eye ef t TT te flies war tine
baa faec tea ukyeeets state da fate ' jleta
Vhe fanters ape vers aheteriamed Ut
DWHb stand Juato betore the hoop that iSoaatd, aid ot is oredabte clad Lewis ; re
’ Vill send them dato the Co ankmawa te WHil be treated rouaghby oxneudd he ‘
' yond ta tte feet above Kround, white pi sine the bande of parties uthes ee a
‘ he heavy tCtinber to ov tteda the repress than sworn oMcern, yy en,
"ED with be attached towers about toe lawin Wan Santed tu apawer to a “ae
. ’
feet higher. From the ground to the) hhiskesy sedituy charge, ane ft ta hint-
ed that abould he be captured and
MING Finesse Cath and Fortune Perry WT laced in pal disclosures of a senaae
‘platform are twelve stena ane Tr
walk sometime tomorrow rhe gal tional nature omy reault,
liows apparutua Was tonted yesterday: . niin addin ce 25.9 pes os ern neon
pam pronounced in good working of very dittle in otha culinary dine. Thay
re .
- : drink considerable coca cola and oth.
Viu- |
a " Apparently No Hope. fer beteled drinks, however, sent them
tat:
top The Sun representative called Wed dally ty friends, tio leas than a dozen
com. | Derday afternoon fo see the doottiet bottom being sent them daily. They
me
hen
“tpeal
1ArK: i
— ‘sity tomorrow | go wf Ute theaade te date ~ they aay,
. rls Many colored miniaters have called | They tao @tate that they are pntire
~ with pou them during the past few days,ily at peace with God.
cand Cain Berry told the reporter ver, May Attcadét Crowd.
lreminy that after te has had oppor: |
ha} H The new acaffoid fa located between
_ | nity ia converse with mintsters thiet in, aouth wall of the new jaf and
‘morning be will probably Nave aome ‘the fence, about forty feet away, and
(tains to wey for publfeatton. As the | ihe erection, up te tbe Inatant the
| uerrte . . . ’ ;
ireporter fook jeave, Fortine Perey asia af pPrectyitated to their death,
who occuptes a portion of the cett with: WHE be in gued view of any whe may
his father, «aid “Mr Fiditor, if you
» hac ~ + . :
cote tack to see ta, Come tomer raw. | ie,
men, and although they are apparent have not diank coffee alnes the atvent
Ny in as good spirite as could be mx tof warn weather, dlreetly after thelr
i pected, {tots plain that Chey entertain jhearceration,
TMttle hope of eacapiorn the death pew Both men profess a willingnesa to
he standing on Magnoisa street at the
jiat don't come Friday, as «eo will be
‘tity preparing for death” WH be attracted bere oy the axecu-
any ’
— , le 9 & ;
Cain Perry ig 32 years old, and a thetis, aittenigh Aberi® tlamsey ta af
DOF permter nf the Colsred Wethodiat :
Poartune Terry, whe rege tiered
ft if probatis Mat onite a erowd
Uiherty tooadmit onty a titted ninibes
fo ffie jall yarct
Teas” : ¥ eee ~* .
PES hae oeen a member of Pinestile tap -,
ered thee ORs] he, colored, far Ofleet rears ARCHER CITIZENS STIRAREO
es BY ANONYMOUS POSTCARD
— “Helatives Visit Tham. :
a“ ‘U1 a Pte Aaa cneetier wae tere jaat CON Gfaibeli, tonrae venabio, 2 ;
sver OEY and wea ta have returved A Taylor, Wea Cossrtt and Mam T
a ratetia tt Ebb eet reste Hag Pletmtisg, all aril enuen citltena of
eny (R O* 908 Banday fe sald to havea Ueeber, eerte here W etitwada y Mr.
ping SR rete affecting, The men and Maidwin ty mayor of Archer, and
“ect teiatives Were much hapefsi un came fo Ceineacilie to couteeg wth a
“Ul leet Friday aighs, affer the sews poetoMes (napector in teferenuce lo an
reeg atm from Tallahamwee that (ye Kate anomzimous poetcard reestved by him
Hemet of Partona hed rafused ta con. (through the Archer offles
mer titer favorahiy the application for’ The card read.
ket fontivtation of sentenees, “Yow had better turn Cain and For
the On Wedooeday Cain Perry, Jr. aud tune Perry tooee or we will burn the
i fur erry Peery, cusim to see their fath. wrete town up. We told you we would
aay *F And beother — Phery-pemainet is Burn Saukaight’s store end we did.
y af th@ jail corridor some time, hers Otd Bonie (meaning the marshal) |e
chet Harper and Inilog Toray afurding bad, bul we can fia him. We can kitt
of g ‘ha feiatives sil the time possible ta mere whites than you can aiggers.”
riled (te near these The rufetives will take The card wae not signed. Rome who
o of hares of the man's bedjee limmediate- have seen it regard the hasd-writing
anetj'¥ afte’ they are pape At dent jaa tbat of @ Beare, while others be
y te (Veidar, sod the reseaging be tater jNeve if emanated from = white mad.
dete {rod in theie burying grotad at Pine! lt te got taken Seriously tere.
*3 ike, The peatoMes inspector wae act
Eat Vary Lite, here Wedneatay, but Mayor Daldwin
During the past sts or seven Gaya | Pineed ihe matter im the hands of
setther Cain Perry ex bis san have sther of the Yudera! oficers.
Tit0aday.
LE, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEME ER. 27, 1912
‘’. Brush, E.
& Vidal, A.
T. J. Me
« Bernard,
yor, B. S.
WE ARE READY 0 G0 ao
SAID FATHER AND son
"ank Ctar
‘din, W. B.
E. Waugh,
a, Geo. P.
M. Parrish,
C. L. Wil-
slley, H. FE.
I. Coles, J.
fon the fol-
© the Tt>
Hill, A.M.
m, B. D.
a, Sr, W.
>HRIS-
REGISTER
1 Was the
rd register
the White
itered from
rell known
ge Was the
CAIN AND FORTUNE PERRY WILL
BE HUNG TODAY.
Both Express Faith in God and Main-
tain That They Are innocent of
the Crime of Murder.
As the reflection from the setting +
sun sent its pink-hued rays throuch
the east-side windows of the Alachua
county jail Thursday afternoon, Cain
and Fortune Perry realized that for |
the last time they were gazing at:
such a spectacle, for ead between
the hours of 11 a. m. and 2 2 p.m, they:
are to be hung to explate the. mur |
der of Deputy Sheriff Chas HH,
Slaughter, ~ :
Both men were cheerful Wednes. -
day, however, notwithstanding = that,
the ‘strain must have been tnatense, !
and their demeanor demonstrated the |
part revision will exert upon a hum: un!
being iu the most trying hours.
scious of the fact that not a vestice
Cou
on the old
Qtalns
e, and the
aud Brown
‘ks annual-
iries. serve
fly.
PRESS.
er of The
i @ street
Michigan,
dy damag-
1.) Herald.
uaa i
fa readiness—realiy
during the past few days by the visite ||
‘
Wednesday
he apent
pleasantly
tain in the
a week or
6 Mr. and
{Vans “payx
4 Air Line
el through
the rails
O yards in
80 great
weeks ago.
Ybor City
nd consid-
sen caused
of heavy
i
i
of hope remains for thett to ercape’
ithe extreme Eenalty, they professed
Seemed anxious --
fo go. This manifestation of their,
falth in God has been atrengthennd | F
of a number of colored ministers.
among them Dr. T. H. BR. Walker, |
Reva, H. M. Fleming and Robinson, |
and other ministers, who have dane
much toward preparing the dooined
to meet their fate quietly and with a,
resignation that, at this hour, appears |
imposible.
Innocent of Crime (7).
Readers of The Sun remember the
;
details of the murder of Deputy
Slaught er and FL. V. White, who ac.
companied th Deputy to Lige
Brown's bene b on the evening of May
Uth, last. Blaughter went under the
impression that he would catch sey:
fral pistol-totera. A social had been
in Progress af Brown's home, and ihe
officers arrived vabout the thine the
darkies were dispersing. Deputy.
Sherif J. aA. Manning waa with
Slaughter and White, and when
Slaughter walked up from behind and
called to one negro to throw up
his hands, the negro raised his right
hand, shooting the officer with a pla.
tol gripped in the left hand Manning |
Was between HRlanghtor White!
eben Blanghter fell. neat
‘arin
and ort
per
¢
“will against anyone on earth,
qT
both men greatiy: th: st he called.
jive he departed they aioe that Hd ae
Ss ws reg ee ee
lines of earthly things now, but
of the home I hare In Heaven. Wes
er that old thing out yonder is sprung
tomorrow at 11:30 my body will be
| dead, ‘but my spirit will live on.”
What Fortune Said.
“What's the use of ‘Me saying any-
thing’ said Fortune, who sat upon
his bunk in front of his father. “1
have nothing to say, only that what |
said whon Sherif! Ramsey came to ar-
rast me-that I know nothing about
the killing—that I was as far from
the shooting when it bappened ag thea
court house is from the Seaboard
{
==
depot. The white people wouldn't be- |
lieve me then, and soma of them
won't believe me now, But they can
kill me tofmerrow—Fr am willing to!
go,”
Each ‘stated that ther hold no jf:
|
Anxious For Prayer.
On Weanesaay when the press repr |
resentative wag at the Jail he asked | Lee chapters,
the men if they desired a white minin-
fer to call, “Why. 1 don't
vhe would come," aaid one,
would be glad to see him.”
Accordingly Rey. J. J Cloar, Pastor |
‘of the Biret Naptist chure h, was ask.
‘at accompany The Sun
hursday, and it xcemed to
BUD poe
$
“but we!
to reporter
pilose.
ite.
which Rey,
hunk, his fath Ta koiiing over his
‘The elder node Ie fa still atiffen
‘do from the e of the wound tn
he thigh and he could fot kneel ax
enelly ag hie son. They thanked th:
; Pray for them,
minlater heartils, and assured him
his visit was appreciated.
Wanted Pictures Made.
Fortune Perry requeatey] that a
photographer be sent to the daily
Ne igesd afternoon.
father, “we want to have a fow pice
(ures made to give to our relatives |
tomorrow, before we are ible,”
They could not think of anything
else they wanted. “You seo, we have |
but a few hours left, 20 we don't!
need much." said Fortune: “but we
are grateful for the many things that
beth white and colared people have
Btven us. You sev here, (and he pick
ed up some silver which a white gon.
tleman placed upon a bar) this gen.
tleman has given ye this maney,
another gives us some cigara, all are
Kood to ta--not only Mr. Totiay and
Mr. Ramaey, but Many others.”
As the white men passed out, sev. ;
eral colored ministers were waiting?
fo be admitted tw the corridor y
"Yes," added hig:
H
}
tard for
KIRBY SMITH ¢
HAS A FIN
WILL OBSERVE
THIS AFTE:
“MS
At Conclusion of Prog
Be Bestowa! of
President of
A very appropriate
heen arranged by Kir
jter, Colred Daughters
jiu Conheelion With ons
ivianna Day?" The op
trendered at a silvre
-denee of Mra. Ho fd.
i Liberty sifeet, this 4.
j ning at 8:20) o'eluck
Members of J. 3. Fini
Cae
'epecti vely, and frietid-
‘invited ty be prvaenr
“Marianna Bay" is
hy th.
tae?
erchses promise to be
a
ty Daughters |
“ings,
The proceeds
>
monumental
proeranc,
or
The whi!
neta bey
be
as tt
aa
~ Brsigeam
“Suwannee River
ter,
Frvue
ater
rumental Bolo -
Younglove,
Vocal Salo
Historical
nianoua — Mra.
Vocal sale
Reading Mrs
{ustrumental
fies.
-Miaa fis
Paper on
fohn M
Mrs ff!
AO
Nolo 4
b
of «¢
President of Kirny &
D Ce ta
Sung,
Restowal Stn mace
ae)
Veterane and
“"Dtsta”
HOW PETER MADE G
FROM THE MOUNT
Peter Lrown.
“hefo’ da
for offending one af Gz
dinances,
Wedneaday.
Peter is aot regarded
430 he #aa allawed
being Raed in onder te ”
ehange’ fo vaver + eagle
Aid wee
valor ea
inare” gever
Tiade @g uni
fis
eit
tH a aed and been strengtien.
during the’ past few daya by the visi:
of a number of colored ministers
among them Dr. T. H. R. Walker,
Reve. H. M. Fleming and Robinson,
and other ministers, who have done
much toward preparing the doomed
to meet their fate quietly and with a;
resignation that, at this hour, appears
Unpossible,
Innocent of Crime (7).
‘Readers of The Sun remember the
detafla of the murder of Deputy
‘palaughter and F, V. White, who ac-
companied the Deputy to lige
Rrowna’s home on the evening of May
lith, last. Blaughter went under the
impression that he would catch sev:
eral pistol-toters. A social had been
in Bregress a€ Drown's bome, and the
officers arrived cabout the time the
darkies were dispersing.
Sherif J. A. Manning was with
Slaughter and White, and when
Slaughter walked up from behind and
called to one negro to throw up
his hands, the negro raised his right
hand, shooting the officer with a pis.
tol gripped in the left hand. Manning
was between Slanghter and White
when Slaughter fell, and the nent
(instant White feil, mortaliy
Manning dropped to arcana.
death, and escaped Injury Cain Per. '
ley was shot that night, ancl. sececord
Ing to Mer. Manning’s teaticioss,
Vl Perry fred the shot that i:
Kinty slvbehger “iHe
he recognized Fortune Perr
Thoreday alternaon, at oi!
‘lon of the doomed men,
i fian ealied (6 gee therm,
.aothing to say Gea se:
Cain Perry state!
ibad given an interview +n
‘iman during the morning
: (Stating that he wanted i¢ for publica |
¥ iden. This man was Pr HM, ks.
"| Walker, the colored Method +t minis
iter, ft in said.
When asked if he had a::' ing to
isay regardiag Lige Brown ~whaetheg |
jhe knew sestitog that wucic tel tof
Brown's guilt or innoeenee—
Peery answéted tha: “Prery
San Must anewer for his ‘adivignal
stag.” “No.” he sald. “I x1 not go
tag to say anything ths: «fff hert
wea
f
that
Rete a
invita-
Suni
Le oe
Tie
hut
that
7
bas
eek a
aA RT
ie
RRR me eS
i show
Cats
“SS ewan & 4
be will SAE Bob the srafold today.
Whee ti Bis thigh. which was
23
at @ henry wwe we 4
Depu ty
traded. :
ieigping ; ;
hey had”
alraady .
that he
ear edt |
ritiaibhe
<3
arent ee
{
ae
if
Perry hheeiiuy beside Dag
his father kneeling over tip.
The elder negro's leg in ottti atiffon. j
[sa trom the effects of (he wound in)
tthe thigh and he could not kneel aw |
‘eanily as hie son. They thanked th. |
jininister heartily, and assured him,
‘his visit wae appreciated. |
Wanted Pictures Made.
Fortune Ferry requested that ‘|
photographer be sent the hall
Thuraday afternoon. “Yeu, added his!
father, “we want to have a few pir. |
H
see
{ures made fo give to our relatives
tomorrow, befure we are killed." !
They could not think of anything
elae they wanted. “You ace, we have |
Dut a féw hours left, so wa Mon’!
need much,” said Fortune; “hut wa
are grateful for the many things that
both white and colored people hava
Siven us, You see here, (and he pick.
ed up some silver which a white Keh-
teman placed upon a bar) this gen-
tlemnan has Siven ue this inoney,
another gives us some cigars, all are
kot ta t#—not only Mr. Torlay and
Mr. Ramaey, but many others.”
As the white men paseed Ost, sey.
era! colored ministers were waiting,
to be admitted to the corridor.
Time of Execution, —
The erccution, it {a understood, & {Ij
-ocour between Hl and it o'clock thia |
eee The ropea were prepared ,
a
ian the gadeas fe inecated in the)
sail court, immediately south af the |
‘new iail, and in view uf the wtreat!
i Teevernat
oe
Quiet At Archer.
Sherif Hammary wene ity Archer!
Thursday, i response to Foquest |
lapent (Re snonymong posicard seq
‘Mayor C, W. Raldwig jast Tuesday
(to effect tbat oniesa the Perry's ecre
itelomsed by Fray the entire town
‘Boukl by Vireed up. te paturned
last night and reported ereryibing
rqvieg Chere, Littie evadeace ta pincer
ia the declaratiog made thom the
curd.
BY. PL UL necernon T°
STUDENTS | er
eomomuatecare =
Sir bis sé ole ou
Wie Meception anseunesd to ba fondee |
od ‘tid faculty and sindent tedy of}.
the. Untyersity of Ploride, this ovqe
ing by tha Reption Jatlg People’s
Calon, bas been indefiniiely postpam
POKED
fvait steady”
Program,
to River’-—Sung by
“Ss Chap.
ter,
THSLGUT eta fed Suio --Mre Gilbert
Younglove,
Voeat Soloo- Wiew Heloise Vidal.
Historical Paper om atthe of Mfa-
ridtna- Mea John Mo ‘Yaytor
¥Yorat Sole--Mra. tt. FP. tiatert.
Reading --Mra. Ao Co MeCall.
Inatrumental Solo--Misa fda turk.
hiu,
Rextuwal of Crosses of Honor hy
President of Kirby sinith ¢ ‘hapter, €,
DC, to. Vetetana and whtows.
Song, “Dtxle.”
emminibents Miaminadinr et ee
HOW PETER MADE GET AWAY
FROM THE MOUNTED OFFICER
eee ‘
Peter Brown, colored, who was tp
“befo’ da ore’ several faye since
for offending one of Gaineavitle's of:
dinances, made a unique eectaway
Wedneaday.
Peter in sot reganied a "had man,”
a he wae allowed hie Nherty after
being fined In order to “gather up the
‘ehangse” ta cover the csts,- Phie ks
did not do as promptly as Marshal
Pinkoson desired, with the raault that
| hte offictal requested that Mounted
OMecer Waits pick Peter ap on the
draft plan Accerdingty Peter Was
Cains Tauradas uy Jailor Tortay, the al. | pleded. uy by OMeer Waits, The two
A Dev ows tested again, and all is-ta read] | Were in Mr Walts’ tugzy and while
eeeim hrouga Nority fiainesellie
OMecer Walta stopped to gat a drink
ef water, Ha admunished eter
durfiag hia atenuce.
“Yaewar, Fi be bera when ys’ gits
hack,” agid Veter, ane waa st that
{9
‘iistaat devising a well planned mode
of recape. Aout the isatant Offver
Watts startet tack to the naggzy
Veter jumped out, "shoed” al the
horse, which caused Ho to gallop up
the street, Wile Pater mada a hasty
retreat in the oppasite direction. :
The offter obgersted the BMtuaticn
at a glanee, bul came to the courtu-
sion that the horse ang buggy were
of more vale) thas Peter tuat then.
Hence he chaked down the asimal
and Peter waa rounded ap fatar.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER REL.
ATIVE TO THE ROAD FUNCS
& Cnilad meeting of the Board
a adlen thee ‘est Tose
y the following order wes made
[#9 Md ebllered tha: ibe county tress
Wren be frgtracted to divide the Com
x *
OL. XXIX. NOMS
_ GAINESY ILLE, FLORIDA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER, 2 28, 1912.
EN UTTERED a :
ON MARCH TO GALLOWS
IN AND FORTUNE ‘PERRY. EXE.
CUTED FRIDAY.
ouble Hanging rps Crowd
Estimated To Be Between 3,000
and 4,000—No Confession.’
Summary of Case.
Brown’s home about four miles from
Archer. -
May 12,
~-Perry aid Lise
“atheir homes. :
ati May 16, 1912- ludictments charging |
“murder in first degree returned by
‘grand jury.
May 22, 14912--Fortune Perry and}
Lige Brown tried in Circuit Court and |
convicted of murder in first degree;
upon indictments connecting them with:
murder of C. H. Slaughter.
June 18, 1¢12—Cain Perry tried
wate fund convicted upon tadictment con:
Sh ay necting him with murder of C. H.
Slaughter.
August 9, 1432-—-Governor Gfiichrist
sent Sheriff Ramsey death warrants
for Cain and Fortune Perry,
Hrown's case having been appealed to
Supreme Court. August 25rd set for
execution : ie
1912—Cain Perry,
August 15, 1¢12—-Governor granted
‘reprieve until September 27th. :
_ September 20, 1912-—-State Board of
- Pardons refused to consider favorably
> Spplication for commutation of sent-
“ences. ECO NO ES Ee. Be
Septem’ er 2h Governor. inatructed
Sheritt Ramsey to execute, death war.
rants on Friday, the 27th. ou
September 27, 1912: <Caln “and For
ptune poy paid the. extreme penalty,
= Thousands Viewed Execution. ;
> People besan arriving trom the out-
lying districts Thursday. “night, and by
~~ o'clock Friday morning several hun-
Sidra: were in the rity, “nome” ‘attract.
ed by desire to tee the majesty
“ot ‘the Tu ws Fy 5 -y 9s ana. ‘thes “You! mtr
er of Charlie Qi jiehter: andoFoVv
White espiated, others,
while
*¢ od yr hia corpetovale
May 11, 1912, 11:50 p. m.—Deputy |
‘Sheriff Chas. H. Slaughter and F. V.
White mortally wounded near Lige!
Fortune }
Rrown arrested at:
Lige '
it @eetue {
| Sheritt Ramsey. “They walked quite
steadily until they reached the flight
of 12 steps leading from the ground
‘to the platform from which they were,
to drop to their death, - The «men
were hand-cuffed together, and “beside
Cain _Perry walked Sheriff: Ramsey
while Deputy - sWnerled: apelsted | For-
tune 0 0 mye pb =
Lh VOM ‘Seem ‘In A Hurry.” :
As the men came out the jail door
Fortune Perry, who for the first time
had opportunity to view the thousands
assembled, remarked: _ You seem in|
a hurry, but 1 would not. run—I will |
‘soon be at my last resting place.” To
‘this hig father said: “Amen, amen.”
“Slowly the officers assisted the he
groes up the steps, and they joined
the ministers in a hymn. While stand-
ing on the scaffold the men were sup
‘ported by Deputy Sheriff Wheeler and
H. J. Riles. . oe
Dr. T. H. -B. Walker read several
ipassages of scripture, followed © by
| another hymn.
Cain Perry Speaks.
ae
rT .
Looking out upon the assemblage
‘Cain Perry — exclaimed: “Sisters, |
brothers and friends, prepare to meet
‘your relatives In Heaven, for every
man is going to die. They can take
this old body, but they can't take the
Thank God, thank God." He
said: “Now,” say what you
want to say, son,” and. Fortune an-
lswered: “Let us BO, Bo now—I am
ready.” : ? .
Rev. Robinson iadeatad all to join
in a@ petition to the Almighty, “for
we all ‘have to £0 some time,
some how,” whe “added. At this
{juncture Cain ‘Perry shouted: “Thank
God, farewell, farewell, we are golng
home to heaven.” Roth men kept. up
an almost contingous “uproar hale et
a
soul.
AK
the Almighty and_ thelr. peadtuamst ta
die. The minister invoked the/divine
mile asics
near to death ‘and
sey and his ‘deputies, the jallor.. ‘and
“|the State Board of Pardons “who only |: me
a tow days “ago turned down the cna
"Shariff Ramsey began. to Gait ae
(NEW, PACKAGE, CAR AT.
“TANTATO-GAINESVILLE
TAMPA a IACKSONVILLE EXHIB.
18 PROGRESSIVENESS. : Be
sarees “October. See rcignt May
Come From Chicago, Cincinnati,
With But “One Change.
Arrangements have been completed
by the Tampa & Jacksonville Ralfl-
way ‘Company for new package ca:
‘service from Atianta to Gainesville,
effective October Ist. This new serv-
ice will be made up In Atlanta on the
Southern Railway tracks from freight
moving from Chicago, Cinctnnatl, St.
Lotwis and all interlor points North,
East and West, and -forwarded to
Jainesville {n through car.
The new service will prove a crest
saving to the merchants and business
people of Galnesville, and will insure
local shipments arriving {nm goed or
der from the fact there will only
one transfer en route from any point
and at the same time Insure fast
freight schedule.
The car will move frem Atlanta via
the Southern Railway to Macon; G. 8.
& F. to Sampson City, and T. & J.
rallway to Gainesville, and Js sched-
be
perv enables the Tampa &
Jacksonville failway to hajdle pack-
age frelght from. all points North,
en toute and this fact a
the ‘merchants thousands of dollars,
fore ‘made in teinsit, 2
pli in reference to the
hia ‘Tower limbs.
*
. Biack Cape ‘Adjusted.
11:38, when Cain” exclaimed: "1
Tee ‘make ene I can”
-
ra
“f.
death warraats at 11.22.
‘ see camart
ery * pil =
en's necks at 11°39
Oo--just hreak mr peck” said Por
Bprmm nina ly
uled to dell freight in Gainesville what vou boys hate got.’
jn 36 ho The new service and i ayy nt
the Ja ie Gaincevill x saying, ‘Dan't shoot = me,
CkeparileValnesviile POCkaS? i naven't got (& hiag. Te
East and West with only one transfer
» will pave
aa well ae the railroad: ‘pince tt wilt
leasen damage and logs of freight ac
count of the many transfers bereto-
“The black cape were adjuated oat
"The Rouses Werte eet “around thet
“Don't choke
Lar nent a a ane A en ee, t+ em SR iba Nien gr a, aa
Se Re Ah A CE GR OT
-
| whether OF not the men’s ne
broken, “sbut the aupposition
they were. “The: bodies were :
by” Shetift “Ramsey and tur
; to Cain. Perry, “Jee and oth
relatives” after ‘they. were 3
the ‘caskets, ‘which occupied
in front. of ‘the old jail do
relatives left Gainesville ear
afternoon for Pineville Baptis
where F riday night was held ¥
term a “wait.”. Interment
made today...”
Expected Beabesstens La
Not onty dtd the -men-fai
expected confessiona as to |
der which they exphated, :
made absolutely no referer
On Thursday, in a statement
Dr. T. H. BH. Walker, both
asserted that they were int
the murder of Mr. Slaughter,
the minister that they would
more to say about It.
: Cain's Original! Versi
The original version of thr
stven by Cain Perry, and
reiterated upou several
was told The Sun represen
Sunday, May 12th, the day
rest. He said: “We were zac
~Fortune and me, together
eral others~--! don't know bh
were In the party, and w
distance from the. house
dance was given three or
eame up from behind us.
"Throw up your bands; } «
fion’'t know who he was, |
Bats ~jabbed a pistol jn my
shot. Ifell and dragged my
Sai my son,” Fortune,” ca
with, a busey- and carried
mine. who. are tn ‘jail here,
ta bape! rabewarld ae
“aot
: LAs
+ Slanghter, oie yee
Slaughter, Jr. the merd
Hittle five-year-old son, est
tooth yet,
wre ees arene Aveine
20) Tan rey 9
~ dete TILL y willl,
bla Cy
:
Na nrreg —e
hanged Ocala
\ P
—
[yw POUITENS :
ANGED: IN OCALA
a ane
dhe Execution Took Place in the
Yard of the County Jail,
The Crime for Whick a Xearo Pald
the Supreme Penalty eof
the Law.
nnd
Ocala, Kept. 12.—Yesterday marning at
tam Jim Polite, colored, WAS natveernt it
the ecunty_ soerand in Ocala, In acvounds
ance with the warrant of the Qovernor, .
Pollte was convicted at \he recent pyectal
term of Ahe Ctreult Court neld for the pure
pase of trylng thle on¢ cree,
About two months aco he cowardly mur
dered 3. 0. Neasley of Tavon, ‘ereeping UP
from ambueh shortly atte? dusk. :
+ About $0 persone inalde and out of the
| sattynea witnessed the execution. whien
patent off very quietly and without mishan——
. eg oe wae
| id jrotersal repentance and religion.
cS ND
Tum POUTE IS“
HANGED IN OCALA
The Execution ‘Took Place in the
Yard of the County Jail. ,
——— aed
x
ts Ceriwe for Which a Xearo Paid
the Supreme Penalty of
the Law, ,
—_—<—*
Ocala, Rept. 12.—Teeterday morning at
10: Jim Pollte. colored. was natvest in
the ecunty sd ard in Ocala, In acoords
ance with the warrant of the Governor, |
Potlte was convicted at the recent spretal
term of Ahe Ctreult Court held for the pure
pase of trying thia one cree.
Abdut two monthe rao he cowardly mur
dered 3. DD. Neasley of Tavon, creeping Up
from ambush ahertly after durk.
| About $0 persons inaide and out of the
jallyard witnessed the execution. which
prsned off very quietly an
| Pollta protessal repentance and religion
ad without mishan_——
NO APPEAL
POOLE, Hosea, black, hanged at Pensacola, Florida 7/4 /-/9,L0
"In conducting a search of Hosea Poole's cell at the county jail recently, Sheriff Whitae
ker found five hacksaw blades concealed in an old leather glove. Marks on the bars show@d
wheretheprisoner had attempted to saw his way out. He was transferred to another cell,
Poole, .who is sentenced to hang, attempted to send a detter to his father, urging Bhat a
gun be samt to the jail. “he negro said in,his letter that he wuld seize thekeys and
throw them away. The letter was intercepted by Deputy Willingham and given to the Sheriff,"
PENSACOLA JOURNAL, Pensachla, "la., 7-23-1920 ( 5/e,) |
"Hosea Poole, confessed mrderer of his brother Albert, hangs at noon tomorrow announced
Sheriff Whitaker, yesterday, ‘he negro's death warrant was read to him by the sheriff Tues-
day, .and.he was told then that he wuld die at some time Friday between 10 a.m, and 2 poem,
The sheriff set the hour yesterday at noon, Poole was convicted of first degree murder in
the.last term of the circuit court. in connection with the killing os his brother Albert,
Hosea confessed to the mrder a few hours after the deed was discovered, Albert was the
main witness against Hosea in connection with alleged theft of some clothing, and the latter
was given a short sentencein the county jail, where he was made a trusty, He obtained per-
mission from thejanitor to be absent a few minutes onenight and during that time he accom-
panied his brother to the Muscogee wharf and there killed his brother with an axe, He re-
purned to the jail and slept in his cell, After killing h&s brother Hosea dragged the body
to the edge of whart where the water.was deepest and placed the axe in his brother's
clothing and threw the body into the water. Hosea told hits preacher yesterday that he was
ready to die and that he had mde his peace with God, He is not down-hearted about the
prospect of his near doom and does not have much to say inregard to the date for his exe-
cution, Sheriff Whitaker has had innumerable requests from citizens of Pensacola asking
that they be allowed to be a witness of the execution, but owing to the small room within
the courtyard, mst of these reauests were denied, Many visitors were at the jail yestere
day to see thecondanned man and Jailer Willingham was kept busy until visiting hour was
over late in the afternoon," JOURNAL, Penscaloa, Fla,, 7-29-1920 (2-1). .
