Police Reporter 3x-xx-xx ep03 The Case Of Gus Chapman aka The Georgia Slave Murders

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Police Reporter 3x-xx-xx ep03 The Case Of Gus Chapman aka The Georgia Slave Murders
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Description: Dive into a gripping dramatization from the Golden Age of Radio, where family members gather around the radio to listen to thrilling tales like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more. This episode unravels a dark chapter in Georgia's history through the eyes of a determined police reporter.

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Introduction

The episode opens with Agent Smith setting the stage for a mysterious and harrowing tale. The narrator, John Doe, introduces listeners to a chilling incident from the winter of 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighting the era's pervasive issues of horror and cruelty.

Agent Smith [00:00]: "Foreign. Once more, the police reporter brings to you one of his strange stories of authentic happenings."
John Doe [01:43]: "Early in the winter of 1921, the case was brought to the attention of the Department of Justice in Atlanta, Georgia, which for horror and cruelty is almost without parallel on a brisk winter."

Gus Chapman's Testimony

Gus Chapman becomes the central figure as he recounts his ordeal with the Department of Justice and John S. Williams. His narrative reveals the coercive tactics used to exploit African American labor under the guise of legal penalties.

Gus Chapman [02:01]: "Gus Chapman, sir."
Gus Chapman [02:15]: "They fine me a hundred dollars or six months old. A chain gang? Well, I didn't have the hundred dollars, but a man came up to me in the courtroom and he'd say he'd pay my fine if and I'd work it out. And he said he'd pay me $30 a month in Marquis."

Gus describes how he was compelled to work on Williams' plantation to settle his fine, but instead of regaining his freedom, he found himself trapped.

Gus Chapman [02:34]: "I went to work for the man six months ago and I ain't never got a chance to run off till last week."

He explains the extreme measures Williams took to prevent their escape, including locking them in cabins surrounded by high walls.

Gus Chapman [03:02]: "He just locked us all up in the cabins in the stockade and just couldn't get away."

Gus details the brutality he endured, culminating in a violent horsewhipping that left visible marks on his back.

Gus Chapman [03:29]: "Good God, man, you've been horsewhipped."

Concluding his testimony, Gus appeals to Agent Smith for justice, asserting that the era of overt slavery is over and such atrocities should no longer be tolerated.

Gus Chapman [03:38]: "White folks ain't allowed to make us slaves out of us colored folks no more, is there, mister?"

Confrontation with John S. Williams

Agent Smith proceeds to investigate John S. Williams' plantation, questioning Williams and his associate, Clyde Manning. Williams attempts to justify his oppressive methods by labeling the workers as "chain gang niggers" who could cause "miscellaneous mischief" if left unattended.

John S. Williams [04:46]: "I've got to. These men are chain gang niggers. If I let them out at night, they get into all kinds of mischief."

Williams denies wrongdoing, claiming that the stockade is a necessary security measure, but his defensive stance raises suspicions.

John S. Williams [05:10]: "I have to protect myself. I paid big fines on these men and they've got to work them out, that's all."

Clyde Manning’s Deception

Clyde Manning presents himself as a cooperative worker who respects Williams, masking his true malevolent intent. However, his testimony unravels under Agent Smith's scrutiny.

Clyde Manning [06:19]: "Well I don't."
Clyde Manning [06:22]: "I like it fine here. Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams here always been powerful good to me."

When pressed about Gus Chapman’s allegations of being horsewhipped, Clyde shifts blame, attempting to deflect responsibility.

Clyde Manning [07:16]: "I do use them to fix shoes. ... You could make an awful good whip out of a length of tire, couldn't you Clyde?"
Clyde Manning [07:30]: "Yes sir. I could make one that'd cut their backs wide open."

His true nature is exposed as he reveals the extent of his brutality towards the workers.

Clyde Manning [07:51]: "A good bleedin sure has a powerful influence on a man."

Breakthrough and Arrest

Despite Williams' attempts to maintain innocence, Agent Smith uncovers critical evidence linking him to the atrocities committed on the plantation. A pivotal moment occurs when two murdered men are discovered washed ashore, solidifying the case against Williams.

