Crawford-Bibb County GaArchives Biographies.....Ro(w)land, Robert Jackson March 2, 1843 - May 16, 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Dennis Roland dencar42@cox.net January 30, 2010, 10:51 pm Source: CSA enlistment/prisoner and hospital records, CSA pension record, 1870 & 1880 Censuses Crawford Co Georgia, 1900 Census Bibb Co georgia, Cemetery burial plot Verification, Several Macon Telegraph News Articles. Author: Dennis A. Roland Biography of: ROBERT JACKSON ROWLAND B: 2 Mar. 1843 - D: 16 May 1908 Born: 2 March 1843 to William J. Rowland and Rebecca Harrison Rowland in Crawford County Georgia. As late as the 1900 census, RJ is documented as not being able to read or write. It is assumed that Robert did not attend school and therefore worked with his dad, William on the farm prior to enlisting in the Confederate States Army. At 18 years old, RJ enlisted September 10, 1861, in Griffin, Georgia, by Major Holiday, as a private in Company C, 27th Regiment-Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee- Crawford County, Georgia, Jackson’s Guards. No information is available from the time he enlisted until he was captured at Gaines Mill, during the battle of Cold Harbor,Virginia, 1 June, 1864. Without a doubt, it was a long two and a half years before his capture. During the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., RJ’s skull was fractured in four directions from a gun shot wound around the ear area and he was captured thereafter. After his capture at Cold Harbor, RJ was sent to Point Lookout, Maryland and then further sent to Elmira, New York as a prisoner. He arrived at Elmira 17 July, 1864. Robert’s stay in Elmira would be one of many trials and tribulations during his life. The conditions at Elmira should have been cause for prosecution of the Camp leaders at the time, especially Col. Hoffman, for war crimes for allowing the atrocities that occured there. After surviving approximately 6 months as a prisoner at Elmira, on 9 Feb, 1865, RJ was then sent back to Point Lookout, Maryland for prisoner exchange: Excerpt from Roll No. 7: “Received at Boulwares & Cox Wharf, James River, Feb 20 and 21st, 1865, from Lt. Col Jno. E. Mulford, U.S. Asst, Agt. for Exchange, Three Thousand and Thirty-eight (3038) paroled Confederate prisoners of war on this roll, including officers.” Robert was one of these 3038 parolees. From here, RJ was sent to Wayside and Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia and admitted on Feb 22, 1865. Robert was about 22 yrs old at this time. No later record for RJ concerning his release from Jackson Hospital. Robert returned to Crawford Co. Georgia after the war and married Martha Ellen Joyner of Crawford co. on 26 Oct. 1865. He is listed as 25 yrs old on the 1870 Census for Crawford Co, 532nd Dist (Rogers dist.) along with Martha, 25 yrs old, Ella, 4 yrs old, and Mary 1 month/12 days old. It appears he and Martha had taken up farming at the time. They were living next door to his father,William and Rebecca at the time who also were on the same census. Robert next appears on the 1880 Crawford Census still living in the Rogers’ Dist. A busy RJ at this time is listed as 35 yrs old, still farming with Martha his wife, and six kids: Ella 10 yrs, Amelia 8 yrs, Oscar 6 yrs (My Grandfather), Leola 4 yrs, Charles 2 yrs, and Walter 5 months. Robert’s next recorded appearance at 52 years old, is on an 1895 April 3rd CSA Pension: RJ stated he earned about $40 annually as a watchman in a cotton mill. That he was filing for a pension to supplement this income and that he needed about $70 annually to live. He gives his date of birth as 1842, no month or day ever stated. He stated that he received a gun shot wound to his head that fractured his skull and that he suffers from rheumatism in his arms and legs. He also stated he couldn’t be exposed to the sun or cold weather. A doctor’s statement indicated the gun shot wound occurred in the war when a shell hit him causing a fracture running from one ear and caused 4 fractures. He had a family living with him composed of his wife and three children. The children listed as 2 boys and 1 girl, ages 23, 14, and 8. He did not own property and paid no taxes accordingly. By 1900 his pension stated he was also going deaf (59 yrs old according to this, but his true age should be 58. By 1901, he has correctly listed his age as 58). His last pension request is dated 1907. (Pension info provided by Cheryl Aultman) Robert is next recorded on the 1900 Census for Bibb County, Godfrey 481 Militia district, house # 364, aged 57 with Martha aged 59, and son, John Walter aged 20. No other children listed, assuming they had either died or married or left. This area in the Godfrey district is located in the general area of Macon around Hightower road and Houston Av. in the south part of the city of Macon. The next record of Robert is the brutal murder of his wife, Martha Ellen Joyner Roland. Transcribed from the Macon Telegraph Newspaper: MACON TELEGRAPH FRIDAY 06 DEC. 1901 WOMAN SLAIN WHILE ALONE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs. R.J. Roland Found in A pool of Blood -------------------- AXE ACROSS HER THROAT ---------------------- Prints of a No 10 shoe led to woodlands nearby— She was discovered in a dying condition sometime afterwards. She and her aged husband and son resided together near Hightower’s Store. Mrs. R.J. Roland, an aged white woman, was found in a pool of her own blood just behind Hightower’s Store near the Houston road. Across her throat lay the handle of the bloody axe with which the crime had been committed. Brains and blood oozed from three big wounds on her head. She was gasping for breath, but was unconscious. She died without being able to tell what had occurred. Her