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£ On circulars and hand*
I bills when you can put an
r advertisement tfi such a
' far-reaching medium as
’ The Tribune. V r
If ESTABLISHED 1887.
[HAPPY LESTER ECHOLS
F AND HIS HAPPY MOTHER.
• -
parents of the Youth Weep For Joy Over His
I • “lajiiittal of Murder.
■j
SCENES AT THE JAIL AND COURT HOUSE
b : > f/oseu
rjury|nan Harvey Speaks of the Irre
sensibility of Witnesses’ Testi-
i mony--Verdict a Surprise.
■
I
"Not Guilty” is the verdict returned
by the jury in the case of Lester Echols,
charged with the murder of John R
Tidwell, Marshal of Beney, last Sep
tember.
The jury retired at 12:40 o’clock
Tuesday and rendered the verdict at
10:25 yesterday morning. The 1 case
was taken up last Thursday morning.
. The verdict created a great deal of J
— .— —
A Scene of Supreme Human Joy,
Lester Echols free of the terrible charge of murder and with his mother
* What a scene! Don’t drop the curtain. Let it stay up. Let us witness e
scene rarely accorded to h uman vision.
It was in the parlor on the second floor of Jailor McLeod’s residence por
tion of the jail that a Tribune man saw the united mother and son. The’
bad just returned from the court house. Besides the mother and son then
were present members of the family and friends, perhaps a dozen others. Al
’ were laughing and smiling and weeping, and such was the scene—but it ii
difficult to describe.
l After the Tribune man introduced himself and was invited to become i
p member of the happy gathering, be asked Lester Ecbok:
••Well, what plans have you for the future?'
•I don’t know, except that I am going to do my best to live right and be i
goodman.”
His face beamed with happiness and he nervously sat down again and rar
■his fingers through his long hair. He has a massive face, and is not a ba<
ookiug fellow by any means. , - . /•_
» "Why did you comeback to the jail?” was next asked.
“Because I ain’t got reconciled to it yet. You eee it took me a long tim
to get reconciled to the jail and I ain’t got reconciled to my freedom.”
’ Then he sat down at the organ and played a bar of the familiar song
•* ‘Happy Day.” It was evident that he had been trained ip a Sunday school
Here Mrs. Echols, the mother of the happy boy, spoke up and mid:
‘‘Lester is just eighteen years old. He was my first boy, and you don’
know how I love him. I have tried to raise him right, and he is a good boy a
heart Bad boys are liable to get good boys in trouble. He was not. guilty. ’
And she looked fondly at the youth, who had gone over to the corner t<
talk to one of the several girls present. Presently he said to The Tribsne man
‘•There is not but one more scrape I am ever going to get mired up ii
again. That is in stealing a girl. I will plead guilty to that and settle dowi
for a life sentence. ” '
Everybody laughed. The mists which had gathered in the eyes of thos<
in witnessing the scenes of the extraordinary joy of Mrs, Echols were brushec
away.
, Then the mother made this comment:
‘‘l am glad there Isa just judge and jury still in the land. They hav<
rendered a just verdict,” > ?
“Do you think the acquittal was due to Seaborn Wright’s speech?”
“I don’tk now how much Mr. Wright’s speech had to do with it. Lester die
not do the killing. I want to say that Mr. Nunnally made a fine speech anc
so did Majbr Fouche. ”
During this time Lester Echols was walking to different portions of th<
room. He would sit down, and run his fingers over the keys of the organ anc
then he would chat one of the young ladles or one of the men in the room.
“Sow many sisters and brothers have you?” was next asked of him.
‘‘Oh, about twenty five.’’
“Bat I wish to get the exact number,” replied The Tribune man.
“Well, please, sir, ask somebody else. lam too happy to talk.”
And he sat down again and played some familiar tune on the organ that
sounded like Moody and Sankev’s “Yield not to temptation.” Mrs. Echoli
then explained that Lester bad six brothers and seven sisters all except twc
' at whom were jtad Would rejoice with him. { ••ia ,
The boy’s father, Wellborn Eehol’s is a well known farmer living neai
| Seney, and the mother to bis second wife. They were married in 1871. Lestei
is the fourth child born.to them. He has three sisters older than himself.
The Happy scope was left by The Tribune man soon afterward. There
were other joyful demonstations as friends and relatives called.
After dinner Lester returned with his father and mother to his home at
Beney, and it is safe to say there was not a happier household in all Georgia
than the Echols family last night.