"Hosea Poole will hang today at noon in the death chamber of the county jail for the mrder
of his brother “lbert several months ago. The condemned negro was visited by a constant
stream of white and colored people during the visiting hours yesterday and umerwent the
ordeal as calmly as though nothing unusual was happening. He insisted that he be allowed
freedam from preaching and religious talks yesterday stating that if the preachers wished
to talk. with him, to come around today, He stated that he would not take up his last full
day worrying about what was to happen to him after death, Collections were taken by jailer
Willingham yesterday to provide suitable clothes and burial for the negro, and other par=
ties were making up additional money, As each man or woman passed the jailer in the after-
noon, they were asked money, ranging from five cents to a dollar, and many thought they
were being charged admission for the privilege of seeing the condemned man, When asked
for the money, some objected, saying they would not give any money to see any oneman, but
after the collection was explained they were satisfied and would donate if they felt dis-
posed or go up stairs to see the negro if they had no moneye The wife and mother of Ko sea
spent most of the day with him in the condemned cell, and every consideration possible was
granted the man. Sheriff Whitaker provided good fopd for Hosea, although the county makes
no provision for extra food for any prisoner." JOURRIL, Pensacloa, 1- -1920 (3-1. )
"gt 13 minutes past 12 o'clock the trap was sprung and Hosea Poole was pronounced dead by
the attending physicians 13 minutes later in the county jail yesterday, when the negre
was hanged for the mrder of his brother, lhe hanging was in the death chamber of the
jail and only a few people were admitted to the sceneon account of the smallness of the
room, After the death mask was placed over the negro's head, he said 'Goodbye, worlds
I have made my peaceg' and the trap was sprung as the last word was uttered. The rmgro
was composed and went to the fatal place quietly and at no time showed the slightest fear
of meeting his death, The courtyard was crowded am other places wherea sight of the final
rites could berseen were filled with people who had gathered at the building, A short sere
vice was led by J. H, Hall, mwgro preacher, and Hosea said that hehad madehis peace with
God and was ready to die, His wife and mother were with him until he took his place on
the trap and friends and relatives bade him goodbye before heleft the cell. Ihe body of
the negro was tent to Goldtucker's undertaking establishment to be prepared for burial
Sunday afternoon, Money for thefinal expenses was collected by the preacher and friends of
XRKXNKE
the negro, He said, in mking a final statement, that he loved his brother but that his
brother did not have the same feeling for him, If the experience had to be gone through
with again, Hos eaymsaid, he wuld mather be mrdered himself than to kill his brother. He
knoced Albert in thehead with an axe several weds ago and threw the body into thebay, The
murder g@eveloped out of a charge of petty larcenty made against Hosea by his brother,"
JOURNAL, Pensachta, Blorida, July 31, 1920 (5/5)
The following is taken from notes provided by Mrs, Leora -M, Sutton for the Pensacola Kise
torical Museum and sent to me by Mr, Norman Simons, Curator of the Museums
"Information from Mr. John Moreno Coe, July, 1962: ‘he last hanging in Escambia resulted
‘Srem the escapades of a negro named Hosie Poole, Mr, Coe represented Poole and received
$50;00 for his-work, When questioned about the year the last execution took place, Mr,.
Coe smiled, with a fatherly pride, and answered:-'That should be @asty to ascertain as I
spent the money I earned for my daughter's baby carriage. It was in the summer of 1920,"
Mr. Coe was surpBised to find the file on the case was not at his office but suggested
searching for it at the Escambia Court House. When lookin for it thereit was discovered
thatit was missing, and only the records of the court was there, but it did list the date
Poole was found guilty, June 25, 1920. The name was spelled Hosie Pool, After the dis-
appointing lead, I turned to the library for assistance, The 1905 city directory stated
that the jail was located at the corner of Zarragosa and Jefferson, In the June 16, 1920,
issue of the Pensacola newspaper, it says: 'Hose Poole, against whom an indictment of mr-
der in the first degree was returned by a grand jury in the circuit court yesterday after-
noon, pleaded not guilty. The indictment charges that Poole premeditated the killing of
his brother, The negro was a trusty at the county jail and left the furnace room one
night MAKXXANXx long enough to go to the dock at Commendencia Street where the alleged
murder took pkace, Date of the cime has not beeh fixed,* In the Friday morning, June
25, 1920, Pensacola Journal, it tells of the trial: 'Hosea Poole is found guilty in the
first degree by a jury in the circuit court, ‘he jury was out twenty five minutes con-
sidering the case, -Judge Canpbell has not. announced whem he whl] pronounce sentence,
Poole is thenegro who murdered his brother last March at the foot of Muscogee Wharf,
tied an axe with which he had done thekilling, abound his brother's waist, and threw him
overboard, Poole told the jury that the action had been done in self defense and if he
hadn't killéd his brother, his brother wuld have killed him, The jury was charged at
6230 andwas out twenty-five minutes, The prosecution was conducted by State Attorney
N. Ae McGeachy, while J. Moreno Coe acted as counsel for the defendant. The jury wask. E,
Jones, James Whitehead, Drew Semms, William Yates, Dillie Williams, W. W. Graham, W. Dunn,
Je D. Crozer, J, S. Humphries, J. N. Brewton, William Crowl, and C, H, Kuffrian,' From
dune 27, 1920 papers: ‘Hosea Poole will be hanged and the sentence will not he set aside
as far as heis concerned, Gov, S,. J. Catts is reported to have stated late yesterday after=
noon in a message sent to Poole's mother, The attorney for Poole filed a motion for a new
trial when Poole was found guilty of first degree mrder and the court has not passed on
the motion, The mother of Poole called at the San Carlos late yesterday afternoon and
asked for an audience with the governor but the request was declined, Thé@ governor sent
word that he knew the nature of her request but he could not do anything for her, The
gover or arrived here yesterday to confer with Blackwell and thatdecision stood also}
(Note: Mr, Coe said the axe was tied tothe brothers leg under the trousers before being
dumped ovérboard,) Checking the records at the Court of Records these facts were brought
forth: January, 1920, Hosie Pool was found guilty of grand larceny; cost or 30 days. Crime
committed Dec, 31, 1919, Stole property of *lbert Poole, Property consisted of bicycle,
one pair of shoes and one pair of trousers,"
80
“There are, in that soft stretch over
yonder. I found some fairly clear foot-
prints—men’s shoes—and - also tire
.. marks, I roped ’em off for protection.”
“Nice work!” Acosta exclaimed. A
few moments later a couple of men
were beginning the delicate job of mak-
ing plaster casts of the footprints and
tire marks. Acosta and Higginbotham
returned to Dr. Killinger, who had
finished his preliminary examination.
“Both women have been dead for
several days,” the medical examiner
said. “There are five wounds on Mrs.
Powell’s head and four on Mrs. Speer'’s.
From the shape of the wounds, I'd guess
that a hammer or something similar
was the murder weapon.’
“How about the slashes in the stom-
achs?”
“They were inflicted after death—it
was the head blows that were fatal.” °
Dr. Killinger paused. “I have a theory
about ‘those stomach wounds. You
know, some pepple have the mistaken
idea that if the stomach of @ dead per-
son is cut open, the body will not float
but will settled to the bottom.”
“Sounds logical,” -Acosta agreed.
“The killer, of course, hoped they
would stay out of sight on the bottom.”
The bodies were placed in ‘an am-
bulance and removed to a mortuary in
Fernandina, the Nassau County seat.
Meanwhile, Inspector Acosta, Detective
Meads and County Detective Hurlbert
began a search of the area for other
possible clues. They found nothing
further in the clearing approaching
Dead Landing, but at a spot in the
brush more than 100 feet from the tire
tracks Meads came upon the remains
of a bonfire.
“This-would be a peculiar place for
a fisherman to light a fire to cook with,”
he told his mates. “Besides, this fire
was pretty big—covers an area about
a yard in diameter.”
“Looks like it’s a few days old,” Hurl-
bert said. “It could be that the killer
got rid of something here—the cloth-
ing of the victims, for instance.”
m= THE THREE investigators raked
. through the cold ashes with infinite
care. Acosta came up with a_ long,
slender piece of metal. “A corset stay,
unless I miss my guess,” he said.
They continued their search. and
found several more corset stays, as
well as a number of bits of cloth fabric
that was not entirely consumed by the
flames. Scattered around the edge of
the fire were several dozens of small
white feathers.
“Feathers,” Hurlbert murmured. “I
don’t get that.”
“Small feathers like that are used in
filling pillows,” Inspector Acosta ob-
served. “Possibly the women were
killed in bed, and a pillow got blood-
stained: The slayer would naturally
want to get rid of it.’ He pondered a
moment. “The FBI can sometimes tell
a lot from ashes and partly burned ob-
jects. We’re going to gather up this
stuff and let ’em look it over.”
The remains of the fire were shoveled
into a clean paper container, which
was labeled. After final photographs
were taken, the investigators got into
their'cars and headed back to Jackson-
ville.
“It’s pretty apparent now,” Meads
said as they rolled along, “that the |
purse which was thrown into Hogan
Creek was a plant. The killer left it
there in an effort to throw us off the
* trail.”
“Which is evidence that he had this
thing carefully planned,” Acosta nod-
ded. “Dead Landing is an out-of-the-
way spot—a perfect place for a killer
to dispose of his victims. He must have
been familiar with it—knew ahead of
time that he would leave the bodies
there.”
In Jacksonville, two close friends of
Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Speer were found
who were willing to be driven to Fer-
nandina to make postive identification
of the corpses. A couple of hours later
there was no further doubt that the
two murdered women were Mrs. Pow-.
ell and her mother.
Dr. Killinger had also learned a few
more facts in performing autopsies on
the victims. Both women, he reported,
had been dead before being put in the
water. He had also found another
wound on the body of Mrs. Powell.
She had been struck a blow above the
hip with such savage force that her
liver was ruptured. -
“It’s.my hunch that it’s got to be
either Powell or Moffitt,” Acosta told
his aides. “We’ve got those plaster
casts of the tire marks and footprints.
Let’s make use of them,”
Two detectives were assigned to
check on Pete Moffitt, the roomer at
the Powell home who had purportedly
-gone to the beach on Sunday. Detec-
tives Meads and Woods drove to the
brick house on Laura Street to ques-
tion Mark Powell himself. Powell,
smoking the inevitable cigarette, came
to the‘door holding a racing form which
he apparently had been reading.
“You fellows find out anything?” he
asked as he let them in.
“We think we’re making some prog-
ress,” Meads- admitted. “First, we'd
like to take a look at your car.”
“My car?” .Powell looked indignant.
“Just why should you want to look at
my car?”
“We've got to eliminate every possi-
bility. Would you mind backing it out
of the garage?”
@ WITH NOTICEABLE lack of cheer,
Powell walked out with the detectives
and ‘backed his car into the driveway
where it éould be scrutinized in full
daylight. Detective Woods brought out
the’ two moulages- made of the tire
marks at Dead Landing and the sleuths:
compared them with the tires on the
car.
“They’re not the same,” Woods said.
“No, they’re not,’ Meads agreed.
“But these two tires on the back wheels
are brand new.” He turned to Powell.
“When did you have those new tires
put on?”
“I don’t know what difference it
makes,” Powell grumbled, “but I had
’em put on last Tuesday. I ordered
them a couple of weeks ago.”
Tuesday, the investigators knew,
was two days after the disappearance
of the two women. They made a care-
ful examination pf the trunk and the
interior of the car,. On the floormat in
the rear Woods found severat reddish
stains.
“Where'd those stains come from?”
he asked Powell.
The man shrugged. “I wouldn’t know
exactly. Very likely they came from
the meat we bring home for the dog.”
He gave a scornful laugh. “If you fel-
lows are trying to pin something on me,
you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
They went back into the house. On
the kitchen linoleum was still the
smeared stain that Woods had spotted
in his previous visit.
“Sniff likes to worry a bone. in the
kitchen,” Powell said, adding with some
sarcasm, “I hope you aren’t suspecting
Sniff of anything.”
Woods now brought out the two
moulages made:of the footprints at
Dead Landing. “We’d like to see the
shoes you wore last Sunday,” he said.
. “That’s easy,” Powell replied.
“They’re up in my bedroom.”
He led them upstairs and brought
out a pair of brown oxfords from the
closet. “Here they are.”
Woods and Meads turned the shoes
over and compared them with the
moulages. They were -obviously not
the same.’ The moulages showed shoes
with rubber heels of a rather distinctive
pattern, while these shoes had leather
heels. The detectives found two other
pairs of shoes in the closet, but neither
of these matched the moulages either.
“How about those shoes you're wear-
ing?” Meads asked the suspect.
“I didn’t wear’em last Sunday,” Pow-
ell snapped, “but if it’ll make you any
happier you can look at them.”
He took: them off and-handed them
over. Meads and Woods scrutinized
them closely. They almost fitted into
the plaster casts, but-not quite.
“I notice you have new soles and
’ heels on these shoes,” Woods remarked.
“When was that done?”
“Let’s see.” Mark Powell pondered.
“It was middle of last week sometime
—Wednesday, I’m pretty sure
“Oh yes—sc
“Well, let’s
where you and
“Katie and I
room,” Powel!
slept with her :
room. You sec
—and get up i:
and prowl aro
be by myself.”
m@ THE TWO |
the room forn
Powell and M:
_ order except f
was only one p
“Two wome:
pillow,” Woods
his partner we:
ers found arour
ing.
Meads remo
looked at the m
he turned it «
under side. Al
’ was a sizable ©
was waiting d
investigators t:
sum up the siti
“Stains in |
“Stains in the |
tress. Also a rr
“And then t
car,” Woods no
I'm not convin:
and heels were
fore the women
“We haven’t
fitt yet,” Meads
we haven’t/une:
tive to pin o:
seemed prosper
of any trouble.
to take him in.’
Wood agreed.
stairs and for :
to Powell the fa
wife and mot
found. The:ma:
“Dead—both
“Td all but givc
hard to take.”
“We're going
Powell.”
He turned on
crazy, both of y.
You'll soon find
He was taken
manding to see
that was grant
speed. Deputy (
tective Hurlbert
dina, where Pow
ary and gazed at
investigators thx
would break him
taken.
“Poor Katie,”
mother.” And h
Meanwhile, LD
Woods were giv
house an intens'
ole week
ton?” -
od time.
that.”
uestioned
te feeling
ring true.
about just
ce he left
, and Pfc.
Hanley
ivities un-
thing that
were sus-
newspaper
f the Zell-
ed Hanley
ption and ~
closely.
oincidence,
Anderson
eir prisoner
_ immediate
a group of
in Lyskoski
.ew shoes?”
California,”
couldn’t re-
had bought
nad paid for —
said.
oes and the
They were
‘ds, size 914%
g down the
iswered per-
{ the shoes
raising his
- where and
Hanley. All
is take them
iow them to.
id doggedly,
\ergoing inner
ld wait. They
1en and there.
y to a cell, but
old the jailer,
them.”
le of investi-
ve his version
ellmer.
iat fellow just
” he related.
noon on Mon-
‘e along near -
irgument. He
mt for me. I
ibbard hidden
back. I pulled
.g my left hand.
ack once. The
ck and he laid
down in the seat.”
Hanley admitted that he then stabbed ©
Zellmer several times more. Then he
pulled the teacher out of the car and
shoved him down the hill and off the
road. :
In a panic, he said, he took the wheel
and sped off in Zellmer’s Ford. “He
drove northward, and when he neared
Kent he saw he was running. low on
gasoline. .
“T used to be a student at the Briscoe
school,” he related, “and I knew they
kept gas there. I stole some arid drove
away, but the engine began to cough
“As you know, they didn't come
back. Around 9 o’clock I really got
worried. I got into the car and drove
around town looking for them. When
I got home, I telephoned all the friends
I could think of, and none of them
_ had ‘seen them. That’s about it, I
guess.”
“When did Pete Moffitt get home?”
“He came in around 10, while I was
at the telephone. I asked him if he’d
seen Katie and her mother and he said
he hadn’t. He’d been at the beach
all day.” bp aay eat
“You're sure Moffitt’s O.K.?”
Powell nodded. “Positive. He’s as
nice as they come—has a, good job
downtown.”
Nevertheless,
Moffitt’s name and business address for
future reference.
ing women's correspondence, Woods
and Powell went through their rooms -
but found nothing of significance. The
house seemed to be in a fair degree
’ of order, though the beds were not
neatly made and there was a number
‘of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink—
details which are typical when a man
is ‘suddenly bereft of his womenfolk.
As he examined the kitchen, the de-
tective suddenly froze. ad
There was a smear of what appeared
to be blood on the linoleum floor in
a corner near the table.
Woods said nothing for a moment.
He was assailed by the feeling of ex-
citement every detective experiences
when he believes he has found an
important clue. Powell, who was with
him, seemed not to notice
Abruptly, Woods became very sus-
picious of Mark Powell.
At that moment Sniff, the dog,
bounced into the kitchen, dove under -
the table and came out -with a large.
beef bone which had obviously been
‘bought raw at the butcher’s and was
still noticeably bloody. —
Woods jotted down —
On the theory that,
some clue might be found in the miss- -
the blood.
and it gave out. I realized I had put in
diesel fuel instead of gasoline. I left
the car there and hitch-hiked to
Seattle.” ,
‘Hanley insisted that his motive had
simply been — self-protection in the
argument with Zellmer and that he
had no thought of robbery. ‘T only
took those shoes because mine were
worn out,” he said. tins
The officers were understandably not
too convinced.
He accompanied officers to his home
and showed them where he had hidden
the bayonet under the sink, unknown
SCREAM IN THE NIGHT
. (Continued from page 61)
“Good old Sniff,” Powell murmured
sentimentally. “He’s my only pal now.”
Pi: ‘
m= DETECTIVE WOODS quietly con-
signed the “clue” of the blood smear
to. the limbo of false leads which
sleuths encounter with annoying reg-
-ularity. He inspected the basement
‘and found nothing out of the ordinary.
He looked over the. double garage.
Ditto. He finally thanked Powell, re-
‘turned to headquarters and reported to.
Inspector Acosta. ~
“A roomer, eh?” Acosta said. “Think
he might have something to do with
it?” . .
“There’s no telling,”. Woods ad-
mitted. “Powell seems to think Moffitt
is strictly on, the level, and maybe he
is. Still, he was pretty close to ‘the
family-He might have known that the
women were going to a movie. He
might have known that they wore
valuable jewelry and that Mrs. Speer
had a roll of money with her.”
“So that business of him driving to
‘the beach might have been a dodge.
He could have waited somewhere near-
by, and picked up the women as they
walked along the street. Well, we'll
certainly double-check on Mr. Moffitt.”
Before they could double-check on
‘Mr. Moffitt,. however, something hap-
pened to upset their plans. The tele-
‘ phone rang and it turned out: to be
Deputy Sheriff Dave Higginbotham of
Nassau County.on the wire.
“You're looking for two missing
‘ women,” Higginbotham said to Acosta.
“Well, we just found two dead women
in Loftin’s Creek. I’m--pretty sure
they’re the ones.”
- “We'll get. up there right away
Acosta barked. '
Nassau County adjoins Duval Coun-
ty on the north, and the place Higgin-
botham mentioned was some 50 miles
from Jacksonville. Inspector Acosta
hastily rounded up a team of investi-
gators, along with Duval County Medi-
1?
to his mother. | ;
Edwin Hanley was removed to the
Cowlitz County jail at Kelso on April
20. When he went to trial for murder
late in May, his pretty young wife.
stood by him. A jury found him guilty
not of murder but of manslaughter, a
considerably lesser offense in the eyes
of the law. On June 4, 1952, he was
sentenced to a maximum of 20 years
in the Washington State Reformatory.
Eprror’s Note: The name Harley Cc
Beers, as used in this narrative, is fic-
titious.
cal Examiner Dr. R. R. Killinger, and
they headed north by car. Loftin’s
Creek, they knew, ran through a
swampy and remote section of Nassau
County—an area with almost no per-
manent residents. Roads there were
infrequent and poor, and the place was -
visited only occasionally by fishermen.
About an hour and a half later, Acos-
ta and his .companions met Deputy
Higginbotham at a spot on the creek
known significantly as Dead Landing.
The two bodies were laid out on the
Janding, and the deputy had been wait-
ing there with Nassau County Judge H.
V. Burgess. gf,
“Two shrimp fishermen found the
bodies floating in the creek,” Higgin-
botham said. “They towed them in. and
brought them ashore here, then called
me. Do they look like the. ones who
disappeared down your way?”
Acosta and the others looked them
over. Both victims were nude. One
was of early ‘middle age, the other
elderly. In the older woman’s mouth
was a balled-up cloth gag. Both had
been bludgeoned savagely on the head, -
and both had been slashed in the stom-
ach, apparently with a knife. Though
neither of the women wore rings, it
was apparent that these were the bodies
of Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Speer. .
While Dr. Killinger bent down: to
examine the bodies, Inspector Acosta
conferred, with Deputy Higginbotham.
“Any ideas as to where the bodies were
tossed into the creek?” Acosta asked.
“J figure it must have’ been right
here at Dead Landing,” the Nassau
County deputy said. “There are mighty
few places where you can reach Lof-
tin’s Creek by car. Besides, the creek
is lined by brush almost everywhere
except at the landing. I ‘think the
bodies were thrown in here, drifted
downstream a ways, and then floated
back with the tide.”
“Then there might be some footprints
or other marks around here.”
ed in. full
rought out
f the tire
the sleuths:
res on the
Yoods said.
ds agreed.
ack wheels
to Powell.
new tires
fference it
“but I had
I ordered
),
ors knew,
appearance
ade a care-
nk and the
floormat in
sral reddish
ome from?”
uldn’t know
came from
or the dog.”
“If you fel-
thing on me,
ig tree.”
: house. On
is_still the
had spotted
bone. in the
1g with some
‘t suspecting
rut the two
ootprints at
» to see the
pm.
and brought
rds from the
.ed the shoes
m with the
bviously not
showed shoes
1er distinctive
-s had leather
nd two other
t, but neither
julages either.
3 you're wear-
uspect.
sunday,” Pow-
make you any
them.”
handed them
ds scrutinized
iost fitted into
. quite..
1ew soles and
oods remarked..,
well pondered.
week sometime
y sure.”
“Oh yes—several days before that.”
“Well, let’s look at the bedroom
where you and your wife slept.”
“Katie and I didn’t sleep in the same |
room,” Powell said. “She generally
slept with her mother. I’ve got my own.
room. You see, I suffer from insomnia
—and get up in the middle of the night
and prowl around. It’s better for me to
be by myself.”
m= THE TWO DETECTIVES examined
the room formerly occupied by Mrs.
Powell and Mrs. Speer. It seemed in
order except for one omission. There
was only one pillow on the double bed.
“Two women can’t sleep with one
pillow,” Woods observed. Both he and
his partner were thinking of the feath-
ers found around the fire at Dead Land-
ing. “is -
Meads removed the bedding and
looked at the mattress. It was clean, so
he turned it over and looked at the
under side. Almost in the center of it
- was a sizable brownish stain. Powell
was waiting downstairs, and the two
investigators took this opportunity to
sum up the situation.
“Stains in the car,’ Meads said.
“Stains in the kitchen and on the mat-
tress. Also a missing pillow.”
“And then those new tires on the
car,” Woods nodded. “Not only that—
I’m not convinced that the new soles
and heels were put on those shoes be-
fore the women disappeared.”
“We haven’t eliminated Pete Mof-
fitt yet,’ Meads admitted, “and so far
we haven’t/unearthed a ghost.of a mo-
tive to pin on Powell. The family
seemed prosperous and there’s no hint
of any trouble. Still, I think we ought
to take him in.” ge A
Wood agreed. The pair went down-
stairs and for the first time disclosed
to Powell the fact that the bodies of his
wife and mother-in-law had been
found. The:man slumped into ‘a chair.
“Dead—both of them,” he muttered.
“Tq all but given up hope, but still it’s
hard to take.”
“We're going to have to hold you,
Powell.” ;
He turned on them angrily. “You’re
crazy, both of you! _All right, take me.
You'll soon find how wrong you are.”
He was taken to headquarters, de-
manding to see the bodies—a request
that was granted with all possible
speed. Deputy Griffin and County De-
tective Hurlbert drove him to Fernan-
dina, where Powell entered the mortu-_
ary and gazed at the two bodies. If the
investigators thought that this ordeal
would break him down, they were mis-
taken.
“Poor Katie,” he murmured. “Poor
mother.” And he turned away.
Meanwhile, Detective Meads and
Woods were giving the Laura Street
house an intensive going-over. They
4 9
“ef
cut away a section of the automobile
floormat bearing the stain. They did
likewise to the kitchen linoleum, .and
the mattress. They madé an inventory
of the clothing in Powell’s bedroom
closet. In it they found four well-tail-
ored suits and an‘odd blue vest.
“No coat and pants to match the
vest,” Woods remarked. “Maybe he
got blood on them and burned them.
We'll take along the vest just in case.”
They searched the house from cellar
to attic for a possible murder weapon.
At length, under some boxes and other
debris, behind the: back porch, Meads
found an ordinary carpenter’s hammer.
It seemed to have been cleaned recent-
ly, and the handle bore no stains. Yet
Meads was almost certain that there
was blood in the claw, and there was
no doubt‘ that three or four hairs still
clung to it. Though they searched high
and low, they found no knife and at
length they returned to headquarters
with the articles they had gathered.
‘State’s Attorney John W. Harrell
* looked over the exhibits with interest.
“We'll get to work on. these right
away,” he said.
m= HE ARRANGED for hairs to be
taken from the two victims for com-
parison with those on the hammer. He
gave the hammer, along with the
stained articles, to Dr. Lucien Y. Dy-
renforth, a noted, chemist-physician,
for analysis.
Meanwhile, tlte checkup on Pete
Moffitt, the roomer, was progressing.
Neither his tires nor his shoes matched
the plaster moulages. After some
search, witnesses were found who had
seen him on the beach on the fatal
Sunday and he was cleared.
State’s Attorney Harrell had Powell
brought in for questioning. The man
steadfastly clung to his original story.
“I loved those women,” he said. “All I
know is that they left for a movie and
never came back.”
However, Powell admitted that on
Monday, the day after the murders, he
had sent some articles to the cleaners
. and to the laundry. Detectives went to
the laundry, where Powell’s bundle
was located after a search. In it, among
other things, were two blankets bearing
faint pinkish stains.
Deputy Griffin and Detective Hurl-
bert now gathered an odd-looking ar-
ray of evidence—the two blankets, the
blue vest, the ashes from the fire at
Dead Landing and the gag removed
from Mrs. Speer’s mouth—and took off
for Washington. There they handed it
all over to E. R. Donaldson, an FBI
scientist, for examination.
At the same time, detectives were
canvassing shoe repair shops in the
neighborhood of Laura Street. At
length they found a cobbler who re-
membered putting new soles and heels
on Powell’s shoes. Not only that—he .
recalled distinctly that he had done the ~
work on Tuesday, two days after the
murders.
“Funny thing,” he said. “Those shoes
didn’t really need new soles and heels.”
“Which makes out Powell to be a
liar,” Inspector Acosta exulted. “Now
we want to find out everything we can
about the Powells and how they got
along. Talk to neighbors, friends, busi-
ness associates, everybody who might
have some information.” oa
Four detectives went out on this as-
signment, and they soon began to
dredge up significant items. One of
them talked to a woman neighbor of
the Powells who had not previously
been questioned because she was away.
from home.
“I remember hearing a scream com~
ing from the Powell house late that
Sunday night,” she said. “At the time
I thought it was just one of those hor-
ror programs on the radio, but: it’ must
have been poor Mrs. Powell, or Mrs.
Speer.”
Another investigator located an at-
torney with whom Mrs. Speer had con- ©
sulted on several occasions.
“Mrs. Speer was worried about her
son-in-law,” he said. “She told me he
was lazy, had no income, and was per-
fectly satisfied to live off her.” -
“But I thought Powell was in the
real estate investment business!”
“That’s what he used to say. Actual-
ly, he did make a few investments, but
with his mother-in-law’s money. There
had been several serious quarrels about
it, and Mrs. Powell was talking of di-
vorcing her husband.”
This\ was a step, it could readily be
seen, that would take the joy and ease
out of Mark Powell’s life. Deprived of
the opportunity to sponge off his wife
and mother-in-law, he would have to
go out and make his own living—an
alternative which the leisure-loving™
Powell would not fancy.