husband and son (John Walter Roland) were away from home, at their usual work on a nearby farm. The body was discovered by an old negro who drives cows along the road. The Roland residence is a small one room house, about fifty yards from the road that runs out behind Hightower’s store at right angles with the Houston Road, and is on the little hill overlooking the church. A county graveyard is across the road in front of the place. Nobody resides within hearing distance, but a negro was plowing in the field about two hundred yards away, and could easily see a person standing in the yard, but he says that nothing attracted his attention during the morning. At what hour the crime was committed is impossible to say, for the husband left his wife sitting in front of the fire at 6 o’clock, and hurried away to his work. His son had gone out a short while before this. The body was found at about 10:30. It was then blood clotted, as if the wounds had been inflicted some time before. The negro began his plowing in the field at 7 o’clock, and he thinks no disturbance could have occurred after that hour. When the cow driver saw the body lying in the yard, he became frightened and hurried to the nearest house and gave the alarm. Mrs. Roland was lifted into the house by those who gathered, and a physician summoned, but she was beyond medical aid. She died at 12:30. Her husband says the axe had no particular place in the yard, and it is impossible to decide how the crime was committed. Some advance the theory that an assault was attempted, while Mrs. Roland was in the yard, and that Mrs. Roland fought so bravely the assailant had to use the axe to prevent her from giving an alarm. A few footprints on the hard ground nearby are pointed out to show that a struggle took place there, but they are so indistinct that it is impossible to tell whether they were made during the morning or at another time. They may or may not be the footprints of a man or woman. At a distance in the fields, the prints of a No. 10 new shoe are plain, indicating that the criminal fled to the edge of woods to hide himself from the public after committing the deed. Efforts were made to trace the foot prints beyond the woodland, but this was impossible. Efforts were made in several counties to find hounds, but none were available, so the officers will have to trust to the old idea of “murder will out”. In the house there are no signs of robbery. The husband thinks he has missed a pair of his trousers and the son thinks a pair of his trousers is gone. But a new revolver was undisturbed and the rations that sat in the corner of the room are still there. The trunk was not broken open. The coroner held an inquest yesterday afternoon, but no additional facts were developed. The motive for the crime seems to be no less a mystery than the identify of the criminal, for Mrs. Roland was more than 60 years old and rather feeble, and around the place were no signs that would tempt a thief. The dead woman has a married son and a married daughter residing in Columbus. Quite a number of people went out to the place last night and found Mr. Roland in a pitiable plight with no money to bury his dead wife. He said his wife died in his arms, while he pleaded with her to speak. The impression was that it was a case where charity could be well bestowed. A telegram was sent to Hon. Roland Ellis at Atlanta last night, asking him to use his influence with the governor to have a reward offered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MACON TELGRAPH 07 DEC 1901 ANOTHER ARREST IN ROLAND MURDER CASE --------------------------------------- John Wimbish, a negro, is now in jail---The white man still held as a suspect ------------------------------------ The Roland murder case is still the absorbing topic in South Macon, and every man, woman, and child in that section of the county is trying to solve the mystery,. Some of the neighbors of the Roland family insisted yesterday that John Wimbish, a negro living on the Knight place, six miles from Macon, be arrested as a suspect. The sheriff was informed that Wimbish had been seen near the Roland house the morning the crime was committed. The sheriff sent some of his officers out and had Wimbish brought in. His tracks were measured and compared with those to have been made in the soft ground near the house by the murderer in his flight. Wimbish’s tracks were entirely too large, however, and the evidence against him seems to be slim. The white man who was arrested Thursday night is held in jail as a suspect, but officers have little confidence in the theory that he knows anything about the perpetration of the crime. It is not improbable that another arrest will be made soon, if so, it will be rather startling. The funeral of Mrs. Roland will occur this morning at 11 o’clock at the family burying grounds in Crawford county. Her remains will be carried to Crawford county at an early hour this morning. Her son from Augusta arrived in the city yesterday morning to attend the funeral . He is a carpenter by trade, and worked in the Central railroad shops here for a number of years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- MACON TELEGRAPH 11 DEC 1901 ROLAND MURDER CAPTURED AT LAST -------------------------------------------------------------------- The murderer of Mrs. R.J. Roland has been captured, and is now safely lodged behind the bars in Bibb’s jail. He confesses the crime and tells all about it. His name is Arthur Price, brother of the negro, Robert Price, who was sentenced last year to seven years in the penitentiary for stabbing another negro to death at Rice’s mill. The murderer is 20 years old. He worked with Mr. Roland in the swamp all during the fall. Mrs. Roland’s faithful little