Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1901 — FIGHTS SHERIFF'S POSSE [ARTICLE]

FIGHTS SHERIFF'S POSSE

Three Persons Are Shot, One of Whom Will Die. TROUBLE IS OVER NEGRO. Attempt Made to Lynch Prisoner Condemned to Death—More Speedy Punishment Desired for Assailant—Sheriff Rescue* Prisoner. Ashville, Ala., was the scene of a bloody battle between a mob of 400 persons and a sheriff s posse. The mob was making an attempt to secure Jim Brown, a negro who had just beep tried, convicted and sentenced to hang for an assault. More than 100 shots were fired by the members of the mob and the defenders of the life of the negro. Two men and one boy

were shot by the sheriff’s guards. One I man will die, while the other two are Buffering intensely. The wounded are: Walter Blankenship, shot through the head with a Winchester rifle ball; will die. Arthur Blangenship, shot through the head and shoulder with buckshot. Willie Hanby, slightly shot in the head and shoulders by shot of small size. None of the deputies of the sheriff’s posse was wounded. The two men shot were brothers, and sons of the leader of the mob, who made the first dash fbr the room in the courthouse where the prisoner was being guarded. The father is about 55 years of age, and a farmer of fine physique. In leading the charge against the deputies he flourished a gun. After the shooting, and while members of the mob were in search of re-enforcements and ammunition, the negro was taken from the rear of the courthouse by iwo deputies, who managed to run him through the country for several miles and finally succeeded in flagging a freight train and taking the negro to Birmingham, where he is safely locked in the county jail. While on the train the negro confessed the crime and told the full details. The trial of the negro on the charge of assaud was completed shortly before 12 o’clock. Judge Pelham presiding sentenced Brown to hang Sept. 20. After the sentence was pronounced members of the mob attempted to makexthe sheriff promise to keep the prisoner in Ashville, but he stated that he had instructions to do otherwise, and the mob then made its attempt to remove the negro from the courthouse. Sheriff North resisted, and the fight began at once. Threats have been made to wreck the courthouse with dynamite, but it is not believed these threats will be carried out. However, there is bad feeling being manifested.