Wednesday, 26th November 1913: Conley Will Be Tried During January Term, The Atlanta Constitution

Reading Time: 6 minutes [896 words]

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.