dog fought so bravely and persistently when the negro attacked her that a scar was made on the negro’s face which led to the capture. This scar or scratch was the only clue on which the officer’s worked. It enabled them to trace Price all across the county to Culloden and from Culloden to within two miles of Fort Valley. The story of his capture distinguishes Deputies sheriffs John Bennett and Jeff Amerson. They followed him with the persistence and determination of bloodhounds, and as soon as they seized him yesterday morning he readily told the whole story. This is the story of the crime as the negro tells it: “I had sold a cheap piston to Mr. Roland son. He was to give me 90 cents for it, but I had pawned it with another man for 25 cents. The time was out on Thursday the day when I done the killing. I had made the agreement with the young Mr. Roland to take the 90 cents, get the pistol and with 25 cent of it, get it out of pawn and keep the other money. I went to the house between 6 and 7 o’clock to get the 90 cents. When I got there I didn’t see nobody in the house, I went in the yard and walked around the house. I saw Mrs. Roland standing at the corner with the quilt over her head and with her knittin in her hand. I asked her where her son was. She was awful deaf, and she couldn’t understand me. I started closer to her and tried to talk loud enough for her to hear me. She looked likes she was scared, and when I got up nearly to her she started to run, and said she was going to call Mr. Bazemoore. I got scared myself then, and thought if them white folks found me there and her a-screaming, they’d kill me; so I run up to her and knocked her down with my fist. I hit her over the eye. Her little dog grabbed me and tore at my heels, but I didn’t pay much attention to him. I thought the only thing to do was to fix Mrs. Roland so she couldn’t holler until I got away. I hit her on the head with the old axe that I found lying not far from the house. The first blow was light. I hit her on the side of the head in the edge of the hair. She struggle and wiggled so I hit her on top of the head a little harder, and then threw the axe down, and the handle fall across her neck. I started on across the field to get into the woods. I saw a negro plowing a white horse close to the house. I did not know whether he saw me or not. I went down to the wire fence and when I went to crawl through it, the little dog grabbed me by the leg just above my shoe, and he pinched so bad I tried to kick him down. When I kicked I lost my balance and fell against the barbed wire. That’s how come me to have the cut place under my eye” Other Men Released -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As soon as the negro was landed behind bars, the white man and the Wimbish negro, who have been held in prison awaiting developments, were given their liberty. It has never been supposed by the officers that there was any evidence to connect them with the crime. But in view of the suspicions that had been expressed, it was deemed wise to keep them where they could be had if wanted. Prices story is considered very plausible, as the motive for the crime has been one of the mysteries, and all of the circumstances seem to bear out his statement. He would not have confessed so freely perhaps, he says, but when the officers overtook him he thought at once that the negro plowing the gray horse had seen him and told on him, and it would be useless for him to try to keep the facts from coming out. Indeed, he seemed to suppose that it might be in his favor if he showed that he had not worst motive than coldblooded murder when he slew the helpless old lady. There had been reports that Mrs. Roland had struggled with her assailant, and that a large area of ground was torn up in the combat, but Mr. Roland, her aged husband, says that she had not the strength enough in her hands to strike a match, so long had she suffered with rheumatism, and weak had become her condition, she could not have resisted the attack of a 3 year old child. Story of the Capture On Friday afternoon, the day after the murder, Mr. Tony Hunnicutt came to the Cold Neck district and reported to Sheriff Westcott that he had seen a negro going across his farm with a scar on his face and apparently bent on making time. He said he accosted the negro and asked what caused the hurry. The negro replied that he and his brother had fought in Macon and he wanted to go to Alabama to get out of the way. Mr. Hunnicutt asked if he and killed his brother, and he replied that he had not. A scratch was on his face. “We want that negro” said Sheriff Westcott. It is a least worth our while to investigate his case. Sunday afternoon, al other clues seemed to be worthless, and Sheriff Westcott decided to follow this one. He selected Deputies John Bennett and Jeff Amerson and asked them to take one of their negro spotters and go until they found the negro described by Mr. Hunnicutt. The officers started out with a horse and buggy. They went through Coal Neck and caught the trail. Nearly everyone had noticed the negro with scar on his face at Lizella; it was found that he had gone toward Culloden. The officers kept on the trail until their last penny was gone. They had thought they would have no trouble in getting from the farm houses all they wanted in the way of feed for themselves and their horse, but they were mistaken. When it was learned that they were trying to catch a negro who brutally murdered a helpless and defenseless white woman, they were extended good wishes, they say, but when it came to actual assistance, that was another matter. Monday night the trail was getting warmer and warmer. They were within a few hours of the negro. They had eaten since Sunday at dinner