Barry Wright, a well known Rome attorney, returned yesterday from Spring Place, Murray county, where he defended Jim Franklin and Joe Swanger, charged with the murder of A. K. Ramsey, a member of the legislature from Murray County.

Assisting Mr. Wright in the defense were G. G. Glenn, of Dalton, and W. E. Mann, of Ringgold. Mr. Wright says that they had a strenuous time saving Franklin from the gallows.

The tragedy occurred April 22, while Mr. Ramsey was standing in front of his residence. Franklin and Swanger were firing at random when Mr. Ramsey stepped out of his house and told them to quit. It was then that Franklin drew his pistol and shot Ramsey dead.

In the trial no reason was established for the tragedy and yesterday the jury returned a verdict of guilty in the first degree, with a recommendation to the mercy of the court.

Franklin was sentenced for life in the state penitentiary and Swanger to twelve months.

Solicitor S. P. Maddox for the state was assisted by Judge R. T. Dorsey and Howell Erwin, of Atlanta, and C. N. King, of Spring Place.

Mr. Wright says the people were greatly excited over the affair and numerous attempts were made to lynch Franklin. IN order to avoid any further trouble of the nature, Franklin was taken through the mountains yesterday morning to the jail in Dalton.

The following note was added by The Murray Messenger's editor following the reprinted article:

"The man who reported the above to the Herald is entitled to the blue ribbon beyond the shadow of any doubt. "Several attempts at lynching," "through the mountains to Dalton," "no reason was established for the tragedy." Such rot! It is bad enough for the truth to be told about such matter, let alone such as the above."

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