It was also found that Mrs. Powell
and her mother had kept a safety de-
posit box at a downtown bank. In the
box was found a large sum of currency
and the rings which Powell had claimed
his wife and:mother-in-law wore when
they “disappeared.” ;
The detectives even scanned the Du-
val County criminal records—and here
they learned something that | fairly”
rocked them back on their heels.. Mark
Powell was no newcomer to crime. In
fact he was:a post-graduate in it, with
emphasis on murder, though he had
suffered remarkably little punishment
for if.
‘In, 1913, Powell had been convicted
in Troy, Ala., of shooting dead a man
who he claimed was annoying his sister.
He drew a ten-year sentence for this,
but served’ only eleven months and
then was pardoned.
81
od
j Mev wan
In 1926 he had fatally shot a Jackson-
ville lawyer. For this crime he had
been sentenced to life imprisonment,
but his wife and mother-in-law worked
unceasingly for him and spent large
sums of money in his behalf. They re-
tained attorneys for him. They circu-
lated a.petition for his release which
was signed by many prominent local
residents. At length they got a hearing
before the governor, who granted Pow-
ell a conditional pardon on April 1,
.1929. Two years later he won restora-
tion of his. full citizenship rights.
: at
m INSPECTOR ACOSTA looked over
this report with utter amazement.
“Twice before he’s been a killer,” he
exclaimed, “and he served a total of
only four years. for both crimes! Now
he’s murdered the two women who
moved heaven and earth to get him his
-freedom in 1929. Men, I've : seen every-
thing!”
The wheels of justice were rapidly
moving, however, to see that Mark
Powell. did not get off so lightly in his
third embroilment in a murder case—
this time a double slaying. Griffin and
Hurlbert returned from Washington
with potent evidence. According to the
FBI expert, the gag taken from Mrs.
hat to the, back of his head. It was
too hot to go home—the apartment
would be unbearable. He decided to
go to McCarren Park, about ten blocks
away. .
The. smouldering streets through
which he’ walked are a part of Brook-
lyn’s sGreenpoint section, which lies
just across the East River from Man-
hattan. It’s a section where the huge
walls of factories and warehouses
keep grubby tenements in constant
shadow, where big industrial chim-
neys spear higher into the sky than
the church steeples; where thousands
of families are crowded one on the
other, all scrambling for. a livelihood
-and a few scraps of comfort. Some
of the kids are tough. They talk
through the side of their mouths and
the words come out in a harsh slur.
For Greenpoint they: say “Green-
pernt”; oil is “erl,” and-their baseball
“team, the Dodgers, are “da bums.”
This toughness is their armor
against the world. Some of the kids
recognize it for what it is and use it
to push their way to the top in busi-
ness and industry; some, however, are
fooled by their own hard shell and
‘become the hoodlums who are picked
up every day in the city in holdups
and robberies.
\
“hammer,”
Speer’s mouth matched fabric in a dish
towel found in the Powell house. Most
of the ashes were identified as the rem-
nants of a small rug and of a cotton
blanket. Several partly-burned shreds
of fabric were identical with the ma-
terial in Powell’s blue vest, making it
apparent that he had burned the coat
and trousers.
Dr. Dyrenforth also had a few items
to add to the increasing pile of evidence.
The stains on the automobile floormat,
the kitchen linoleum and the mattress
were all human blood.
“There is also ‘human blood on the
he said. “The hairs taken
from the claw are identical with hairs
on Mrs. Speer’s head.”
Detectives even went to the extent
of calling at the garage where Powell |
had bought the pair of new tires. There
they found the old; tires—and they
matched perfectly the moulages made
at Dead Landing. Moreover, several
friends of Powell described him as an
ardent fisherman.
“He used to fish Loftin’s Creek sev-
eral times: every year,” one of them
said. “He always left his car at Dead
Landing and got a boat there.”
In his jail cell, Mark Powell smoked
cigarettes chain-fashion -and avidly
DON’T CALL ME SISSY!
(Continued from page 41)
McCarren Park ‘is an oasis of green
grass and‘ shady trees in this desert of
iron and stone. If there was any cool-
ness to be had this hot night, it would
be in the park, since it is right on the
East River, next to the sprawling
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Close to midnight London was
strolling along a concrete hedge-
lined walk that leads into the park
from Bedford Avenue. Overhead the
jutting branches of trees rustled lazily.
On Bedford Avenue an_ occasional
car went by.
The shadowy walk,
lovers’ lane of sorts,. appeared de-
serted. The loudest sounds in it were
the tap of London’s shoes.
Suddenly the steady beat of foot- ,
steps was interrupted by another
sound, a thin, flat “pop,” about as
loud as a stick snapping. London’s
legs buckled. He pitched forward,
striking his head ‘on the concrete and
bouncing. His panama hat rolled
lazily ahead for a few feet. .
The night became still again. There
was no movement in London’s body.
Blood began to seep out of his head
and ‘color the concrete. From an-
other section of the park came a girl’s
bright laugh... .
At 1:30 a.m. a young couple entered
considered a
read newspaper storics about the case.
“People have just got it in for me be-
cause of those other two unfortunate
things on my record,” he complained.
“I’m an innocent man. They can’t do a
thing with me. It’s all circumstantial.”
He had a point there. It was all cir-
cumstantial, for no one had seen Pow-
ell bludgeon the two women with the
hammer, nor had he been seen trans-
porting the bodies.
But for once, circumstantial’ evidence
—due to brilliant detective work—had
been amassed with such care that it
was good enough to convince a jury.
Powell went to trial six weeks after the
double slaying and he was found guilty
of murder in the first degree, with no
recommendation for mercy.
Shortly after dawn on July 12, 1937,
Mark’ Powell smoked his last cigarette
and was escorted to the electric chair
at the state prison at Raiford. “I’m in-~
-nocent—it’s all a mistake,”
he moaned
as he was strapped into the chair.
Sheriff Rex Sweat of Duval County
pulled the switch, and a few minutes
later Powell was pronounced dead.
Eprror’s Norge: The name Pete Mof-
fitt, as used in this narrative, is ficti-
tious.
the park from Bedford Avenue. When
they came upon the body and the
blood the girl.screamed. Another boy
and girl, sitting on a bench 100 yards
away, came running.
“Call: the police!” one of the boys
said. “This guy’s hurt!”
m SOON THE POLICE cars and an
ambulance pulled up at the entrance
to the park. ‘ They. were closely - fol-
lowed by the small radio prowl cars
of the photographers of the city’s big
dailies.
“The man was dead. While the body
was looked over by an assistant medi-
cal examiner, officers questioned the
young couples. The boy ard girl who
were first on the scene could tell only
how they found the body. They had
seen no one else. The other couple
said they had been sitting on a near-
by bench for: almost two hours and
_had heard no noise or-sounds of vio-
lence during that time. They re-
sponded when they heard the girl’s
scream.
This information proved strange in
the light of the doctor’s findings. He
was certain the victim had died al-
‘most. instantaneously, and that death
had occurred about an hour before.
Told this, the witnesses insisted that
\
,
they had h:
The doct
_about the w:
cut in the {
gash runnin;
head. At fi
cluded that
batk of the <
ment, cuttin;
fell. But w
small hole ii
hat, the doc
victim’s heac
wound behin
“I missed |
to the , large
as he withd:
ment from t!
ture appear:
_ 8kull to the !
black bag at
Inspector
veteran offic:
tigation, -wa:
the findings.
attacked wit!
surely woul.
or some kin
the dead mz
up some res
the couple «
nothing.
And what
tainly not r
taining pape
was
some change
pensive lool
left wrist. |
body had be
The concr:
with harsh li
The police ;
had finished
placed on a
the. street
waited. Off
dead man’s !
dress were «
wallet. Uni
tives swarm:
attempt to fi
Herman L
Shirley, acte
stand when
the news of
How could
asked in a
going over ‘
would he be
a-mile from
Neither c
motive for
robbery, wh
said. “Hew
body hated
At the
52
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3H 5, i.
Z
“meds
—marks the MORROW
mystery... and bere’s
the mew RODEN!
Here are Johnny Knight and
Sid Ames—back again for the
first time in over a year—in a
rocket velocity Roden yarn.
Veronica Gorgeous O’Hara, a
green-eyed beauty headed for
Hollywood, puts a lot of spice
into this one!
Wake
fora
Lady
by H. W. RODEN ’
at all bookshops, $2.00
Published by Morrow
disappeared, as. well as a large. sum in
currency.
Nor was this all.
Duval County criminal records they came
upon the most interesting evidence of all.
The inspector scanned the report they
obtained for him. “Good Lord!” he ex-
claimed. “If Powell committed these crimes
—and it’s a cinch he did—he’s a three-
time loser in murder!”
Mark Powell had been convicted of one
slaying in Troy, Ala., in 1913, after shoot-
ing a man who he said was annoying
his sister. He got ten years for that, but
served less than a year and was par-
doned.
In 1926 he had been sentenced to life
imprisonment for the fatal. shooting of a
prominent lawyer in Jacksonville. His
wife. and mother-in-law nt freely of
their fortunes and ‘wacked 1 tirelessly for
his release. At last they presented a peti-
tion’ to the governor for his lon; it
was signed by many county and city offi-
cials. He was granted a conditional pardon
on April 1, 1929, and won restoration of
his full citizenship on August 11, 1931.
“A three-time loser!” Acosta repeated.
“And yet he served only four years for
two murders, and. now has slain the two
people who freed him from a life term.
Well, this time it will be different, believe
me.
Dr. Dyrenforth made his report. All the
stains he had examined were of blood, and
“That on the hammer is a good specimen,”
he said. “It is human blood, and there
were four human hairs on the claw. They
are identical with hairs removed from Mrs,
Speer’s head.”
Griffin and Hurlbert returned from
Washington. The FBI reported that the
stains on the blankets obtained from the
Jacksonville laundry were of human
blood. The scrap of charred cloth taken
from the ashes at Dead Landing was
identical with the material of Powell’s blue
vest. The gag taken from Mrs. Speer’s
mouth was of the same material as a dish
cloth obtained from the Powell kitchen.
‘The mass of ashes and burned material
was identified as part of a mat or rug
used in a home, and the remains of a
cotton blanket.
Detectives and deputies speedily tied up
the loose ends of the case.
A next door neighbor of the Powells
came forward. “The night of March 1,”
she declared, “I heard a scream over there.
It was a woman. At the time I figured
maybe the Powells were listening to the
radio—one of those horror programs. But
it must have been Mrs. Powell herself.”
Powell’s old tire was recovered from the
garageman, and its tread matched that
in the moulage of the tireprint at Dead
. The cobbler who had replaced
Powell’s soles said the old ones were
not worn out when Powell brought the
shoes to him the day after the two women
disappeared.
Two witnesses were found far out on
Main Street, the highway leading to Nas-
sau County, who asserted that Powell
had been driving north on the road on
Sunday afternoon. This contradicted his
own statement that he’d not been out
of his house until Sunday evening. An-
other witness said Powell had often fished ©
in Loftin’s Creek, where the bodies were
immersed.
ite this weight of evidence, Powell
still claimed he was innocent, sticking to
his original story.
He was brought to trial in April of 1936
for the murder of his wife Katie on
March 1, 1936. The evidence against him
was purely circumstantial, but so capably
had the crime lab and the detectives done
their work that the jury deliberated for
only a short time. Powell was found
guilty of murder in the first degree, with-
out recommendation of mercy. He was
sentenced to die in the electric chair.
Early on the morning of July 12, 1937,
at the Florida State Prison at Raiford,
Sheriff Rex Sweat of Duval County threw °
the switch and Marcus C. Powell paid the
supreme penalty.
Eprror’s Norse: To spare possible embar-
rassment to an innocent person, the name
Charley Sutphin, used. in this story, is
fictitious.
Clues to the Outdoors
(Continued from page 11)
Casting for stripers from a boat at Cutty-
hunk on moo! t nights has to be experi-
enced to be appreciated. You roar away
from the sheltered dock shortly after sun-
set, your fishing partner braced against
the engine box amidships and the skipper
watchfully steering from the stern. You've
all wolfed. about a quart of honest New
England fish chowder for supper, topped
off by a pair of fresh-caught lobsters, and
you're tingling like a June bride. There’s
a full moon coasting across a clear sky
and a trace of “fire” in the water, but not
too much. It’s a fishin’ night, brother!
“Let’s try the Old Sow first,” you bel-
low to the skipper over the engine’s roar,
and he nods agreement. You're referring
to the famous Sow and Pigs Reef, a
menacing row of partly submerged rocks
~ off Cuttyhunk Island, a great striper
unt, .
Minutes bc nee you’re aoe, the engine
is cut to slow a
partner’s dangling eel whips-out in a grace-
ful arc toward a swirling patch of. white
water boiling around one of those sinister
looking rocks. A moment later your lure
plunks nearby and you both begin a slow-
reeled retrieve. Nothing happens, so you
and your .
both cast again. Suddenly, you hear an
exclamation from your partner, and you
turn to ‘see what’s up. You note his rod
i in the semi-darkness, and that
Then, blam! Your retrieve is stopped
cold by a strike which jars you right down
to your back fillings and a moment later
line is melti off that reel spool so
rapidly you’re frightened. There’s no stop-
ping that headlong rush; you just ease off
a bit on the star drag, hold on, and pray.
“I wish you guys wouldn’t hook double
headers out here,” the skipper complains,
“it sort of complicates things.”
But he doesn’t mean what he says. For
by the rules he’s entitled to all the fish
you catch, minus one, and with stripers
selling for 30 cents a pound he loves double
headers, age ay when they mean $10
to $15 to him when they’re boated.
this gull bites beonse and a wibik dareshng g
me aw
fish comes over the side, oudekly follow
by another. You're shaking like the pro-
verbial leaf, and your partner’s voice is a
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MURDER WAS AN OLD STORY
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BY KENNETH BRUCE
He knew he was taking a desperate chance
when he hammered to death two women
. after they’d bought him murder acquittal
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both women bore long, deep gashes. A
cloth gag was stuffed and tied in Mrs.
Speer’s mouth. There were no rings on
the victims’ fingers.
. While Dr. Killinger busied himself ex-
the bodies, Deputy Higginbotham
told how they had been discovered.
“Two shrimp fishermen in. a rowboat,
O. T. Harris’ and his 14-year-old son
Jimmie, found them about 200 or up-
stream from here. Harris towed them to.
the Landing, notified us in Yulee, and I
phoned you.”
Acosta oak around the wild, a
place. “The bodies were probably thro
into the water from the Landing,” he tei.
“The underbrush is too dense along the
else” for it to have been done earner
e »”»
Clues In Ashes?
“That’s the way I figure it,” agreed Hig-
ginbotham. “The incoming tide carried
the bodies upstream. There are some faint
tire marks over here, and a few smudged
footprints leading to the Landing. I’ve
got them staked off for you.” .
“That’s fine,” nodded the inspector, at
once detailing a man to make -photo-
graphs and mo es of the prints.
Dr. Killinger i his preliminary
examinations. “There are five wounds on
Mrs. Powell’s head,” he
said, “and four on Mrs.
as a clue was found at the scene. The
complete remains of the fire were stored
into containers and labeled, and final
photographs made of the area. The officers
then started back to Jacksonville. En
route, the men in Acosta’s car discussed
the facts they had obtained.
“One or.two things seem certain,” Meads
said. “The bodies were transported to
Dead Landing in an automobile. And it’s
such an isolated spot, the killer must have
been familiar with it.”
“The ashes from that fire may hold the
answer to a lot of questions. I hope there
is enough here for the scientists to work
on,” Acosta said.
They then discussed a logical suspect.
Was he Charley Sutphin? Was it Powell
himself? Or was the slayer some un-
known person who had waylaid the two
women while on their way to the theater
six days earlier? Whatever the answer, it
seemed obvious now that Mrs. Speer’s
pocketbook had been thrown into Hogan
Creek in Jacksonville as a plant.
“Of course the next thing is to check
the shoes and cars owned by Sutphin and
Powell,” said Meads.
Inspector Acosta agreed. In Jacksonville
arrangements. were made for two close
friends of the victims to go to Fernandina
to make positive identification of the:
bodies. Dr. Killinger
phoned back a short
Speer’s. These blows
were the cause of death
in both cases. I’d say
something like an ordi-
nary carpenter’s ham-
mer was used. The
slashes on the abdo-
mens were made prob-
ably by a long-bladed
knife. Of course both
What's In A Name?
The Los Angeles judge was some-
what startled when he matched the
defendant’s name with his record of
24 arrests for intoxication’ in 13 years.
“Is this your true name?” he asked.
“It is,” replied the 48-year-old dish-
washer and machinist.
time later that this was
done. His autopsies had
revealed that both
women were dead be-
fore entering the water.
Mrs. Powell, inaddition
to her other wounds,
‘had sustained a. blow
above the hip of suf-
ficient force to rupture
women have been dead His moniker? Wine Rumsey. the liver.
for several days. De- Detectives Meads and
composition has set in.” Woods went to the
“Then the knife wounds were inflicted
after death?” asked Acosta.
“Yes. I .sup in the fallacious be-
lief that the stomachs would
prevent the bodies from floating to the
surface.”
The gag taken from Mrs. Speer’s mouth
was car y preserved in a paper bag.
The bodies were removed to the Oxley
Funeral Home in Fernandina, the Nassau
County seat, where Dr. Killinger could
perform his autopsies and official identifi-
cation of the victims could be made.
The officers: then began a minute ex-
amination of the clearing around the
Landing. Casts were taken of the tire
marks and footprints. Behind a clump of
bushes at the far edge of the clearing the
er found the ashes of a ‘small bon-
e
Carefully the ashes were raked out and ©
examined,
The search yielded a mass of
clothlike apron charred beyond Tec-
ognition and seemingly of different weights
and textures, and‘a few pieces of molten
metal. .
“Those pieces of metal look as pon
they might have been corset stays,” said
County Detective Hurlbert.*“And of course
the scraps of cloth might have been the
victims’ clo a6
“This is a job for the crime lab,” an
swered Acosta. “They might be able to
tell us definitely what was burned here.”
The inspector noticed a few small scorched
feathers scattered nearby.
these be doing here at Dead Landing?”
“We can only conjecture about these -
things for the moment,” answered Detec-
tive Meads. “But one, or both, of the
women might have been slain while in
por and so the killer brought the blood-
stained pillow out here and burned it.”
Nothing else that could be construed
“What would '
Laura Street house.
“We'd like to examine your car,” Meads
told Powell.
Silently the husband led them into the
backed the car out of the garage.
The detectives first compared the tires
with the moulage made at Dead Landing.
Obviously they were not the same. But
just as obvious was the fact that there
were two new tires on the rear of the
machine.
“When did you have those put on?”
asked Woods.
“Why, several days ago,” said Powell.
“IT believe it was last Tuesday. I had made
arrangements to buy them two or three
weeks ago.’
Meads, examining the interior ol the
car, said, “There are some stains on the
back seat. What caused them?”
Powell shrugged. “I imagine meat we
bring home for the dog. We usually put
it on the back seat.”
“We'd like to see the shoes you were
wearing last Sunday,” Woods requested.
“Certainly. I have them on.” Powell
took off his right shoe and handed it to
the detective.
Woods found that it did not quite fit into
the cast. But, turning the shoe over, the
detective remarked, “You have new soles
and heels on the shoes. When did you
have that done?”
“Last Monday morning.”
The detectives next entered the house.
Woods noted at once that the faint stains
‘he had seen on the kitchen linoleum were
still there. Powell explained reasonably
enough that the stains had been caused
by feeding his dog meat on the floor.
Entering the bedroom formerly occupied
by the two women, the detectives saw
there was only one — on tee double
bed. Did this explain the scorched feathers
ee imme
ee
found in
Meads turr
stain was °
Meads to
soles and }
after the w
a low voic
new tires
the back o
and on this
the stains
be nothing
haven’t che
think we
open charg
Woods ag
finding of
The man a
Meads then
sary to ho
been check
“You've
in your li!
killed my
loved those
their bodie
right.”
“We don
quietly. “W
The vetera:
a criminal
of his victi
Powell su
that test ;
possible.
A few m
the suspect
way to the
Fernandi:
panied by (
tective Hu
Deputy Gri
tives Meads
continued
at the house
of the upho)
removed fr«
of Powell’s
linoleum w
portion of
Powell’s be
pants or co
“He migt
coat up a
Meads. “A‘
along.”
Rummagi
on the bac
carpenter’s
the death w
though it h
there were
claw end a
two or thre
There w:
knife, nor «
other clues
headquarter
obtained. S
rell sent fo:
Dr. Lucien
“We wan
blood on th
was shown
while Hurl!
intently. F
transfixed
he ‘placed |
and caresse
looked dow
single, cho)
“Mother.”
On the w
scene. The
were stored
, and final
The officers
onville. En
ar discussed
tain,” Meads
nsported to
ile. And it’s
‘r must have
1ay hold the
I hope there
ists to work
ical suspect.
‘as it Powell
r some un-
laid the two
» the theater
1e answer, it
Mrs. Speer’s
. into Hogan
ant.
is to check
Sutphin and
. Jacksonville
or two close
» Fernandina
ition of the
Dr. Killinger
yack a short
that this was
autopsies had
that both
‘ere dead be-
-ing the water.
all, inaddition
ther wounds,
ained a. blow
e hip of suf-
ree to rupture
ves Meadg and
went to the
ir car,” Meads
them into the
of the garage.
red the tires
Dead Landing.
he same. But
ict that there
e rear of the
ose put on?”
’ said Powell.
y. I had made
two or three
iterior of the
stains on the
»m?”
gine meat we
Ye usually put
1oes you were
ods requested.
1 on.” Powell
1 handed it to
ot quite fit into
shoe over, the
1ave new soles
When did you
red the house.
the faint stains
linoleum were
red reasonably
d been caused
on the floor.
merly occupied
detectives saw
on the double
-orched feathers
found in the ashes at Dead Landing?
Meads turned over the mattress. A dark
stain was visible on it.
Meads took Woods aside. “He had ne
soles and heels put on his shoes the da
after the women disappeared,” he said in
a low voice. “The following day he put
new tires on his car. There are stains in
the back of his car, on the kitchen floor
and on this mattress. We don’t know what
the stains are and the other events may
be nothing more than coincidence. We
haven’t checked on Sutphin yet. But I
think we should take Powell in on an
open charge for further investigation.”
Woods agreed. He told Powell about the
finding of the bodies at Dead Landing.
The man appeared shocked at this news.
Meads then said that it would be neces-
sary to hold him until all evidence had
been checked. Powell became indignant.
“You’ve never made a greater mistake
in your life,” he said, “if you think I
killed my wife and mother-in-law. I
loved those women. And I demand to see
their bodies. You can’t deny me that
right.” : :
“We don’t want to,” Woods told him
quietly. “We'll take you to see the bodies.”
The veteran detective had watched many
a criminal break completely upon sight
of his victim at a later date. He wanted
Powell subjected to
fin asked the man, “Powell, did. you kill
them?”
The answer was scortiful. “You call
ourselves detectives. You're supposed to
te the criminal
Back in Jacksonville detectives were
busy checking on the whereabouts of
Charley Sutphin on the previous Sunday.
Other officers were questioning neighbors
of the Powells as well as two seo |
who, it had been learned, had represen’
Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Speer in legal mat-
ters. Still others were visiting the store
where Powell had had his shoes repa
and the garageman from whom he’ had
bought new tires.
The following morning Powell _ still
calmly maintained his innocence and clung
steadfastly to his original story regard-
ing the disappearance of his wife and
- mother-in-law. Under rigid questioned
by. Attorney Harrell, the prisoner ‘
that he had taken a hat to the cleaner’s
on Monday, March 2, and had sent out the
house laundry on the following day. ‘
Detectives went to the laundry. Powell’s
bundle was located and two blankets taken
from it. Both bore faint red stains. Hurl-
bert and Griffin took the blankets, to-
gether with Powe ’s blue vest and the
containers of ashes
found at Dead Land-
that test as soon as
possible.
A few minutes later
the suspect was on his
way to the morgue at
Fernandina, accom-
panied by County De-
tective Hurlbert and
Deputy Griffin. Detec-
tives Meads and Woods
continued their work
at the house. A section
Service With A Smile
When Henry W. Johnson, Kansas
City’s police superintendent, installed
a “gripe box” in a night police court
and asked 187 speeders for sugges-
tions, he got only one, from a gal.
“Get some better looking cops,” she
begged. “If one of Kansas City’s would
smile it would crack his face.”
ing and the gag re-
moved from Mrs.
Speer’s mouth, and left
immediately for Wash-
ington. There FBI sci-
entist E. R. Donaldson
immediately went - to
work on the stuff with
his chemicals and
microscopes.
The story told by
of the upholstering was
removed from the back
of Powell’s car. A fragment of the kitchen
linoleum was cut off, as was the stained
portion of the mattress. In the closet in
Powell’s bedroom was a blue vest. No
pants or coat could be found to match.
“He might have burned the pants and
coat up at Dead Landing,” suggested
Meads. “At any rate, we'll take the vest
along.”
Rummaging beneath a stack of boxes
on the back porch, Meads uncovered a
carpenter’s hammer. Could this have been
the death weapon? The head was clean, as
though it had recently been scrubbed, but
there were unmis le stains on the
claw end and also what appeared to be
two or three very small hairs.
There was no sign of a bloodstained
knife, nor did the searchers unearth any
other clues. The detectives returned to
headquarters with the articles they. had .
obtained. State’s Attorney John W. Har- -
rell sent for the noted chemist-physician,
Dr. Lucien Y. Dyrenforth. ©
“We want to know if there is human
blood on the olstering, linoleum, mat-
tress and the claw of this hammer,” Har-
rell told the scientist. “Also, you may be
able to tell us i about these
small hairs. on the hammer. I'll have Dr.
Killinger bring you samples of the vic-
tims’ hair with which to make a _com-
parison.”
Meanwhile at Fernandina Mark Powell
was shown the body of his wife Katie,
while Hurlbert and Griffin watched him
intently. For a minute the man stood
transfixed. A sob broke from his throat;
he ‘placed his head on his wife’s breast
and caressed her face. Then he arose and
looked down at his: mother-in-law. A
single, choked word was all he said.
“Mother.” j
On the way back to Jacksonville, Grif-
Sutphin checked out
perkently that after-
noon. It was impossible that the roomer
could have been at the house on Laura
Street on Sunday after the early morning,
when Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Speer were
known to have been alive. Sutphin co-
operated with the officers fully and at no
time was any charge placed against him.
He said that Powell’s relationship with
-his wife and mother-in-law had always
been pleasant in his presence and that he
had enjoyed rooming with the family.
“Well, Powell is our only suspect now,”
said Acosta. “And all we have against
him is a theory and circumstantial: evi-
dence. A lot is going to depend on the
scientific work that is done.” ; ;
“The crime lab has sent more than one
man to stir,” Meads. offered.
Three-Time Loser!
But while Acosta awaited the techni-
cians’ reports, other information came in
which changed the color of the picture:
considerably, shading Powell’s portrait in
deeper, more sinister hues. ‘
Mrs. Speer’s attorney revealed that she
had come to re} her son-in-law as a
ne’er-do-well who wanted a comfortable
home, a car and nice clothes without work-
ing for them. — .
Contrary to appearances, he had never
had money of his own. His investments.
had been made with cash supplied by his
wife and Mrs. Speer. The mother-in-law
had had several serious arguments with
him shortly before her death, and Mrs.
Powell had di the possibility of-
obtaining a divorce. She had even gone
so far as to make a new will excluding
Powell from sharing in her estate.
The two women kept a safe — box
in a downtown bank. In it detectives
found the diamond rings Powell had
claimed they were wearing when they
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DEATE SENTENCE PRO-
NOUNCED ON TWO MEN’
LIGE
FORTUNE PERRY AND
uutpotlle uil
ie l
Sv
,
“GAIN ESVILLE, FLORIDA. FRIDAY, MAY ad. Asie
carrying the full penalty of the law
in Brown's case. In reviewing his
motion Judge Carter said that be had
vase informed that he was mistaken
re assuming that Juror Hickson was
asleep while argument of counsel was
being presented to the jury; that he
|
UNDERWOOD WANTS
FRIENDS AS DELEGATES’
HIS CAMPAIGN IS SERIOUS, HE
the counts in
taking a night’:
Harmon practic
plete delegatio
‘gates to. the
His lead now ¥%
}State Democra
BROWN TO OIE ON GALLOWS. Jhad been told that Mr. Hickson was DECLARES. will select: six.