only a dime’s worth of cheese and cracker between the three. The rain had begun to fall and the wind was blowing as if to cut them in two. The horse had fagged until he could travel no more. He had none of the excitement that had kept the men aroused and forgetful of themselves. He had to be fed. Mr. Bennett had an overcoat, he needed it badly, and the negro and Mr. Amerson had gone away without any wraps, not anticipating any cold weather so he said. “I’ll put up my coat with some man for enough money to feed us and our horse:”, and at Montpellier Springs, he found a man who let him have $3.50 on it. This did not go very far. “Well, if we get in another tight like that”, said Mr. Bennett, I’ll pawn my piston and make the arrest with my bare hands if we overtake the negro”. But he did not have to dispose of the pistol. He reached Culloden and wired Sheriff Westcott for money. He exchanged his horse for another and took a fresh start but he lost his trail. At Culloden, the negro had disappeared from the face of the earth, so far as the officers could learn. “That’s all right,” said they town marshall. “You need not worry, I never saw a criminal get lost here yet but he was soon found and caught.” This was like depending on a rabbit foot, but I gave the officers a new hope, and they took a new direction. They went down the Atlantic and Florida road toward Fort Valley. Within a mile or two they found a negro house. They drove up to it and made inquiry. The old man took a second thought and said no such negro had passed there. The negro spotter called the old negro to one side and said: “These white men are trying to help me catch that nigger. He beat my wife almost to death, and I’m afraid she is dead before now and I must get him”. This worked like a charm. The old negro scratched his head and thought again. “Yes” he said, “I believes I did see a man wid a kind of skyar on his face. He went by here a good while ago”. This was the new trail. It was not lost again. The man was located about fifteen miles from there. As soon as they met Price face to face and drew their pistols, he threw up his hands, and while the handcuffs were being adjusted, he began to tell his story. Mr. Roland’s Story Mr. R.J. Roland said when informed by a Telegraph reporter that the negro had been captured and had confessed the whole story. “ I had told my son two or three times that I believed Arthur killed my poor wife. He has been working with me and my son for nearly a year, and I said many a time that I though he was a bad negro. He always had a pistol. My wife told me not long ago that he has been to our house trying to talk to her something about a pistol, and my son had some sort of talk with him about a pistol. He wanted to sell me an old pistol. I was night watching and wanted a pistol, but the one he has was no account, and I wouldn’t have it. I can’t see to save my life why he wanted to kill a poor, helpless old creature like my wife. “ Talk of Lynching Many asked last night if there was any talk of lynching. Here and there one could hear rumors that such a thing was in contemplation, but it was impossible to find anybody who had taken any part in any scheme of the kind. To be on the safe side, the officers had barricaded the jail, and police were kept in easy reach. No demonstration of any kind was made, however. Trial Next Week The grand jury will be in session Monday, and an effort will be made to have the court appoint counsel and give the negro a trial during the week. A Hardy Negro Price is a stalwart young negro, of dark complexion. He is as powerful as an ox. He talks freely and glibly about his crime, and seems not in the least fearful of what is to follow. He hoots at the suggestion that he and any reason for killing Mrs. Roland other than the one stated. The Faithful Little Dog Mr. Roland says that when he was notified of his wife’s murder, he went home as quickly as he could. He did not know where to look. Crowd had already gathered here and there about the place. The little terrier ran to meet him a hundred yards away, and jumped up against him. The little dog then trotted in front of him, looking back to see that he was following. At the prostrate form of the dying woman, he stopped and began to scratch and pull at the clothing. He says he could read in the little animal’s face, a sympathy and sorrow that reached his heart even in the midst of his deep grief. He afterwards saw signs where the little dog had torn up the ground in fighting and trying to bite the murderer." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- MACON TELEGRAPH 13 DEC 1901 CONFESSION IS CORROBORATED ---------------------------------------- Arthur Price’s story about the murder of Mrs. Roland is verified by Grand Jury’s Witnesses ---------------------------------------- Arthur Price, who has confessed that he murdered Mrs. R.J. Roland near Hightower’s store in South Macon, to be tried probably next week. The witnesses in the case have been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury next Monday, when the matter will be investigated. The confession of the negro has been corroborated in every detail, and the officers say they have taken every precaution to see that it is in such shape as to be admissible before a jury as evidence. The party with whom the negro says he pawned the pistol confirms the story, saying he let the negro have 25 cents worth of meal and the pistol was put up as security. Mr. Roland says all that the negro says about the pistol transaction, the payment of 90 cents, etc, is true. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ MACON TELEGRAPH 17 DEC 1901 ROLAND MURDER INVESTIGATED ------------------------------------------------------ Grand Jury Indicts Arthur Price. And his Trial set for Wednesday. The grand jury yesterday indicted Arthur Price, the negro who slew Mrs. R.J. Roland in south Macon, on the 5th inst. (?) The evidence dovetailed perfectly, the jury thought, with the confession made by the negro several days ago. As soon as the true bill was returned, Judge Felton appointed Meesrs. Andrew W. Lane and Orville A. Park to defend the negro, and assigned the hearing for tomorrow, or as soon as the White and Logue murder case is finished. The negro now denies that he ever made a confession, or that he had any thing to do with the murder. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- THE MACON TELEGRAPH FRIDAY MORNING DECEMBER 20, 1901 MURDER OF MRS. ROLAND -------------------------------------- He Must Pay The Death penalty January 10 PRICE FOUND GUILTY The Negro boy proved to be the slayer. On the stand he stated his confession had been improperly procured-----Details of the Trial---------Crime was committed two weeks ago. --------------------------------------------------- Arthur Price, the negro murderer of Mrs. R.J. Roland, was yesterday sentenced to pay the death penalty for his crime, Friday, January 10. The jury returned a verdict of guilty after being out forty minutes. It is not yet known whether there will be an appeal. The state contended that Price was guilty of murdering Mrs. Roland: that he struck her on the head twice with an axe Thursday morning, December 5. The defendant contended that he was not guilty and that the state had not produced sufficient evidence to show that he killed Mrs. Roland. He denied that he made a free and voluntary confession and insisted that the officers scared it out of him be threatening his life after they had captured him. The case was taken up Wednesday morning at 12 o’clock and was concluded last night about 7:30 o’clock. The state produced a large number of witnesses while the defendant produced four. When Price was placed upon the stand, he acknowledged meeting Mr. Bill Hunnicutt in the road the day of the killing. He said he went to Lizella and began working for Mr. Bassett. He stated that when the deputy sheriffs arrested him, they threatened to kill him if he refused to acknowledge the crime. Price said when they were on their way back to Macon; he confessed the killing of Mrs. Roland on the condition that they would land him safely in jail. The defendant’s counsel, in their argument contended that the prisoner, when arrested, was helpless, and in the power of the deputy sheriffs, with pistols thrust in his face, and with handcuffs on this wrists; and that he did not know his rights or was unable to protect them. The defense contended that there was a conflict in the testimony of deputy sheriff Bennett and deputy sheriff Amerson. Mr. Bennett testified that Price confessed after meeting a Mr. Neal in the road and Mr. Amerson testified that the negro confessed before meeting Mr. Neal. Messrs. Neal and Bassett of Fort Valley were present and testified that they did not hear the negro confess the killing. But the state produced several witnesses who said they heard the negro confess. Price, who was unable to employ counsel, was represented by Col. Andrew W. Lane and Col. R.M. Davis, who were appointed by Judge Felton to defend him. Mr. Lane spoke for one and a half hours, and Mr. Davis spoke for about an hour. The defendant’s attorneys did everything possible for their client, but the evidence was overwhelming in addition to the confession. He was traced to the house and was seen fleeing from it, telling all sorts of conflicting stories about the cause of his excited frame of mind. No one who hears the testimony had the slightest doubt that the jury would return a verdict of guilty. Price is a young negro, about 17 or 18 years old. He is tall and of slim build. Several witnesses testified that he was of a very nervous nature and would often walk around at night making a peculiar noise. His counsel used this to show that if he was guilty, he was entitled to mercy. Arthur Price has a brother in the penitentiary on the charge of killing another negro. It is said that his father killed a man about 20 years ago. The mother of Price sat by his side throughout the trial, and when the death sentence was imposed upon him, she began crying. Just before the handcuffs were placed upon him to be carried to the jail, she gave him some eatables that she had prepared for him. She was one of the old-time darkies and all sympathy went to her in her sorrow. Price did not say a word when he was sentenced. He looked frightened at all stages of the trial, and to all appearances fully realized the enormity of his crime. Mr. R.J. Roland, the aged husband of the murdered woman, listened intently to all of the arguments. Judge Felton ordered that Price be taken by the sheriff to the county jail where he shall remain until Friday, January 10, when he shall be executed between the hours of 10 and 2. The execution shall be private, only the sheriff and relatives being present. -------------------------------------------------------------------- MACON TELEGRAPH 25 JANUARY 1902 CITY GIVES BADGE TO THE ROLAND DOG --------------------------------------------------------------- The Hand of Death Was Stayed, Because of the Brave Fight He made for Mrs. Roland’s life --------------------------------------------- The city presented Mr. R.J. Roland with a badge for his dog Fido yesterday. Fido is the little dog which fought so bravely to save Mrs. Roland from death when the murderous axe of the negro, Arthur Price, was held over her head last December. The fight was an unequal one, and the negro battered out the old lady’s brains and left her dying; but the little dog fought so effectively, that he caused the negro to scar