ROBBERS IN COURT ROOM

THIEVES GET JUDGE HAMMOND"S NEW FALL HEAT

OLD NEGRO WOMAN ROBBED OF $40 SHE HAD IN HAND TO PAY HER SON'S FINE.

09-02-1902

Griffin, Ga., Sept. 3

The most peculiar and unique robbery that ever occurred in the history of Spalding County took place today. Emma Stamps, a good old colored woman, was robbed of two crisp twenty-dollar bills while sitting in the court house where Judge E.W. Hammond was holding the city court of Griffin. Her son, Henry Stamps, was on trial for carrying a pistol concealed and she was awaiting the verdict of the jury, holding in her hand this money to pay his fine in case he was convicted. Around her was gathered about fifty negroes, parties or witnesses attending the court. Suddenly the money was missed and the alarm was given. Sheriff Freeman searched several of the negroes nearest her but found nothing.

Yesterday some one stole the judge's new fall hat and left an old, dirty one in exchange. It looks as if all of the theives in the county are not on trial.