— | suffering with weak eyes, and that Also, it is s:
lth i : "provi
at was the cause of hic closing his! provide for the
Judge Carter Made Earnest Pilea for ; ‘ : 8 Senator Bankhead Announces That . a
,eyes during periods of the trial, ! force the Wil:
New Trial for Brown, But Mo- therefore he would abandon the two! Alabaman Will Do His Best to , UY the district:
tion Was Overruled. ‘grounds designated as 6 and 7, inas-! Carry Convention. abaebad
Eeeee much as he was mistaken in his ite | The delegat»
\pression regarding the juror. Hej} the Republican
igen . ~ , mee . gt ast on , Re
‘ Circuit Court rec onvened Thursday made a strong appeal for a new trial | INSACOLA, May 25. In the fight Known or sett!
morning, Judge James T. Wills pre- yr frown, stating that as Uain Perry jto elect the remaining Wilson dele the State Rey
j n 2 . . . ‘
siding, but little was done at the was yet to be tried in connection with yates in the second primary, even af. PUREED het
y se ‘Ke : . ) ' ° : P
morning session, the criminal doc ket the murder of Deputy Slaughter that wer Underwood swept the State by a Claim that the
ae roman bie ms. pat trown could be given a new trial at decisive majority, the Wilson papers CO8Ven ten at
axception of the murder case o P i , P lates ary
the « I t r that time. ‘make this assertion editorially. kates at large
: erry 3mi , . . . , ‘ : : ; ‘
Cain Perry and E. L. Smith. Perry solicitor Long opposed the motion) The interest ot Mr. Underwood will the Hocrevelt
is ret able to stand trial now, and ¢or a new trial for Brown, and cou ‘tes aogreat deal safer in hands of the late returns s:
:. Smith case hag been set for June tended that the evidence was sumliciet! ‘four original amen than they will be delegates to
th. ' ¢ : ‘erdic tis ‘iat . ing
Th Ox — hed warrant the verdict. iin the bands of the tour original Hac be dwindling
‘he case of the State vs. Charley | ; . : ye sss
R . S “| Motion Was Denied. jon men. j Wits ANTON Cera
ageley. arson, was continued Oh MoO . . . ee ¢ nnestigs
ate i; Judge Wills, im passing upon the | Does Mr. Underwood himself think $8 f@O0 Wiest.as
tlon of the State, owing to the absence ' ; : , ; Roosevelt Hehe
f l tretion, said that the testimons of that his interest will be safer in the “ee ES
. Of wa material witness. | . F ! he
: ‘ Manning, the only eye witness to the hands of the original Wilson men thin floor of tae
i : . ‘ Ww j } : 7 > final try
Afternoon Session | killing, was that Brown was with, thes will be in’ the hands of tly: fhe Anal -#
At the afternoon session Judse Cain Perry and Fortune Perrys at the Underwood men, who are candidates | tiade fos the
S Wills heard motion of Judge Syd Le time, and that the only conthiedng th The ses ond primary with Wilson ' —
Carter, representing Lige Brown, COD: evidence was that Erown'’s wife testi tnen 2” In only tae
oye , Rs : ejz! OUT! bee
victed of murder in the first degree. ted that he Was at home when the The Pensaceia Eeening News wired at coun
oo ‘ ; \ H : ’ . iad Oe ord {Ree
for a new trial. shooting occurred. The motion wast! find out, and United States: Senator Rates to then
Hrown was indicted jomtly With denied, bet counsel for Brown was) Bankhead of Akeboa, camparen nian VE thee rertaiest
Cain Perry and Fortune Perry for the silowed siaty days in whiel to tle a bager for Vaterwood, telegraphed the Kttes will beg
Murder of Deputy Sheri Chas 1 Milooi exceptions following repis j Hone.
¥) Slaughter, which occurred on the nical No effort was made fora dew bear “Wratineton; “D. C. May.2t. Pent "You 8 ei
of May fith within a short distance inal in the case of Fortune Peres. ated eneola Evening News, Pensacola, Fla: kates, an offic
of Brown's totme dn the Areher se tee wis fold fo stand ag. tis abaurd to tatk about Mr. Un. faery fe cteetegg
tion. oe Bortine Perry, sott have been con derwood being a enmndidat mnoany | Vn ude or
Brown and Fortune Perry Were yicted of minider in othe first degree, body's interest except his own, {10 8 Ee ORR
tried Wednesday, and the ours What have you to say whs the sent has toy ttines as many diustructed dele trict «Sundis:
Gent} ; ¢ ' ie ose ‘ * . ft aerede thee oh cat
turned the following verdier oa 1) nee of comet shoulda ot be passed Bates ita Caos Harmon and he conti eek Nee
‘ . . iy. Iieast
Pweuek fH. Ws upon you’ said: Judge Wills. jens expects to be nominated in pvt a
ron Os story j en * ne : ‘Rooservedt che,
. - pUPy laser ahedetiabatiin ‘ sare tse}
We, the gory, find t deTetokiah What Perry Said. » Baltimore. | eae me
pike Brown and BPortene Perry. grabs IOs en cnest desire ois othac his fd) Ure rt
. Peovs. stunedowm oeteet ated ratsins estetates
of murder ito thie rat deuresr, So na fiends ino hore Vote for delegates abe ler ates
: es This right hand abowe his hed. sate oe jpublican tick
We atl bo AL HERS ON mas gt pho are huewn to be aati Wilson pues’ "4
/ “4 : . oNoetreber ort thre threat clearesns ! Plots’, 7 , - i fooserseit
/*May wi, pete Foretean ; ; While he reties upon the instracttons Loosers tise
. T} te 14 Jibetore God, fb liad nothing to dao with - ; | deleaecrte: Y
« te Came Welt ta the jury oa Vitis . goven the delegates dm Che primaries | derLevstcelers cat
F , j that, Piucdae fot district i
pom, but ne report having been fhe is amsions to have those elected O'S Oe
. aay H The death sentence was then pro ; This would }
made at Joe Judie Wills ordered , pwho are agaiust tis only oppoetent tn) res ae.
' 14 lock Thur Hownerd Upon Perry. and be took his iI ; - yates
@n adjourninent until YO Chock ike) lerrtedaa iain
4 . ' ; ‘seat _ : . a . An ianalvea
day morning Shortly after too clock ; piStened SOHN Ho BANKHEAD. Anoatiaivst:
i ; When Hrown Was asked @ similar’. . reenprtulated
Wednesday night however, the jury) oChatrinan Pnderwood Campaign Com aprtulated
"3 ited tl ' # that a leuived Gestion as to why sentence should | tee.” that thee His
Mm motifved the Gail that eV Gesire¢ ' Uilttee att tie at
$3 ; ; loot be passed upon tim, be answered: . panned *
to report. and Sherif Hatuses 40 noth “ That ought tosertle the question as |'* et Oe
; PE have not lie. too, was sentenced | - the State ga
fled Juries Wilke, when solteitor Lucoseas, ' ; : t : vt to wihteb set oot chelegates: CU tiebers ood { “ OG ed) OL RTE
; Oo be hauged at such time a we hes
Clerk Wienses. the defendantn Coun . | would Dathier thave elec tye Pleo clos ot citizens
/ ; HGovernar of the State may designate | ‘. industrial
gel were surmtnemed fa Tne ourt Vhot beliess that any of these Under. | ustrral
; Stee dirown's counsel was ailowed : in Vales
room Lite rte Qeeteediaret Aan vrrted wood delegates are gotta fo tien “ F :
a , SINC chavs di whet te pereepaeres cenab linidest anid
ae 01 ee teenttoee ’ soopeertiend . ‘traitors ated) saotee fer tlarrroan aihery :
' Veet te ' e | aesnue
Aisi 'hM, vegel ft trae veel ‘ ‘ Hrerrngy } foul and wtoteted or \' Heri
' ’ wT >
ial Iest
ePoinadiece pyar
cunts “to about 33% ‘Ter cent’ on
‘triad current cht wirye About 22%, per
on gas over the rates. “charged
cotipatiy Prien To inat. time.
a number of” ‘Gonsumers, it its
have been paying their bills. at
old rate, pending the decision of
courts In matter,
New Rate Ordinance. —
jow owe give the prineipal por.
of the ordinance relating to re
jon of rates: eh! i
ih sidelined by the: Mayor and
“Coun OH: vt the. rity ‘ot Galnen:
hs Florida: ® uA
velion Jie The maxtinum ratit to ;
charged and coliected by any per
‘ persons, firm or ‘corporation, en-
iF as!
ite
e
the
ad in the manufacture and sale of}
tricity, kas in_ the City of},
iesville, for nse. ‘avd conaurnption |
‘eof whall be as follows: 0
lectricity—For Alumniating Pur- i
poses. - :
or
(000 watts, “and “under, ‘per South.
els per 1,000 watts,
ver 50,000 watts to and including
000 watts, per month, 9 cents per
oY watt.
ver 100,000 watts to and including
OOU watts, cents per
uv.
per mouth, 8
ver 300,000 month, 7
Bb per Lod
jinimum charkes per month where
watts, per
watts,
than 10.000 watts are consumed,
month, $1.60,
For Fans.
li fans where run on flat rate $2 00
mnenth, but the of fans
rate ob meter shall be at the op:
of the user thereof,
use Ou
For Power Purposes.
0,000 watts and under, per month,
ents per 1,000 watts.
ver 100,000 watts to and Including :
O00 walts, per month, 7 cents per
UU walks.
‘Ver 200,000 watts, to and including |
00 watts, per month, 6 cents per
“> watts. ny beat 4
byer 400.000 watts, to and tncludia
O00 watts, per month, 5 cents per
0 watts. st
Dyer SQ0,000 watts to and including
000 watts, per month, 4 cents per
0) watts. ewe os
‘ Gas.
1.40 per ‘1,000 ‘cubic teet of a can:
power of not less than 22.
‘ ninigum charge of. 25 cents per
nth where the amount consumed
ing the month does pot waceed bats)
de feet, or where RO gas was weed
ing the moath. ©
ection 2—Any person,”
“perwous,
a, oF “corporation supplying | eiec-
: current for private use may “also!
irge for. any. connection ‘and. meter
ced in houses ofr. ‘building, “which
» located within: 400 feet of any. feed | ov.
+ OF “branches “thereof,” “for each
ise or duilding - ‘the’ sam of $1.06.
f any connection 2 cpchaary Eoparnel baht
HES a eaten
- ‘eke << é
2. La
Si i Ane i eh ik URN, te terra
vue paayiae Pheiebor bor ow peel soa ont
six months before, the of the
passage of this Ordinance. ate
Section 4.-No gas meter, or con-
nections thereto fm any house, or
building shall be disturbed, or — dis-
connected from the supply pipe line
or branches thereof, unless at the re-
quest of the owner..of the. building,
except whefe the fame fx done—he-
cause. of the non-payment of the
charges ‘by the user of such gas, as
date
~. required by the person, persons, firta,
jor corporation furnishing the same. -
“Section 3. Al electric current for
jiluminating © power purposes, | “except
as herein provided, ‘shalt be furnish
ed. “through ‘meters, and_ charged. sor.
ernie
“and
credit or arse nor ean ‘the
or house, occupied — “by “them,
where used such meters. ‘shall ‘be. ar-
ranged #0 as to deliver to ‘the ‘con:
sumer 170 cubic feet of gas for each
twenty-five cents of money Gepusited
in said meter. :
Section 7.-—Any person, persone,
firm, or corporation engaged in the
manufacture and sale of either elec-
tricity or gas, in this city, or any
employe of either thereof, who shall] gree, was arraigned and plead not
violate any of the provisions of thistyuilyy. Latson is charged with cana ee then were suffocated.
‘Ordinance shall, upon conviction, belting the death of Dick Niblack on.
fined In a sum of not exceeding FIVE | February lith of this year, both be. ‘RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS
HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00), or bejing residents of the Newherry sec- | WILL MEET AT HAWTHORN
imprisoned for a period not exceeding tion at the time.
/SINTY (80) days, and eacn violation; flenry Rradley, the negro youth, TALLAHASSEE, May 16.—The folk}
af this Ordinance, or any prevision! charged with arson, and against whom | orins notice has sbeen Issued by;
Pie reof, shall be held and deemed a!twe indictments were p resented, plead ne State Railroad Commission: j
)Separate offence, not guilty when arraigned. W hen, ~The Railroad Commissioners of the!
{ Section s.-- This Ordinance shall not asked by Judge Wills if he or his Stare of Florida to the Atlantic Coast :
jbe conatracted to alter, amend, of relatives were able lo empley coun {lane Ratlroad Company and the Ses |
effect a certain contract, dated De jsel he replied in the negative, and: board Air Line Railway:
‘gember lat, A. 1) 1908, between thei when asked if he desired counsel ba: “Take notice that the Raltread Com-!
City of Gainesville and the Gaines-|aaid “no.” Bradley is alleged to have ™s#ioners of the State of Florida will!
ville Gas @ Electric Power Company,
providing for the. Nehting of the
‘gtreets and pubife places of the City
of Gainesville for a _pertod of five
= (CHARKOTTR: Ne Lay: ‘May
cineer EK Pr ‘Smith’ and an ‘unknown
negro girl. were. killed © and © three
others injured when “Gouthers rail-
way passenger train ‘Now hy, running
between Sallisbary. and ‘Asheville, was :
wrecked near Conally Springs Bor
ty. after noon Wednesday, =
‘The Injured ineiude G. N. eckner
bagxagemaster, apd Joba “Blackburn,
a ReRTO | fireman. <The. ee -ts
Mine eae Shelton np and Mre. .s ‘C.
Naxter and little soa “were passengers
seer. =a bichon SION 7
ii
PS A a OER Rl Pi Cdk SHRI
‘ dictment
tof Solicitor Long to have the trial of
ie ©
Mit temmescade ot inemen
aE eS ERE SO TT
| _ ne
ed in the thigh un the night of the id
marder of Slaughter and- White, seem EMIS St NG poy s She fak |:
ed to he: ob livious to his surround: “DEAD IN BOX OF FEED |!
ings, he was remanded ~ to jail RETRO : j
until -his condition becomes stronger.| CINCINNATI, May 1i-=The corpses,
He was hauled from the jail to the of two. littl hoys discovered in the}
court house in a wagon, and for great feed box of a horse stable here |
about thirty minutes the stretcher, ‘today turned out to be the bodies of
upon which be lay occupied a place Robert and Urban Nichols,” the tots
ob e labla tothe lef€ ot: Clerk, Wlenci who eabueate -d from their home on
ges’ desk. Perry did, not utter ajApril 20th.° The boys’ father found
word while in-the court reom, but thelr corpses. He had “d!pped a.
sevmed in a stupor. tshovel ‘into the feed and when it:
Shortly: after Perry was removed | came in —eontact with »Tresisting ;
from. the “court room, his’ son, For-;mass “he poked down further until
tunes and. Lige Rrown, were told to. ‘he came toa little foot.” Startled,
stand up by Solicitor Long, “He read ‘the elder Nichols tugged at the foot
the two indictments to them, they,/Ull the body of 4 small boy”
with the elder. Perry, being. charged | yielded. ee
with . the. cmurder of ‘Slaughter. in In- Sure that. he had found one of the
ENOET: A _with the ‘murder, missing Bons, ‘Nichols. worked until
fof White. “No: “Hoth py eiece eer ae found the. ‘corpse of the other. -
plead not “guilty ‘ pack instance. When the tots disappeared, on April
‘Cain Perry will probably’ be ~ ar- 20th +t was feared they had been kid-
raigned Monday, and it is the purpose ;napped by a band of © gypsies and
taken Into the Michtgan sugar. béet
fields. No trace was found of them
in the North, however, and the search
was continued until it took in al-
most every blg city In the country. {4
Fiamine Liteon” It is believed the boys came toa!
whom the grand jury returned a true {their death while playing about the
thig feed box. Evidently they fell in.
bill charging murder in the first de!
{were overwhelmed in the mountain of
a
os, i
was
the negroes set for next Wednesday
if the wounded man is able to be in
court at that time.
Others Arraigned.
colored, axainst
hold a meeting at Hawthorn, Florida, |
lon the 12th day of June, 1912, at 10!
o'clock a. m., for the purpose of neat
‘ing and considering whether we shall :
burned the barn and stable of J. D.;
Stringfellow a few weeks age
Sapp vs. Younglove.
Wh ‘ *
years from Dec. ist, 1908, by the] - ie ga RE Raabe Fiigar preuire you to erect a joint passenger |
morning the case of Edward Sapp “] ;
said Gainesville Gas & Electric Fower é jstation fn the town of Hawthorn, and?
~ al. ye. mci V..-Younglove, Etux.
Compent Estat t by vanaciaen deceased or te so, of what dimensions and ar- 7
a ceenine oe < say <n .fangements and with wha: Sent
cap blghhod tak is KILLED gf Westmont ee ke case liences the same shall be constructed
£ involves 160 acres of land in the vi-} Se ane tae tate shall be te
“Ww SOUTHERN ean of Newberry, and every inch} ea St toate teevibae vou cahne|
ied a" Gt F 4 f
rues: eos ee the ground was “closely — cont ested have 2 full and fair b “3
by. counsel on either Bide. About 3
p.m, ‘the. jury mas sent. out while
polats ‘of law were. argued, and upon
the jury's. return” ‘plaintits’ counsel
asked leave. of the court to amend
their. pleadings» by withdrawing | 092 j~
of the plaintiffs, Mra. Margaret F.
Long. which was by the court granted,
the jury discharged and the case
continued, BR. A- Trasher and Clark
& Fielding represented the plaintiffs,
posi ‘a Hampton the defendant
vite aes (Ne BM1. Reperted. ee Poet "24
“The grand jury om Friday reported
‘a no-dill tn the case of the State va
_{ Teed Prost sag Will Hunt. see wens
ey
Witness. the band of our “chairman
amazed in open oxesaion ge the board
and by direction thereof, at. our. of:
fice in the City of Tallahassee, ‘this
36th $87 ot May, 1912... ih
%s *R. HUDSON BURR.
‘State Atearnas Ac ve “Long. who}
from Monday: it Friday, wae besy
nasisting the grand fury,
[Starke yesterssy alternoon | ‘to "prea
Saturday. ‘and Sunday _ “with bis fam-
ily.” He “will return | in time. to “take
up his duties ‘pertaining to’ the. oe:
oe a ~ “.
tee tee
jana J Santa i
Sen Bh Ba PET
ee tae sais
eos eS ee TT
Garneshille pi aly
'
(Pin rnee re reese cee neeatenttateteeiataenten setae ntsc en il
VOL. XXIX. ‘NO. §
‘
FORTUNE PERRY
BROWN ON TRIAL.
AND
LIGE
ain Perry's Trial Will Be Taken Up,
“As Soon As He Ie Able to
S° ' Appear in Court.
7. “JURY RETURNS VERDICT.
At 10 o'clock fast night the jury no-
on a verdict and the court. was recon-
vened to receive same,
murder in the first degree without,
which was
traliie ter @fracel trind ov
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, THU
ste neem fi enninsimneee
of Witakesce having been examined.
The evidence of the prosecution show-
ed tiat Fortune Perry was with his
father, Cain Perry, when the latter
Met Deputy Slaughter, J. A. Manning
and F. Y. White in the public road
about fifty yards from the home of
Lige Brown, and that Brown was with
them. Some of the witnesses testl-
fied that Cain Perry. had a pistol in
his hand when they passed him in
the road and tbat Fortune Perry bad |
a rifle. It was not definitely fixed
that Brown was armed, however. The
evidence, in the main, as regarded lo-
cation and what occurred when the
‘white men met the negroes, coincided
‘tified Judge Wills that they had agreed
‘fore published in The Sun, except that
with uccounts of the crimes hereto-
‘Martha Brown, wife of Lige Brown,
‘testified that he was at home “wheh
any recommendation, in the case of jhe shots were fired.
both Brown and Perry. The defendants, testifying in their
own behalf, denied being with Cain
Circuit Court reconvened Wednes- Perry when he was shot.
@ay morning at 10:10 o'clock, Judge Argument of Counsel.
James T. Wills presiding. The submission of testimony was
.. Bheriff Ramsey made the following | conc juded at about 4:20, when Judge
Teturn on the special venire of fifty Carter upened the argument. He
ordered summoned from the body of lange a strong plea for Brown, and
eo Tuesday afternoon’ J. le} pongidered that sufficient testimg +.
’ wiord, ik. Crumpton, J. i. Con- had been presented te warre ° pa
erly, W. P. Carter, ©. OC. Hares, HM) auittal in nis case. aa
Peeler, Co OW. Chesser, Wo M. Lock, Solicitor Long closed in his charae-
F. T. Douglas, Gob Feagle, Jo Pl apigtio and vigorous manner, re-
‘Cothern, KR. oS. Polk, To R. Polk, J. viewing the evidence in a brief but
B. Richardson, 1 A. Robertson, Fel coneihe way. He maintained tha:
oM. Cellon, Geo. Smith, C. 8. Wienges, Mrown [x as guilty as Cain Perry or
tA. &. Detdaat Got Gibbons, De V. his son, Fortune, and concluded his
fMaines, 2. B Osteen, Win, Moody, + Taddress iy dabing for & social
iD. M. esol Mrank ouls, M. first degree murder in each instance.
{Btokes, Z. MeWinney, dT. Harris, | Judge Wills’ charge | consumed
MM, Chesser, Geo. Datipier, OO. SErieke sia cane thirty minutes, and the case
Jand, A. Mo Doke, JB. Cone, Ge Pl vent ro the jury at 6:32 p.m.
Johns, W.oOM. Strath, No oP. Cauthen,
LL. Sparkinan, J. Hi. tlarris, J. 1. Mare] ¢ No Verdict Reached.
tin, William ‘Thomas, J. W. Collings, The court room was nearly full
O. Go Russell, EO Waddell, i. String- {when the jury retired, and many were
TellOw, Bb. No Suitth, Fo Bo Peagte, (yor the Gpinton that-a® verdict would
‘BE. Akins, Ro i. Fincher, Ao Jolly, Copbe reported within a few minutes, but
x. Sparkman. as Utne went on they realized a dis-
"The above venire was summoned appointnent and at 7 o'clock — the
Gn‘ connection with the case of thelroom owas almost deserted. Judge
WBtate vs. Calin Verry, Fortune Perry | Wills, as well as all court officials,
: “Like Brown, the trio of negroes} remained antil 7:50, but’ no report
ed with the murder of DeputY thaving been made by the Jury, court
serif Chas. H. Slaughter near Areher adjourned until 9 o'clock Thursday
Y the night of May Ith, aud Messrs. |morntug. - Kniss
4 8. Polk, To . Polk wand Ceo, are Perry's Trial’
Dampler were excised by the court = feasts!
ieee Too Ill to Stand Trial. Solicitor Tong expect to place
Bee Cain Perry on trial at the earllest
vy Bolicitor Long Announced thal as ; :
"Cain Perry, who liso still sufferings + poss lols Gale c Orc 08 SPOR ae LOUD
bear tho Gaia FePeIT Ad ar Ue nicht [Eby sielan Dell considers him Strung
eo chew h fo ouppenr in caurt. Hie ods
OL olreypuaty Shaughters trurder Was
ttl unable fo sit up, owing te the
All indications point to a decisive (Nearly $10 Was alse
sweep for Roosevelt in his Ohio con: | Will be Sent as soon
test agalust Mr. Taft for the Repubti- | it by those who gave
can) Presidential nomination. It is, We little realize in «
estimated that Roosevelt will have a Demes. with plenty te
Po rality of 20,000 over Taft. The ; whas these poor hottie
unt up to 7 o'clock this morning S''fered and must st
showed that Taft had earried Onis | =
three entire districts. There is “| Mr. Wilhams
split in two districts. 1 Among the promi
Bryan Gets Few Votes. PGathesVilie is BOS) W
Democratic returns show Hlarmoni}saculu, who is a gues
far in the lead of Wilson, @hile Chatip Hlouse. Mr. Willianis
Clark and W. oJ. Bryan got seatter jor the Union Central
RSDAY, MAY 25. 112 —
GENEROUS RESPONS
PEAL FOR FLOOY
a
TAFT Lost HIS STATE
“INT. R. LANDSLIDE
LOST MAJORITY OF REPUBLICAN
STRONGHOLDS.
About two weeks az
the W. C. T. U., wishij
thing to help amelior
tion of the flood suffe
sippl and Louisiana an:
. all the people of Gaine
Leading Wilson in Ohio! glad to join them, ask
columns of The Sun th
good,
Harmon i!s
Vote for Delegates to Democratic
comfortable cloth
Convention At Baltimore.
could spare or share,
to the homes of
differen:
city, from whence it wo
Dr. T
salie
COLUMBUS, ©., May 22.—Returns | @eutioned in
early today show that Theodore Roose- |
out of 42 dele. ; the
, packing
“ey home of Mrs.
velt gained at least oz
gates to the Republican National Con-
vention in Tuesday's primary. |
On the Democratic Governor
‘Harmon has at least 2s of the 4u dele-
gates while Governor Wilson of New
Jersey has &. Harmon has a lead in
the Presidential preference vote.
to ship.
Everyone seemed xz
lo
side, portanity help ani
dred garments were zg
i Thomas had them nice
‘
seut-to the proper authe
' .
i distribute them to thos
is Dee
and
compan
Harmon's magority, it ap-
Roosevelt mar:
ing votes. ! Company
pears, Will exceed the ;Of that
ifor tj.
Democratic Cr
im the j inary
gin of victory, ‘legate af furge
. . . : {
Karty indications were that Roose-! mVet ios
velt supporters would dominate of nest Taesd
convention whieh will dame the ciates the vote gi
Probatdy
will name
State ven
Gover ‘county in the first
is delighted
should he
uf resid.
large. prin
nor Harmon personally
own State-wide delegates, as provided
in
delegates at
his: amis wi
rahe dec ide
{ place
leet
the party cule.
An attempt to analyze the vote earty ;
today from about
of the State
Taft will only ten
forty-two deiegates to the
convention. tle will have
ot these districts: — First, a,
oud, seventh and thirteenth, | Roits aiteadald Thea
delegate from the third and one from: Florida 1?
the ftteenth. ie teiets AY Migiat teat:
is where jing that he, hr
hetween thembers of the purty +
[Woes and Cubs. ~The
Pilelightful one for alt ¥ |
daien
Tice Woe
the University Cit
7) of the SS coun-
Presi-
of the
national
ties showed that
Had Delightfu
dent 3
PorH. Rotts, i
Agricultural ck
Wedn
about
have 5‘
Prof.
i
j
}
|
|
Florida
two in,
tion, returned
4
t
4
Sec-
Pabsence
each
fen
and one
.
Titer State
~The ofheind coun
show a Chatige ti the diatric
the deleg divided
President Taft and Colonel iovses vik.
with
ates were
ENTERTAINMENT AT TAGER:- SM faeaie-cntied
Siarnt hides wig
NACLE SATURDAY EVENING
Mothers, Me 8. Volk, €. Ho Vola, 4) viewings the evidence un a trier bus
Be. Richardson, 1 A. Robertson, Ft oonethe way. Tle maintained thar
WM. Cellon, Geo Suith, C28, Wleakes, iro wn ts as guilty ag Cain Perry or
&. Taylor, Go 1 Gibbons, Dr NV. his son, Fortune, and concludes his
Maines, Ir. bP. Ostect. Wit, MOOUY, | address by asking for a verdict of
“3 M. Brooker, Prank Boals, M. Vv. first dexroe murder in each Instance.
eBtokes, % MeKinney, JT. Harris, MP jude Wills’ charge consumed
EM, Chesser, Geo batpler, CG, Strick Ty giyy thirty minutes, and the case
ALM. Doke. J. i Cone, GooP LT vane ra the jury oat 6@:220 p. mM
W.oOM. Strath, No BL Cauthen,
VL. Sparkinan, J. ti. tlarris, J. 1. Mar- No Verdict Reached.
e tin, William Thomas, J. W. Colling,| The court room was pearly fall
FO. G. Russell, bo Waddell, bo oString: | when the jury retired, and many were
Llc Ih oN. Sinith, BP. Peagle, R.dot the opinion that a verdict would
py Akins, Ko fh. Pineher, A. Jolly, Col be reported within a few minutes, but
Sparkman, aus time went on they realized a dis-
‘The above venire was summoned appolntnent and at. 7 o'clock. the
ja" connection with the case of the |room > was> almost.” deserted. Judge
Btate vs. Cain Perry, Fortune Perry) Wills, as well as all court. officials,
A’ Lige Brown, the trio of negroes | remained until 7:50, but no report
ed with the murder of Deputy thaving been made by the jury, court
+
peri Chas. H. Slaughter near Archer
“the night of May llth, and Messrs.
“3. Polk, T. ti Volk and Ceo.
Mmpier were excused by the court
adjourned ntl}
morning. —
9 o'clock Thursday
Cain Perry's Trial.
jaws bier
@hile Chathp
got
majority,
phere rea lat PeLaullss
farin the lead of Wilson,
Chirk Wd
votes. Harmon's
and birvan seulter
ing it ap
pears, WHEL exceed the Roosevelt
vin of victory.
arly indications were that Roose -
velt suppotters would duminate in the
State convention which will aame the
Probably Gover
will
own State wide delegates,
at darge.
nor Harmon personally
delegates
name his!
as provided
in the party rule,
An attempt to analyze the vote earty |
the SS coun
showed that) Prest-
have only ten of
to the national
convention. tHe will have in
each of these districts: First, sec:
ond, seventh and thirteenth, and one
delegate from the third and one from
from about To of
State
will
deiegates
today
ties of the
dent Taft
forty-two
the
two
the delegates were divided between
lect
the
Had Delightfu
’rof.
Florida
tion,
P._H.
returned
absence of abou
Rolfs attended the an
' ‘ . lie ‘ aa , 4
bhepttines Miro aN
of the Union Centes
iComcpamy ane te rt
hat that Gomory ,
for delegate lary
Drnoeratic Comven
Hares OF ment Tore
PChites: the vote vive
county in the first pri
ats is deliented ow
land should he device
plaice of residence wo
Univeratty ©:
Raolfs.
Auricultaral
Wedn
t
: ; the Flotida State HH
the fifteenth. .The oftictal count may{ oo. |. . ;
i ifecnmmtiam ene eiy ae | 1 Cuely Ot alaml last x
show a Change ji the districts where Fine that he. with hi
ten
; Too Il to Stand Trial. Solicitor Long expects to place} president Taft and Colonel Roosevelt. ete op he Dacty
, Bolicitur Lone aunnnuuted. that as Cain Perry on trial at the earllest rhea Cuba, ie
Perry, who is still suffering {Possible date, or ax soon as County) as MENT AT TABER M Sate barene
HB from the wound received on the night | Phssie jan Dell considers him strong . ean an and daugh
Sof Deputy Slanghters murder, was e{cneuah to appear in court. He ts NACLE SATURDAY EVENING "1"! _ shee oa a
Inable to stand trial at this time, ane 4 UT unable to sit up, owing to the cas — Se ee
eked fur A severance of the indiet. | Pw olen condition of his thigh, and The entertainment at the Taber. !
