In 1895 Houston was involved in a little trouble, we find this article in the Alabama Enquirer dated February 14, 1895.
Not Guilty - Says the Jury in the Cullman Whitecap Case, The End of a Long Trial.
Cullman, Alabama, February 9____ The famous Evans-Whitecap trial has ended and a verdict of not guilty has been rendered by the jury. so it goes abroad that the defendants, HOUSTON HOLMES, Joe Gober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Caddell, Dr. Lewis Keller, John Goodlett are not the men who killed John Evans on the 15th of August, 1891.
It has been a long trial and an interesting case. Both fought to the best of their ability, but the defendants have come out free as to the charges.
The same charge stands against the defendants for the murder of Monroe Evans and the defendants will have to remain in jail until they can either be released on bail or stand trial for the offense. It is thought they will be permitted to give bond and go home to their families and await the regular session of court for the next trial.
Solicitor Sautelle has made a brave fight for the state, and it seems a good case, but the weight of the evidence as to alibis has been against him, also to the character of the four men who turned states evidence, which caused the arrests of these parties. A little commotion was started when the verdict was read, but Judge Speake reprimanded the action and all was quiet.
What Houston was accused of was the lynching of Monroe and John Evans, a father and son of notorious reputation. The supposedly aided the Union during the Civil War against old people and woman and had proceeded to be a menace to their neighbors after the war. the two men had been arrested and put in jail, but on the night of August 15, 1891 a mob overtook the guards (you wonder how much resistance they met ?) and took the men from the jail to give them a good whipping. In the frenzy it was evidently decided to settle the score right then and there. the men were hung from a tree with the same rope, facing each other as they died. Houston was accused of being in the mob but, he was found innocent of all charges. This took place in BAILEYTON.
Further research adds:
1895
STARTLED BY THE TESTIMONY
The Trials of the Whitecaps Becomes Sensational
Cullman, Ala., Feb. 4 - Ten prominent citizens, Joseph Gaher, Horton Holmes, John Holmes, J. Donaldson, W. Donalson, David Cattle, Dock Kellar, David Kellar, John Goodlett, William Goodlett, are on trial here charged with being members of the whitecap league which lynched John and Monroe Evans, white men, father and son, near Balleyton, this county, August 20, 1891
The trail is by far the most sensational in Alabama for a decade, and the entire state is shocked at developments. The Evanses, who were obnoxious neighbors and rather tough characters, were accused of firing on a citizen from ambush and they were arrested but a whitecap band took them from the officers by night and hanged them both to the same tree. Although the governor offered large rewards for the murderers and sent detectives to the scene the affair remained a mystery until last fall, when four men went before the grand jury and turned state's evidence. The indictment for murder and arrest of the ten named followed.
What these men told the grand jury developed for the first time at the trial today. A. J. Cash, one of them, confessed to being a member of the Whitecap League and implicated the accused. He named the parties who tied the rope about the Evanses neck, as well as those who pulled them down by their legs until they choked to death.
He named Dock Kellar as the physician who pronounced them dead. He told of the working of the Whitecap League which was organized to regulate obnoxious characters, its members being highly prominent citizens including county officials.
Tom Entrican, Robert B. Bradley and W. P. Turner all confessed to being members of the gang and confirmed Cash?s story, except that the two last named were unable to indentify all the accused as participants. The trial will continue for a week. (Source: Vernon Courier, February 7, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
ALLEGED WHITE CAPPERS
Tried for Murder at Cullman Discharged
Held for Another Crime Cullman, Feb 9 - The trial of the alleged White Cappers, which has been in progress here the past two weeks, ended today in an acquittal.
There were ten of the defendants named as follow: Houston Holmes, Joe Geober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Coddell, Dr. Lewis Kellar, John Goodlett and Dan Goodlett
They were charged with killing John Evans on the night of August 15, 1891. Four men claiming to have been with the defendants at the time of the killing turned state's evidence, but their character was assailed by the defense and could not be overcome by the state.
The same ten defendants are charged with murdering Monroe Evans at the same time and place. (Source: Vernon Courier, Lamar County AL, February 14, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
Gordon Houston Holmes 8/31/2021
Not Guilty - Says the Jury in the Cullman Whitecap Case, The End of a Long Trial.