Agent Smith [08:43]: "Those two men came from the Williams plantation."
John Doe [09:24]: "Once more, the Department of Justice agent made the trip to Williams Plantation."

Williams tries to obfuscate the situation, but contradictions in his statements and Clyde’s confessions lead to his downfall.

Agent Smith [09:50]: "Maybe I got them all hid somewhere on this plantation."
Agent Smith [10:06]: "Clyde, where are all the men who used to work here?"

Clyde's Confession and Downfall

Clyde Manning's façade crumbles as he admits to orchestrating the murders under Williams' orders. His admission confirms the dark truth about the plantation's operations.

Clyde Manning [10:24]: "I did. We tied him to that pole over there and I laid it on."
Clyde Manning [10:36]: "Yes, you did, Mr. Williams."

He further elaborates on his motivations, revealing the extent of his cruelty and the twisted loyalty to Williams.

Clyde Manning [11:08]: "Mr. Williams said if you found out he was keeping them niggers when they didn't want to stay. You'd put him in the penitentiary and I'd lose my job. Here I don't have to work hard and I have lots of fun. Fun? Yeah. Whooping niggers. I loves to whoop niggers."

Conclusion and Aftermath

The episode concludes with both Clyde Manning and John S. Williams being found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Their lives end tragically—Clyde dies on a chain gang, and Williams meets his demise when attempting to thwart a prison escape.

John Doe [11:32]: "Both men were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. After five years, Clyde Manning died on a chain gang. And a year later, John S. Williams was killed."

Agent Smith reflects on the case, emphasizing the significance of automobile tires in tying together the evidence against Williams.

Agent Smith [08:34]: "I'm thinking of arresting Mr. Williams and I need you as a witness. You won't run off, will you?"

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Oppression: The episode highlights the systemic exploitation and brutal treatment of African American workers under the guise of legal system failures.

• Deception and Power: Clyde Manning symbolizes the internal corruption and betrayal within oppressive systems, showing how power corrupts individuals.

• Justice Prevails: Despite the initial lack of evidence, persistent investigation by Agent Smith leads to the downfall of those perpetuating cruelty, underscoring the triumph of justice over oppression.

Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Gus Chapman [03:24]: "I'll show you what happened. Look at my back."

• John S. Williams [05:10]: "Ain't nothing wrong in doing that."

• Clyde Manning [07:30]: "Yes sir. I could make one that'd cut their backs wide open."

• Clyde Manning [11:08]: "Here I don't have to work hard and I have lots of fun. Fun? Yeah. Whooping niggers. I loves to whoop niggers."

• Agent Smith [10:43]: "But you thought it'd be more fun to chain them together and throw them in alive, huh? Is that it, Clyde?"

Final Thoughts

The Case Of Gus Chapman aka The Georgia Slave Murders serves as a stark reminder of the dark chapters in American history, illustrating the relentless pursuit of truth and justice by those committed to unveiling systemic injustices. Through compelling dialogue and a meticulously crafted narrative, listeners are transported back to a time when the fight against oppression was fraught with peril and determination.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Agent Smith]

Foreign. Once more, the police reporter brings to you one of his strange stories of authentic happenings.

[John Doe]

Early in the winter of 1921, the case was brought to the attention of the Department of Justice in Atlanta, Georgia, which for horror and cruelty is almost without parallel on a brisk winter. That morning, a Negro is being questioned by an agent of that federal department.

[Agent Smith]

What's your name?

[Gus Chapman]

Gus Chapman, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Well, Gus, what is it you think I ought to know?

[Gus Chapman]

Well, sir, about six months ago I got in a fight and they arrested me.

[Agent Smith]

Now, you've come up to complain about the way they treated you and the chain gang, is that it?

[Gus Chapman]

Oh, no, sir. Tain't that, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Well, what is it then?

[Gus Chapman]

They fine me a hundred dollars or six months old. A chain gang? Well, I didn't have the hundred dollars, but a man came up to me in the courtroom and he'd say he'd pay my fine if and I'd work it out. And he' he said he'd pay me $30 a month in Marquis.

[Agent Smith]

So you let the man pay your fine and went to work on his plantation?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Nothing illegal in that.