• ’ ■ ~ ( JFHJ rW- f -
surprise, birtdf anyone eould hava seen
tbe happiness of the prisoner and his
father and mother they could not have
helped rejoicing-with them.
THS VERDICT KKcnvjtO.
The Scene Beggar, ileeorlptlofl When ••Not
GnHty” Wu Bead.
“We the jury find the defendant not
guilty.
W. E. A. Harvey, Foreman.”
When the verdict was read by Solicitor
Mom Wright that gave Lester Echols his
,M ** iiroi <IHI
IH h i
Va Ml Lu** ’ v >s• >! & r vMm* \
Bl t t t . ... * - A t » x 3iri *9 W fc,/ * (
freedom yesterday morning at 10:25 the
scene that followed beggars description.
The jury came in a short time previous
to be recharged on points at issue and
there was a general opinion that die jury
waa hesitating between murder and man
slaughter. No one seemed to think then
was the slightest chance for acquittal.
It was only a very short time after
wardMhat it was announced that the jury
| had reached a verdict.
1 Lester Echols, his lather anH mother
I sat in an expectant attitude. There
' was a tense drawn look that told of
the conflict of doubts and hopes that
straggled for ’supremacy in each of
their faces.
The jury filed into the box and
Judge Henry said;
“Gentlemen have you agreed upon
a verdict?”
“We have said foreman W. E. A
Harvey.
Continued on Page Two,
ROME, GA., THURSDAY, AUGUST 12. 1897.
j GEORGIA BARBECUE
State Hoose Officers Treated
I Yesterday.
Sheriff Treat—Many
Prominent People Were
Present.
Atlanta, Aug. 11,—There was an old
fashioned Georgia barbecne in the capital
today and it was honored by the presence
of the governor and, state house Officers
and a number of distinguished gentlemen
from different parts of the state. The
penitentiary department was at home and
Principal Keeper Turner and Assistant
Keeper Jake Moore were the hosts.
The barbecue was the special treat of
Mr. Moore and Sheriff McConnell, of
Floyd county. It was prepared by Mr.
Burt Allen, a famous cue artist
county. The table was spread in one of
the armory rooms in the capital basement
and at 2 o’clock about forty’ gentlemen
assembled.
Among the prominent Romans present
were: Mayor S. 8. King, Judge W. M.
Henry, Col. D. B. Hamilton, Sheriff J.
P. j McConnell, W. A. Knewles, Burt
Allen, M. C. Kay, Alec White and others.
Minong other well known guests were:
. Goy. Atkinson, Attorney-General Terrell,
, A. D. Candler. Treasurer Speer. Major
Warren, Comptroller-General Wright,
Principal Keeper Turner, J. (J. Moore,
Capt. Oscar Brown, Maj. Frank Callo
way, Dl. J. B. 8. Holmes, Albert Howell,
in, Dr. Davis, Hon. T. B. Felder, Judge
J A Anderson, Morris Brandon, Judge
W T ftoville, Mark A Hardin, W G
I Cooper and others.
Ir * ’ ;
MAY GET NEW TRIAL.
, Chances Look Good For Flanagan to Have
Anothei Hearing,
’ Atlanta., Aug, 11.—Flanagan will
in all probability get a new trial. His
’ counsel have applied for another hear
ing and there seems to be little doubt
t tbat it will be granted.
The main reason is that one jury
man, Hathaway, expressed an opinion
t before he was summonsed, which dis
qualified him for the jury.
( They also claim to have a number of
new affidavits that will have a strong
bearing on the case.
REYNOLDS CONVICTED,
3
The Jury Was Out Only a Few Minutes Before
Bringing in a Verdict.
Jeffersonville, Ga., Aug 11.—Gra
dy Reynolds was convicted ot murder
today.
Only about five hours was consumed
in the trial. The jury was out only a
few minutes. Sentence will be passed
> both on Brooks and Reynolds in the
: morning and it will probably be death
i in both instances.
i j
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
s
I Baltimore Takes Two Fiom Brooklyn. Boa
ton Defeated New York Agai *.
Washington, Aug. 11.—Following
were the scores in the national league
’ today.
Baltimore 10, Brooklyn 3, first game.
Baltimore 13, Brooklyn 3, second
I game.
I Boston 7, New York 5,
Washington 6, Philadelphia 0.
, Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 5.
j Louisville 5, Chicago 4.
Cleveland 12, Pittsburg 0.