his face and in this way, the murderer was brought to justice. Mr. Roland naturally feels a great love for the dog, and would rather lose his own life than to see the little fellow killed, but fortune has not smiled on him since his wife died. It took all he had on earth to bury her, and since then he has been paying off the debt that he was forced to incur; therefore, he was not able to buy a badge for the dog. He went to the city hall yesterday, and told his story to the authorities. Those who heard it, wiped away a tear, and Clerk Massenburg was instructed to give Mr. Roland’s dog a badge, which would protect him from the dog catcher for the rest of the year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- MACON TELEGRAPH 02 MAY 1902 GALLOWS IS READY FOR ARTHUR PRICE The Murderer of Mrs. Rowland will Die this morning Between 11 and 12 o’clock-----Says He is worried ----------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur Price, the murderer of Mrs. R.J. Roland, will die on the gallows this morning between 11 and 12 o’clock. Sheriff Westcott yesterday tested the rope and found everything in readiness for the execution. The knot was tied yesterday afternoon by Jailer Phil Stephen. The officers now think that Price will be able to go on the gallows all right, although he is of a very nervous temperament. Of the many murderers Sheriff Westcott has executed, he has never failed to produce death the first drop. He says that if Price stands erect when placed on the gallows, there is no doubt that death will be instantaneous, but should he be too nervous and excited to stand erect, his death will not be as quick. The rope is fixed so as to allow the negro to drop his length. Price refused to discuss the crime for which he is to give his life. He says that he does not like to talk about the murder as it worries him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- THE MACON TELEGRAPH SATURDAY MORNING MAY 3 1902 ----------------------------------------------------- VENGEANCE OF LAW IS NOW COMPLETE ----------------------------------------- Arthur Price Pay Penalty For The Murder of Mrs. R.J. Roland, An Aged and Unprotected Woman Residing in South Macon Last December------He Makes to a Telegraph Reporter a Full Confession as to His Purpose in Going to Mrs. Roland’s House on the Morning of the Crime ------------------------------------------------- Arthur Price, the 20 year old negro who murdered Mrs. R.J. Roland near Macon last December was hanged yesterday. He confessed before dying that his visit to Mrs. Roland’s house was for a purpose different from which has been stated. The trigger that sent his soul into eternity was pulled as 11:50 o’clock by Sheriff Westcott. Drs. J. C. Johnson, E.G. Ferguson, O.C. Gibson, J.D.H. Worsham and J.A. Selden pronounced the negro dead in nine and one-half minutes after the drop. Just before going on the gallows, Price made a statement to Mr. Julian McRae of the Telegraph, which he declared was the first correct confession that he has made relative to the crime for which he gave his life. The presence of Mr. Charlie Jordan of the guard, and of a brother of the murderer. Price’s statement was as follows: “I did not go to Mrs. Roland’s home for the purpose of selling her son a pistol. I said to the jury which convicted me that I did, but it was a mistake. I had sold the pistol, and had no pistol on my person. I was passing along the road and saw Mrs. Roland sitting in her back yard. I knew no one else was at home. I made up my mind, and went up to her. She fought me, and picked up an axe which was lying nearby. During the struggle I was struck on the face by the axe. The scar on my face was not caused by the dog, but by the axe in Mrs. Roland’s hand. When I was struck on the face, I became excited, jerked the axe from the old woman’s hand and struck her three blows. I then fled. I make this statement to you, because I have not long to live, and I think the people should know the truth. I want to thank the jail authorities for their kind treatment.” He said he was glad Officers John Bennett and Jeff Amerson captured him. The negro said he had been praying for everybody and was ready to meet his fate. Price was asked when he planned this attack on Mrs. Roland. He said her helplessness had several times suggested the opportunity to him. When Sheriff Westcott was informed of Price’s confession he said: “It is the first time I have heard of it, although I’ve always had an idea that he intended a more fiendish crime than he committed. I have endeavored to secure a similar confession for the past two weeks.” A relative of Price sent him a bouquet of roses, which he pinned on the lapel of his coat. He conversed freely with his brother, who remained with him until a few minutes before the black cap was placed on his head. Price did not seem excited in the least. When his hands and feet were being bound by Deputy Herrington and Jailer Stephan, he showed the first signs of nervousness. Rev. W.G. Alexander, pastor of the Cotton Avenue colored Baptist church, read the Scriptures to Price and sang several songs, in which Price joined. When place on the gallows, Price repeated the Lord’s prayer and closed by saying, “Thank God.” When the word “ready” was given to Sheriff Westcott, the trigger was pulled and Price’s body dropped to the end of the rope with a thump that could be heard all through the jail. He died after his form convulsed once. The distance that Priced dropped was five feet and six inches, which was little less than his height. The physicians stated that he was virtually dead the instant the rope tightened. The execution was witnessed only by the physicians and guards and a few relatives. The body was taken down, placed in a coffin and put