[Gus Chapman]

No, sir, but I went to work for the man six months ago and I ain't never got a chance to run off till last week.

[Agent Smith]

What do you mean, run off?

[Gus Chapman]

Well, I had to run off. The man wouldn't let me go.

[Agent Smith]

Well, how could he keep you if you didn't want to stay?

[Gus Chapman]

Well, he just locked us all up in the cabins in the stockade and just couldn't get away.

[Agent Smith]

Lock you up in a stockade?

[Gus Chapman]

Well, it's a big wall that he got built around the cabin so's you. You can't run away in the night.

[Agent Smith]

Well, if he didn't put any restrictions on you, how could he keep you from running away before you'd worked out your fine?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir, but I done worked out my fine over two months ago and it wouldn't let me leave. He owes me over $50 now.

[Agent Smith]

Did you ever ask him for it?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir.

[Agent Smith]

What did he say?

[Gus Chapman]

He told me to get back to work and shut up.

[Agent Smith]

Why didn't you report him to the police?

[Gus Chapman]

Well, how could I? I couldn't get to town.

[Agent Smith]

You mean he wouldn't let you go?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir.

[Agent Smith]

You should have insisted.

[Gus Chapman]

Well, I did. I told him if you didn't let me go, I'd tell the police.

[Agent Smith]

Then what happened?

[Gus Chapman]

Palenzi?

[Agent Smith]

What?

[Gus Chapman]

I'll show you what happened. Look at my back.

[Agent Smith]

Good God, man, you've been horsewhipped.

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir. And that's why I run away and come to you. White folks ain't allowed to make us slaves out of us colored folks no more, is there, mister?

[Agent Smith]

Of course not, Gus.

[Gus Chapman]

Well, that's why I came to you, sir. And that's why I want you to do something.

[Agent Smith]

What was the name of this man that did all this to you, Gus?

[Gus Chapman]

Man by the name of John S. Williams. Got a plantation down on the Yellow River.

[Agent Smith]

Well, now, let me see if I've got this straight. You went to John S. Williams plantation to work out a fine and he kept you locked up in a stockade?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir. And every night we was put in there and locked up.

[Agent Smith]

And when you insisted on leaving, he horsewhipped you?

[Gus Chapman]

He didn't whip us hisself. He got one of the boys on the place. What does it, Gus?

[Agent Smith]

I'm going out to see John S. Williams. And if what you've told me is true.

[Gus Chapman]

Oh, it is true, sir, every bit of it.

[Agent Smith]

Well, then we'll put him in a place where he'll find out how it feels to be locked up. He'll find out the government meant business when they passed laws forbidding slavery and peonies.

[John Doe]

A few days later, the Department of Justice agent went down to the sinister plantation on Yellow River. We find him standing with the owner, John S. Williams.

[Agent Smith]

We've had a complaint against you, Mr. Williams, which, if it's true, marks you guilty of violating the United States slavery and peonage laws.

[John Doe]

What does that mean?

[Agent Smith]

It means that you're holding Negroes here against their wills.

[John Doe]

Whoever said that's a liar.

[Agent Smith]

You do keep them locked up inside that stockade at night, don't you?

[John Doe]

I've got to. These men are chain gang niggers. If I let them out at night, they get into all kinds of mischief.

[Agent Smith]

Of course, you don't keep them locked in so they can't run away.

[John Doe]

I've got to do something to protect myself. I paid big fines on these men and they've got to work them out, that's all. I ain't. Ain't nothing wrong in doing that.

[Agent Smith]

That isn't what Gus Chapman told us.

[John Doe]

You don't believe that no Count Lazy Trice, do you?

[Agent Smith]

You horsewhiped him. Williams don't deny it. Because I saw his back.

[John Doe]

I had to whip him. The only way I could keep him from fighting with the rest of the help.

[Agent Smith]

How many men you got on the place?

[John Doe]

Right now I've got 12.

[Agent Smith]

Well, I want to see the men's quarters.

[John Doe]

Williams sure come right In.

[Agent Smith]

And these here are the cabins where the men live I suppose.

[John Doe]

Yes sir.

[Agent Smith]

What's this one there?

