Wednesday, 26th November 1913: Conley Will Be Tried During January Term, The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta Constitution,
Wednesday, 26th November 1913,
PAGE 7, COLUMN 4.
Negro Factory Sweeper Appears in Court in order to
Have the Time
Set.
Jim Conley, the negro factory sweeper
who was a witness against Leo Frank in his trial for the murder of Mary Phagan,
will be tried during the January term of the criminal court of Fulton county.
This was made possible Tuesday when
Conley, ready for trial, appeared before Judge Ben Hill, of the superior court,
and, through his attorney, demanded trial.
Conley was brought into court from the
prisoners bullpen, looking smug and all smiles. So soon as court was
officially opened. Solicitor General Dorsey called the courts attention to the
fact that the negro had appeared in court once before for trial.
Judge Hill then said:
I know that the negro is ready for
such trial as shall be given him, but the court is not. I do not believe
At this point Attorney William Smith,
the negros legal advisor, arose and filed formal demand for trial.
Just a minute. Mr. Smith, said the
court. I appreciate that your formal demand takes the matter of this mans
trial out of my hands, but I am still of the opinion that the trial should go
over until the Frank retrial motion, new before the supreme court, has been
disposed of.
Attorney Smith declared that he did not
wish to force the negros trial on the court, but that, in justice to his
client, he had filed motion for trial so that his client would know where he
stood.
Conley will be tried at the next
regular session of Judge Hills court, which opens on January 1.
The case will resolve itself into a
legal argument between Attorney Smith and Solicitor General Dorsey when the
case appears for trial, as the negro, through the formal demand filed Tuesday,
waives right of jury and stands ready to plead to the two indictments hanging
over his head. It will remain with the court whether the negro shall be
sentenced for a misdemeanor or a felony.
PAGE 7, COLUMN 4
Trial by Jury will be the subject
if an address which will be made Wednesday afternoon at 5 oclock by Judge John
T. Pendleton before the combined classes of the Atlanta Law school. Judge
Pendleton, who is a barrister of long experience and high standing, is expected
to give some interesting views on the success and shortcomings of the modern
jury system.
PAGE 4, COLUMN 5
Men and Religion
Bulletin No. 85
FOLLOW ME
I am the good
shepherd:
the good shepherd
layeth
down his life for
the sheep.
He that is a
hireling
fleeth.---John
10-11:12.
Miss Edith Appleyard died Monday.
She was once matron at Agness Scott College.
Christ touched her heart.
She wished to serve.
She said:---
Send me to any placeonly put me where I can reach
and help the nethermost.
Chief Beavers closed Atlantas houses of shame.
Help was offered the fallen; Belle Sommers was
saved; she gave money to found a home for them.
Miss Appleyard came to give her life.
She left Agnes Scott College.
She became matron of Marthas Home.
She went into the hells of earth to save her
sisters.
She lived with them.
God alone knew the strain.
For few helped. Many hindered.
Christian people, not understanding, tried to close
this refuge for
the hopeless. The Police Board classified it as a
nuisance. A great
paper termed it a disorderly house.
Miss Appleyard never complained.
Without rest, without ceasing, day in, day out, she
served.
She found only happiness in the work.
She was saving the lost.
She was bringing order out of chaos.
The way was becoming clear.
But self had been forgotten; sickness came.
Years ago a man had sinned.
A woman was infected.
No one knows how many lives have suffered for their
shameinnocent lives have been sacrificed for their sin.
A girl came to Marthas Home.
She brought their curse.
A man had put it upon her.
It found the lips of Miss Appleyard, who by love was
trying to bring the girl back to life.
Miss Appleyard is dead.
Science fought for her life.
Men and women prayed that she might stay.
But God called. He had work elsewhere for her.
With Paul she realized that it is better far to be
away and with Jesus.
For weeksmonths, unable to use her tongue, she has
written her thoughts. Each note has radiated joy and hope, although she knew
that death was daily drawing nearer.
Asked if she had a message to send the students of
Agnes Scott, she wrote:--
I do thank my Savior that He has permitted me just
a glimpse of this His great work and I hope that it may be their work too.
To the girls of the Martha Berry School, she sent
this word:--
I have no message but this, that they may realize
their wonderful opportunity before they are gone.
Their worktheir wonderful opportunity.
Our workour wonderful opportunity.
Your workyour wonderful opportunitybefore you are
gone.
Her last conscious expression was a note to this
Committee. She said
All the Executive CommitteeMy love. Tell them how
grateful I am to have been counted worthy to share in the great work. May God
overrule all mistakes.
His great work.
Jesus said:
Feed my lambstend my sheepFollow Me.
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd layeth down
his life for
The sheep. He that is a hireling flleeth.
If any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Whosoever doth not bear his own crosscannot be my
disciple.
Miss Appleyard has shown again the only way, a new
and living
Way, the cross of Christ.
God grant that you and we may take it up today and
follow Him.
No word of sorrow should be heard.
This Thanksgiving Day, let us go up to Gods place
of prayer.
And there, in the house of our Father we will give
thanks for her life.
But most of all for her triumphant death.
God lead us in the way that she has shown.