Cullman, Alabama, February 9____ The famous Evans-Whitecap trial has ended and a verdict of not guilty has been rendered by the jury. so it goes abroad that the defendants, HOUSTON HOLMES, Joe Gober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Caddell, Dr. Lewis Keller, John Goodlett are not the men who killed John Evans on the 15th of August, 1891.
It has been a long trial and an interesting case. Both fought to the best of their ability, but the defendants have come out free as to the charges.
The same charge stands against the defendants for the murder of Monroe Evans and the defendants will have to remain in jail until they can either be released on bail or stand trial for the offense. It is thought they will be permitted to give bond and go home to their families and await the regular session of court for the next trial.
Solicitor Sautelle has made a brave fight for the state, and it seems a good case, but the weight of the evidence as to alibis has been against him, also to the character of the four men who turned states evidence, which caused the arrests of these parties. A little commotion was started when the verdict was read, but Judge Speake reprimanded the action and all was quiet.
What Houston was accused of was the lynching of Monroe and John Evans, a father and son of notorious reputation. The supposedly aided the Union during the Civil War against old people and woman and had proceeded to be a menace to their neighbors after the war. the two men had been arrested and put in jail, but on the night of August 15, 1891 a mob overtook the guards (you wonder how much resistance they met ?) and took the men from the jail to give them a good whipping. In the frenzy it was evidently decided to settle the score right then and there. the men were hung from a tree with the same rope, facing each other as they died. Houston was accused of being in the mob but, he was found innocent of all charges. This took place in BAILEYTON.
Further research adds:
1895
STARTLED BY THE TESTIMONY
The Trials of the Whitecaps Becomes Sensational
Cullman, Ala., Feb. 4 - Ten prominent citizens, Joseph Gaher, Horton Holmes, John Holmes, J. Donaldson, W. Donalson, David Cattle, Dock Kellar, David Kellar, John Goodlett, William Goodlett, are on trial here charged with being members of the whitecap league which lynched John and Monroe Evans, white men, father and son, near Balleyton, this county, August 20, 1891
The trail is by far the most sensational in Alabama for a decade, and the entire state is shocked at developments. The Evanses, who were obnoxious neighbors and rather tough characters, were accused of firing on a citizen from ambush and they were arrested but a whitecap band took them from the officers by night and hanged them both to the same tree. Although the governor offered large rewards for the murderers and sent detectives to the scene the affair remained a mystery until last fall, when four men went before the grand jury and turned state's evidence. The indictment for murder and arrest of the ten named followed.
What these men told the grand jury developed for the first time at the trial today. A. J. Cash, one of them, confessed to being a member of the Whitecap League and implicated the accused. He named the parties who tied the rope about the Evanses neck, as well as those who pulled them down by their legs until they choked to death.
He named Dock Kellar as the physician who pronounced them dead. He told of the working of the Whitecap League which was organized to regulate obnoxious characters, its members being highly prominent citizens including county officials.
Tom Entrican, Robert B. Bradley and W. P. Turner all confessed to being members of the gang and confirmed Cash?s story, except that the two last named were unable to indentify all the accused as participants. The trial will continue for a week. (Source: Vernon Courier, February 7, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
ALLEGED WHITE CAPPERS
Tried for Murder at Cullman Discharged
Held for Another Crime Cullman, Feb 9 - The trial of the alleged White Cappers, which has been in progress here the past two weeks, ended today in an acquittal.
There were ten of the defendants named as follow: Houston Holmes, Joe Geober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Coddell, Dr. Lewis Kellar, John Goodlett and Dan Goodlett
They were charged with killing John Evans on the night of August 15, 1891. Four men claiming to have been with the defendants at the time of the killing turned state's evidence, but their character was assailed by the defense and could not be overcome by the state.
The same ten defendants are charged with murdering Monroe Evans at the same time and place. (Source: Vernon Courier, Lamar County AL, February 14, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
Gordon Houston Holmes 8/31/2021
In 1895 Houston was involved in a little trouble, we find this article in the Alabama Enquirer dated February 14, 1895.
