Governor Ritchie's Clipping File on Lynching
msa_s1048_1_and_10-0549

   Enlarge and print image (46K)  Notes  Transcribe
           << PREVIOUS   NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space


 

Governor Ritchie's Clipping File on Lynching
msa_s1048_1_and_10-0549

   Enlarge and print image (46K)  Notes  Transcribe
           << PREVIOUS   NEXT >>
CONTINUE TO PROBE'SHORE LYNCHING CASE State's Attorney Adds Seventeen New Witnesses To Original List Of Persons Summoned COURT CRITICIZED International Labor Defense League Offended When Court Mentions "Outside Organization" Salisbury, Md.. Mar. 16 (ff>) —Additional witnesses, not originally included in the list announced by State's Attorney Levin C. Bailey, appeared today in the long queue, awaiting a call into the grand jury room where that tribunal is engaged in a triple phase investigation of the murder of Daniel J. Elliott, prominent lumber manufacturer; of the mob hanging of Matthew Williams, negro, his confessed slayer, and of Communist activities here prior to those two crimes. Judge Joseph L. Bailey instructed the jurors to probe into all three phases and the character of the witnesses list indicated that the charge was being executed. Obtain Additional Witnesses Seventeen new witnesses were ummoned today, in addition to the original list of 102 names. They included Dr. H. A. Barnes, MUs Mary Massey, nurse; Graydon L. Ware, Fred A. Grier, Jr., Harry Waller, Marion Brown, John Cros-well, John Martin, Sr., John Martin, Jr., L. Carroll Hopkins, Loran Nib-lett from Salisbury and "Pats" Wilson, L. Thomas Webster, Russell Webster of Somerset county. There were also Salisbury negroes, considered representatives of that race here. They were Randolph Ralph, Daniel J. Elzey, Roger Jennings, George Farlow. Chief of Police N. H. Holland, who with Deputy Sheriff Donald A. Parks, was on duty at the hospital from which Williams was taken to be hanged was questioned by the grand jury for more than an hour this morning. Eight other witnesses were heard before noon. Examine Twelve Yesterday Twelve witnesses were examined yesterday afternoon included G. M. Phillips, Wicomico county sheriff. but the nature of their testimony or the angles the investigation he was taking were kept secret. The jurors have been instructed by Judge Joseph L. Bailey to look into all circumstances surrounding the lynching and the actions of fin "outside organization" on the Eastern Shore. While that "outside organization" was not mentioned by name by the court, the International Labor Defense League said it had been in the mind of the jurist and in a telegram to Governor Ritchie, Louis Berger, secretary of the League demanded the impeachment of the judge. Berger said the League had been insulted by the court. Protests Court Action The League also protested the selection of jury declaring it had been "hand picked" to perfect "lynch rule." The League representative in a telegram to Judge Bailey complained that there were no negroes on the jury or representatives of the poor working classes. The jurist said that when he received the telegram it would be given to Judge John R. Pattison. head of the judicial circuit. In Baltimore Governor Ritchie made no comment on the demand made of him by Berger.