Max Mason. Application No. 5702. January 1923.

New Cases.

5702 – MASON, MAX (6785) Convicted June 30^th, 1921 in Saint Louis Count of Rape, and sentenced to the Prison for 7 – 30 years.

Age 22 years. “I am not guilty and know nothing about the crime which is alleged to have been committed.”

BRIEF FACTS: Mason was working for the john Robinson circus which showed in Duluth on June 15^th, 1921. It was claimed that a young man and woman visited the circus this evening and that six colored men, one of them Mason, grabbed this young woman an took her to a ravine and that five of them ravished her, that the young man was kept under control by a revolver held by one of the party. He was arrested that night, but they failed to identify hem, and he was released. He was arrested again the next day in Virginia and brought back to Duluth. He was one month later identified. He was convicted but still claims innocence. He says that the people of Duluth were worked up over the matter and that the County Attorney was anxious to secure a conviction. Three men suspected of complicity in the crime were hung by a mob.

PRISON: First grade, conduct and disposition uniformly good; general health – good.

Single; parents dead, One brother and sisters in Alabama.

Served 30 days on workfarm at Louisville, Ky. Letters received at prison indicate that otherwise he has a good record, has been steadily employed and considered industrious.

Denied parole in September, 1922.

STATE AGENT BOARD OF PAROLE: “There has always been considerable mystery and doubt in the minds of the Duluth people about this case. There are people living there who doubt if there was any crime committed, there are many others who think that at least five others should have been convicted. There is a great deal of criticism over the way the matter was handled by the police and others. The real truth will probably never be known. This man’s conduct and appearance here is good.”

COUTNY ATTORNEY: “.. We have no recommendation to make either for or against the exercise of clemency in this case. The defendant was rather unfortunate in that he was the only man of the colored men involved who was convicted. Personally I never was of the impression that the evidence was any too strong in his case, and if he had been a white man, I am rather doubtful if he would have been convicted.” (Forbes)

[Handwritten at bottom of page] Judge?; Denied

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