Not Guilty - Says the Jury in the Cullman Whitecap Case, The End of a Long Trial.
Cullman, Alabama, February 9____ The famous Evans-Whitecap trial has ended and a verdict of not guilty has been rendered by the jury. so it goes abroad that the defendants, HOUSTON HOLMES, Joe Gober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Caddell, Dr. Lewis Keller, John Goodlett are not the men who killed John Evans on the 15th of August, 1891.
It has been a long trial and an interesting case. Both fought to the best of their ability, but the defendants have come out free as to the charges.
The same charge stands against the defendants for the murder of Monroe Evans and the defendants will have to remain in jail until they can either be released on bail or stand trial for the offense. It is thought they will be permitted to give bond and go home to their families and await the regular session of court for the next trial.
Solicitor Sautelle has made a brave fight for the state, and it seems a good case, but the weight of the evidence as to alibis has been against him, also to the character of the four men who turned states evidence, which caused the arrests of these parties. A little commotion was started when the verdict was read, but Judge Speake reprimanded the action and all was quiet.
What Houston was accused of was the lynching of Monroe and John Evans, a father and son of notorious reputation. The supposedly aided the Union during the Civil War against old people and woman and had proceeded to be a menace to their neighbors after the war. the two men had been arrested and put in jail, but on the night of August 15, 1891 a mob overtook the guards (you wonder how much resistance they met ?) and took the men from the jail to give them a good whipping. In the frenzy it was evidently decided to settle the score right then and there. the men were hung from a tree with the same rope, facing each other as they died. Houston was accused of being in the mob but, he was found innocent of all charges. This took place in BAILEYTON.
Further research adds:
1895
STARTLED BY THE TESTIMONY
The Trials of the Whitecaps Becomes Sensational
Cullman, Ala., Feb. 4 - Ten prominent citizens, Joseph Gaher, Horton Holmes, John Holmes, J. Donaldson, W. Donalson, David Cattle, Dock Kellar, David Kellar, John Goodlett, William Goodlett, are on trial here charged with being members of the whitecap league which lynched John and Monroe Evans, white men, father and son, near Balleyton, this county, August 20, 1891
The trail is by far the most sensational in Alabama for a decade, and the entire state is shocked at developments. The Evanses, who were obnoxious neighbors and rather tough characters, were accused of firing on a citizen from ambush and they were arrested but a whitecap band took them from the officers by night and hanged them both to the same tree. Although the governor offered large rewards for the murderers and sent detectives to the scene the affair remained a mystery until last fall, when four men went before the grand jury and turned state's evidence. The indictment for murder and arrest of the ten named followed.
What these men told the grand jury developed for the first time at the trial today. A. J. Cash, one of them, confessed to being a member of the Whitecap League and implicated the accused. He named the parties who tied the rope about the Evanses neck, as well as those who pulled them down by their legs until they choked to death.
He named Dock Kellar as the physician who pronounced them dead. He told of the working of the Whitecap League which was organized to regulate obnoxious characters, its members being highly prominent citizens including county officials.
Tom Entrican, Robert B. Bradley and W. P. Turner all confessed to being members of the gang and confirmed Cash?s story, except that the two last named were unable to indentify all the accused as participants. The trial will continue for a week. (Source: Vernon Courier, February 7, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
ALLEGED WHITE CAPPERS
Tried for Murder at Cullman Discharged
Held for Another Crime Cullman, Feb 9 - The trial of the alleged White Cappers, which has been in progress here the past two weeks, ended today in an acquittal.
There were ten of the defendants named as follow: Houston Holmes, Joe Geober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Coddell, Dr. Lewis Kellar, John Goodlett and Dan Goodlett
They were charged with killing John Evans on the night of August 15, 1891. Four men claiming to have been with the defendants at the time of the killing turned state's evidence, but their character was assailed by the defense and could not be overcome by the state.
The same ten defendants are charged with murdering Monroe Evans at the same time and place. (Source: Vernon Courier, Lamar County AL, February 14, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
Gordon Houston Holmes 8/31/2021
Not Guilty - Says the Jury in the Cullman Whitecap Case, The End of a Long Trial.