FOR GOVERNOR.
H. Hose Tyler Nominated M Democratic
Candidate of Virginia.
Richmond, Aug. 11.—J. Hoge Tyler,
i of Roanoke, was nominated today as
' the democratic candidate for governor
of Virginia. -r., Lmfi ,
Mr. Tyler is a free silver man, and
■ very popular all over the state.
Prlooo iloary at'Msrrelllre.
Marseilles, Aug. 11.-Prince Henry
®f Orleans has arrived here on his re
turn from Abyssinia His seconds, M.
Leoniieff, a Russian officer, and M. Ra
oul Mountohon, a traveltag ootnpantou.
will meet to Paris the records of Gem
•ral Alberton, the Italian officer who
has challenged the priuce to fight a
duel on account ot the latter's asper
sions upon the conduct of Italian sol
diets in Abyssinia
Castillo'* Heiualo* Reach Madrid.
Madrid, Aug. 11.—The remains of
the late premier of Spain, Senor Cano
vas del Castillo, arrived here at 8:55
am. from Santa Agueda They were
met at the railroad station by the min
isters, members of the diplomatic corps
and civil and military authorities of
Madrid and its vicinity. Immense
crowds of people were assembled about
the depot. 4 , _
MEANS END
OFWEYLER
Castillo’s Death is Gain
For Cubans.
SAGASTA IT WILL BE
f
Next Premier of Spain Will Remove the
• Present Commander.
BUNCO MAT SUCCEED “BUTCHER”
He is Regarded as a Humane
Captain General.
MINISTER DELOME IS DISGUSTED
Cannot Get Commnntcation With Weyler.
Hao Not Heard From Him—Conces
sions to be Granted Ips urgent a.
New York, Aug. 11.—A special to
The World from Washington says: In
terest in the Spanish situation here cen
tals upon the effect of Senor Canovas
del Castillo's assassination upon Cuba.
The present government is, of course,
merely a stop- gap and cannot continue.
It fills a breach. Meantime the choice
of the. man for premier pro tern means
the probable recall of Weyler, even be
fore a complete change in the ministry.
This change is not likely to be deferred
many weeks.
Saptsta is undoubtedly the coming
premier, m the Conservative party has
no one strong enough to take Canovas*
place.
Canovas’ death means a distinct gain
to the Cubans.
Blanco probably will succeed Weyler
before the season for active fighting be
gins jn November. Blanco is described
M a humane man, whose appointment
is likely to make easier the acceptance
of autonomy by the Cubans.
Canovas’ death removes the greatest
obstacle to the granting of concessions
to Cubans. They have hitherto been
denied these, except on the impossible
terms that the insurgents first jay down
their arms.
It is no secret here that Minister De
lome has bad no communication with
Weyler for two mouths at a time, and
does not conceal his disgust with the
latter, who is a policeman rather than
a soldier.
The minister privately admits the
hopelessness of Spain’s contest
Canovas was the chief power which
sustained Weyler and postponed the
necessary reforms in Cuba.
SPANISH TROOPS ROUTED.
Big Battle In HatanaM Between Insur
gents and Weyler** Soldiers.
Nkw York, Aug. 11.—A dispatch to
The Herald from Havana says: Official
information has- reached Havana of a
decisive, battle between loyal troops and
insurgents in Matanzas. According to
this information the Spanish troops
were routed after a hard battle with
heavy losses.
This news caused a veritable sensa
tion in Havana, as it is generally known
that Captain General Weyler is now in
Matanzas and there is the belief that
the Spanish troops directly under him
were those which suffered defeat at the
hands of the rebels.
noth Sides Claim a Victory.
Wheeling, Aug. 11.—Reports from
the Kanawha valley are oonfiiotiug.
The organizers claim they have the beat
of it and that the miners will all be out
by Saturday. On the other hand, dis
interested persons say that the Diamond,
Winifreda, Big Mountain and Mount
Carbon miners have all gone back to
work. In this district then is no
change. Moandsvilie, Glendale, Boggs
Bun and Khn Grove are out and the
strikers are working on the few meh
employed tn the Peddling banks.
Brooks Convicuxl of Murder.
Jefferson, Ga., Aug. 11. Bud
Brooks, who, with Grady Reynolds,
murdered T. O. Hunt, « merchant of
Belton, Ga., sunk his body in the riv.er,
stole several hundred dollars of money
from hts person and sold out his stock
of goods, has been found guilty of mur
der in the first degree by the jury hero.