Rent, Which was granted by the court [IE BEY be several days before his}pacle on Saturday evening, at §| Dr. Gheesling
“The State is ready in the ease EEE eam be taken up. He was in yo'clock, incident to the University: Ur Goodwin Ghees
ot Fortune Perry aid Line Browns dieted jointly with Fortune Perry and | commencement exercises, will be of | bora, Gia, is in the «¢
By anounced the Solicitor I Latee Brown for the death of Deputy ja superior nature. jVisit with tus unele,
: Judge Svd to Carter was employed otshter, and vlso in the Indictment Prof. Chapman and several of the Geedsin Dr Gheesltr
Eby Lige Brown to condast tix de | Hargis the — parties with (hep pupits in expression will give selec Udted with honors fr
Yense. and Judge Carters son, 31 ee ef FOV. White. Catn Perry |rions, mostly of a very humorous char | College foe Phy stcians
Carter, Jry tar apperted “by the Mts suet heen ao dened in either case. Tycter, and Prof. Chapman will appear aud being ao young op
foourt toocleterd: Porte Per : tnoohis celebrated character of UThe Hoainer wilp te dos
Selection of Jury j/NEWS OF CITY ANO “dean Paadote ins play, URider > 7 = >
The selection of a jay cotmstimed . COUNTY CONDENSED Suiffles’ Courtshi b —- S to spend th
. ' The University Orchestra wit ren ob the corps of the
‘; bout forty usntites time Phe regu der several selections. PATINGt al atid foe Ke
@lar venire, cousisting of twelve, bail | CoOW Sproul! vree president and A nominal admission fee of 1) cents Sain there will .
Worth on votdire Phe State tendered general miarnager oof the Gainesville Dwilp be charced to defray incidents! valhe to him om his
he panel, but UN ey Wax oo tHardware Companys. has réturned expenses
- . oF pany ecee'ee tae ’ {
Se ike _ “aaa ees a business tras to Atianta and Reception At Mis
pre Jater chadioaced, some for cause, cia Nbc Me. Keynorss Freaces. powers. H. He MeCrea
P by the State and oa till great: | Mrs. James Shands of Gainesville Among the visitors to Gainessitie Kirby South Chapter
‘er number by the defense. but at 11:16 sn her bright young son will arrive Wednesday was M. M. Reynolds of - Teceived an invitation
» d'clock, gtter the panel bad been ten jin the city Friday afternoon, for alVan Wert, O.. who was a@ gues! of: presence of the Chap{
‘ dered many times by the State. the Vislt with the former's, aunt, Mrs.ihis old friend, A. EO Bunger. Mr. | the annual reception oO}
‘ jury was awort as follows William M. Stinson. During her stay|Resnolds was in Gainesville about a School, the Diocesan S.
YT. J. Johnson, J. Ho Osteen HOOD lin this city she will be most pleas jyear ayo, and was 60 wel! pleased ereeee will be held this
RWood, Simon Comat, ROP. Beckham gnu) entertained at a round of tu-/that he could not resist the temptation fermen from 5 to 7
PB. Dyess, EO A. Hickson, GoTo Peaxle,
PJ. F. Cothern, A. S. Taylor, J 8
‘erly, bv. Maines, Jr.
Those of the special
thad not been chosen On the jury Were
then discharged fog the term.
is ‘ After Solicitor Long read the dry
Palctinent to the jury, upon request of
venice wha
¢ to consult with witnesses for defense, !
Be court took a recess until 2 p. m.
“Afternoon Session.
The State began the
_festiinony at 2
formal social Ainetions. ~
Con ; May until after the Shands-Hawkins
“Sn& Hin re:
» Wedding tn June, —Jacksoarille Times-
a wee
\°
|
Unign. 22nd. Fat oases © .
\teong the pleasant callers at The
Sun office Wednesday was 0. G. Ruse
of Alachua’s © enterprieing
pand suvcessful merchants. “Mr. Rus-
’
Bat one
SSudgo Carter that he be allowed Kime | well was suiNmoned on a special ve-
nire for jury duty, but waa discharg-
ed in time to return home in the af-
ternvon While in ‘the city he re
introduction of | newed his subscription ta our twleea
o'clock, a number “week editlon.
points south. He ie thinking of fo
cating in Florida the coming (all, and
may felect Gainesville for his future |
i ae : as
a
Marriage Licensees.
en Fowler and Miss Pesrt_
white,
Janie Hardeville,
colored. | In
formed by Judge Mason.
ee ‘
= hath 2
stitution.
A. T. O. Banque
The annual banguet
Fraternity wll
held
Swing fe ig as: Nava sai :
lo stop over while en roare’tome ei RE paths tendere,
vith the closing exer
occur
County Judge Mason on Wednesday; White House and pr
issued marriage licenses to Mr. Steph-; most enjoyable event
Hodge, {easion loaked forwar
and to Charley Stewart and with much taterest-)
the | their lady friends,
latter instance the ceremony war per ;Quet Sids fatr te de
an
Pi 4 LILIUIN g dus vy 4
Ame Slayers nm; Memuhem ag. Marke
. Browg hy Back ¢o Fleridn,
K ~Yvnterday- INsrninen two offfoers arrived
In the elty froun Wry Nesrille (al with the
Yaukee Ps (terson DeKTO, Who asniated in the
nonrder of Mr. Keauben HH, Starke, ear the
town of Conant, in Marion county, on the
night af February 19 hb. The
two. etterson and
John pb, Fuss, who committed the crime
Were empleysd by Mr. Sarke, on the night
of Fobruery 10h, murdered him whi'e Dias.
Dg from jis kitchen
. They also tht his housekeeper,
woud did hot prove fatat, and she vavent |
her Noleelewaly igty |
. fom which point
saw the negroes go throvgh th
watch,
On the evening onthe 20th the fac
Bs In their town,
who seemed to haya. considerable money in
F possession, CUsperted that a
PS stolen ft,
vired of the Murder, and
; neatly took no action In the mater.
‘ wel the arrival of the train with
‘ Trmm-Uriow héein the da, When they why |
the pperie! relating ty the murder and at
; @Qhee came ty» the Mreviadin tnat these
pt fotkes, Wit the-town md eee
wd To rehal BOP, a90D, |
rily af:
70
i 1] V a ate NS
Fla., July 9,
9
pes a ae <r
to Marder tier .
| iw U NLOR] re
‘Aalte the iM te om:
eG February 0-< Ruben H. : |
‘Vwho Ilves some ve milles ee ser: Fie
sbeeannty, irate baeet Jobn Dy.
i Hosana <¥es kee” : ae were 4
aking for Nien Shag also ® cee :
| Madea Rabpes: bul whe will wesower ala
prs secared $150 1h Gash, a shot-et
: bien captured.
gold watch. They have.not Hy!
as yet.
FS OY Hs a,
(3-D
cas ags opel.
.
Ww.
1 “.
Bnnging at Oenia. 7 :
TraKe UNION) \,
Speclal to th Tv Levi Peterson, pba
Ocara, duly 9% - Thousands
}
V5 ‘kh.
Pat tb o'eloc se.
SEE eee aiacearantsd wrfires ibe sceaik
roesn atten} prevente “ah
The
The
ore
‘ be the high aba Baye
Te Ovala Rifles acted as a ele
yr ry :
: une! man protested hia ears >t
“a wt order and quiet prev wan
ntm«¢
: Stark,
vurder of Renbeu Cony.
_—ene we
hung for the " ac
ote
d (H-4
Ole Freriva Trmes ONio
prlle Z,
vith Pennington.
ized that he had
upon arriving at
lis pistol. Dixon
; own life.
rings. Assistant
ir State Attorney
he case because
ized.
pril 11, 1944, by
of the all-white
Coy Anderson,
‘d Groce, G.A.
iry found Dixon
aercy. Sentence
rred to the state
v trial had been
rt, which heard
by Justice H.L.
‘hich said:
‘der in the first
:aled from the
or the deceased
ige with a shot
the jury did not
: the testimony
‘air trial by an
the verdict and
ed.’”’
sentenced from
»y electrocution
ued to circulate
1 had not been
Supreme Court
rial on the basis
‘cts of the case
Jixon’s one-day
‘R
> second person
Peterson was
a Gene Carnley
zht of June 11,
taints
oa ee >t me Sept. 0
1958. Peterson also confessed that he had fatally beaten Carnley’s daughter,
Ernestine, age 2, assaulted his wife, Sibyl Ellen, 21, severely beat their son,
Herschell Gene, 6, and daughter, Geraldine, 4. A small baby, asleep in a bed
beside that of its mother, escaped injury.
Peterson, a South Carolina native, had been released June 9, 1958, after
serving a sentence in the state prison camp at Noma for breaking and
entering. He said he had been drinking in Bonifay before walking out into the
country, where he peeped into the window of the Carnley home and saw Mrs.
Carnley on her bed. He entered the home through a window and attacked the
sleeping members of the family.
He fled soon afterwards, going to Caryville and then on to DeFuniak
Springs, from where he traveled by truck with some migrant farm workers to
New York. He left much physical evidence at the Carnley home, however,
including fingerprints on the ax and a bloody footprint on the pine floor. The
footprint became a possible key piece of evidence that persuaded New York
Gov. Averill Harriman to grant Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins’ request for
Peterson’s extradition. Holmes County Sheriff Cletus Andrews, who directed
the investigation, removed a piece of the floor bearing the footprint to carry to
New York to present to authorities.
Andrews said strong evidence was needed because the National Associatign
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) had mounted a campaign to
prevent extradition, contending that Peterson knew nothing about the crimes.
The anti-extradition campaign got strong support from northern U.S. and
some foreign newspapers, which published inflammatory stories contending
that Peterson was an innocent victim of racial discrimination.
Andrews said he was convinced, on the basis of the evidence collected, that
‘Peterson is the man we’ve been looking for. Our evidence is ironclad and |
believe he will be brought back for trial.’’ The sheriff said that Peterson
apparently committed the crime by himself and denied press reports that
other persons were being held in nearby jails. Andrews also denied press
reports that lynch mobs had formed and threatened to take the law into their
own hands and that state troops had been called out to maintain order.
One of the more sensational reports appeared in a London, England,
newspaper telling how the alleged mob had demanded the keys to the ‘‘gaol’’
from the sheriff. The sheriff refuted that report, too, noting that there had
been no lynch mob and that no one had demanded the keys to the jail, where
Peterson then never had been imprisoned. He said the news reports were
intentionally untruthful.
Gov. Harriman finally approved the prisoner’s extradition to Florida after
both Mrs. Carnley and her son Herschell had added to the physical evidence
already presented by identifying Peterson as their attacker. Peterson
continued to deny knowledge of the crime while under questioning in New
York. He also pleaded not guilty after being indicted by a Holmes County
grand jury. He was given a psychological evaluation at Florida State Hospital
in Chattahoochee, where he was pronounced mentally able to stand trial.
A.P. Drummond, Peterson’s court-appointed attorney, conferred with the
prisoner almost daily in preparing for the approaching trial. Peterson
eventually decided to change his plea to guilty and ask the mercy of the court
303
rather than undergo a jury trial. Drummond, upon informing the court of
Peterson’s decision, said it had been made freely and voluntarily. Peterson
confirmed that he had made the decision without any inducements, promises,
threats or suggestions that a guilty plea might be to his advantage.
Peterson’s confession before Circuit Judge E. Clay Lewis in a crowded
courtroom early in 1959 brought an end, except for sentencing, to ‘‘the most
sensational trial Bonifay and Holmes County citizens have ever witnessed,”’
said the Holmes County Advertiser. Peterson recalled in great detail the
manner in which he inflicted death and injury upon members of the Carnley
family. ‘‘I don’t know why I did it. I must have been crazy,’’ he told the court.
He recalled, under questioning by State Attorney J. Frank Adams, that he had
entered the Carnley house through a window. ‘‘I saw a man lying there and he
started to get up and that ax was leaning on the wall. I picked it up and hit
him. Then I went into the room where the woman was,”’ Peterson testified. He
then told of his assault on the woman and the children.
‘Yes, Judge, I was holding her with my right hand and hit the little children
with the ax I had in my left hand... She got up and fought me and I hit her
with the ax,’’ Peterson admitted. He said he then went out of the house and
put his shoes on and went down the road. Drummond asked if he had anything
further to say and Peterson said, ‘‘Yes, Judge, I want to ask the mercy of this
court. I don’t know why I did what I did, but I am guilty.”’
‘‘According to the testimony I have heard here today you are not entitled to
any mercy,’’ Judge Lewis responded. ‘“‘It is hard for me to say whether any
man can live or die, but that is what I am called on to do. You made your
decision the other day when you said you were guilty of these crimes. I am
sorry for you, Frank, but I believe, as you have said, you have made peace
with your God.’’ Judge Lewis then read the death sentence to the defendant.
Sheriff Andrews, accompanied by Clifton Williams, a Bonifay night
policeman, George Hawkins, A.L. Hammack, Rev. Emory Andrews and Rev.
B.C. Bradley went to Raiford to join 49 other witnesses to the June 2 execution
of Peterson and two other convicted murderers. Peterson, recognizing
Andrews as he entered the death chamber, murmured, ‘‘Hello, Sheriff,’’ and
said softly, ‘‘Save me, Jesus’’ two or three times as the hood was placed over
his head. He was pronounced dead five minutes later.
COMMENTARY: A PRESENTMENT IS JUST AN OPINION
Once upon a time, long before my youthful idealism dimmed into adult
realism, I placed grand juries in the category with motherhood, the U.S.
Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and maybe
the Ten Commandments. Grand juries then, in my estimation, could do no
wrong.
I admit, however, that I didn’t understand the system very well at the time. I
was simply willing to accept a grand jury’s finding as factual because I had
heard the system praised from time to time as the best ever devised by man. I
was to learn later that a grand jury is about as perfect or imperfect as its
members. I still don’t quarrel with the system, since I don’t know of a better
one. But I’ve learned that a grand jury indictment is an accusation and not a
304
conviction, a!
I believe m
distinctions. .
eyes of gener
The indicter
determine if 1
deliberate in
until a few y
Circuit Jud
demonstratec
trying to imp
hear with one
get to hear o1
presentments
earmarks of
Here, in part
jury in Octot
Circuit Juc
court SeSssic
session beg
Boswell, Ge
Virgil Q. M
attorney; Ha
of Blountsto
Holmes Cou:
attorney and
south of Boi
Bonifay, an
past rew months
‘tain violations of
lt that we find no
we find that his
ming the dignity
e voters rang his
N
cores of longtime
‘lp him celebrate
t SS as a county
epresentatives. I
r back in 1925 or
smen, Clyde R.
alf century as an
pective jurors to
red as it is, is no
r service. Their
ave shaped their
30s dhe hada
iat of Holmes
luding J.J. (Boy)
ners. Brown said
uld,’’ had been
ir native county.
k juries during a
ity commissioner
2s, was one of the
iat term of court
ight celebrity by
e. His courtroom
‘ted against C.R.
ones offered him
il insight into the
e evidence, the
lerations.
> young attorney,
-d of farmers and
osecutor, to have
e region of ticks.
irst time we ever
xplained.
REFERENCES
Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay, Florida, from issues on and near the
dates indicated. Copies on microfilm available in the John C. Pace Library,
University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida.
Tebeau, Carson. Florida from Indian Trail to Space Age, Volume 1.
Southern Publishing Company, Delray Beach, Florida, 1965, page 129.
Ammons v. State, case file in the archives of the Florida Supreme Court.
Interview with Albert Harris, December 4, 1985.
Holmes County Advertiser, August 4, 1910.
Wells, Anna Paget, and Clemmons, Geraldine Kryder. Heart and History of
Holmes County, privately published, Bonifay, Florida, pages 220 and 408-413.
Interview with Sheriff Lon Brown following apprehension of the men
indicted and convicted of kidnaping and robbing Mrs. Sophie Phelps.
Holmes County Advertiser following Ples Dixon’s indictment, trial, appeal
and execution, February 28, 1944, April 11, 1944, June 7, 1944, May 29, 1945
and October 29, 1945.
Dixon v. State, case file in the archives of the Florida Supreme Court.
The author provided newspaper coverage of the Frank Peterson case from
The Pensacola Journal, the Associated Press and United Press International
from the time the murders were reported until Peterson was sentenced and
executed.
Interview with Sheriff Cletus Andrews following Peterson’s execution,
which was witnessed by the sheriff.
Holmes County Circuit Court records, Grand Jury Presentment, 1914.
307
OF F/G fAL
aaa oes Sea
MINISTERIAL MIEN——
hid the mind of a monster in Marcus
Powell. He constructed a careful mur-
der plot, overlooked vital detail.
HE MAN stood stiffly in the center of the bathroom.
His face was pale and his lower lip twitched. For
a long moment he stared at the hammer in his hand
—at the blood-covered head and the human hairs
mixed with that blood. i
Then suddenly his body relaxed and color came back
into his pale cheeks. And in that passing moment,
hot more than several seconds, Marcus Powell was again
himself—a man around fifty, with the looks and de-
meanor of a minister and with the cunning and lightning
mind of a master criminal.
- In the bath tub, only a few feet from him, lay the
body of his wife. She was nude and the water she had
been bathing in covered her body. '
She was dead; very dead. Powell knew that Mrs.
POWELL, Marcus, white, elec, Fla. SP (Duval County) July 12, 1937.
A fiond for pe
Po meee
PR asada : : r
Lou Speer, his mother-in-law, was also dead, lying just
beyond the door of the bathroom in a pool of blood on
the kitchen floor.
She had died in the same manner as Katie Powell,
his wife. Only it had been done quicker and without
even a guttural groan. Powell had been able to sneak
up behind her, crash the hammer down on her head.
She slumped to the floor unconscious and several more
blows finished the work.
Killing his wife had been harder. She had seen him
come into the bathroom. She had scre:.med pitifully as
the hammer crashed on her head. She had even
struggled weakly in the water after that first blow, but
other blows had quieted her and life had left her body
swiftly and without.sound because she was unconscious.
Le VECTV WWE SIENR/ES
CHAIN OI!
begun by
seek a di
document
Marcus
hammer i
to the bat)
to let the
He look
after nine
his carefu
of this plz
it had no {
PPR 4, Besa V9I$¢>
Outside that home of the Powells, at.1431 Laurel
Street, in Jacksonville, Fla., on that night of March
2, 1936, the life of the city moved as it always did,
utterly oblivious to the bloody drama of death that was
taking place in its midst. :
Marcus Powell knew what the city would think if
they learned that Mrs, Lou Speer, one of the wealthy
women of the community, and her daughter, Katie,
, were murdered. He would be suspected because twice
_ before murder had been tabbed up against him.
_But those two other times were different. The first
happened back in Troy, Ala., when he was only 18.
He had killed then in the fury of rage and the man
he killed had insulted his’ sister,
At least, that was his story and it was the story that
Powell’s family, wealthy and socially prominent, had
__ used to get him out of prison after he had served only a
few years. ihe oeege eS
There had been other trouble and in 1931 he had
moved to Jacksonville to get a new start. This new
start began successfully enough. He married Katie
Speer, the daughter of the wealthy Mrs. Lou Speer, but
there was a hitch, a very serious one, a few years after
that marriage. :
He and William Cowles, a prominent Jacksonville
attorney, had had words on the street, and it ended with
Powell shooting Cowles dead. Again. he was sent to
prison, again he was freed. Only this time, it was his
mother-in-law and wife who put up the $50,000 to
fight for his. freedom and finally won.
Rove hadn’t wanted to kill his wife and her
mother. Experience had convinced him that mur-
der was nasty business, annoying and full of danger. Yet
he had not been out of prison three months until his wife
had learned of his excursions into the fine art of philan-
, dering and she had threatened a divorce.
That in itself wasn’t so bad, providing she was willing
but not only hi willing
THE CREEK——
_ Yiedly into their rooms and gathered up all such clothes ©
' down it, and then he turned his car off of it and drove =
pay, but her
3
e where Powell tried to hide the two bodies
kept his secret safe’ for only a few days.
‘
oe
ua
n
c
if he had to delve again in murder. This time, the
murder would be different. 7
Powell knew the Florida law because this knowledge §
was necessary for his murder plan. He knew that there |
could be no murder charge without the body being a
found. aa
And his next move was to make sure that the bodies »
wouldn’t be found. .He went to the bath tub, picked his 9
wife up and carried her to the kitchen and laid her body ©
down beside her mother’s. i eh
Then Powell went to the kitchen cabinet and got as
butcher knife, one that he had had specially sharpened, 4
He had made a study of why a body rises in water and =
learned that it was due to the gases forming in the”)
intestines. He had decided to remove this possibility,
When his gruesome work was finished, he walked hur- *
as they might be wearing and placed them in a bundle. ..
A few minutes later the two bodies, with the bundle «
of clothes, were in the back seat of his car and he was |
driving away from the house through the alley. _ i
At the edge of the city he stepped on the gas and the.
car raced through the night for Lofton Creek, five miles
out of Jacksonville.
“a
id
d]
*
=
Powell came to this country road, drove about a mile be
gingerly through the trees until he came in sight of th
water of the wide creek. BORIS Se aN GE ties Aiea Gg
THE POWELL HOME——
scene of the double murder, might have be-
come the fiend’s property, had he succeeded. 0
iii enn a ERIE. BOE NITE ar
t
had been
preceding
an—she’d
she'd be
her teeth.
eth of the
s, the set
had ever
en known
‘s and the
e bifocals
ond pair.
ut them!
Inspector
It was
rom both
irse. I'll
attend to
it?) What
> suppose
admit it
‘rnandina
*, adding
le in get-
prepara-
's labora-
gain. It
Xpert.
clothes,”
listened
‘ected to
f the
ars in
‘ ma-
ill match
» gag in
a towel-
e in the
lidn’t go
ight out
th Mrs.
her with
vho like-
ents, had
e bodies.
Acosta’s
ler con-
Mrs.
agreed,
property
insisted,
re’s get-
‘ll’s new
She was
»t come.
) a con-
-rell and
‘phone.
nda life
, on the
Clotted
r, inside
s on the
ibbed so
rin the
Only one person in Jacksonville could
have had access to that hammer—only one
person in all the world. A person who had
cleaned the ghastly thing and automatically
put it in its accustomed place, a place no
other living person knew, for were not Ka-
tie Powell and Lou Speer dead before it
was replaced ?
“Only one person,” echoed. Acosta, and-
his voice dropped to the key of one reading
an indictment, “Marcus C. Powell!” Mar-
cus C. Powell to the bar!
| Riaareg WAS FORMALLY ARRESTED March 9,
1936, charged with the murder of both
women. He was arraigned March 11,
pleading not guilty.
He went on trial for the murder of his
wife April 8, 1936, before Judge DeWitt
T. Gray, presiding justice of the fourth
judicial circuit of Florida. State’s Attor-
ney John W. Harrell and Assistant State’s
Attorney Bryan Simpson presented the case
for the commonwealth, and Attorney W. P.
Dineen conducted the defense.
The trial was one of the most sensational
in Florida crime annals, and was particu-
larly noteworthy for the swift and skilful
detective work that built a practically flaw-
less case for the state.
No one had suspected the killings. No
one saw Powell murder the women or carry
their bodies from the house in the dead of
night.
Powell: “How could I and they stiff?”
Woods: “How do you know?”
Powell, sullen: “I don’t know any more
than you do?” as the state maintained he
did.
No one saw him on the way to or from
Loftin Creek.
No one saw the bodies thrown into the
DEATH IN THE FOG
But I had too much respect for Gregory’s
ability, to question his findings. However,
he seemed to take my silence for skepti-
cism, for he walked to where the body lay
on a slab and threw back the sheet from
the woman’s face. In a matter-of-fact but
thoroughly expert manner, he then pro-
ceeded to elaborate on the reasons for his
diagnosis. He said:
“This woman was killed by a blow on
the head made, probably, by some flat in-
strument. Here is the bruise.” He pointed
under the hair. “The lower lip has been
cut, the upper lip bruised and discolored.
The nose is swollen and the left eye dis-
colored. It is my opinion that if she struck
a rock sufficiently hard to cause death, she
would have broken the skin more than it
is broken or fractured her skull or both.”
It was the first time I had noticed the
badly bruised condition of Mrs. Brewer's
face. I shook my head sadly. The
doughty medical. examiner again read
doubt into my silence. He began stripping
off his rubber gloves, pausing to let the
import of his next statement take full
effect. :
“Whether you know it or not, sheriff,”
he said, “there isn’t the slightest trace of
water in this woman’s lungs.”
I was prepared for this, I’ll admit, but
Gregory had made still more discoveries,
and when we parted, he advised me to send
Mrs. Brewer’s vital organs to State
Pathologist Dr. Julius Gottlieb at the
Augusta General Hospital.
Before acting on the doctor’s suggestion,
however, I went, the next morning, to
Wiscasset, Lincoln County seat, and con-
ferred with County Attorney Weston M.
Hilton. As a result of our talk, at which
I laid before the prosecutor not only my
theories but Dr. Gregory’s medical find-
ings, two steps were decided upon: The
water, or witnessed the building of the bon-
fire that so nearly wrought the complete
destruction of invaluable evidence.
In fact, Mark Powell was detected in no
suspicious circumstance in all that fateful
day and night.
And it was by a bare inch that his plan
for perfect concealment missed its goal. Just
that much deeper and the bodies would not
have risen before the deep sea scavengers
had done their work, leaving two white
skeletons forever at rest beneath the serene
waters of Loftin Creek.
For four.days the court officers and con-
tending counsel labored in selecting a jury.
But even that wearisome procedure at-
tracted crowds that packed the courtroom,
a crowd in which the feminine element pre-
dominated and luncheon’ baskets were
plentiful, lest seats be lost. An avid crowd,
silent under Judge Gray’s stern edict, but
eager for every last sanguinary detail.
Bt BY BIT the state’s sixty-odd witnesses
built the case. Vividly the prosecuting
attorneys reconstructed for the jury and the
tense courtroom spectators their version of
the murder scene: Mrs. Powell murdered
in her bed, the sound of the blows muffled
by a blanket; Mrs. Speer attacked as she
entered the house from the yard, dodging
and catching the first blow slantwise across
the face. One fearful scream, then the tea
towel forced into her mouth and silence as
she fought desperately, vainly, for her life.
Blow after blow. Death.
Mother and daughter locked in the one
room—the key was found on the outside of
the door—while Powell drove to Loftin
Creek to perfect his plan for disposing of
the bodies. The ghastly midnight journey.
vital organs of Mrs. Brewer were to be dis- -
patched to Augusta at once and I was
given carte blanche to conduct a complete
investigation into circumstances surround-
ing the woman’s death.
Hilton and I agreed our interests would
best be served if my inquiry proceeded
quietly. Accordingly, I took only Dr.
Gregory and my deputy, Harvey Sprague,
into my confidence. Gregory prepared the
woman’s vital organs for shipment to Dr.
Gottlieb, who was apprised of their com-
ing, and Sprague, under my direction, be-
gan a check on all persons living in and
around Ocean Point, particularly those
who were friendly with the Brewers.
That same afternoon I went to Ocean
Point myself. Brewer wasn’t around, but
my errand hadn’t to do with him anyway.
Instead, I went to the home of the Harry
Stewarts, across from Brewer’s lodge, hop-
ing to find Mrs. Gertrude Stewart at home.
Fortunately, she was.
Mrs. Stewart lives in New York City
nine months out of the year and has been
a summer. neighbor of the Brewers for
eleven years. <A large, gracious woman
slightly past middle age,.she was perhaps
Dolda Brewer’s closest friend. I showed
her the woman’s farewell note.
“Do you think Mrs. Brewer wrote this ?”
Mrs. Stewart took only a quick glance
at the writing. When she answered her
eyes were flashing. She snapped:
“Not for a single minute. Dolda and I
exchanged letters constantly through the
winter. I know her writing. She wrote
a fine hand. This looks like an attempt to
Mrs. Stewart had opened her summer
home only a few days before. She said
she had heard from Mrs. Brewer last on
Easter Sunday, just one week before her
death.
The mutilation of the already battered
forms, now cold in death. The splash into
silent watérs. Then off to build the bon-
fire no one saw, and back to town—a twice-
convicted murderer —to profess anxiety
over the absence of the women he had
slain! So the state’s attorneys pictured the
death scene.
Powell himself took the stand, maintain-
ing his innocence. But the courtroom
crowd was cold, the court unmoved, the
jury of twelve good men and true unim-
. pressed. Formal charging of the jury took
just fifteen minutes of Judge Gray’s time,
and at 10:55 a. m., April 25, the jury filed
from the box. At 11:25, a bare half-hour
later, they returned.
In the same courtroom, almost in the
same spot, where he had stood ten years
before when the jury filed in, Powell heard
the verdict delivered: Guilty of murder in
the first degree, with the death sentence
mandatory. ;
But this time no devoted auburn-haired
wife stood near, no kindly mother-in-law
who loved him like a son, lavishing untold
thousands upon him. Yet they figured in
this trial, this time as victims. And in the
end, when he goes to the oaken chair en-
circled with high tension wires, it will be
the weight of an eyelash that turns the
switch to send the brutal ingrate to meet
the last judgment.
Judge Gray pronounced the death sen-
tence May 1, 1936. An appeal is now pend-
ing before the state-supreme court, but in
the opinion of the citizens of Jacksonville—
those same generously sympathetic people
who petitioned his release in 1929—no man
less deserving of mercy was ever con-
victed.
From page 39
“Dolda said she had some trouble with
a man, but it was all over. She said she
was very happy. Last summer Dolda often
came over to our house, telling of trouble.
She came to us in great fear.”
Before I left, Mrs. Stewart gave me a
letter written to her by Dolda Brewer.
