White Woman A Perjuerer
August 6, 1906
Summary
After testifying as a victim against a black man, a white woman’s guilt forces her to confess her perjury.
Transcription
An Innocent Colored Man Convicted-- The Supreme Court has Affirmed the Decision--A Guilty Conscience gave the white woman no rest-- A graphic Recital-- White and Colored men combine to save unfortunate man.
As a result of testimony before prominent citizens and ministers of Little Rock this morning by the woman, Annie Hartley, who had alleged that she was his victim, Govan Beard, a Helena negro, may be granted a respite, probably a pardon, by Governor Davis tomorrow morning, when the sworn statement of the woman, relative to the circumstances of the alleged criminal assault and the affidavits of sixteen or more people who testify to the bad character of the woman have been laid before home.
The woman made her final statement at the law office of Baldy Vinson this morning. She had testified practically the same thing several days ago at Fort Smith, and only strengthened her statement concerning the details of her relations with the negro, and of her complaint to the police, in a fit of anger, and his arrest and conviction of criminal assault on her testimony.
During the questioning of the woman by Hon. H. L. Remmel, Chancellor Hart and others who aided in the examination, she was at times almost unable to proceed, as she appeared laboring under such anguish and uneasiness.
“I cannot see a man hung for a crime he is not guilty of,” she cried. “That is the only thing that prompts this statement, and I am going to do all I can to atone for my false testimony.”
At the close of the examination it was clear to all present that the woman was telling the truth about her not being the victim of a criminal assault by Beard, and on motion of Rev. Ben Cox, seconded by Rev. W. F. Andrews, it was decided to appoint a committee to wait on Governor Davis in order to secure a pardon for condemned man…
Confessed Her Wrongdoing.
It was at Fort Smith that she confessed her wrongdoing and low moral gauge. Dean Robottom, Col. Oscar Miles and other witnessed the statement at Fort Smith. The woman was suffering from great mental agony at the time and seems to be almost on the verge of nervous prostration, since her confession today…
As a result of testimony before prominent citizens and ministers of Little Rock this morning by the woman, Annie Hartley, who had alleged that she was his victim, Govan Beard, a Helena negro, may be granted a respite, probably a pardon, by Governor Davis tomorrow morning, when the sworn statement of the woman, relative to the circumstances of the alleged criminal assault and the affidavits of sixteen or more people who testify to the bad character of the woman have been laid before home.
The woman made her final statement at the law office of Baldy Vinson this morning. She had testified practically the same thing several days ago at Fort Smith, and only strengthened her statement concerning the details of her relations with the negro, and of her complaint to the police, in a fit of anger, and his arrest and conviction of criminal assault on her testimony.
During the questioning of the woman by Hon. H. L. Remmel, Chancellor Hart and others who aided in the examination, she was at times almost unable to proceed, as she appeared laboring under such anguish and uneasiness.
“I cannot see a man hung for a crime he is not guilty of,” she cried. “That is the only thing that prompts this statement, and I am going to do all I can to atone for my false testimony.”
At the close of the examination it was clear to all present that the woman was telling the truth about her not being the victim of a criminal assault by Beard, and on motion of Rev. Ben Cox, seconded by Rev. W. F. Andrews, it was decided to appoint a committee to wait on Governor Davis in order to secure a pardon for condemned man…
Confessed Her Wrongdoing.
It was at Fort Smith that she confessed her wrongdoing and low moral gauge. Dean Robottom, Col. Oscar Miles and other witnessed the statement at Fort Smith. The woman was suffering from great mental agony at the time and seems to be almost on the verge of nervous prostration, since her confession today…
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“White Woman A Perjuerer,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 6, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/681.