The Omaha guide., 1943-05-01

Que VI ulS dpp1Siit1VVSs voss9SS : "a
Another early witness, Circuit
Judge Burkett Collins, who presid-
testified that Reddock telephoned
him that a mob had surrounded
the Jail. The JUICE, who said he
hadn't anticipated trouble although
the prisoner had been confined for
safe keeping at a Jail in Jackson,
Msis., prior to the trial, said he
urged the sheriff not to permit the
mob to get the keys and that he
telephoned Gov. Paul b. Johnson
for aid, which was sent at once in
form of national guardsmen who
arrived too late.
Judge Collins, telling of appris-
ing the governor of the lynch mob,
said that Gov. Johnson, in promis.
ing aid, said: For Gods sake don't
let that happen"
Pryor'S signed statement admit.
ting he was a member of the mol
which stormed the jail and tool
Wash and then rode in the car tc
a nearby bridge where he was
hanged, was presented during the
testimony of John Il. Sullivan
special agent Of the Federal Bur
eau Of investigation. Mr.. sulli-
van, ace Oman Of the Mississippi
office, was correlated by Otis Bra:
hier Of the New Orleans office, il
his testimony that Pryor gave tn
statement voluntarily and withour
promise of reward.
In the staement dated Nov. rs
1912, Pryor admitted going to Lau
! rel from his HON near town thu
night of the l%ynching ito see what
was going to happen to Wash
This was prior to the lynching, but
earlier lin the same night when the
victim was taken from the Jail.
Il figured that something was
going to happen" the Statement
recited.
Pryor's statemfnt asserted he
returned to his home near Shady
Grove and found about so men al
a nearby store. He said he recog
nized Rillard H. Welborn, brother
of the slain white farmer, in tbs
group, and that they agreed to
meet near the Jones county jail
in Laurel before taking Wash out
of the jail"
Pryor said he did not remember
with whom he drove to Laurel.
I'VE surrounded the Jail about
11:3O pm.," the Statement said
Sheriff J.. Press Reddock of JON
es county arrived at the Jail about
11:45 pm. There were about 100
men around the Jail at this time.
Il helped pull the screen off the
window located on the right side
Of the door to the front entrance
of the JAIL" Pryor's statement con.
Gnued. II said to the men that
the ~jailer's Holder) wife and child.
rem may be in this room 50 let's
try some other entrance.
Il pulled the screen open with a
pi ckaxe that leads into the main
entrance of the Jail. About Is cher
came in with me. I don't remem.
Der how the Jail door was opened
leading into the prisoners quar-
ters on the second floor. 1 went
up the stairs to the cell where
Wash was a prisoner and with
several other men whose names ]
can't recall, took Wash out Of this
Jail.
I'VE placed him (Wash) in a ear
I don't know whose car. 1 drove
in the a that Wash was in. Wash
was sitting in the front seat and
I was sitting in the back seat.
I'VE drove out to Welborn's
bridge located about four miles
north of Shady Grove on the Moss.
vile road.
1--WE arrived at the bridge be.
tween 1890 and LOO am. and park.
ed the car on the far side of The
bridge. 1 did not put the rope a.
round Wash's neck nor heave him
over the bridge. 1 don't know who
did the actual hanging. Some one
said Its all over" So 1 caught a
ride and came home. I don't know
with whom I rode"