on exhibition in the jail yard, where a long procession of negros and white people passed to review it. After all the curiosity-seekers had seen it, the body was turned over to Undertaker Hart, and it was buried in the potter’s field. End: Mrs. R.J.Roland’s murder story ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The next few years from 1902 to 1908 passed uneventfully with no verfied records concerning RJ. The next recorded event in Robert’s life would occur on Friday May 15, 1908 at around 6 o’clock in the morning: THE MACON DAILY TELEGRAPH SATURDAY MORNING MAY 16 1908 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- JOHN ROWLAND BADLY INJURED FOUND UNCONSCIOUS YESTERDAY (Note: the telegraph has his name incorrect) --------------------------------------------------- NIGHT WATCHMAN ON CRESCENT LAUNDRY’S NEW BUILDING MAY HAVE MET WITH FOUL PLAY--- NOT EXPECTED TO LIVE With a severe fracture at the base of his skull, suffering with hemorrhages from the nose and ears. Mr. JOHN Rowland lay at the city hospital in an unconscious state. His death is expected at any time. (Telegraph incorrectly named Robert as John) Mr. Rowland has been night--watching at the new building of the Crescent Steam Laundry on Second street near Poplar and went on duty as usual Thursday night. About 6 o’clock yesterday morning, he was found unconscious in the basement of the new building, under the opening for the elevator shaft, and immediately hurried to the city hospital. Whether Mr. Rowland met with foul play or was the victim of an unfortunate accident, has not been determined, but the supposition leans toward the latter theory. His coat, blanket and walking stick were all found in their accustomed place. Herschel Scott, a former workman on the new Crescent building, was the first to find the injured man. Scott worked on the building a few days before, but has recently gone to work elsewhere, and was passing by yesterday morning about 6 o’clock to look over the new structure. Looking down the elevator shaft, he was horrified to find the apparently inanimate form of the night watchman. Calling two white men who were passing by, the party started down into the pit where Mr. Rowland lay. At this point, Mr. O.H. Goode, the building foreman reported for work, and learning the facts, immediately hurried to the injured man to find him still breathing, but in a deep stupor. Mr. Goode notified the police station to send an ambulance down to take Mr. Rowland to the hospital. Upon his arrival there and examination showed that his injuries were of a serious nature, his skull being fractured at the base. Every medical attention and care failed to restore the injured man to consciousness and early last night all hope for his recovery was abandoned. Many and varied were the conjectures as to the manner which Mr. Rowland met with his misfortune. Some people thought that he had been assaulted during the night by prowlers whom he and run away from the building on previous occasions. Others thought that while making his rounds during the night or early morning, he had made a misstep and fallen to the bottom of the shaft. This latter theory is the idea most probable, since Mr. Rowland is an old man and might have unknowingly made a bad step. A dry brick covered with blood stains was found at the bottom of the pit near Mr. Rowland, and it is generally conceded that his head was fractured by this brick as he fell to the bottom. Mr. Rowland is an old Confederate soldier and had his application made out for membership in Camp Smith to be acted on at it’s next meeting. Two or three years ago his wife was murdered, and since that time he has been more or less unfortunate. At that time he was living near Hightower’s store in South Macon, but since then he as been living in the city. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Robert was recorded in his obit as living in the city (Macon), probably in the Cedar Street or Whitehead street area of south Macon where his son, Oscar would live. (Also from the Macon News Sat May 16, 1908) ROWLAND DIES FROM FALL TO CELLAR WATCHMAN ON NEW BUILDING DID NOT REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS— OFFICERS BELIEVE HIS DEATH WAS AN ACCIDENT. Without regaining consciousness, Mr. J.R. Rowland, (name incorrect) died at an early hour this morning at the Macon hospital, from a fractured skull, which resulted in his falling from the second story of the new Crescent Laundry building into the cellar. When Mr. Rowland was found yesterday morning, he was immediately carried to the Macon hospital, where his injuries were treated but he failed to regain consciousness. Mr. Rowland was Confederate veteran, about 70 years old and is survived by two sons and one daughter , all living in Macon. The funeral services will take place Sunday at the family burying grounds in Crawford County. It was first rumored about Macon that Mr. Rowland had met with foul play but after an investigation on the part of the city detectives, it was developed that he met his death in an accidental manner. Coroner Young held an inquest over the body this afternoon at 3 o’clock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- MACON DAILY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY MORNING MAY 17, 1908 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- IN OPINION OF CORONER’S JURY OLD MAN ROWLAND WAS KILLED ----------------------------------------- THIS THEORY SEEMS TO BE WELL SUPPORTED BY FACTS THAT CAME OUT BEFORE THE JURY TO BE BURIED IN CRAWFORD COUNTY ------------------------------------------------------- “We, the jurors, find that the deceased came to his death by being hit in the head with a brick, knocking into the elevator hole in the new building of the Crescent Steam