Houston County, Georgia Genealogy and History - Presented by Genealogy Trails History Group

Houston County Negro Not Guilty of Assault. Henry Cliett Speedily Freed of Serious Charge
Jury Out Five Minutes
Jury In Bryant Murder Gate Locked Up For Night In Hotel Unable to Agree on A Verdict
Negro Brings Defense That He Protected Own Life

The state absolutely failed to make out a case against Henry Cliett, the Houston county Negro who was tried in the superior court yesterday on a charge of having made a criminal attack on a young Houston county girl and it only took the Jury—about five minutes to decide on a verdict of not guilty. The case was taken up before Judge Mathews about 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon and a night session of court was held in order that the case might be finished and the witnesses who were here from Houston county return to their homes. The defense did not introduce any testimony at all and the Negro prisoner made no statement.

Girl Gives Testimony,

The chief witness was the girl against whom the alleged attack was made. She testified that she was asleep In her room when she felt a hand touch her body. Twenty minutes later she was again disturbed and felt a form climb up on her bed. The Intruder, however, was frightened away. Track dogs were secured and Henry Cliett, a negro boy who had worked on the place for fifteen years was arrested. Feeling was so high against him In Houston that a change of venue to Bibb county was granted by Judge Mathews. The negro was represented by Attorney Nunn, of Houston county.

Bryant Jury Goes to Bed,

Practically the entire day In the superior court yesterday was taken up with the trial of the case of Isaiah Bryant, a Negro charged with murder his alleged victim being John Smith. This Jury retired about 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon and went to bed at the Lanier hotel last night at 11 o'clock without having agreed on a verdict, The trouble which resulted In the killing of Smith occurred In a place on Broadway run by George Jackson, Bryant was cut by Smith and Smith in turn was so badly stabbed that he died later at the Macon hospital. His defense was that he had acted in self-defense. Attorneys E. C. Powers and R. G. Plunkett, who were appointed by the court, represented Bryant
Date: 1914-11-25; Paper: Macon Weekly Telegraph