changed the means of execution, On the night before he was to die,
Bachelor was allowed a visit by his 4-year-old son and afterwards he
Seemed resigned to his fate. Prior to his execution, he wrote a
letter to the Governor requesting that the life of Leonard, who was of
low mentality, be spared, Bachelor said that he was the perpetrator
of the crime and that leonard was merely his pawn, Accordingly, the
Governor did Commute XHEKAER the Sentence of Leonarg whose
life had already been prolonged by stays of execution granted pending
THE DOTHAN EAGLE, Déthan, Ala,, July 15, 1927
THE ALBANY HERALD , Albany, Gao, July 15, 1927
¢ 113 SO, Published by West Fublishing 0o4.,
low mentality, be spared. 4achelor said that he was the perpetrator
of the crime and that Leonard was merely his pawn, Accordingly, the
Governor dig commute the Sentence of Leonard whose
Sang a hymn before he was Strapped in the chair,
THE DOTHAN EAGLE, D@than, Ala,, July 15, 1927
ae ALBANY HERALD, Albany, Gae, July 15, 1927
THE SOUTHERN REPORTER, Vol. 113 So Published by We Publi
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to the State Supreme Court which upheld the lower
ubts and returned the case with instructions that he be re-sentenced
THE DOTHAN EacLa, D6than, Ala,, duly 15, 1927
THE ALBANY HERALD, Albany, Ga., July 15, 1927
THE SOUTHERN REPORTER, Teh, 113 S0, Published by vest Fublishing co,,
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BACHELOR, Clyde Reese
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Bachelor, a white Elmore Co,, Ala., planter, was married to the dau-
ghter of Lamar Smith, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Wetumpka
who was a former Probate Judge of Elmore County. Bachelor, who was
in financial difficulties, hired one of his black tenants, Hays Leo-
nard, to kill Smith in order that Mrs, Bachelor might inherit dom her
part of thm his estate. On the night of August 30, 1926, Bachelor
drove Leonard to the Smith home and waited in his automobile while
leonard went up on the porch and fired a shotgun through the windown
into the body of Judge Smith who was lying in bed reading a newspaper
Mrs. Smith was also injured. Bachelor then drove Leonard batk to his
home on the Bachelor plantation, Both men were arrested and when
questioned Leonard made a complete ‘confession in the presence of
Bachelor who refused to Say angyhing, later, Bachelor admitted that
Leonard had told the truth and said that he he promised the thnant
an advance off his crops for the year and a sum of money to kill Judge
Smith. Both men were inditted, tried, convicted and sentenced to
hang for the crime, Bachelor's defense was one of insanity and
as proéf of this it was shown that a great-grandmother.had conmitted
Suicide and that several other relatives were considered crazy. He
ACHELOR, Clyde Reese
ath ok Jp /, Gfas Weta 10-24-19 2 og geg noe
Bachelor, a white Elmore [o,, Ala., planter, was married to the dau-
ghter of Lamar Smith, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Wetumpka
who was a former Probate Judge of Elmore County.
in financial difficulties, hired one of h
nard, to kill Smith in order that Mrs
part of thm his estate,
later, Bachelor admitted that
that he he promised the thnant
and a sum of money to kill Judge
tried, convicted and sentenced to
Bachelor's defense was one of insanity and
as proéf of this it was shown that.a great-grandmother.had ‘committed
Suicide and that several other relatives were considered crazy. He
\CHELOR , ey ie
fet ok /g/, Bhanu
Bachelor, a white Slmor
confession in the presence of
iter, Bachelor admitted that
he he promised the thnant
@ sum of money to kill Judge
tried, convicted and sentenced to
Bachelor's defense was one of insanity and 3KKK
as proBf of this it was shown that a great-grandmother. had committed
suicide and that several other relatives were considered crazy, He
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