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Story
November 19, 1937
The Gary American
Gary, Lake County, Indiana
What is this article about?
In Hammond, Louisiana, Judge Robert Ellis, Jr. sentenced four prominent white men—Piney Wall, Herbert Lee, Julius Foster, and Dewey Wilson—to 15 years each for kidnapping and beating World War veteran Jefferson Davis, a rare instance of justice for a Black man in the South.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
WHITES KIDNAP NEGRO; FOUR ARE SENT TO JAIL
Fifteen Year Terms Set By Judge in Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, La.—Occasionally Negroes do get justice in the South which isn't of the Southern brand. This was evidenced last week in the sentencing of four white men to fifteen years each in the State Penitentiary by Judge Robert Ellis, Jr., at Hammond, La., for the kidnapping and beating of a colored man.
The sentence levied by the judge was one unprecedented in the history of lynch-law due to the fact that all four of the men convicted of beating the Negro are of considerable prominence in the vicinity. It is further so, because this is the first time any white has ever been convicted and sentenced for a crime against a Negro, carrying with it so long a penitentiary sentence.
Sentenced were Piney Wall, Herbert Lee, Julius Foster and Dewey Wilson. The Negro is Jefferson Davis, World War Veteran.
Reasons for the kidnapping and beating were undiscovered, but it was understood that the decision would be appealed.
Fifteen Year Terms Set By Judge in Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, La.—Occasionally Negroes do get justice in the South which isn't of the Southern brand. This was evidenced last week in the sentencing of four white men to fifteen years each in the State Penitentiary by Judge Robert Ellis, Jr., at Hammond, La., for the kidnapping and beating of a colored man.
The sentence levied by the judge was one unprecedented in the history of lynch-law due to the fact that all four of the men convicted of beating the Negro are of considerable prominence in the vicinity. It is further so, because this is the first time any white has ever been convicted and sentenced for a crime against a Negro, carrying with it so long a penitentiary sentence.
Sentenced were Piney Wall, Herbert Lee, Julius Foster and Dewey Wilson. The Negro is Jefferson Davis, World War Veteran.
Reasons for the kidnapping and beating were undiscovered, but it was understood that the decision would be appealed.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Kidnapping
Beating
Sentencing
Louisiana
Racial Justice
White Convicts
Negro Victim
What entities or persons were involved?
Piney Wall
Herbert Lee
Julius Foster
Dewey Wilson
Jefferson Davis
Robert Ellis, Jr.
Where did it happen?
Hammond, La.
Story Details
Key Persons
Piney Wall
Herbert Lee
Julius Foster
Dewey Wilson
Jefferson Davis
Robert Ellis, Jr.
Location
Hammond, La.
Event Date
Last Week
Story Details
Four prominent white men kidnapped and beat Negro World War veteran Jefferson Davis; Judge Robert Ellis, Jr. sentenced them to 15 years each in an unprecedented act of justice.