Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
October 2, 1887
The Morning News
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Three Black men, Joe Johnson, Joe Byrnes, and Henry Pollard, were arrested in Pooler for stealing a steer from Ben Rothwell. Johnson tried to sell it to James Gay, who returned it. The others claimed an alibi at a turpentine still but were jailed for Superior Court.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
CATTLE THIEVES IN LIMBO.
Three Negroes Arrested at Pooler and Put in Jail.
Mr. Ben Rothwell brought in from Pooler yesterday three negroes whom he charged with stealing a steer from him. About 10 o'clock Friday night the animal was taken from the pen and driven some distance to the farm of James Gay. A negro, named Joe Johnson was driving him and offered to sell him to Gay for $10. Gay recognized the steer and not only refused to buy it, but drove it back to Rothwell's and made Johnson go with him. Rothwell held Johnson until yesterday morning when he started with him for the train to bring him to Savannah. At the depot Johnson pointed out two other negroes, Joe Byrnes and Henry Pollard, and he said that they were the ones who stole the steer and gave it to him to sell. Rothwell obtained assistance and arrested both of them. Byrnes did not want to go with him and he fought for some time, but finally he consented to come to town. The prisoners were taken to the office of Justice Waring Russell, where warrants were sworn out and an examination was held. Byrnes and Pollard say they can prove an alibi. They swore that they were at a turpentine still at station No. 2 Friday night and that they can bring witnesses to prove that they were there after 10 o'clock. All three were committed to jail, however, to be held for the Superior Court.
Three Negroes Arrested at Pooler and Put in Jail.
Mr. Ben Rothwell brought in from Pooler yesterday three negroes whom he charged with stealing a steer from him. About 10 o'clock Friday night the animal was taken from the pen and driven some distance to the farm of James Gay. A negro, named Joe Johnson was driving him and offered to sell him to Gay for $10. Gay recognized the steer and not only refused to buy it, but drove it back to Rothwell's and made Johnson go with him. Rothwell held Johnson until yesterday morning when he started with him for the train to bring him to Savannah. At the depot Johnson pointed out two other negroes, Joe Byrnes and Henry Pollard, and he said that they were the ones who stole the steer and gave it to him to sell. Rothwell obtained assistance and arrested both of them. Byrnes did not want to go with him and he fought for some time, but finally he consented to come to town. The prisoners were taken to the office of Justice Waring Russell, where warrants were sworn out and an examination was held. Byrnes and Pollard say they can prove an alibi. They swore that they were at a turpentine still at station No. 2 Friday night and that they can bring witnesses to prove that they were there after 10 o'clock. All three were committed to jail, however, to be held for the Superior Court.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Cattle Theft
Arrest
Alibi
Steer Stealing
Negroes Jailed
What entities or persons were involved?
Ben Rothwell
Joe Johnson
James Gay
Joe Byrnes
Henry Pollard
Waring Russell
Where did it happen?
Pooler, Savannah
Story Details
Key Persons
Ben Rothwell
Joe Johnson
James Gay
Joe Byrnes
Henry Pollard
Waring Russell
Location
Pooler, Savannah
Event Date
Friday Night
Story Details
Ben Rothwell's steer was stolen Friday night and Joe Johnson attempted to sell it to James Gay, who returned it. Johnson implicated Joe Byrnes and Henry Pollard, leading to their arrest despite alibi claims. All three were jailed for Superior Court.