During the next twenty-four hours I col-
lected an additional dozen specimens of
handwriting. Some were Mrs. Brewer's,
others were those of immediate friends of
the Brewers, and some were in the form
of cancelled checks, checks that had been
paid to tradesmen. These were turned
over to me by a Boothbay Harbor bank.
rel MY OFFICE, a photographer made
copies of the suicide note. If this
were written by Mrs. Brewer, then there
was very little to the case, medical evidence
to the contrary. I decided to submit the
exhibits to the best authority I could find.
Accordingly, that afternoon I telephoned
to Wilbur F. Turner at Boston, a man who
has given handwriting testimony in hun-
dreds of New England cases. He is con-
sidered one of the highest authorities on
chirography and he agreed to give me his
opinion. I sent copies of the Brewer note
and other handwriting samples to Turner
that night.
Dolda Brewer’s death continued to be the
leading topic in Boothbay Harbor and
Ocean Point for the next few days, but
after her funeral on April 22, talk grad-
ually simmered down and the community
accepted the tragedy of one of its own as
lamentable, but one of those things about
which little can be done.
There were certain perplexing angles to
Mrs. Brewer’s death which I was attempt-
ing to fathom at this time. First of all,
there was the doubt created about the
suicide note. I was still waiting for Tur-
65
EXECUTIVE
STATE
Tu MOWORABLE LF CRAWMAR, Superintendent f var Biete, Prison,
ond BOMOHWABLE RES SWEAT, ‘i Sheriff of our County _ DEVAL
ALL term o; sur Circuit Cowrt
in aad for our mid County of = DUYAL
a A. D. One Thonsand Nine Hu odred and
VS ¢ POWELL
waa convicted of the crime of
and thereupon by our said evurt |
sentenced for said crime tu anflee|
through hin body of @ current
death and xntil he be dead, al!
tion and sentence, which Lav
Cheretore, /, FRAG
LM THY PIRST DARE
MARCUS © POWELL wae
las af death by being electrocuted by Uhe passing
‘ty af eathcient intensity tor cana hie povmediate
by an ccomptitiontion uf Ma vecned of anil canctes
be hecemnte neneved, doth fulig appear.
wf atid State uf Bloe
command you, the maid Shee:
fice days pring tu the Lata +
Nine Hendved ave Sadly
het | F CiAMMAN,
Superiate et te Stn ae Cat Urban, diy hin tote kept sinacohiany
Hil the ne 0 , i ap a ee eS
4 F i if : 3 4 fens Bp Dhe whieh Hi pe vis Breet :
} Mpeaeeta Vo vanes” \ ' : : ; a er . er : ; Leen dew ef TULY PRM he ore ree
‘ , i ; Beit hie wont ' MT LATY =o Pf
Be ¢ : ; stil Comnty ot Coser SIM MMMM the Sie Li
* (bowl the: Reiee it tee
cand One Herwdred ins ¢
} earevntion of the said Your soud
upon hin, the sail BUS © pond
for rhich thie shall § Bie Weient warrant,
CHAIN OF EVENTS —— 3 : You, the maid adent af our State “ He woe deputy by guw te he dene
ignated, avd wor, # j “hee vUVaL » Hnlead ynw
begun by Iwas. Pe woll‘s threats to i ee, be prevented by «i
seek a d or¢e fal PF ve) ended with ii Z . tion shall be yon aud such deputics, electricians ait assintants ax you may
her disability, shall le present at xach erecution, Such exceu-
require to be pre Epest, and shall be in the presence afm jury of twelve rempectubte
Powell, docume.tt of dgom s |: wn at the right. — 2 \ ohare ey citizens whe ake
( ‘ the presence of fim t practicing physician or of the physician of, the prison, aut all
t without at Bien other t Pry and physician, the ronnsel for the criminal, xtch Ministers uf
. the Gospel ax J shalt desire, officers af the prison, deputin cand guardn, xl! be
to sneak excluded deri ution.
ier head. Marcus Powell wxiked to the sink and laid the bloody babel Let yomr peril, and make return of thie warrant, with your
ted to be present, aud witnens the mame; and you shall require
doingn Hhery ae may he after execution.
ral more hammer is if and ‘ned the faucets on. Then he went : ; is
to the batk. tub and veftly pulled the stopper from the tub ee aa taed d ened Lapsed nat :
seen him to let the b« oa-stained water flow out. Vaoegt Ahk Oh aoe ie m
tifully as He lookes at bis wrist watch. It was eleven minutes Pan errs ap ae Vicente Nis
iad even after nine. There would be plenty of time to complete i aah
slow, but his carefully laid murder plan. He smiled as the details ;
her body of this plan swept ‘hrough his mind. It was simple and ae J: fF
sonscious. it had no flaws, but there was much yet that he had to do. ea
CORSO OF Fontes
Ella’s restaurant. I never even knew
McKay until he had that public auc-
tion sale. The night after the sale,
Ella drove me over to his house. She
told me then that she intended to do
away with him and take all the
money he had.”
But, McNelley insisted, Ella Harris
had not asked him to be a party to
the murder as she had in the case
of Cy Arthur.
Some few days later, McNelley had
been walking through the town when
a car driven by Big Dan stopped. Big
Dan had a gun in his hand. He or-
dered McNelley into the car. A little
later, Big Dan stopped again and
picked up McKay, presumably by ar-
rangement. Then the trio drove out:
of town.
Big Dan had stopped suddenly, or-
dered McNelley out of the car. Dan ~
ot out himself, leaving McKay in the ©
ront seat.
“Now,” Big Dan said, “here’s’a gun.
Youre’ going to kill McKay or I’m
going to kill you.”
“TJ was scared,’ McNelley told Mc-
Ginnis.
Big Dan swore he’d kill me, so what
“JT didn’t want to do it. But.
could I do? I went around the side |
of the car, pushed the gun muzzle
through the window and shot McKay
in the head.”
“What about the body this. time?”
“Bi
car. I walked back to town. I never
saw the body again.”
“Did Ella Harris ever mention this—
killing to you afterwards?”
“She sure did. I was in her place
the next day. She winked at me and
said, ‘Well, I got rid of McKay, all. ~
Dan drove off with it in the-
right’ ” McNelley hadn’t replied,
_ McGinnis did not for a minute be-
lieve the story of Big Dan. This, he
knew, was a character invented by
McNelley to condone his own part in
the McKay killing. But McGinnis be-
lieved every word that McNelley had
spoken: of Ella.
Arrangements were made for Sher-
iff Sinco to pick up McNelley and
take him back to Leon. McGinnis
managed a few hours sleep at an Os-
‘ceola hotel, then went to Rockwell
City, where he interviewed Ella Har-
ris at the reformatory.
The county attorney had’ taken
State Agents Laurence and Cronkhite
along with him. They questioned Ella
Harris in relays. At first, the woman.
flatly denied all complicity in the
crimes ‘confessed to by McNelley.
Then-at last she lost her temper.
She cried, “I didn’t kill anyone! I
didn’t hire anyone to shoot McKay.
I never poisoned Arthur. I never de-
stroyed the burned piece of clapboard_
or recovered the bullet. It’s all lies.”
The officers looked at each. other.
It seemed, as if Ella Harris had at
last made a mistake.
“What clapboard?” McGinnis asked.
_ “It’s true a piece of clapboard was
destroyed. But how did you know
about it?” > F
“You asked me .about it a little
while ago.” ;
\. “No, we didn’t. None of us men-
tioned the clapboard which McNelley
told us about. So how did you know
about it?” :
There was but one answer to this
and if Ella Harris made it she would
brand herself guilty, Now she broke
’ down. She offered to write a confes-
sion to the killing of Cy Arthur.
McGinnis handed her a fountain
pen and a sheet of paper. The woman
wrote: “I gave Cy the poison and it
didn’t kill him. Bob shot him and
Bob carried his body out of the bed-
room into the vegetable cave and that
is the last I heard tell of him.”
After she had signed this document,
she regained her composure. She re-
fused to admit that she had anything
to do with the death of McKay. She
would not concede she had destroyed
the body of Cy Arthur.
It was quite possible that, in com-
mon with most laymen, Ella Harris
believed that she could not legally be
convicted of murder if the bodies of
the victims were not recovered. In
that she was wrong.
The authorities never found any
fragment of the Arthur or McKay
. corpses. Nevertheless, Ella Harris and
Bob McNelley were tried on a first-
degree murder charge before Judge
Homer Fuller in Leon.
On July 12th, 1938, a jury found
them both guilty of the two killings.
Judge Fuller sentenced the pair to
life imprisonment.
Twenty-seven years later McNelley
remains in the Iowa State Peniten-
tiary. Ella Harris is still in the Rock-
well City. Reformatory. And only
they know the whereabouts of the
corpses of Lindley McKay and Cy
Arthur. °
4
Eprror’s NOTE:
The names, Jack Raine and Letty,
are fictitious.
THE URGE TO KILL
(Continued from page 51)
was pouring through. the bedroom
window when he awoke:
light seemed to chase his fears away.
He went downstairs to cook himself
breakfast.
was at the door. He ‘scanned it
quickly and __ nervously and saw
nothing about his. wife or his mother-
in-law. He felt relieved and ate a.
hearty breakfast. :
It wasn’t until two days later, on
March 3rd, that he walked into po-
lice headquarters\to carry out the
second important phase of his murder
plan—to prove that his wife and her
mother were dead,
He entered the office of Detective
George Wait, in charge of the Missing
Persons Bureau. “Wait,” Powell said
with a tremor in his voice, “I am wor-
ried about my wife and her mother,
Night before ‘last they went to the
picture show and didn’t come. back.
At first I wasn’t too worried, thinking
they may have spent the night with
The day-'
The morning newspaper
friends, as tex often:do, but they —
a
haven’t come
something has happened to them.””
Detective Wait had a poker face. He
took the data, didn’t seem concerned,
ck and I’m afraid’
and assured Powell that the case ~
would be investigated. Powell wasn’t
taking any chances on waiting until
the police got excited over the dis-. ~
_appearance of his wife and_ her’
mother.. He needed quick and effec-
tive action, because he wanted no de-
lay in getting his hands on’ the Speer
fortune. 3 : :
When he walked out of police head-
quarters, he went to the newspaper
office, gave the city editor the story,
adding little touches he knew would
excite the heart of any editor. The
next morning the Jacksonville papers
’ carried the disappearance of Kate and
Mrs. Lou Speer in streamer head-
/ lines; eee eee ee 3
The news stories jarred the police
into action. Detectives came to talk
to Powell. He had his story ready.
His wife. and mother had left three
nights ‘before for the picture show.
He described what they wore, took
the’ detectives to the closets to show
_ that these garments were gone. .
- Then Powell added the information
that his mother-in-law, a fine woman,
had the habit of carrying large sums
on her person, and on this night Pow-
ell had pleaded with her to leave the-
300 she had in her purse at home.
everal nights before, Powell added,
Mrs. Speer had been’ accosted ‘by a
man on the street and had escaped
only because some friends came along.
Other detectives were at the picture
show. . Here they were told ‘that
‘neither Mrs, Speer nor her daughter
had been seen at the show that night. .
Friends of the two women were ques-
tioned’ and none recalled seeing them.
at that time. As usual, the excite-
ment following the publication of the
story brought wild tales. Several per-
sons at the show were certain they
had seen a stranger lurking outside
the show and that they saw him ac-
cost two women they were certain
- were Mrs, Speer and Kate.
‘Powell let the excitement simmer
for several days, and when it began
' to die down, he got in the car and
drove out to Hogan Creek, three miles
-under his feet.
south of Jacksonville. He dropped
a pocketbook of Mrs. Speer’s along a
side road he knew was traveled by
several persons in that region. The
pocketbook -was bloodstained, held a
torn and bloody $5 bill, and a calling
card of Mrs. Speer.
Fate played into his hand. Late
that afternoon the news spread that
the pocketbook of Mrs. Speer, blood-
stained with only a torn and* bloody
pill in it, had been found by a_youth
who lived near Hogan Creek. Powell
rose to the occasion with an indignant
demand that the police drain Hogan
Creek. They did, but no bodies were
found. Bis ;
That night Powell sat in the living
room of the Speer home and sipped
Scotch and soda and felt wonderful.
Every part of his murder plan was
working out perfectly. The finding of
the bloody pocketbook had established
in the public mind that Mrs, Speer
and her daughter had met with foul
play. All this was Powell’s build-up
to have Mrs. Speer and‘his wife de-
clared legally dead and the fortune
turned over to him. — ;
He slept late the next morning. At
10 o'clock the shrill. ringing of the
phone awakened him. He answered it
sleepily, over the wire came the cold
voice of Inspector Ed Acosta, “The
bodies of two women were found
early this morning in Lofton Creek
near Dead River Landing by two
fishermen. Get over to headquarters
at once.” ; ,
Powell was only able to gulp, “Yes,
T’ll be right there.”
And as he hung up, the world
seemed to have suddenly crumbled
The bodies found!
‘It was impossible. Then his fear
passed. The
were the t
Speer. The
tance from ‘
into the cre
Even if
Kate and h
no evidence
Powell’s «
as he hurri
When he g
Sidney H.
him and u
Acosta’s 0
was with t!
eyed Powe
felt a cold
“To savi
said to Po\
funeral h
medical ex
The trip
ell’s brain
ing. Whe
funeral hc
hope that
her mothe
bloated th
ble,. but ti
Powell |
would be
and finge!
lieve that
and Mrs.
The m¢
killer wa:
enough.
the stom
had no g
to the t
broke the
Powell
deeper, |
over spil'
who kill
Katie?”
Inspect
nswer
Powell }
said, “Sv
tion wh
pretty lo
have lea
and you
attorney
afternoo
proceedi
also told
her will
her -mo
murdere
“They
went tc
spoke
strong.
gument.
you kn
it was
“mother
“We')
He a
left the
J. Harr
tive Ji
Hurlbe
Powell,
his mu
with a
“Whi
wife a)
rell as
accoun
The
easy, ¢
a littl
tY
\N
1E
rE
i
MASSUS POWELL was in his 50s, with gray hair,
the kindly face of an old- fashioned minister of the '
gospel, and'the soul of a cold-blooded murderer.
On March 1st he stood in the kitchen of his wealthy
mother-in-law’s home at 1431 Laurel Street in Jack-
sonville, Florida. His wife lay dead in the bathtub, tee
stripped of all her clothes, and his mother-in-law,
Mrs. Lou Speer; was on the floor of the porch outside
the kitchen, her head smashed to a pulp. :
Murder was now an old story to Powell, but this one
was different from the others, more bloody. Also there —
was an element of danger he had never faced before.
His first murder had been committed many years be-
fore, when he was only 15. He slashed a boy friend to.
death because of an argument.
His family was rich and politically powerful. They
got him out of prison within two years. A year later he
murdered George McFay, an older man who caught
him stealing from his store. Again the family, went to
bat for him, but he had to serve seven years before _
their money and prestige could get him a parole.
He promised to reform. He did this until the feeling
of blood, the sadistic thrill murder gave him was too.
strong. Evelyn Snarat, his sweetheart, was his next
victim. By this time his family was getting weary of
spending large sums to keep him out of trouble. He got
30 years for this murder. As a-last gesture his family
got him free in 12 years and told him bluntly to get out.
They wanted no more of him.
So he went to Jacksonville to start a new life. His
graying hair and his ministerial look made people like
and even trust him, despite his prison record. Money
was his: problem. He solved this by courting Katie
Speer, whose mother, Mrs. Lou Speer, was the richest
woman in Jacksonville. The marriage was a great so-
cial event and for two years Powell lived a life of ease
and respectability.
But the urge to kill still lurked in his mind. It burst
forth when he and William Cowles, a prominent Jack=
sonville lawyer, had an argument on the street. Cowles
died a few hours later in the hospital, with a slashed
throat and body.
Again Powell was behind bars. His family refused to
help. His mother-in-law filled the breech by spending
$50,000 in his defense and later on his parole. He
walked out of prison after three years and into the
arms of his loving wife. All would have been well if he
The suspect gave police a reason for cleaning bloodstained
kitchen but it didn’t sound as convincing as he had planned
PITT EE
had stayed in his wife’s arms, but women were his chief
interest in life and in an unfortunate accident, his wife
a caught him in bed with another woman.
- The fury of the wife and mother-in-law was in-
‘creased many times by the knowledge they had just
spent $50,000 to get him out of prison. The wife an-
nounced she was divorcing him and the mother-in-law
kicked him bodily out of the house, giving as a fare-
well shot the information that she was changing her
-will so that under no circumstances would Powell ever
get his fingers. on a penny if anything happened to her
ns _ daughter. Vie
. This presented a. problemi to Powell that required
cor ee =
See ae a
S33
- >. ;
rE
an
stisaiaaeieciamtitinsielii — ible sialic
quick action, before Mrs. Speer could change her will.
At 9 o’clock that evening Powell was on the back porch
of the home, knocking lightly on the kitchen door. Mrs.
Speer opened it. Powell’s left hand shot out, grabbed
her by the wrist and pulled her out into the darkness. ,
He had a hammer in his right hand and the first: blow
knocked the elderly woman unconscious...Two more
blows smashed her skull and she lay on the porch floor
dead.
Powell walked into the dining room. Kate was at the
buffet, heard him and turned quickly and gave a scream
of terror. He was on her, the hammer crashing down
on her head. Stunned and moaning weakly, blood gush-
ing from her wounds, she broke away from him and got
to the kitchen. Here Powell sent one well-directed blow
and she crumpled to the floor.
The blood stopped flowing and Powell knew she was
dead. He tossed the bloodstained hammer in the sink,
turned the water on. He was breathing heavily. The
first part of his plan had worked according to schedule.
He reached down and pieked up the body of Kate and
carried it into the bathroom,
He stripped the clothes off her and put her in the
bathtub. This double murder had to be handled with
skill, There would be no chance for a self-defense plea,
as there had been in the Cowles case. Nor would there
be‘any family to put up large sums of money if any-
thing went amiss.
Powell faced a peculiar double problem. He had to
make sure that the bodies of the two women would
never be found, which would mean under the Florida
laws that there would be no arrest or conviction for
him, yet at the same time, in order to inherit the Speer
fortune quickly he had to establish the fact that Mrs.
Speer and Kate were dead.
There hadn’t been much time to formulate a plan.
His first problem was to make sure the bodies would
never be found. He had read once where if the stomach
of a person was cut open, then the gases would escape
and the body would never rise to the top of a river or
lake.
Powell walked to the kitchen cabinet and found the
sharpest knife. He wasn’t much of a surgeon. Opening
the stomach of Kate was a messy job. Then he brought
the dead Mrs. Speer into the bathroom. His wife was
wrapped in a blanket that would absorb the blood and
laid on the bathroom floor. Mrs. Speer was placed in
the tub and her stomach slashed.
Powell piled the clothes taken from the two women
‘up against the wall. He had to have other clothes, the
ones they would be wearing if they went out. So
he went upstairs, first to Mrs. Speer’s bedroom where
he took a coat, hat and gloves from the closet. Then he
entered the bedroom used by his wife and himself.
He opened the closet door, grabbed a coat and hat. He
smiled.as he looked at the expensive suit the two wom-
en had purchased for him when he walked out of
prison. +
The vest was a costly silk plaid. He didn’t like it, as
his tastes in clothes ran to the conservative, but he had
worn it to please the women. After taking these clothes,
he went back downstairs. The matter of weighting the
two bodies down in the waters of Lofton Creek, five
miles north of Jacksonville, was quickly arranged.
‘In the garage were several parts of an old automo-
bile engine. These were placed in the car with a good
‘supply of rope. Fifteen minutes later Powell was driv-
ing out of Jacksonville, the two bodies in the back seat
with the weights and rope. In the front seat lay the
pile of clothes taken out of the closets. The bloodstained
hammer was also in the front seat.
Four miles from Jacksonville he turned off the high-
way and onto an isolated country road that led through
- the woods to Lofton Creek. At the creek bank,’ he
jumped out. The ground was muddy but footprints
didn’t worry him. He picked the body of Kate out of
the car, threw the blanketed weight over his shoulder,
walked to the edge of the water, where he tied a rope
to the body and the part of the old engine.
Getting Kate into the water was the next problem.
She was too heavy to throw in the creek, so he walked
out into the water, slid the body off his shoulder, and
it went some distance out and sank slowly below the
surface.
Mrs. Speer was sent into the water in the same man-
ner. There was some trouble with the blanket, which
tac Inspector Acosta (I.) and State’s Attorney Harrell had cir-
cumstantial evidence but needed proof in “perfect. crime”
caught on
lent shove
Kate had
The he
wrapped
the car se
clothes oi
some dis
hurled th
ter. Then
got some
cloth on
certain tt
As the sn
over the
This dc
sure he !
fire had s
he could
garments
examinec
river and
ing that
several r
In unbur
Dyrenfor'
killer’s st
2
n-
as
ich
Serer
PE OM OIND oe ES
caught on a rock. Powell gave it a vio- —
lent shove and it went far beyond where
Kate had sunk to the bottom. ene:
The hammer was still in the car, |
wrapped in paper to keep the blood off re
the car seat. Powell took it and also the
clothes of the two women and walked
some distance up the bank. Here he -
hurled the hammer far out into the wa-
ter. Then he piled the clothes in a bunch, e
got some twigs and grass and set the:
cloth on fire. He watched until he was
certain that most of them were burned. .
As the smoke died down, he kicked dirt
over the ashes to hide them from view.”
This done, he looked around to make
sure he had left no clues behind. The
fire had stopped smoking, and as far as-
he could see, only ashes remained of the
garments. Then he went back to the car, -
examined the ground at the edge of the ©
river and around the car. He found noth- »
ing that looked suspicious, and after.
several:minutes, he got in the car and
ha
\
In unburned clothing remnants (below) Dr. -
Dyrenforth found tiny fabric bit that broke
killer’s story: after microscopic examination
drove back home to Jacksonville.
- - When he got back to the house he eee |
“was faced with the job of washing 8
the bloodstains from the floor. -He
‘did this carefully, knowing all the I
stains couldn’t be removed. He had AN
“a ready explanation for these. For a
several weeks he had fed the dog,
which. had died the day before, raw
and bloody meat. He could claim
these stains were from the dog meat.
It was 3 o’clock before all this was
completed; Powell sat down in the
living room, poured himself a stiff
_ drink of Scotch and soda and drank
it. He was trying to review every
‘detail of his plan. There was a feel-
ing of nervousness, a sense of fore-
_boding, that he couldn’t completely
throw off. Any small part of his
plan could throw all out of gear. It
didn’t seem so simple and so safe
now that it had happened. He
poured himself a straight shot of
Scotch, downed it in one gulp, got
up and went upstairs to bed.
Daylight (Continued on page 76)
juet by auny means the least exagge what Deputy Wheeler Says. pels so ee See pa ai,
aba i is there for you to 800. <a or ease en in} elghta, which strengthens my bel
“Many: interesting paimnphiets ure to Debaly Wheeler was , Mi {that t waa he who fired the shot t
) “Bun of Fri {D0 bad for: the asking, which éxplaing | ‘B® Seminole Hotel Friday afternoon yitied Me. Hall. 1 cama to Gals
’ As announced in The Sun of Frise detail just. wbat the respective | * ten the feporter called. The: offi °F i ville: this morning to get nome sie
EY day, counsel for the Perry's made Aloe yield cer acre and the mumber} 08S slept scarcely any since We diets) tg testifying at the coroner's
oS Bard Aght for them, but whether they jot crops to be rilsed annually. The) 227 Blgbt He sald: _ }queat.” ne
ey.can carry the battle further, with ORY thes Waa eck inepeseaet with: the! “Upoti astroenton of Berit Ramee Was Worthy Verran Mane
Py P*turance of result, remains to. be showing made and winbes to apeal for 8% 1 left ciaingsriie Thureday, Marehal Jostah tall was ‘about
f= Hoth sides presented petitions iapee {ios F the attention of tee reaee banker Labi ani eee old: and was bight regard
ae Hfalr visitors to make a vtsit to this! ae phy Ris acquaintances, He was @
oe % rds «a >, . a iti * ‘ " vi ~ oe
4a ‘af ae * niente acaeree Stig jehxibit whose attendants are more | Dim with delling whiskey, also a war oe Mtr nnd Mrs. Mat Hall of Oran
ing the culm to ‘
oe were j inan willing to go into details reps. {rant for WU) Jones, het eee Meighin. Several weeks ago, Wh
HET tive oto the -territery that they ‘rep. ford county upon & charge of ansault U. DyalFeaigned the: position
ate tie nt an “ . tresent. This ehalbit is locaed at the, "itt futent, to. mnarder. Mr Ramaey i nay in Waldo, Mr. ital) waa a
ae That the State's interests were ane eee norton end of the Art Hall; 4Yited that T go via AValdo and re pointed to fill the unexpired ter
pe ARSED reilly Me. $e tence By. ANe main iste. Grand Rapids _(Mich.) | Test. Marshal, Hall to accompany me jay. funeral and interment “peeur
ne er ee ee Newer Bept Tin oes ee —... |to a mitt near Orange Eeigh seats, on Friday afternoon, it is undereto.
gp, SF avh of the: oth a , Rees Toe By BE enim I had ressop to believe 1 em, bot <Lonnie Lowig, the negro sought by
EEome “Wednentar'~atersion "trom /BRAOFORD, COUNTY'S Wew —*tHtOWMU ATS employed. |, ame, Lam IME RETO Oran
“ : : $ Heishia off and On for twenty yea
; pug enerseday 7 & aveia |) 8) Bucci ge eco ee eo o | tMarshal Hall readily agreed to go
fe ronson, where be had been tu'avtend-j| Sitbealld 4 HERE ON: ERIDAN with me, so we went to the saw mi!) or mora” Wet abont 24 Yearw’ <
age and of xinger cake hue, mestiur
murder of Deputy Sherif! Chas, H.
~Slaughier, of Archer -on May 11tb,
é “
oq loi? i
Pe
"Ea :
Bt en.
Re Been
ance. whoo -the fall, term. of; Circelt BY Auiet pees sae mie sinieete during the morning. but could not Jo-
ee Court for Levy connty The docket |" In speaking oi the arrest of Juin irate the negroes we wanted. 348 ne Prieog proportion, He was brous!
Gee Was a light one and the work of Aha" Norris; the ~ erstwhile resident’ of | varned to Waldo, arriving there about here tant veal upbe jee ede
pe Court, wae, finished ‘Jo a little “more [Hague The Blarke Telegraph of the {nogp,,b paked Mr. Hall would ‘It nol ling whtakoy tomethes with'os :
gy than*two days.” Mr. Loug teft’ this! voth enya: nach - [be a good plan for me to go out to othera bat lwae released By ! ]
& Morning for Tallahassee jn response | “Norris’ troubles did fot end when |the mill ‘settlenfent in the evening taix hoe? Pridey les i hea
ecto # telegram from) Governor Gil) giamurd stopped ‘proceedings ggainat{and locate the men after dark. He bean locataa © . ne
Fehrint asking him to represent the nim Jj. W. Andresa of Starke, who! replied that it would not be advisable, aE
* State at the hearing of the Petition poids the first mortgage on the stock | as they might not come tn from the
sy
& for commutation of the death sent-lig questign, went to Gaiuesvilie Mon-j woods before a late hour aed 1 wouta | “188 tetera LEAVES AS
= ence passed on Cain and Fortane! qa) and caused Nurris ta be rear-jbe alone, He added that it would be | BRIOE FOR CANAL ZONE
z Perry at the spring term of the Cir | posted and he ts now in the Alachua; beat for mo to remain In Waldo un” rE rca
euit Court for Alachua county.” t jail awaiting & hearing of blé case: ti! late tn the afternoon, when we | HAWTHORN, Sept, 20--At the:
sBeiet Summary of Cases. ‘Stafford, the second Mortgagee,} would go to Orange Hotgbia and tind | ride'a home un Lake Street Wednes
Deputy C. H. Slaughter and FY ‘(ek poneedsion=of the’ tnules after (he nexroes in the evening. jday aftertoon at y O'clock, Hey 4
i White killed about four miles from compromiaing tatters with Norra.) “About good dark Thursday evening 4. Blaney joined tn wedtock Mina
Archer on night of May itch. leeut them over into Marion county; Me Hall and myself teft Waldo for) 'dezie Jobneon and Mr 5. He Poole
Cain and Fortune Perry, father and ‘Gear Citra, but Mr Andrgss followed) Orange Helghts We ingulred aboot fF Cristobal, canal tone, Panama.
; gon, and Lige Rrown, arrested fol jim up with @ Ceputy sheriff! end atthe men we wanted along the way, apd. Mine Johnson ta » daughter af the
t lowing day. ‘tached the mul+s, thus regaising pues. | reached the Heighta abet 7 p. ™% Waite Dr W. W. Johnson, a highly cul-
¢ Indiéted by grand jury two weeks : wesiowu of the ni ‘naked around for an haur. or more, sid aad weil-neioved lady of this
later. re mee Baeiy Bt Detinark of Starke bat ditn't eee either Lewts or Jones place, The groom is & splendid gentle
Tried and convicted and sentenced | in wged through Gatuesville Friday the feawon T requested Mr Halt to Han Ih every respect, pnd ie a cor
© within two weeks from date of indie juiorarg en routs home from Reddick, | go sith me was beracee he knew Doral of the Panama nome police. He
ment fwhere ie went an Thuredas to Tegaio the weeds and was weil acqusinted:'* & native of Coljait, Ga, and kas
7 Rrown's case appeaied ta Mapreme i Matin aris ah the Mon Raises tie | wth Lannie Lewta : ; Teen bh thas ‘anual zone for three years
r Court, which cannot be heard before lie The Fatal Bhot Fired. iwhere he bas been employed by the
¥ next month Bteve, ae Sher ik nicark ie known «© “About & 26 Oelock, «while we were i! Hiled tates.
