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The Elkins Inter Mountain
Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
In Lexington, Ky., 1000 Kentucky National Guard troops are deployed to prevent lynching during the trial of Ed Harris, a Black man who confessed to killing Clarence Bryant and his two children and attacking the mother. The trial on the attack charge begins tomorrow, expected to be brief with a guilty plea.
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NEGRO ON TRIAL
Kentucky National Guard Patrolling Streets of Lexington
to Prevent Lynching of Negro
Charged With Murder.
Lexington, Ky., Feb. 1. —(AP)—With 1000 troops of the Kentucky National guard guarding the court house, patrolling the highways leading into the city and generally policing the city to prevent mob violence, Ed Harris, negro, who confessed a triple slaying and an attack on a white woman, will go to trial here tomorrow on the latter charge.
The troops were ordered here to prevent the recurrence of a tragedy similar to the one six years ago during the trial of William Lockett, negro.
Decision to order troops here for the negro's trial was reached last week by Governor W. J. Fields after a conference with local and county officials which was kept secret until late Saturday.
Colonel Dan Carroll, 133d Artillery, who will be in command of the troops arrived from Louisville yesterday but declined to give statement concerning plans.
The only information came through the mayor, sheriff and county judge of Fayette county who issued a proclamation telling the citizens the area that would be closed to traffic.
Harris was brought here under military guard from the Frankfort Reformatory where he was taken after being arrested at Georgetown, while endeavoring to escape from the state.
Lexington Quiet
Lexington was quiet today and little talk was heard on the streets regarding the trial tomorrow.
Governor Fields in a statement issued from his sick bed at Frankfort last night said the "Situation was serious but it will be well handled."
Harris' crime was one of the most revolting in the history of the Bluegrass country in which it was committed. After having killed Clarence Bryant and his two children, the negro attacked the mother and seriously wounded her.
Commonwealth's attorney Maurice Kemper has announced that Harris will be tried on the attack charge as it will permit his execution here after conviction. Kentucky laws permit two death sentences, electrocution for murder and hanging for attacks on women.
The commonwealth's attorney said that the execution here would be a deterrent to further crime.
Officials stated that they expected the trial to be brief and that probably Tuesday night all troops would be en route back to their homes.
Kemper said today that Harris trial "Will be a speedy one but fair" and that Mrs. Bryant would not be subjected to the ordeal of appearing in court. Kemper said it would not be necessary since Harris has confessed and since the sheriff and coroner and physicians will testify. Harris confessed to the sheriff and is expected to enter a plea of guilty. The trial is not expected to last more than an hour.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Lexington, Ky.
Event Date
Feb. 1
Key Persons
Outcome
clarence bryant and his two children killed; mrs. bryant seriously wounded. trial expected brief with guilty plea; execution by hanging anticipated after conviction on attack charge.
Event Details
Ed Harris, who confessed to a triple slaying and attack on a white woman, to be tried in Lexington on the attack charge with 1000 National Guard troops deployed to prevent lynching. Troops ordered by Governor Fields; trial starts tomorrow, expected to last one hour with testimony from officials.