The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1937-08-21
BY NAT ID. WILLIAMS
For Calvin Seryice)

HUNTINGDON. Tenn. The
question Of whether or not Ne
gro has the RICH, 10 protect his
home. his family, and his own life
against white man in the tradi-
tional south. is thc fundamental
issue in a tension-packed legal
drama. one phase OF which was
heard Friday. growing out Of the
SHOCKING Of George Stanford white
plantation overseer, By B. j. Bled-
soc. colored tenant farmer. last
March
Another issue equally important
~ the tenant residents OF this
West Tennessee farming area Is
whether or not the landlord or his
representatives. has the RICH; TO use
force in dealing with the workers
on the plantations
TIE first trial OF these issues
ook place az Huntingdon three
weeks ago when an all-white jury,
disresarding the evidence as pre-
senied by defense attorneys sem
fenced Bledsoe 10 20 years impris-
anment. and charsing his uncle,
Curtis Bledsoe. with voluntary
manslaaghier. sentenced him 70 Two
Years in the pcnitenuary
white LAWYERS on Defense
( Defense attorneys three young
white lawyers. j Ross Mckinney.
hief counsel. jimmie Lee Taylor,
Buck Order and one colored law
yor r l.. Hardin Immediately
made a motion for new trial.
Hearing on he motion was set f9r
las' Friday
Tae hearing on he motion orisi-
nliiy had been se' for saturday
morning a, . o'clock by Judge W.
" Hood who heard he case but
mo funeral Of J sam Johnson,
prominent white banker and Re-
iAhlican politician, brought Judge
Hood from his home al Trenton
day earlicr And while in Hun
nrdou Tor the funeral. the Judge
allied Tho Rledsoe counsel for a
hearing N their motion
The result Of the hearing was a
denial ~ the attorneys plea in
behalf q. Bledsoe, held here In
ail under % years sentence Curtis
lsledsoe ont on $1,000 bond, under
year sentence. was granted
new hearing. slated 10 come be
fore the October term Of the Cir
cult Court. presided over by judge
Hood. His bond was arranged
through his white attorneys
Preindlce Is Charged
In filing their motion for a new
..al defense counsel stated tina
the verde Of the jury indicates
mar their action was based upoI
passion. preiutace. and caprice
andHha, they did not give due con
.idefaiipn 70 the weight of the evi
cnee Of The record"
Al The first trial held on Jul
81. an effort was made 70 includ
Negroes on The Jury. And for n
iirs. time in a half century in Hun
inedon county seat of Carol
Ccaniy Negroes were actuall
summoned
Rgi the subterfuge OF an oil
legal trick worked Out Of lars
olored population Of stable an
cspec;able persons, the only Ne
4sne. called. with one or two tx
ep.ions. bore criminal records
Thu, when they we're challenge
ISL TIE prosecution they wer
oand unfit for jury service
con squen,ly an all-whife iur
hoard The cases.
Mob Threats Heard
In ain atmosphere charged wit
passion mob had hunted Blet
soc an night March .. date OF III
shoo'ing-ih-y even went 10 II
!. Huntington Jail for him, bu, II
herift. NJ McLemore, had 81
erected lhe prisoner. jury
mall business men and farmer
passed judgement on the Bledsoe
1 and meted out punishment whiC
u rver many white residents Of u
area regarded as unjust
1 According 20 the ,estimon'
brought out in court. the killii
% Stanford grew out Of an alte
z, cation over some grass seed whi'
q Bledsoe had planted on the r
Denny Farm. where he was a te
3. an, farmer. and Stanford was ri
= ing boss and overseer
Bledsoe planted the seed but la
or decide 10 move Under an a
greement which he had with q
d plantation owner. Denny, Bleds
was to receive payment for I
y seed. On Sat. March 5, he went
Ie Milan. about is miles from Hu
~ tingdon. and Met Stanford in
- bank. where he asked for the me
ey for the seed
- Stanford allegedly became al
:. sive. and In the presence OF doze
OF white and colored on-looke
began beating Bledsoe. The sha
cropper backed away. attempt
10 ward off the blows. and inqu
ing as to why he was being
saulted Stanford continued the
tack until he was beaten off
Bledsoe. Local officers started