Eason and Alva jenkins to serve 1t.
When the heavy hand Of the law
knocked at Ballard's door and de-
manded entrance, the demand was
(COninucd on page TwO)