[John Doe]

The men sleep in here.

[Agent Smith]

How many men to a cabin?

[John Doe]

4.

[Agent Smith]

You don't trust that stockade a great deal do you Williams? Put bars on the windows. I see.

[John Doe]

I don't take any chances. I've got my family to think about.

[Agent Smith]

So four men live in here?

[John Doe]

Yes sir.

[Agent Smith]

If you hadn't told me. I thought it was a pig pen.

[John Doe]

I can't help it if the men won't take care of their quarters, can I?

[Agent Smith]

Are any of the men around?

[John Doe]

They're all out in the field except Clyde Manning. He's working in the shop.

[Clyde Manning]

Shop?

[Agent Smith]

What kind of a shop?

[John Doe]

We have to keep the harness all fixed and the men's shoes in shape. Can't work in the fields with bad shoes. So I got this little shop where we fix things up.

[Agent Smith]

Is this it?

[John Doe]

Yes sir.

[Agent Smith]

Go right in quite a complete little place. A lot cleaner in the living quarters too. This is Clyde I suppose.

[Clyde Manning]

Clyde Manning, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Well Clyde, how do you like it here?

[Clyde Manning]

Well I don't.

[John Doe]

Go ahead and tell the man Clyde.

[Clyde Manning]

I like it fine here. Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams here always been powerful good to me.

[Agent Smith]

How long you been here Clyde?

[Clyde Manning]

Oh, about two years, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Have you ever wanted to leave?

[Clyde Manning]

No sir. I knows when I got me a good job and this one is it.

[Agent Smith]

Do you remember Gus Chapman, Clyde?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes sir, I remembers him. He's a no cow.

[Agent Smith]

He says he was horsewhipped for asking Mr. Williams for his wages. Is that true?

[Clyde Manning]

No taint. He was horsewhipped for fighting.

[Agent Smith]

Who horsewhipped him?

[Clyde Manning]

I did. We tied him to that pole over there and I laid it on. I gave him plenty. And there's the whip I done it with. I wanted to use that one over there but Mr. Williams wouldn't let me. Siddamite cut his skin. Woulda done that Gus Chapman. Good to have some of his black blood runnin down his back. Might've kept him from being so uppity. A good bleedin sure has a powerful influence on a man.

[John Doe]

It's enough. Clyde.

[Clyde Manning]

Yeah sir.

[Agent Smith]

Say Clyde, what do you do with all these automobile tires?

[Clyde Manning]

I use them to fix shoes.

[Agent Smith]

You half sole shoes with old tires?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes sir. And they're awful good for that too. Just like them fancy rubber sole shoes on store boughtin shoes.

[Agent Smith]

You could make an awful good whip out of a length of tire, couldn't you Clyde?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes sir. I could make one that'd cut their backs wide open. But Mr. Williams won't let me. He too kind hearted. If I was him, I'd beat them niggers plenty. I'd make em bleed and I'd just laugh.

[John Doe]

The Department of Justice agent could not find enough evidence to bring charges against John S. Williams. But in his own mind, he was sure of the man's guilt. Things were far from what they seemed on that silent, brooding plantation tucked away on the Yellow River. A few weeks later, he was sitting in his office.

[Agent Smith]

Come in.

[Gus Chapman]

Policeman said you wanted to see me, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Yes, Gus. It's about that Williams case. I want to see your shoes.

[Gus Chapman]

My shoes?

[Agent Smith]

Yes.

[Gus Chapman]

You want I should take them off, sir?

[Agent Smith]

No, just let me take a look at the sole.

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Made from automobile tires, aren't they?

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir. That there clyde manning on Mr. Williams place, he fix him that way.

[Agent Smith]

That's all I want to know, Gus. You can go now.

[Gus Chapman]

Thank you, sir. Oh, Gus.

[Agent Smith]

I'm thinking of arresting Mr. Williams and I need you as a witness. You won't run off, will you?

[Gus Chapman]

No, sir.

[Agent Smith]

You'll be around where I can get you when I want you.

[Gus Chapman]

Yes, sir. I wants to see dat man get some of the medicines he's been handing out so long.

[Agent Smith]

Well, he'll get it now because we've got the goods on him.