This means that he will be sentenced to
hang. Grady Reynolds, Brooks’ part
ner in crime, will be tried uept.
isr-jn — r ' •>.
Celcbrntod Kiploror Browned.
Lima, Peru, Aug. 11.—Telegraphic
advices just received here annonnoe
the death by drowning of the celebrated
Amazonian explorer, Fisoarrald.
BROKE INTO JAIL
Steel Cages el Asheville’s Jail
Are Battered In.:
—— I
Search For a Nejgro Brute Was Un
successful—But the Mob Finds
Him in the Mountains.
Asheville, N. 0., Aug. 11.—A mob
•termed the county jail here with the
purpose of taking Bob Brachett, the
negro assailant of Miss Henderson, out
and lynching him. The negro, how
ever, had been spirited away by depu
ties.
The mob battered the door of the jail
down, the keys having been refused,
and made a thorough search, breaking
off the cell locks and liberating some of
the prisoners. Finding that the negro
had been removed, the mob finally dis
persed
Another crowd in the meantime
learned shat the negro had been taken
east, and set out in pursuit Report has
it that they caught up with the officers
15 miles east of here and took the pris
oner from them. It is said that the
negro will be taken to the scene of the
crir»e and there lynched.
The governor has ordered out the
Asheville infantey.
A special from Black Mountain says
that the mob which took rapist Brachett
from the officers could not agree as to
where to lynoh him and the report there
is that the party is now on the way to
the scene of the assault. 6 miles north
of Asheville. They will not go through
here, but a posse wili leave here to try
to intwoept them. a ;
OAK HILL STRIKE IS ON.
¥»* 1 '
Mm WtMMM VFavss Were WUhkvte Dx
noUncM the CMi|MU>y’e AeMou.
Pittsburg, Aug. 11.— The Oak BRU
miners, whose wages were withheld by
the DeArmitt company because they
had struck, met at Newton and after
denouncing the company'a action, for
mally declared the strike at Oak HUI on
•nd decided to remain out uutil the
district price of 69 cents per ton i».
paid. Notwithstanding this notion,
there are more men at work in the mine
than on any day since the marchers ap
peared in the neighborhood.
The pound parade at she camp of the
strikers in Turtle Greek brought to the
commissary provisions hardly enough
for one meal There are about 300 men
and two bauds in camp, and after their
usual morning march on the Oak Hill
mine, they were served with short ra
tions. Vice Presmeut McKay, who is
in charge of the camp, says that the
larder will be replenished before noon.
At Plum Creek the force wat in
creased. The full quota of 285 men
went in before 7 o’clock and the De-
Armitts are jubilant. The strikers
watched them go in, but they still hold
that they will be out in a few days.
At Sandy OreeK there has been no
change in the situation since Monday.
‘The strikers continue their marches,
and about 25 men continue at work.
rp y -
INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.
City of Dea Moinas Trias a New Scheme
For Collecting the Mail.
Washington, Aug. fl. The post
office department has received a report
from Dee .Moines, la. , where an experi
ment is being tried of having street let
ter boxes attached to all the street cars
of the city and a large share of mail
collection taken up by them. The cars
in Des Moines all run past the postoffice.
They stop at all places to receive a let
ter or other mail matter, and as they
come by the postoffioe a carrier takes
the mail from the boxes.
During the month of July, there were
collected by this means in Des Moines
29,237 letters, 6,059 cards and 441 pieces
of second, third and fourthcluss mail
matter. It shows an increase of 1,600
pieces over June, and the postmaster is
of the opinion that owing to many cars
run being open and no boxes attached,
there was not so much collected by this
means as there would he if all the cars
had been ciosed. If the experiment is
successful it will be tried in other cities
Where similar conditions prevail
Ten killed la aa- Explosion.
Cairo, Hie., Aug. 11.— News haa been
received here that the steamer Friz
haa Mown up 15 miles south of
here, and that nine negroes and a white
deck hand were ki’led. A number of
persons are reported injured. The
steamer was owned by Captain B. B.
Bradley of this city.
’l. ''..u—i 81 -* *- -f - • - - r.f
Vhiwo Cornerod Doel la Toxas.
Longview, Tex.. Aug. 11.-At Forest
Home. 4 miles east of Kilgore, a diffi
culty occurred between Joe Hicks on.
the one side and J. H. Meadows and
Major Watson on the other, in which
Meadows Was shot and instantly killed
and Whteon mortally wounded. • Hicks
is at large.