Laundry building on Second street, fracturing the skull, and that said wound was inflicted by a party or parties unknown to us, and in our opinion, the same as murder.” Such was the verdict of the jury and paneled by Coroner Young to hold an inquest over the body of R.J. Rowland, who was found in an unconscious condition early Friday morning in the basement of the Crescent Laundry’s new building. As was said in the Telegraph yesterday, Mr. Rowland was taken to the hospital shorty after being found and where he died a few minutes of 2 o’clock yesterday morning, never having regained consciousness. The evidence brought out by the witnesses before the jury, which was composed of M.E. Dorsett, W.F. Solomon, William Bryce, R. F. Hamlin, T.L. smith and A. T. Jones, was practically the same as the report of the affair given in the Telegraph except that there were more details. When Mr. Rowland was found , the theory that he had been foully dealt with was advanced and an investigation along that line was made. The basement had been flooded with water some time previous, and the water had covered the stray bricks on the floor. When the water had been pumped out, these bricks were covered with a deposit of mud, much of it remained on the floor. Not far from the spot where Mr. Rowland was found, there was a dry brick with some blood on it. It was evident that this brick had been thrown or placed in the basement. Carrying out the foul play theory, were several reasons, in addition of the dry brick among the muddy ones. Mr. Rowland knew of this hole in the floor and had been cautioned about it and sometime previous had said he wasn’t going anywhere near it and when going over the building it was not necessary for him to walk near it, there being plenty of room on the floor in which to walk. Then again, even had he made a misstep and fallen into the hole, ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????? (not readable) no bricks or lumber of any kind, and therefore, the base of his skull could not have been fractured, or a gash on the forehead been inflicted. It was on these facts that the jury based their verdict that the old man was struck on the back part of the head with the dry brick found, and was struck on the forehead with his stick which was never found. This was a heavy crooked- handle stick that the old man always carried. And always hanging on his arm when not using it in walking. Having settled the fact that his death was not due to an accidental falling into the elevator hole, and that it was produced by the fracturing of his skull with the brick, those who feel interested in such mysteries began to theorize as to who could have struck him such a fatal blow, and the reason for it. This was partly accounted for by the fact that a few nights before, the old man had ordered some tramps away from the building. These tramps found the building a most inviting place to stay the night. It was therefore possible that a tramp or tramps was found in the building some time during the night and on being ordered away , may have thrown the brick at the old man and afterward struck him on the head with his stick, taking it away. From the description of the locality, given by the witnesses, the old man may have been standing inside the basement , ???????? (unreadable) struck, and was knocked into the muddy place where he was found. and may have been in the basement at the time. If it be true that he was murdered it is considered a remarkable attack for the reason that the place is in the heart of the city, almost in the shadow of the police station on a street as much traveled as any street in the city. Mr. Rowland was 63 years old, born in Crawford county, and served in the Confederate army and only recently had made application to become a member of Camp R. A. Smith, and his name would have been presented at the next meeting of the camp. He leaves two sons, Oscar (my grandpa), Walter, and one daughter, Mrs. Amelia Proctor, all of Macon. The remains will be taken at an early hour this morning, to the old family burying ground at “Cider Hill” (Society Hill) in Crawford County, where the funeral will take place some time today. Owing to the early hour at which the remains will be carried away, Commander Nisbet, of Camp Smith, has not issued any call of the members which would have been done, had the funeral taken place in the city.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Note: According to the above Telegraph article on 7 Dec 1901, it refers to Mrs R.J. Roland, the former Martha Ellen Joyner as being taken and buried in the “family burying grounds” in Crawford county. There is no record of what cemetery that is, however, “Cider Hill” or (Society Hill/ Victory Church cemetery) is stated as the place of interment of RJ in his obit. The stone marker for the “R J ROWLAND FAMILY 1843 – 1908” has been verified still in place at Victory Church (Previous name Society Hill) cemetery as of 29 Jan 2010. It is uncanny that Robert suffered a fractured skull during the Civil War in 1864 and survived, and yet he died of a fractured skull in 1908 at the hand of a murderer. So ends the life of Robert Jackson Roland and his wife Martha Ellen Joyner. ________________________________________________ Researched & Compiled by Dennis A. Roland, one of Robert Jackson Roland’s great grandsons, Jan. 25, 2010. Research information also provided by my late brother, Charles E. Roland, my nephew, Donnie Fulwood and one of our many cousins, Cheryl Bloodworth Aultman. (Copyright applies) Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/crawford/photos/bios/rowland89nbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/crawford/bios/rowland89nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 48.3 Kb