October 21, 1955
Describes that Leroy Goodloe and Gene Goodloe, both Black men from Cherokee county, were arrested for theft
Scroll Down
Negro Nightspot Operator Claims $25 Fee Asked For By Police Commissioner
November 10, 1955
Describes that Ozzie Newsome, a Black man who owned a restaurant in Muscle Shoals, was told by Police Commissioner Thomas F. Terry that he would have to pay a $25 fee each week to operate, a fee that Newsome could not afford. The trial that was still being deliberated by the jury at the time.
In Lawrence County: Negro Mother of 5 Goes On Trial For Her Life
August 23, 1955
Describes that an unnamed Black woman was on trial for murder and that prosecution was arguing for the death penalty. Also, includes other cases set to go on trial.
In Lawrence County: Negro Mother Of Five Gets 5-Year Sentence
August 24, 1955
Describes that Willa Dean Cunningham, a Black woman from Courtland, was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison
‘Wolf-Whistle’ Trial Opens Monday
September 18, 1955
Describes the murder of Emmitt Till and notes that a trial with an all-white jury was beginning. Also, notes that police officers had not found evidence necessary for conviction.
Despite Murder Acquittal: Mississippi Farm From Through With Till Case
September 25, 1955
Describes that the murders of Emmitt Till were acquitted and also provides details about the court hearings
Law Finally Catches Up With Knotty: Lauderdale Negro Is Sentenced
February 24, 1955
Describes that Pearl Beckwith, a Black man from Lauderdale County, had been arrested in Arkansas for burglary after he had fled Lauderdale County Police for months
In Manslaughter Conviction: New Trial Ordered For Colbert Negro
February 26, 1955
Describes that a new trial was ordered for Walter Dan Oates, a Black man from Colbert County. Notes that he had been convicted two years ago for shooting a white woman by accident when he had been attempting to shoot his wife
Negro’s Murder Trial Set Monday: Court Moves Into Final Week
March 25, 1955
Describes that there were criminal cases set to be tried and that one of those cases pertained to Delano Jones, a Black man who had been charged with killing a white man
Slaying of White Man Charged: Negro’s Murder Case Due To Go To Jury Today; Death Asked. Defense To Plead ‘Insanity’: State Finishes Case Monday
March 29, 1955
Describes that Delano Jones, a 21-year-old Black man, was charged with the first-degree murder of a white man and that the death penalty was requested.
Murder Trial Ends As: Negro Sentenced To Life In Prison For Slaying Of Merchant.Delano Jones Spared From Chair By Insanity Pleas In Shooting Of L.W. Kilgore
March 30, 1955
Describes that Delano Jones, a 21-year-old Black man, made an insanity plea and received life in prison for the murder of L.W. Kilgore, a white man
Lauderdale Negro Woman Pardoned
April 15, 1955
Briefly notes that Viola Hornsby, a Black woman from Lauderdale County, had been granted a pardon after being sentenced to thirty years for murder
Negro Arrested For Transporting ‘White Lightening’
April 22, 1955
Briefly notes that Vincent N Perkins, a Black man from Colbert County, was arrested for transporting illegal whisky
Negro Held On Charges Of Burglary
January 3, 1955
Describes that a Black man named Alex Young was arrested for burglary and wasbeing held in Lauderdale County Jail
Negro, After Wild Night, Is Arrested
January 15, 1955
Describes that Lee A. Payne, a Black man from Sheffield, was arrested for driving under the influence
Muscle Shoals Police Arrest Negro In Chase
January 18, 1955
Describes that James M. Pruitt, a Black man from Sheffield, was arrested on charges of reckless driving and fleeing the police
Negro Charged In Shooting
January 29, 1955
Describes that Risker Dee Watkins, a Black farmer from Rogersville, was arrested after shooting Jackie Lee Thompson, a Black farmer from Lauderdale County, who had threatened to shoot Watkins.
Work Of Klan? Burning Cross In Franklin
February 9, 1955
Describes that the police in Russellville found two burning crosses that also contained a note directed toward Irenge Husey and that they were going to investigate the incident
No Evidence of Klan In Franklin Cross Burning
February 10, 1955
Describes that police officers believed the cross burning was a prank and that theKu Klux Klan was not involved
Negro Apartment Superintendent Kills Stepdaughter
February 7, 1951
Describes that a Black man named James Goode admitted to attempting to assault his stepdaughter, killing her, and burning her body
Negro Accused of Killing Sheriff is Denied Body
February 8, 1951
Describes that a Black man named William Franklin Webb was accused of killing asheriff and was denied bail. Also, cites an incident where Webb was approached by a lynch mob
Negro Tenant Dies With Prayer On His Lips
February 15, 1951
Describes that a Black man named K.C. Newell was killed by the electric chair after being convicted of murder. Cites that Newell believed it was self-defense.
Negro Wanted Since 1947 Is Returned to Lauderdale County
October 26, 1950
Briefly explains that a Black man named Edward McDaniel was picked up by Tennessee police and transferred to Lauderdale County Jail for a crime committed in 1947
Lynching Said No Longer Barometer of Race Conflict
February 4, 1951
Explains the belief that lower numbers of Black Americans were being lynched incomparison to white Americans and that violence against the Black community was likely totake form in different ways, such as bombings and flogging