Henvy Fin* F«»r Umpire Hnmt,
OiNCikNATL Aug. 11.—Umpire Tim
Hurst, who threw a beer glass at the
spectatois at a game here last week
ami severely injured Fireman Carty
velles, has been fined SIOO and costs by
Judge Schwab in the poiioe court
CIiIIImh <.'«t>l«'et CoilxpitHia
Lima, Peru, Aug. 11.—The Chilian
cabinet, organized less than two months
•go, has resigned. J
nil to Year Traae.
The Tribune has the
largest circulation of any
newspaper in North Geor*
gia, It reaches your trade
daily,
PRICE five .cents
POPULISTS
IN A BATTLE
Battle With Chairs En
livens Convention.
CHAIRS BROKEN UP
Charges That Banna’s Boodle Was Mix
ed Up in It.
mH OF FOLICE ON THE SCENE
Boss Hanna ’Feared Endorse
ment of Democratic Ticket.
STRAIGHTOUT POPULIST TICKET
Was Named by the Delegates—Statement as
to How the Row Waa Pre-
cipitated.
Columbus, 0., Aug. 11.—The Popu
list state convention opened with Mr.
Witt of Cleveland demanding more
than five minutes in which to speak on
charges affecting certain “middle-of*
the-road” delegates, who were there in
the interests of Senator Hanna to keep
the convention from indorsing the state
Democratic ticket,
The chairman refused Mr. Witt more
time. The delegatee told him to sit
down. Finally Martin Orumm of Co
lumbus undertook to put him down.
Mr. Witt resisted Mr. Orumm. George*
Riddle of Oolnmbus seized a chair to
assault Orumm. Delegates took the
chair from Riddle. General pandemo
nium was then introduced. Mr. E. M.
Kerr and Mr. Orumm olinched and
were fighting when Policeman Dan Mc-
Manamy separated them. Chairs were
broken in the fight
When quiet was partly restored. Mr.
Witt was still seen standing on a chair,
demanding more time to speak. Fur
ther trouble being apparent, MoManamy
telephoned police headquarters and a
squad of police reported to preserve or
der.
All of the anti-fusion delegates were
seated and a straightout Populist ticket
was >.
DEMOCRATS AT ROANOKE.
The Virginia Convention Called to Order,
Plan For Senatorial Primaries.
Roanoke, Va., Aug. 11,—The Demo
cratic state convention was called to or
der at noon in the Academy of Music.
Nearly, if not quite, all of the 1,548
members of the body were present or
represented by proxy.
The indications are that the conven
tion will hold two days. The pUtform
declarations on free silver and other
Chicago planks will be unequivocal.
The most determined fight will be over
the proposition to adopt a plan for nom
inating United senators by primary.
The developments indicate that the
most conspicuous party leaders in the
State will antagonize it. Congressman
Jones of the First district, who is cham
pioning the plan, declares that he will
make a bold fight for it. The beet in
formed leaders in the ptfrty now on the
ground predict a victory for the pri
mary idea.
Bolt.ol Lightning Hit, a Brewery.
New Orleans. Aug. 11.—A bolt of
lightning did considerable damage at
the American brewery. It struck the
brickworks of two immense boilers by
which the machinery is operated and
almost completely destroyed it. One of
the boilers was undermined and fell
with a crash to the ground. The other
boiler was badly damaged. Dan Marz
waa badly scalded by escaping steam
and may die, and Pat Maher, a laborer,
wm struck by a brick. The accident
was one of the most peculiar that has
ever happened iu tlie city.
Bai>ii»e Minlktnr '^ltlYfttouML
Sheffield, Ala., Aug. 11. Rev.
James Yates, a Baptist minister, com
mitted suicide here by hanging lnruae»f.
He was found by his wife Ixuvre life
was extinct, but died in a few minutes.
Yates was from Detroit, Mich., uuli nad
been in Sheffield a year. He we« at
outs witn tlhs memliers of the Baptist
church here. He wus 65 years om.
Thinks S.w Andre,** Ballnon.
Copenhagen, Ang. 11.—Captain Mur
tensen of the berk A'lecar, bound from
Dublin to Onega, reports that on July
13, when about two days* sail east of
Oupe, the northernmost point of
Europe, tnea being in Arctic waters,
he saw a collansed balloon, which he
believed to bo Herr Audree’e.