Cain and Fortune Perry's Avath oy the rediedents of Erastlord, te the letanding near a2 enleredd church, in! The many {rietids of Mrs. Poole, |
. Warrants tesued by Governor Oring! ici, tiving man who bab ever served which there were (hirty or forty ne. “ith congretulations, bede the hase i
- date of execution August 22rd jthat county In this position. He wae efroee, 2 man approached Mr. Hall: ?Y couple goodbye at the train that
Upon pressure of counsel for FOR") Merit Gurite the fatter a's, asd waaifrom behind. 1 was shout. 9 feet [boars them toward New York City.
. demned men reprieve granted Sati) teteston by outs six totes te the last from my rompenten at the (me, and .ffom which Placa they will sali for
_ September 2th to asliow ¢asee to > campaign in which KE Johns waa ifrom the view # had hr dim moon; Cratobal ot September 26cm Sf
Presented to Uoard of Pardons. | bi acched sheri@ of fradferd. Hut light the negro sas te the act ef | —
September 1b, board demied a> inves “came back” ia the jate pet | passing Hall whee the atte? reeog. | GOV. WILBON AND THe HON, |
Frrations fer clemency. _ | mary, Gefeaitng three of the best | nized-—-or sented to retegnize—tei te: ise
Date tor riecution set for Reptem. Sawn pT RENTS pe thai am wader ine iasreanion thal ee LM dain MEET a OMicaco
“ ry - me
© ber Tith—one week from today. oRem, his malerity over the trio be. Sisll remarked bie hand ent ge tf tp ~ CHICAGO, to ws ;
o {FF rere ; t 1¢ eee et ee izrah the ‘ a Bes rhe Se vt. Ger F lees
: Proepectars Here. pe : Tee sheeting toll arrived here ‘ moraing, en-
. Mr. Peumsrk would net have as ilowed The mas . pee es i
Among the visitnrs to Gainesville | gimed the Saetieg fet oherttt be ne scar eee reed thustastic over the reception accord
are J. A. Cock and 8. W. Toute of ifore Janaary peat but {oy the tact
“Lake City, S. C_ who are Be¥e os ai thas Sherif John N. laegford mation the
Prospecting tour Mr. Young ts one! gg uatitecty death is a Seats Ble
. OF the leading planters of his section ‘Bore! several weeks me tee rile
I of the Palmetto Rtate, bring im the Sor ‘realised tbat Me. oe
+ giaea’ ef cotton planters who ‘prot the b eo pe er rk red
: (908 bales from ® acres. They wit term of the slein> mas, aE
be Waieatned as cifizsze of Gainceviiie pointed the somines.
t
y
s
y
in!
he
-
r
4
> Mies, Meward Deed. JS fire. Geevens Witt Speak.
P- The macy Omede of Mra Howart.[ ay young married pecgle of” the teetantty
he past two stesces manage of the | rey wader thé sae of 1 sot haring |taled to
z
¢
F
= invited ie 4 lective to be delivered
A. hewptalitg Mire. Marie HUbtsh Stevens 3!
worth Mat tomorrow meraing of
Pre ee Me tee |
et EA
(911)
Com.
iy tly, However, and Result In
on ; Doubt Tint Finish.
bree: Gilbert M. “Younglove, proprictor of
a rida,
“py the
allege 00
_ FLORIDA'S
se eh ne mcr
‘SUNDAY. 5
ad
~ —— age ‘
YOUSGLOVE AUTO CON.
TEST CLOSES NOV. 14...
SEPT
- eyo nnreene
AUN- i MISS Louise WALKER iS STILL:
F. LIN THE LEAD.
ae
Other Contestants Are Climbing Stead-
the Younglove Theatre, one of Flor:
ida’s most moderp “movie” Douses, {3}
being showered with aeonalaraat |
upon the great success that has attend
insti Jed the contest he inaugurated several
i this weeks ago, and through which some
te isi}young lady or gallant knight of the,
Mur- | University City will be afforded the |
| pportunity to spred-—not over the
amt | tiemit prescribed by council—-ever our
t the. niles of Vitrifled paved Chorouxhlares
rand via a waguiflcent Flaadera “20° car
When we say “wiles of 7 vitrined
we infer Uhat ibe Geor
will
ans:
enta-
ister: |
‘thoroughfares”
‘
both bave
gia Engineering Company
Zz ac: olmpleted a Large portion Of the pend
ly is img contract by the date the contest
sone closes © November lith. Now ticu to!
with. your ealendar or almanac and see:
are: “What day the fourteenth of the burkey tin
etton devour:ng month Will bit on Well
Loo save you the trouble--it'll be
n al}. day “Thank you,” you Bay,
; Material Is Arriving Almost Daily and |
» Magnotia,
idttaeres oof approxnuinately $205,000 far,
Spa Tt,
Thurs i Ys
Tevserryers .
nn pennies eagle ST ADAG ALE EL LO EF
a nee oe a Et
ne
2 a rr
EM BE R 22,
many
ip 0
oan ghee ee eee ee meen
(CONTRACT FOR PAVING
~ HAS BEEN EXECUTED
r
wet
‘GEORGIA ENGINEERING COMPANY |
AFFIXED SIGNATURE.
Soon Work of Paving wilt Be
On in Earnest.
cate mitt Sl A EA: ILE,
7
“TEN CENTS A WEEK
WORK ON DOUBLE GAL-
LOWS BEGINS MONDAY
CAIN AND FORTUNE PERRY HAVE
LESS THAN SIX DAYS LEFT.
County “Commissioner Pedrick will
Authorize Erection of New
Tomorrow.
Gallows
“Chairman H. EF, Taylor of the Roard j
of Public Works on Friday recely ed j
from the. Georgia Engineering Conm- |
pany, August, Ga., properly exec uted, |
the contract covering the paving with
vitrifled brick of the public square, }
}
West Main and University streets, and |
Masonic,
portions of Mechanic, Union,
Garden sad Pleasant!
streets,
The
contrast provides for an expen:
}
storm
3 {rhea
ervclustve oof Rewelrs,
which wilh cost between ana
$5000,
By the termtis af Che document, the!
granted a pertod of
which to begin work, but
tike tf. Tn faced
feranive ctrping were re |
eontractota were
60 dayacin
thes oclheb nog
Pa eral
“~rTireia at
eoveditrere before the cautrdet Was
The (leormta coneerp
of the fact,
wltycexeented
vere cognizant hawever
ex- it tur future ure, We assure vou THe liar Ghee Would be one tufoh between!
will Dleasure is all yours, But, kind reed on. verbal agreement and the execu
nees «TF, do iB this favor, and yourse!{ also tien of (he paged, imm@stmiict web thes
Run into Younslow wy both oo tuatiner ‘teal deponited with tbe Boarmdk of Vit
ind night and see tae excolient le jie Worker a certified cheek far ateaut
; Drires. “They're all good--every reel le gry aoe to “keep the faith”
yous prize, there are no blanks at Young Frow present tndtcations the pubtie |
rida. | towd's. Then cast Ube coupon for your souare, which mat receive flrat atten
#2 favorite in the contest, a “tion accomding to the ordinanes pro: j t
bce? Misa Louise Walker, who has matt foiding for the bond fase, will be paved |
JTS talned a lead for the past three wor four! prier to November Tat, after whle
HICH lb weeks, ix ati] in her accustomed pa
eek) wition, However, since the date of the:
iste nish haa heey announced other con
wer, itestante will go to work with renew
(Can-) ad interest and the result will be fn
2 ; absolute doubt until the last coupon
lis counted on the closing date. ~ -
The standing of contestants when
¥ eh {the cou ‘was completed on Friday
Mon: | {was aX follows: :
Ya j Mine Loulse Walker Sees a 2 O70
j Mins bvo Futeb Ste nies se ge AS,290
inte nele Truidley Willams EA O10
i Miss Addje Richardson 2 ST K20 |
| Mine Fllpor Crom...) 1h Ald)
» [Mise Ruth McDonald ma Be: 172,930
jonat Contest will close Nov. 14th, 1912.
will:
fis LTAMPA GIRL was ‘AWARDED
pent one v, 0. c- BCHOLARSHIP
fet
airt’s
Agaakter® of
Graham of Na
; Mina Gladys Grabam.
Vrof end Mraeo hE ¢
thie «ebty
Miwa Htr
- ee myer has receiv
cdg fest tee teeth vurd of Pal
{Nein Main street wilh be the
iTHAT LOVE “FINOS A WAY"
eo dG bE BUCK rareties, ofthe. sivactaus
acete of:
cope cunt lates 4
“WAS PROVEN SATURDAY
t
'
The Gainesville exchange of the
Southern Hell Telephone Cc ompany han
lont another of ita eMcient operators
nen ‘of matrimony.
Mr. Fred Reott and Miss Kuby Paul-
jine’ Knight became acquainted sotae
(riendahip waa traneforined
vja the
(me BRO,
inte love ‘and these proposal ful
lowed Thie le Year” “year, “however,
and proposals are always in order
brideolect was, “teluctant to become
Mra “Reott “whpout the consent for her
‘ cortainty
‘fram County Commissioner CG. C.
tractor
|
: the
‘wald,
Sitting upon thelr bunks [In a cell of
the Alachua county jail, Cain and For-
tune Perry, father and son, condemned
to die next Friday between the hours
of ll a. m. and 2 p.m, will Monday
hear the nolse of the hammer and
the buzz of the saw made by workmen
who will be employed to construct
if double gallows with the end In view
of thelr exvecution, This was made a
Saturday by the statement
Ped-
rick that, upon request of Sherif? Ram-
sey, he would have a new gallows con-
structed, and that work would begin
Monday morning.
The gailows du che old jail ts equip.
sped only for single executions, but It
in the purpese of the aytharities to
‘hang both Catn and Fortune Perry at
the same time.
The seafolding with be orectad {na
portion of the court surrounding the
but on exactly what apot has
uot been This, bowever,
with be determined Monday, when Con-
Gaakina makes preparations
for the atructure upen which, If the
thew jall,
xiven out.
sentences of the court are carried out,
ctwe of the men convicted of the mur-
derof Deputy Shertff Chas. H. Slaugh-
rter will expinate the ertme,
Counsel for the men made every ef-
\fort to have the death sentence com-
State Foard of Par
sitting at Tallahassee Friday,
Interfere with the action
When apprised of
the elder Perry
if jt has tc he thia way,
inated, Dut the
ions,
refused to
fof the trinl cennrt.,
board's action,
“Well,
we want ta know tt."
[BROTHER OF FAMOUS ACTRESS
TRAVELS IN COVERED WAGON
"Merv and Mra. doae Pralitc. who
have been residing at: via Myery and
other points in. Mouth “Florida: several
month, passed — through Galnearilie
Haturday en route >to -Jacksony.“e,
They: were traveling In ao coveted Wa”
Kon, and. “earcled the Inhabitants ot
the fowl yard “en traine” 29 22>”
pot hes wagon, ‘ogether. '
vance muard, a bug
Cratires, attracted
qa renta. hence the contracting parties
3 Yoo oat f has sal train Na 1a, ae" le; Sattar *
tay tnerning ad went to LaCrosse,
oPeee the rea eents Ve and Mere tf
¢ tentian, as
, who
aa did also” two. Wagttah “Nal!
‘dogs antl a small tostan tull tetrier
poaltions
werupled cubaplenous
or Yaw
Saag
af MINES
=<
VOL. XXIX. ‘NO. 13
en ti NAA OLR
ee aie
= —S i so an I Se ee cfs PTI. RECEP
Alu awh CODTTN ATLANTIC COAST LINE ADVER- TAY. ‘YOUNG FF
CAIN AND FORTUNE : PER. TISING FLORIDA'S RESOURCES {wo 53 SINATED t rand
_ RY MUST HANG SEPT. 27! Located : the extreme north end ASSASS
of the Art Hall of the Atlantic Coast
- BOARD OF PARDONS REFUSED TO/| line Railway Company have come/ JOSIAH » HALL, cD MARSHAL OF
COMMUTE Ry, . Brats “feblan “weiiceadxers the MALO, THE VICTIM.
eR NON
advantages of - Southern soil, This
exhibit is truly interesting to ‘the pros-
pective farmer. Not seeking to- sell |
you ‘fand, the - “Atlantic. ‘Coast Line]
2 eeacuilter are “showing the pos-| -
Ea teee ; = sibilities of» this territory. through
‘8p cial To Tae pee ahh ther: oraniess ‘Land in val
ri “is edt section Is sold at. &@ very. conservat ve
TALLAHASSEE, | Flay, Sept, 20.— lost... ‘In nearly all cases two or. more
he applications. for ‘commutation ol Fesag gre: ralsed annually. The soll
eath sentences in’ cases of Cain and ris excelled in’ no part of the United
ortune Perry were denied by | the! States. ‘Sugar cane plays a conspicu-
ies State’ Board ” of Pardons iat ‘ous part, yielding 30 to 6€@ tons to
‘session here today. Execution has! jthe acre at ain average price of $3.50
F Cask Was Before Body. At ‘Tallanas-
see Friday—Outcome Was An- cy
ss _ ticipated. By ears ue <
Sheriff Wheeler When Black Man
Fired “Bullet” “Through:
ety
Him.
_
Sn
We regret to chronicle ‘the asuassk
nation ot another of Alachan county’ 8
worthy young, men, for in the death
of” Josiah “Hall, “marshal tof Waldo,
the East Ena lost’ one of tte. most
promising citizens,
Marshal Mall was Ritied’ at Orange
aS Sidts
;
'
'
™ AGILE LENE It LO BIEL AR: ghee rota Peete oF
; “been ordered for September 27th. : it $5 per ton. Alfalfa, oats, water-| Heights ‘Thursday night about 8:30
} <-apptond cee Sia melons, pineapples, peaches, barley, jo’clockh, and the story of the deed Is
© The above telegram explains what, voor and all tropical frults are|pest related in the following told The ,
& ts copsidered will be tbe final action |
‘shown in profusion. Especially inter-!sun man by Deputy, Sherif EF.
om f se a esa to eerie eee is the showlug of corn. Stand: Iw hecler, whom the slain man Was As:
k ‘ hes A of th ‘ing about IS feet in height, this t® visting at the time.
F ne ee © not by any means the least exagge- What Deputy Wheeler Says
‘murder of Deputy Sheriff Chas. H. ‘rated. It is there for you to see. if fr : be
. Slaughter -of. Archer on May 11th, | Deputy Wheeler was in bis toon in
: 7 Many Interesting painphiets are to. ae
© W122 , ‘the Seminole Hotel Friday aftesnoon
) - e : be bad for the asking, which éxplains! ;
As abhbouncer n ie un oO leu ie reporter called. le olce
A d in The $8 f Fri- Hin detail Just. ‘what the respective wi th sorter called. T! ficer
jhad slept scarcely any’ sluce Wednes
t day, counsel for the Perry's made at
: cou axtt Ge th areal ne , crops yleld per acre and the number: ' Hi id:
at sabes art. atee regltingt ME crops to be ralsed annually. The [aay aigue. . Eoreige
pa
captatneryet dt _ oh ide ae ™ sr iwriter was much impressed with the |
abe ete mrt Lr sae ee i showing made and wishes to speal for
aay : fihem in calling the attention of the
Both sides presented petitions to ;
| fair visitors to make a isit to this
> the Board of Pardons, but Chose favor-' atti odes ‘sitandaate ee
‘
“(bx Uie culmination of fentsuce Were han wilflag?io’ ao ‘Into’ detail: tole
stall :
j { :
oh pened , bere tive to the territory that they rep
pate atrane -This ehxibit is Jocaed at the} 7
r 1 left Gainesville
‘morning, having in wy possession a
warrant for Lonnie Lewis charging
him with seUing whiskey, also a war
rant for Wil Jonea, wanted tn Read
faeyv
e
are
i
the
* ¥
ith intent to murder Mr. Ranmey
resent.
i prests were look- ua as . |
read wae sa Sees a pe Dent cutracea: gorte-end of the An: Hall jadvined Chat T go via Waldo and re!
Pig e 4 e ‘ * ‘)
‘Sed after carefully ts ed b {main cle —irand Rapids ..iMich.) | atte “ut Marshal Hall to ac company me
=foiiuwing frum The Starke Tele News Geet. 3ith. j to a mill near Orange Letghty, where |
rt had reson to belive thértiien, : bot
bebtabdess, were employed.
tarsha! Hall readily ssreed ta go
SHERIFF HERE ON FRIDAY); with me, so we went to the saw mi!l
‘ iduring the morning.
In speaking o1 the arrest of olotin {cate the negroes we wanted, We re
Norris, the erstwhile resident of 'tArned to Waldo, arriving there about
Hague, The Starke Telegraph of the | noon, Tl asked Mr. Hall would it not
Zou saya: ibe a good plan for me to ge out to
“Notris troubles did pot. end when the mill settlenfent Inthe evening
Stafford stopped proceedings againat and tocate the men after: ‘dark. He
him. J. W, Andrews of Starke, who | replied that it would hot be “adrisable,
holds’ the first. mortgage op the stock [as they night. not ‘come! ‘tn from ‘the
in question, went to Gulnesvitie Mon | woods before a late hour and 1 would
day and caused Norris to be rear-jbe alone He added that it ‘would be
rested and he is how in the Alachus best for me to remain. in Waldo un
jait awaiting Py hearing of bis case. ti! late. dn. the ‘afternvoa, when we
“Sufford the ~ ‘pecond — ‘mortgages, would ray to ‘Orange “Helghts and Bad
took: possession ‘ot the mules” after [the Heeroes ‘fo the evening.
White killed ‘about four miles “from | compromising” Matera’ with Norris, “About good dark Thareday areatng
Archer on night of May 11th. sent them over into” “Marion county} Mr. Hall and myself teft Waldo tor
Cain and Fortune Perry, father aud tnear Cire, but, Mr, Andegwe followed | Orange Heights. We inquired about
tbe men we wanted along ‘the Way, and)
2 graph of the 20th:
“State Atrorney A.V.
= bome Wednesday ~ afternoon — from
ppronecs. where be had been fn attend:
S ance upon the fall term of Chreutt |
“ Court for Levy county. doc ket |
a
'
BRADFORD COUNTY'S Naw
«
Lone returned
wm +
— <=
The
ons a light one and the work of the
¢ was finished In a little more
“FO art
§ shan two days. Mr. Long lett this
BE scrsing for. Tallahassee Py response
‘to 2d telegram from Governor. Gil-
jy christ asking bim to represeat. the
© State at the hearing of the petition
for commutation of the death sent-
, ence passed on Cain and Fortane
» perry at the spring term: ot the Cir
’ evit Court. tor Alachua county”
- Brief Summary of ‘Chisae
= Deputy CHE Blaughter and r. v.
my, tet
gon, and Lige = ated arrested fo diem 8D hetind s Bepaty sheriff and at Gang
Bedatas defo 535 ome qauls -l reached the Hetents shout 7p. mo We late Dr, W. W. Jobasob, a highly eul-
“Anditted spy weak gary | two, rocks ‘pmaiol Ol them. == paisa eoked, around | ‘for, sn hove fate tifed and Wellbeloved lady of. thie
eto ie agree eg Raaritt —_ .- Thetemer® of “tarke but “didn’t ane ‘elther ‘Lewle é ¢: place. The. me nei bof id gentle :
Tried | and convicted, and sentenced pissed through Galnesvilte | tall taj ae "every
Friday! The reason 1 ‘requested. Mr
within two weeks from ‘date of indict imorniaR et fuiite “home from fleddick, Hs) “eR pre ‘wae beeen he knew
be went ou Tht relay to fewatu tha enods and was eel arquainted |
at
® he
i
ine nt! te
a. ARF ART os af zt » ts
ech Lannte Lewls
ESVILLE, FLORIDA S SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 4 i 1912
Young. “Man: “Was “Asaiating Deputy |
hj
“Upon instruction of Sheriff Ram. |
Thuradas ;
‘ford county upon a charge of assault.
but eould pot Jo!
jot shooting, and were ae oe ag excited, |
jl grabbed Mr. Hall's _pistol to Keep _
‘them from securing it, and then step-
| ped to our buggy, which was within |
jten steps of his body, and got a shot-
‘gun we had. [I then tried to locate
‘the man who fired the shot Into my
companion’s body, but he was not to
be found. If he was near, he was in
the crowd.» 1 think he kept going.
howrver, after he fired, :
-*. Sent For Physislan.
“T gent: a. negro man, for. Dr, J. wb.
Curtiss, but he did not come; then
[ sent & “second | messenger for the
physician, but he did not come. The
first white man who joined me Was a
Mr... Dougherty, -} believe; then Mr..
Hay man and several others came up.
“Justice Dyess empanelled a cor:
oner’s jury and an investigation: was
begun. ’ ‘
“Il notified Chief Geputy Bruton tn
Gainesville of the -treeedy and he’
leame with a posse ag quickly as pos-
sible, and a search in which many
! Join. od was nade for the murderer ali
i utsht, ~ but without result Lonnie
Lewis wae not to be found In Orange
att Nehts, which strengthens my belie!
‘that it waa be who fired the shot that.
killed Mr. Hall. J} came to Gaines: |
ville. thia morning to get some sleep...
lafter ‘tomtity ing at tha coroner’a in i
ert” :
Was Worthy Young Man. }
Marshal Jostah Hall was about #74
jyears old and was high regarded
oby his acquaintances, He Was «a on
of Mr. and Mra. Mat Hall of Orange |
iTfeights. Several weeks axo, when
\. tf. Dvat restened thé porition of |
linarshal in Waldo, Mr. Hall ®as ap
:polnted to fill the unéxpired term
The funeral and Interment occurtet
on Friday afternoon, it ts understood
Lonnie Lawis, the negro sougbt by
the offtcers, haa resided at Orange
iHeights off and on for twenty years
lor mora He ts about 36 years of
vge and of ginger cake hie, medium
size in proportion. He was brourht
here last year upon a charge of sell
ing whiskey, together with one or two
others, but was released, Up to A
Jate hour. Abone et he bad. Rat
oeee. Jocated.
oe
o
visa JOHNSON Leaves: as rode
BRIDE FOR CANAL, ‘ZONE
“HAWTHORN, 3 Kept *20.- Ey Ue <the'
bride's bome “on bake street. Wednes-
‘day afternoon “at 2. o'clock, Nevis
H. Sianey ‘pined: ae “wedlock Mise
Larie Johnson and Mr. J. H. Poole
ut Cristobal, canal ‘tone, Panama, -
“Mine Jobnet ‘Is a daughter of the
‘an
Tora ‘ot the Pabama-
tie hh palive SECON Ga" end hat
wine for three pears
ce
t
ret in the cana!
2 Ve QQ ‘een eesgils
a
LORIDA, THU ‘RS SDAY, SEPTEMBER, 26. 1912.
000
*
TION. ROUSING MEETING WIL
iT. IN COURT HOUSE. LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
Even. Committee On Conatitution and By- Contractor Gaskin Finished Scaffold
~ VK Laws Wilt Make Report, and | Wednesday From Which Two
All Should Be Present. | Men Will Drop to Death.
'
|
von) There will be a rousing meeting of | Practically all arrangements have:
stiou. | the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce | been completed for the execution of |
UUINE oe court house tonight at $ o'clock, and. Cain and Fortune Perry, father and,
afity, | son, who are sentenced f0 die upon,
seni-}"" the organization will in a MATEO! the gallows tomorrow between the |
done Measure be perfected at this sessiet. hours of Tioasom. and 2 p,m. to exe
10 is dé@sired that every citizen whe date the crime which enused their.
sarly steels an interest ino the weltare of couvieton the murder oof | Deputy
i Gainesville and contiguous terricors Sherif Chas. H. ara Rear a\eebs
wssed er, om the night of Mac Tith, thts:
: be pregent. be
tain :
wnuls Poe. - Comittee appointed Ts The ghitews fa the ofd dati world
1 to President Taylor to draft copsQtston nae afford an opportunity to execute
itu cand by-laws will report tonight, and ary mien at one thie, with the te
con if you desire to voice your sentteents lore chat Sherif Ramsey seeured,
{oa openly upon the same, be present throtagh Commissioner Pedriek, thee!
oles Den't forget the hour os o'elouk TO reetion of a new gallows with ea!
night --and be on time: tire’s aowhele ac iey for two. The senffold was!
slot of advantage of being on hme acy Contractors S. i. Gaskin and:
,Come yourself and bring your mesh orgy ftites Wednesday morning The!
Abd Shore. Tell them to do Hkewine ehitform upon which the two men!
cee . will stand jast before the diop that!
_ : vilbo send them iate the Coknown be
ous ATL MEATS AND FRUITS youd is 'g feet above: ground, while
his the easy timber tolwhieh the ropes!
= MUST BE PROTECTED: «i: te attached towers sbout 10°
" fevet higher. From the ground to the
i “platform are twelve stepa and up,
Pe hail 1s an ere REGARDING i those Cain atd Fortune Perry wilt;
ae. THE MATTER, ; walk sotnetitte Tomorrow. The kal
{ ‘tows @lparatus was tested yesterday
= hand prenouneed tn good working of |
| Several days ago Marshal Vinkowson | 4.8 ;
mt arrested a trio of fruit dechiers for vio |
"at -jation of an ordinatce specifying hat : Apparently No Hope.
Nticertain fooda tust be corered oF; ’ The Sun representative called Wed
AN i gcreened while on sale to prevent con- iherday alfernoon to see the doamest
leaminatiog of jefetion through me |". and although they are apparent
/ wel dium of tee fy ar oftGer thaset, When |! in as good apirita as could be ex
~ he tthe aien were arraigned in Municipal: bected, it te plain that they entertsin
ei Acting Mayor Uroone diseharg: Hite Hope of CACADIDR the death pan
|
i
+
i Court
ed them
‘ a ae gerne omen
ae ae ee ee te eed 4... naneneee -
-GAINESVILEE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE TONIGHT
upon payment of costs, but
i
}
t
|
{
TEN CENTS A w EEK
‘ALL IN READINESS FOR
EXECUTIONS TOMORROW
alty tomorro™
Many colored ministera have cat lbend |
spon them during the paat few days,
land Cala Pesry told the reporter ve»
:thing to easy for publication
sarned each af the trig te praperts
cover their frulfa in coimytance with
‘the jas
Since that time there hae been a
:eefainide ; for wife thei fin ohaeee
_ cloth, OF auythiag that, wil} ‘beep: the:
Ries off and at the «ame tiie permit
(a dieplay of seeds offered on tha nar
wot
he ordinance, whieh oa sitnilar in
wdee..
emtece ta ¢ , ’ ° "he
terduy
tunity
that after he has had oppor
to converse with ministers thi«
morning he wit! probably have aome |
reporter Took “leave, Fortitwe Perry,
As the!
HUNT FOR HALL'S ASSAS-
SIN STILL IN PROGRESS
L BE HELD 'CAIN AND FORTUNE PERRY HAVE 'NOTHING SEEN OF LONNIE LEWIS
SINCE TUESDAY.
‘Blood Hounds
| Heights and Will Be Used if
They Are Needed. a
Carried to Orange
Loonie Lewis, the Orange Heights
negro alleged to be the murderer of
Marshal Josiah Hall of Waldo, had
not heen captured up to a late hour
Wednesday afternoon, although large
possees have been searching for him
since last Thursday night,
The man was seen grabbling sweet
potatoes ino a felt near the home of
i oF DeSha, a couple -of from
Waldo. but he
disappeared jn the woods before offf-
eers seene, and 30
‘tar ar known here nothing mare has
"Yesen seen of him.
tpt tees
early Tuesday morning,
could reach the
Wednesday Une searching party was
wuxtnented by twenty Afelrose citizens
swat in the territory between
‘Orange tletghts and Waldo, or Mel-
he wili evidently be found soo.
vers determined, {¢,
urobable that Lewis
owl) be treated roughly should he
ifall lute the hands of partion other
than sworn offfeen.
he is
Crome,
“The hunters are
ia sald, and it ta
» Lewis was warited to
Whiskey selling charge, and ft
ead that
tnawer to @
tn hint-
whould be be captured and
placed in jall adimelosures of «) sensae
p thot bature may reault,
pvery ithe In the ctilinary Hine They
‘drink considerable cocmecota and ott
ier bottled drinks, however, sent them
cdaify hy friends, no less than a dozen
They
not drank coffee alnce the advent
their
botties belag went Cherm <iuaity
haves
‘of warin weather, direetly after
‘joe arcerstion,
fath men profess a willingness to
~tf it -they pay,
They alpo atate that they are entire
‘ly at peice with God,
May Attract Crowd.
> The new acaffold fa located hetween
ithe south wall of the jal and
ite fence, about furty feet away, and
natant the
their death,
.
i
i xo fiewtia be hernes
Gow
the waeeRtion, wp to the
“Micn are preetoitaterd to
who occupntes a portion of the coll with”
Vibe ff ther
anid Mr
eo Tomek fap mee ge,
Bebitee 1 seeny
eeregy VOMe tomorrow
will be it good view of any who may
* nae standing th o‘Mbaagt feck, do wteeet gt the
‘
fitter.
Pe . : = ae tCporsec Otte aces “ft cote rs
See eee the aie pik lastaleck by: OO" Sepwahlate at 7
ORE 4s alarm over "the agricui-
, . a joint meetin Orlando and;
ituation, according to the
Me Fass 2S SP eaten cgt i ; s ;
pe CG. Ds Wolfe ‘a need the com-) 2
ers eres ee RS yee OTe : et pletion of a ‘eine me the ‘
BEd Sy eee rciers Nick ie eee tie anti othe” decision SA0S | Schedule of thelinaioy boys’ base |
RRR pron RS 7 ! tsa P bh gxeae Lest af the Alerhaa ss * n teagiied Ateparcivents tor the v
Pius naa reltw ae brough€ Fess into. the) 7°" ‘half .have* been. perfected, | “
pie dhcp ee, Meco acl cles dik 2S i ate 2k ha } second “half . ha | :
‘Sanford, Flac, MS euch ate. eee It was pointed out that ha gata. _ 7
E-TWOR ST oe a. Pe bbebbnred VOT aneessg.ooes 104
Ga sanronn BEsininiaen welcome Robert C. Pittman 3
8 Sepa Zatetneaeng ms (neenen aes ——_ == , Sansa tant j
(The Sanford Herald| Gone Tp Hell "soci Heer tne teed RR yee :
Se § re at Sansone Penden ? A year and a half hee Robert Pittman delayed too long @ Was much talk about L. P. Hi ton u
| : i : ° 1 among Hoover leaders.