[Gus Chapman]

How come you think you got him now when you didn't think you did a couple days ago?

[Agent Smith]

Yesterday morning, the bodies of two men were washed up on the shores of the Yellow River. Those two men were murdered.

[Gus Chapman]

I read about it in dis morning's paper, sir. They was chained together back to back so's they just naturally had to drown.

[Agent Smith]

Those two men came from the Williams plantation.

[Gus Chapman]

How you know that? They ain't identified, sir.

[Agent Smith]

I know they're a couple of Williams men because the shoes they were wearing were sold with pieces of automobile tires.

[John Doe]

Once more, the Department of Justice agent made the trip to Williams Plantation. I tell him, mister, I turned all them niggers loose. Why, they worked out their time and I got my cotton all made so there ain't nothing for him to do here.

[Agent Smith]

Well, where are they now?

[John Doe]

I don't know. When they walk off my place, I'm through with him.

[Agent Smith]

Well, you'll have to do better than that, William. There hasn't been a stranger in any of the villages around here for weeks. They couldn't leave this place without going through one of them.

[John Doe]

Maybe I got them all hid somewhere on this plantation.

[Agent Smith]

Maybe you have at that. Those two murdered Negroes came from here. We got proof of that.

[John Doe]

Well, I Didn't kill them.

[Agent Smith]

I'm holding you for court just the same, William.

[Clyde Manning]

You want me, sir?

[John Doe]

Keep your mouth, sir. Clyde, this man's a policeman.

[Agent Smith]

That's a smart thing to say, Williams.

[John Doe]

Clyde's crazy. He'll admit to anything.

[Agent Smith]

Clyde, where are all the men who used to work here?

[Clyde Manning]

They left, sir.

[Agent Smith]

Where'd they go?

[Clyde Manning]

Oh, different places.

[Agent Smith]

Yeah? Such as? The bottom of the river.

[Clyde Manning]

What are you talking about, mister?

[Agent Smith]

About the two men you chained back to back and threw in the Yellow River.

[Clyde Manning]

Who done that?

[Agent Smith]

You did. You thought it'd be a lot of fun to watch them drown, didn't you?

[John Doe]

Did you do that, Clyde? If you did, you will hang.

[Clyde Manning]

I only did what you told me to.

[John Doe]

I never told you to do anything like that and you knows it.

[Clyde Manning]

I know you didn't, Mr. Williams.

[John Doe]

There, you see, mister?

[Clyde Manning]

You told me to kill him first and then throw him in the river.

[John Doe]

I didn't.

[Gus Chapman]

I didn't.

[Clyde Manning]

Yes, you did, Mr. Williams.

[Agent Smith]

But you thought it'd be more fun to chain them together and throw them in alive, huh? Is that it, Clyde?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes, sir. I got tired of just shooting and hitting them on the head with axe.

[Agent Smith]

Are you telling me that all the 11 men who are on this place have been murdered?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes, sir.

[Agent Smith]

And you killed them all?

[Clyde Manning]

Yes, Sir.

[Agent Smith]

Why?

[Clyde Manning]

Cause Mr. Williams told me to.

[John Doe]

I told you Clyde was crazy. He likes to talk about killing folks.

[Clyde Manning]

I ain't crazy and I did kill him. And if you don't believe it, I'll show you where they all hid. I got them all put away just like Mr. Williams told me to do. He can't say I'm crazy cause I ain't.

[Agent Smith]

Why did Mr. Williams want you to kill him?

[Clyde Manning]

Mr. Williams said if you found out he was keeping them niggers when they didn't want to stay. You'd put him in the penitentiary and I'd lose my job. Here I don't have to work hard and I have lots of fun. Fun? Yeah. Whooping niggers. I loves to whoop niggers.

[John Doe]

Both men were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. After five years, Clyde Manning died on a chain gang. And a year later, John S. Williams was killed. Killed when he tried to prevent some other prisoners from escaping. Even in death, automobile tires played an important part. For he was run over by a truck. And he went to his grave with their prints on his face.

[Agent Smith]

You have just heard another presentation brought to you by the police reporter. This is a radio release production.

[Clyde Manning]

It's it.