Cullman, Alabama, February 9____ The famous Evans-Whitecap trial has ended and a verdict of not guilty has been rendered by the jury. so it goes abroad that the defendants, HOUSTON HOLMES, Joe Gober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Caddell, Dr. Lewis Keller, John Goodlett are not the men who killed John Evans on the 15th of August, 1891.
It has been a long trial and an interesting case. Both fought to the best of their ability, but the defendants have come out free as to the charges.
The same charge stands against the defendants for the murder of Monroe Evans and the defendants will have to remain in jail until they can either be released on bail or stand trial for the offense. It is thought they will be permitted to give bond and go home to their families and await the regular session of court for the next trial.
Solicitor Sautelle has made a brave fight for the state, and it seems a good case, but the weight of the evidence as to alibis has been against him, also to the character of the four men who turned states evidence, which caused the arrests of these parties. A little commotion was started when the verdict was read, but Judge Speake reprimanded the action and all was quiet.
What Houston was accused of was the lynching of Monroe and John Evans, a father and son of notorious reputation. The supposedly aided the Union during the Civil War against old people and woman and had proceeded to be a menace to their neighbors after the war. the two men had been arrested and put in jail, but on the night of August 15, 1891 a mob overtook the guards (you wonder how much resistance they met ?) and took the men from the jail to give them a good whipping. In the frenzy it was evidently decided to settle the score right then and there. the men were hung from a tree with the same rope, facing each other as they died. Houston was accused of being in the mob but, he was found innocent of all charges. This took place in BAILEYTON.
Further research adds:
1895
STARTLED BY THE TESTIMONY
The Trials of the Whitecaps Becomes Sensational
Cullman, Ala., Feb. 4 - Ten prominent citizens, Joseph Gaher, Horton Holmes, John Holmes, J. Donaldson, W. Donalson, David Cattle, Dock Kellar, David Kellar, John Goodlett, William Goodlett, are on trial here charged with being members of the whitecap league which lynched John and Monroe Evans, white men, father and son, near Balleyton, this county, August 20, 1891
The trail is by far the most sensational in Alabama for a decade, and the entire state is shocked at developments. The Evanses, who were obnoxious neighbors and rather tough characters, were accused of firing on a citizen from ambush and they were arrested but a whitecap band took them from the officers by night and hanged them both to the same tree. Although the governor offered large rewards for the murderers and sent detectives to the scene the affair remained a mystery until last fall, when four men went before the grand jury and turned state's evidence. The indictment for murder and arrest of the ten named followed.
What these men told the grand jury developed for the first time at the trial today. A. J. Cash, one of them, confessed to being a member of the Whitecap League and implicated the accused. He named the parties who tied the rope about the Evanses neck, as well as those who pulled them down by their legs until they choked to death.
He named Dock Kellar as the physician who pronounced them dead. He told of the working of the Whitecap League which was organized to regulate obnoxious characters, its members being highly prominent citizens including county officials.
Tom Entrican, Robert B. Bradley and W. P. Turner all confessed to being members of the gang and confirmed Cash?s story, except that the two last named were unable to indentify all the accused as participants. The trial will continue for a week. (Source: Vernon Courier, February 7, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
ALLEGED WHITE CAPPERS
Tried for Murder at Cullman Discharged
Held for Another Crime Cullman, Feb 9 - The trial of the alleged White Cappers, which has been in progress here the past two weeks, ended today in an acquittal.
There were ten of the defendants named as follow: Houston Holmes, Joe Geober, Ben Donaldson, Jonas Donaldson, James Coddell, Dr. Lewis Kellar, John Goodlett and Dan Goodlett
They were charged with killing John Evans on the night of August 15, 1891. Four men claiming to have been with the defendants at the time of the killing turned state's evidence, but their character was assailed by the defense and could not be overcome by the state.
The same ten defendants are charged with murdering Monroe Evans at the same time and place. (Source: Vernon Courier, Lamar County AL, February 14, 1895 - Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)
Gordon Houston Holmes 8/31/2021
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