41 olin Avenae. - before going home from work, saw his employer counting aid he would help Hoover |. RAIFORD,. Fla, . June 14,| 41
% em wi) *
. rtd ‘ : i
es Rad
; 2
«
ol
Pie at
'
Uzfered ga second cinee mnatter| the day's receipts in his little office, was seized by some UR- | West by his stand. for the | ~-(INS)— ees ee -
>See et Stora: Pinetoonc enh eee controllable lust for gold, gold in such smal! quantity as to by-Haugen Bill, his — | 26 years old ae y hve “ i cae “
" "Congress ot marek 3, ist.“ © be of no temptation to a normal man, and taking a club pro- of law enforcement = 1) death fe ee paren infil ain te
| ne Be the pre et meeaet ceded in a fiendish fashion to murder the man who Bad en a she Ga ons pan aaa i cabhection with the: | de
Ry , MERGES ...... ag me . : 2 ‘ . ; ' . +. je Thompson-Crowe : ene hes age le
FARE % JONES. Masaging Editor|Vided him with bread and butter for months. nt in thesrecent Chicago-elec-| death of L. P. Hilton, barber for) 1
i - SUBSCRIPTION RATES — What phantasy had arisen in this misguided negro s His selection, it is also} whose murder he was electrocuted. | ay
one Phe tae “imma §3k8)mind to make him do such a thing? If he thought at WH Aube enable Hoover td-car-: The switek which sent Pittman
What did he think he was doing? He could have had little or linois, another “doubtfull into eternity was thrown by Sher: | *
no hope of escaping punishment. What kind of training, or | and would tend to placate uff C. M. Hand and the negro was
sac : : ° ot : ie : ; . £ three” minutes | ut
ihe Herald. Suatora's pioneer mews-| lack of it, had brought him to the point where human life jlies. hath saariagacal ot ter M
DASE, subscribes te the Interna- . f: he litt] lue? Wh + 2 " * other j id “ft names of Rep. John Q.j and two secon S$ later, =
iene se, stom Newn Service, recei from was of such‘ little value? _ Nat misfortune, or other Incident es tieut, Repabli Just before Pittman wax bowed (al
WE Mie t . supertos Rowe orga : on|: > ‘ ; : * . i. ‘* t.@ il of ONNeCTICU oe re - . 2 . . i . wa és.
oe ty thousand words daily eover- in his youth, could have made an imprint upon his. mind, ein Om leader of the House:|in the chair he asked for a cigar
ing | A Line facing Me ten = to so utterly warp his mentality ? erereeeriec: (wai eorge H. Moses, of}ette. A. few moments later, afler
: : neclalty ‘cfc ent tn Fiérida adits} = We do not Say that Pittman was crazy when he com.. Hampshire, the convention's ddlaring that he made his Bay
Without equal 1 2. State news “*imitted the crime for which" he dies today: but we do say {nent chairman; former Gov.| plea of guilty through fear of be
7 yi : shor fichigs eaten to death by a mob com-| TI
| he werala ts o member of the that he was not sane,. not sane jas..we have sere to regard |'s E. ee ot pest ny aye of friends of the slain man, | cé
_ Andie Huceau’ 6€ Ctreulations, an Sanity who look upon such violént acts as relics of the old lanford ab ogd rguaie ge down in the ehair with “| bl
dl a aredeeeation of Publ stone age. We believe that some physical defect in his brain, | joldicr ibaporcton 7a oe SP me
el Amante her to wubmit ten|S0Me disorder in his nervous system, some excess to which | te to the eg
¢ , pro was exceptionally wel! th
arin aie Ps A m " ; : sa. 4. half dozen others. Stiff The negro was ex ep Bis ba th
ite . soeeme ne ay have been subjected, or so e inherited characteristic; | 4,” to Tilson in his own] educated and was said “ Me | in
‘ ° nas So : oe mY, : ay r : ois = , “d.! pe
pute 18. wrder realty 2 well‘as|Which*may have come from several generations back, .Wa84 tion and the ge graphical | studied two years at Harvard.: p
now ee
, |more largely responsible for his crime, cee 1% of Mowes were said. to, Following aaa Me 2
-EDNESDAY. JUNE an 4 is son tha lieve in capital+lestroyed their chances of | her claimed the body : ae
WEDNESDAY; JUNE 13.” It is for this reason that we do not be lestra ar tura it to Valdosta, Ga. fob barinl (4
“- a y~ |Punishment. Men are frequently held blameless when they | s¢ontinued on page 3.) pturn it te ee
HMBLE VERSE FOR TODAY do things under the influence of liquor; it is no more fair to
arent
Of ty
See. - BEWART--Steive not wii condemn aman for something done while he is under the in- |} PS
Bi man without cause, if he have|fluence of a mental defect for which he is not responsible. | oS
. done thee no harm. Envy thou not | We believe that the time will come when the normal will be ; ke g§ 5
, |... the oppressor, and choose none of {sifted from the abnormal and confined to places where they J rl een
bo iat ig? ways.—Prov, 3:30, 31,5 _j}¢2n do no harm, but we do not believe they will always be NAA @ 3. Ss 4 eel
ea in eae Fog 8 ES executed for their involuntary acts of violence. , / ae as a oe ~ 2:
‘ doesnt ne ‘> sha i Until that day comes, when evolution has progressed vantidn ‘ : Bik
»-- ‘¢alled the children’ of God, © {fat beyond its present point, we do, of course, believe that ne age one NO et &
pees ie Ste ny Ss the laws should be enforced, and that Pittman, like all the sa
a _ |rest, should take his place in the chair and be sent to his ae
The crew of the Bremen again j hell. : aw
_ brave the Atiaatir, ‘but this time —o— “yf on
Bae OEE ck Ew es , Outlawing War . Howe go
: ey : i . , - sled
Races on mee ty Kansas cite, William On Monday, Secretary Kellogg, speaking at the three | | g Ley te [ LS | c= J 5
le ae ‘J. Bryan’ wag nominated, in 1900.| hundredth anniversary of the Dutch Reformed Church in| — 5
ae ee a New York, made an earnest appeal to the various religious | ~
ATnt hn meet canvantionsl | omnes. of thte panvtess tss88e. 2. F toa a
S — * Criminal Progress Docket No. I, Circuit Court, Seminole County, Florida. Case No... 4...
a oe ** re : TO lite, farkaunvilla 4120.
nance meena " Set ee sth, Ceneral Statutes 120, Drew, J: A .
: =| arrosasys TITLE OF CASE Biro : f) bisa
a THE STATE OF FLORIDA True Bill 4 Llky
vs.
chase MLee le see pat! ash :
4 For State oa ; i |
3 Cobest- batltze (Pharr) rm Rol Geccliy |
3 senaddatec ~ Abe? a
¢ For Defendant , eo } .
= oa a DOCKET ENTRIES COST BILL |Dows. Cts.
, | Docketing $ .10 /D
Indexing “2. 0 jo
Docketing Bench Docket .U8 aed se
Aflidavit ; * 30 30
Capias Issuing _& 40 Y LZ)
E Appearance ~ 08 bat
; Issuing Witness Subpoena .2U /|\00
: vonde |"Wsthirr Tp nde Llticle Derdich Arraigning Dett. 10 70
' \, ae ‘ae Cer LPs ep Qidbprrunt ol Entering Plea 20, Ze
a | bhi @ L Le fd; uth of Cree ary eo Oc SS 4G Attach. for Witnesses 40 | |
| “ | fe ie We 7 eo ene 2. LLC ED “i a. : Swearing Jury 30 | 30
i | oo Leine oy Pesta Ed tdtimdiugn Esrereo tietat- 4 aon Administering Oath, each .06 | ys :
este Vo caticnt fra Lledtes aTeigaing Sxeesctior reslone lift Wetaing Verte 77 O
n \ 2 leon San Lek, ‘ ytsa ; fetet Cfrttedge 4.CM: Entering Judgment 30 | fe
- | ee ik Was Ze oy spams 7 a Cominitrosgt : 2 , .50 SO
* WW Be ff heath for ee éa : Recording Orders 400
- 2 O\n wettee fora piilae Geaese hake hirfaz Approving Bond 50
| Filing /ASieeuers, each .05 Va of
| 3
| Pe sae
7
haeige. fiolt fvk. Cb els
SL
Entries Progress Docket .08 Fd
7
Taxing Costs 7S 15
fee s.r Exner ©
ca) ‘
SAC botnets
ete
- #7
(),. Z Z. ay
J , Re
WS ook t .
~L. ha
¢
ie
a
i*
[Asks Court to
_ Affirm Negro
Death Penalty:
Attorney General Fred Davis!
' Has Presented Plea to |
| High State Tribunal.
|
|
!
|
; {
The Assoctated Press. |
TALLAHASSEE, [vc. 4 —aAttorney}
General Fred H. Davis ts asking tne!
| state supreme court to affirm the
‘Judgment of the euculet court for!
Seminole county in the death sentence |
i Robert Carlton Pt:tman. negro.
| Pittman was senttuced to the elece !
i tric chair for the slaying ’of L. P. Hile,;
ton, a Sanford barber A day or two!
| befure he was to die. attorneys obtain- |;
;ed @ stay of execution from the su-;
preme court, and che case has been !
‘pending tn that tribunal since imst!
June. Sentence was pronounced on |!
January 19.
‘Mr. Davis. in his motion which ne’
made returnable ODecember 13, exe ,
Plained that his «office had allowed '
counsel for Pittman tim» on several
occasions {n which to perfect the re
‘cord im the ease—rnst fe transcript |
of the record was t.'ed over a monty -
ago. but that no briefs haa been filed |
im support of the wr't of error.
_ The only defense that Pittman's at-!
torney set up for him, the attorney:
wenersl sald, was thut. in robbing Hil-!
ton, the latter struck Pittman and |
that the negro did not know that ne!
Was striming the barber so hard when!
he killed him.
; The case, Mr. Davis said, {9 another :
‘where condemned prisoners have been:
| allowed to get to chs deatn cell before |
court writs are obtained to save them,
j oeeat es the execution. :
ee Ge ee ee
PACE TWELVE
b -
NION.
THE FLORIDA TIMES-U
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION
(Jacksonville)
Monday, 5 December 1927
Page 12.
ee oe
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION (Jacksonville)
Thursday, 14 Jume 1928, Page ll.
: Negro Slayer of
Sanford Man Goes |
To Death in Chair
RAIFORD, June 13.—({AP. )—Robert
Carlton Pittman, = the was electro-
cuted here —, 2 slaying nearly
two years ago of . Hilton, a San-
rford barber.
The switch was or at 3:45 |
o'clock. by Sheriff C. Hand, of.
: Seminole county. Death was pro- |
nounced three minutes and two sec-
Fonds later. The negro went ‘to the chalr |
calmly. He asked for a cigarette. |
smoking it without the alichtest show
of emotion.
sone ek was clubbed to death. Pitt-
with having killed
ay while at ting to reb him...
was claimed by
The negroe’s
his father a Valdouts, ‘Ge, preacher.
towed the body slowly to the stake where their baitbox was
anchored. The man was ashen grey beneath his tan, the boy
greenish white, hideously afraid of being sick.
“Nothing we can do ’til sun up,” said Otis, adding grat-
ingly, “We'd better get on with the fishing. Got to have the
money for the warden.” Life must go on, though grim hor-
ror swayed and dipped and tugged at a string tied to a baitbox.
“Pa,” young James had to swallow hard before his voice
came, reedy and quavering, “remember the rich Jacksonville
women the paper said was missing? You s’pose—”
All Jacksonville was agog with a six-day mystery, the dis-
appearance of Mrs. Lou E. Speers, reputed to be worth
$50,000, and her daughter, Mrs. Katie L. Powell, wife of
Marcus C. Powell and rich in her own right. Both had ap-
parentiy vanished from the face of the earth. Powell, the
younger woman’s husband, was frantic.
The mind of young James leaped to the possibility that
this body might be that of one of the missing women.
“’Tain’t hardly likely,” Otis spoke with difficulty, yet was
glad to talk. “Reckon this is just some poor drowned thing
we never heard of—” His voice trailed off into silence.
He was no coward, this Otis Harris, but fear swooped
down upon him like some dark vulture tearing at his very
vitals. That back there and—
God in Heaven, what was that other thing farther back,
that dark shadow against the bank? If only they could go at
once for help, leaving this place of creeping horror! But
necessity drove, and through the dawn the fishermen filled
their boat with a glistening cargo of red and silver, shudder-
ing at times, yet still little dreaming that they had stum-
bled across the first link of a chain at the end of which
was one of the most macabre murders in Florida
crime annals.
When they returned to the bait cache, the
hody was giving off a sickening stench in
the rays of the sun. The full light re-
NEEDED LINK
This hammer—an_ ordinary
claw hammer such as car-
penters use—set the author-
ities on their toes. It had
been scoured and cleaned
carefully, but there were
still ominous stains on it, in
four different places,
vealed, as well, a
crushed skull. that
must have resulted
from fiendish blows.
Almost nauseated, they again attached it to the boat and
rowed to Dead Landing—prophetic name! Otis then has-
tened to a nearby farmhouse and telephoned to the Nassau
County sheriff’s office at Fernandina.
Action, fast and furious. Wires hummed between the
Nassau county seat and the headquarters of Sheriff Rex
Sweat and Detective Inspector E. L. Acosta in Jacksonville,
in the neighboring county of Duval. Within the hour not
only was the human flotsom of the early morning identified
as the missing auburn-haired wife of Marcus Powell, but the
Dark Something of the earlier morning was proved to be the
10
similarly frightfully mutilated corpse of Katie Powell's
mother, Mrs. Speers, gagged, nude but for corset and stock-
ings and with the abdomen slit, the head bashed in. County
Judge H. V. Burgess of Nassau County called a coroner's
inquest at the scene, and later the bodies were turned over
to J. M. Oxley, funeral director at Fernandina. with Deputy
Sheriff Dave Higginbotham in charge, to await the au-
topsy to be performed by Dr. R. R. Killinger, county
medical examiner, Saturday morning, March 7.
On the previous Monday, March 2, Mark
Powell, looking weary and haggard, reported
the two women missing from their home at
1431 Laura Street, with Detective In-
spector Acosta listening attentively.
“They started for the movies
Sunday afternoon at 1:30,”
Powell stated, “and I haven’t
seen them since. I drove
around most all night
looking for them, to
friends’ houses
first and then
around.
Then I
thought
mae
Lg
q
os SCIENTIST AT WORK
Dr. L. Y. Dyrenforth studied
the bloodstained hammer in
his laboratory. His conclu-
sions were electrifying. "This
is the weapon with which
the women were murdered,"
he announced,
they might have beat
me home, but their bed
hasn’t been slept in—they
sleep together,” he interpo-
lated. :
“T went downtown again, inquir-
ing around—hated to come to you and
start a lot of fuss, but now [’m scared.
Katie has been followed by men in cars
twice lately, and once she was attacked
by a man in the alley near us—she’s a
stunner for looks, you know—but she
fought like a wildcat and got away.
Another thing that’s not so good is that
they both wore diamond rings yester-
day—Mother wore two, one of them
three-carat, and she has $200 in her
purse. Folks have been murdered for
lots less.”
“Come, come, Powell.” said Acosta
—Acosta, famous in all Florida for his
distinguished work in crime detection,
“your folks have always worn dia-
monds safely enough. There’s nothing
really extraordinary in their absence.”
Face impassive, muscles steady, eyes
alert to catch every faintest change of
expression on his visitor’s face. For
this man so distraught over his loved
ones, had a strange record.
“Nothing extraordinary ?” explo-
sively, from Powell. “When your wife
stays out all night?”
“With her mother,” interposed
Acosta equably. “There may be a let-
ter or telegram from them at your home
right now.”
Powell shook his head, his eyes
veiled beneath their heavy lids.
“They’d never go away like that,”
|
khurst
d
sworth
ing
ise.
sly
fery
lark object half
k on either side
James, boyishly
toals—unless he
vhen the game |
leprived of their
less, he paused in
ruck matches in a
he strange object
irs. “Driftwood,
vchind. He shiv-
eemed full of evil,
less. The scream
John’s River an
MADE GRUESOME FIND
Otis T. Harris, aided by his young son, James, set
out in the darkness of a winter night, to try and
catch some red snapper and bluefish. The sickly
yellow beam of their lantern illuminated the murky
water. Into the path of that beam floated the stark
naked, mutilated body of a woman.
woman, Stark naked and with her abdomen slit up the middle.
“Good Gawd!” ejaculated Otis, staring awe-stricken at the
fearsome sight. The woman’s corpse was horribly decom-
posed, the face eaten away by crabs, the wet skull showing
ocean liner, docking at Jacksonville, roared hoarsely. The
pair went about their business of catching fish, forgetful of
the mysterious shadow. Both cast lines from bamboo poles,
and with the patience necessary to their calling sat in silence,
leaving the lantern burning to attract the unwary snapper. , through. Arousing himself at length, Otis looped a piece of
Into that eerie path of light slowly floated the body of a__ fishing cord around one pitiful trailing foot and the two
9
panne : nn. 1. ansamaie iia
radii’ Jil iaiatiees ita a al
Vowell’s
ind stock-
n. County
coroner's
urned over
th Deputy
the au-
3T AT WORK
enforth studied
ned hammer in
His conclu-
trifying. “This
n with which
~ere murdered,’
-ounced.
he insisted.
worry.”
Then a deep tide of red crept up from
his collar, suffusing his face with a
cruelly painful, purplish flush, stinging
his eyes to moisture.
“Good God, man!” he burst out, ‘can’t
you sce the set-up against me? I’m pointed
out on the street as the man who shot Cowles.
Everyone knows that in protecting my sister I
killed a man back in Alabama. Anyone witha grudge
against me—and there are plenty—could murder and
rob my wife and mother and get away with it, knowing
Ud be accused on my record. I tell you the disappearance of
those dear women puts me in one hell of a fix. If they aren't
found I’ll be charged with murder as sure as fate.”
“Not without the bodies,” murmured Acosta, toying with a
small, beautiful seashell. ‘The law demands more than dis-
appearance as proof of murder.”
‘Bodies ?” he repeated vaguely. “Yes, yes, the bodies.” He
winced, then looked up quickly. ‘Then you think they are
dead 7”
“Not necessarily. Keep in touch with us, Powell, and be
assured that we'll move heaven and earth to find them.”
“They'd know how I'd
H* CALLER GONE, Acosta sat thinking. Mrs. Powell was,
according to the description given, a dashing, vivacious
woman with rich auburn hair and sparkling dark eyes, forty-
four by the calendar but looking little over thirty. Mrs.
Speer likewise was remarkably youthful and vigorous, despite
her sixty-five years, while Powell was a husky, well-built man
of forty-nine. The devotjon of the little family of three was
almost an axiom in Jaxon circles, if not throughout the state
—with reason.
Acosta carefully considered the record:
In January, 1926, Marcus C. Powell fatally shot former
City Councilman W. T. Cowles, Sr., at the corner of Seventh
and Main Streets, in Jacksonville. From then until they won
his pardon, in the spring of 1929—after serving three years
of a life sentence—Lou Speer and Katie Powell spent all
their time and’ thousands of dollars to save Powell's life and
set him free. Two famous lawyers, the late W. A. Hallowes,
and Miles W. Lewis, now a circuit court justice, were en-
gaged for the defense at a fee of $10,000. Judge George
Couper Gibbs presided at the trial, while the prosecution was
conducted by Charles M. Durrance and the late lon L. Far-
ris, state’s attorney and assistant state’s attorney, respec-
tively.
In the final appeal for pardon, resulting in Powell's release
April 1, 1929, State Senator W. C. Hodges, now a guber-
natorial possibility, was retained at a fee stated to have been
$1,000. The shooting had followed a furious altercation
between Powell and three other men, of whom Cowles was
one. They separated, but Powell later returned, with his
wife, Katie, in the automobile with him, and shot Cowles
down upon the sidewalk. Excitement ran high, with diver-
gent sympathies, but in the end the petition for pardon—
owing to the tireless efforts of the two women who loved him
—contained the names of practically every city and county
officer then serving and several members of the trial jury.
.
POWELLK Marcus, white, elec. FL@ (Duval) July 12, 1937
by
H. Brunkhurst
and
R. Holdsworth
Unraveling
the Powell Case.
Florida’s Grisly
Double-Murder Mystery
HE RHYTHMIC SWIsit of oars churning water punctuated
the intense quiet half a mile upstream from Dead Land-
ing on Loftin Creek, between Yulee and Fernandino,
Florida. A clammy fog hung between the tropic moon and
the black, unruffled surface of the water, while a sickly ray
of light reached out from an antiquated oil lantern perched
in the bow of Otis T. Harris’ fishing boat, penetrating the
mist ineffectively.
It was two hours past midnight, March 6, 1936. Harris
lived at Yulee and had for years gone up the river at this
time of night to the haunts of red snapper, bluefish and other
members of the finny tribe, from which he eked out a scanty
living. Tonight he had the company of his fourteen-year-
old son, James, who first made ready the tackle, then crouched
in the prow of the little craft and watched the water by the
feeble, flickering light. A school of swift swimming mullet,
Heeing some larger fish, made splashing sounds several fect
ahead.
8
Suddenly the yellow beam picked out a dark object half
hidden under the palmettos fringing the bank on either side.
“Wait! .It might be something,” urged James, boyishly
eager.
Otis was anxious to reach the fishing shoals—unless he
caught enough fish to pay for his license when the game
warden came later in the day, they would be deprived of their
only means of earning a living. Nevertheless, he paused in
his rowing and leaning overside, they struck matches in a
vain attempt to make out the outlines of the strange object
near the bank. Time pressed, however.
“Forget it,” grunted Otis, resuming his oars. “Driftwood.
probably. Water’s full of it.”
“The boy, James, cast curious glances behind. He shiv-
ered, healthy though he was. The dark seemed full of evil,
plucking fingers.
Half an hour later the boat hung motionless. The scream
of a night heron split the air. Far off in St. John’s River an
REAL DETECTIVE, October, 1936
Ca ae ae
ocean lit
pair went
the myste:
and with 1
t
Jeaving 1}
Inte
gs) ain ere YT ah
: : a bee EN
Hi ‘ te / y 394 Ee MA: 1
»
ft ca pt
ised
rin § CATE OR
re B GALLOWS AT FEANANDINA.
Sh $95; ea pe ee ;
is
~ + ase Hoek Proren.
ra
M Ad
OF \
ipnelal te the Tikees-U efor’
ES Pypae a attra A, Fus., Janne 93..-- Clee ge
iP tadiy, at 100, m0, paid the fnll
vpianally of the law for the marder of Henry
“Potutbey om tp 10h day of act Febroary,
si The full detaile of the erime for which
Pyichett wea hung havé already been given
fms Usins eolurons, bul a brief recapitulation
iweitl not be oat of place, Henry Foushee
‘wrt hyery worthy old negro, of sbout 60
i ore: of age, who had been, from
dRovember, 187, to February, 1°44, in the ; )
Leesploy of the VY. KR, & N, Oo. In this ‘uahich ae roan ahowed. e
jemploy ha, by frugal Hying, hed amesegd te poe date of cred ntrat Goeth
capella a ttle sam of mon¢y. On Batarday aoe Corr pa Oe , tne nh on place:
t he 11th way of lant February |e cama to pian j.ouffa on the banda of the condi veil
‘thie olty, and wae last seon alive in the oom. e amd the, procenaion to the poafoi
“wany of the condemned man anid Hloratlo Baverk | ee
Ufhia mecomplice, who Ja now awaiting Bitty ah ca got BOATPOLD.
: . eve alehe et THs
A rial), and on the, following Bundey ait PRA 1a a very ip enfous con.
ple dead body!) waa discovered igya he wearo Te direction of Wheriff Filer-
peat ott Cline heriff Klerman {trivance, made yi On Oreman, knew
. the enee Sn band and soon bed the ea. agian “ay ho, Oa AD ery In fact had weed the
} na ed. Pritehett was arrested at i oarnatly ybatto do, an: fa the éxeoution
+ Gallepan, * tpl eounty,: Tbe Jury on
i Prite me fal returned a verdict of guilt
fot . There wae po qrestton of hia
5 $. aarkionae aa prpren te. and Bo
; pta hes been made to obtain a delay or
{wiligetign uf the pentenpe.
Mes tot gy herran raom THR MOADERLR.
¥ Peitohett wrote your correspondent the
pkollowing letters,
Fgh Frowannvta, ¥xa., June 15, 1888,
7 dedttor Johnston:
ie a wor ling al Callaban, Fla., and thelr
ahi ache Fe lied In Yervandinn. I came In
urda
‘sn! y night and he waa killed
Paid same night, and I
wee soqeere of
et {rq him and was sentenced to be
rng, am innocence of It. Wut If
ys Heaton me they can do so, and
a wi pow Mi die, and Lam ready to dite,
aby x d blasea the Judge and jury. I
Father them jn heaven, and I hope Ton
{
hee high Hhirif peaing on the wayside;
cand I have @ brother and atstor, far, far
ee and trust thet God wil] bless them
“in I meet them another day, From
re at ‘a. Grozoax Parremwxrt,
S37 'am In jau an they tell » torible tale,
, sat roan tal} I ended; but by and b
the soul ahall
atea after: ibe drop
oF y, all @ytl words will ha pelea Hh UsTse eel
‘ “ve desending. The angels are waiting at]! tah exe ; toad), wm ak ee pit opinion
4 Xho gate my soul to receive, and I will |: gonneod ie - yon breken, ~ 1a 2 mo
“Unover peria without I disbelieve. DAS tho BAS bad biyadersou had out the
yl C bse bettap fede tall accord with the state sant U wit Horsey's opinion wnt
vignenta whieh the unhappy man baa, innule, badly GOW. any os ng boen broken, and
‘nnd tne manner ba i lestad thronghont. mirited) the Merk Pe tchout astrarsie, so
he. seems to hate rome hope that by a wane Frivebatt died wine opie oregent to
shld Genial of the orime ha might ottaln ped aa BLOT’ thon no" er: wha &p.
maore “level extension of hin sentence of yew 1 Mee LVeranteoratn wer Om
wate Pe WHY, even when ho GRRE y FUE «Rot pops alate ss
0 Sea vett toy Ye ata npt lose hie, nerve, = a ide andl kept tho Df ne SH
ny ARC Ba ee
Ke | Te eye ore @
bees ne a :
LATHE GALLOWS AT FERNANDINA
ae EY TOR ery ‘
if Bip ” alee Spent in Prayer end
yy, Mots 4 Man’s Merve—Prociaims
iW! fs Fite Innoeanes to the Iast—
6 pe Mock Broken.
» 0 IN,
to the Tikee-Uwfora
Attra, Fus, Inne 29.—Cleorge
0 1a, m., pald the full
Hpi y of the law for the murder of Henry
<Fotuthey om thhp 11th day of last Febroary,
siThe full detaile of the crime for which
Pridhett wee hung havé already been given
aers: of age, who had been, from
¥ mber, 1987, to February, 1944, in the
igetploy of the ¥. R. AN. Oo. In this
ned man and Horatio
accomplice, who ja now awaiting
on the, following Sunda
hody' > wae. discov
crime, goin Klerman
soon bed the as.
rr twea arrested at
returned a verdiot of guilt
There wae po qneetion of hin
aviionae aa ft and no
te na delay of
% hentenpe,
YROM THR MURDERLA,
t-wrote your correspondent the
sie! Foawampoa, Fua., June 15, 1888,
a Shh
“
wor Hn al Callaban, Fla., and thelr
mas lied in Fernandina, 1 came in
day night he waa killed
an
a
oe. game night, whe ased of
A mq im aad wae senten to be
Pi am innocence of | But if
o, and
* ia td hang me they can do so, and
hel na te dl the as and sary. ni
w
, , and ateter, far, far
; wont and trust thet God will bless them
—p I meet them another day, From
Sid): re Grorax Parrewerr,
, ee a fa ll phey tel} 8 tarible tale,
! Bi} S ® { Dat an
‘8; all dvi worde. will
desending. The angels are waiting at
gate my soul to receive, and I will
ax poria thout [ disbelleve.
ae ‘o tra viheg ie heme yh a Bay oat.
emia w @ un man haa, inace,
ba adopted thronghont.
OF % to a os peel ag that by a
i lon pol Fagg iy oy « ‘ obtain
me @ oor
x lat dat even when hope
ow .
vant bios Ald Bot hia, nerve,
XPIATES HIS CAME ON
PRITCHETT, George, black,
hanged June 23, 1888 at Fernandina, FL
meat ae her on martrt.
pe : ds mie LARP nto pany
gia y in hia own
Cpters a vy. KB,
i FE
hs $ i ee
of the women and he was entitled to de-
mand action from the police. There was
another reason for his going to head-
quarters. It made him jumpy not know-
ing what was happening.
Detective Acosta and Mead were
back at headquarters when he got there
late in the afternoon. The two had gone
over every inch of the ground along the
river bank on their hands and knees,
searching for some more definite clue.
It was Detective Acosta who found the
splintered piece of an amber material,
which looked like especially thick cellu-
loid. It wasn’t large enough to give any
idea what it could have been from.
Acosta picked it up, along with every
other object he found, and sent it to
Doctor Dyrenforth.
Powell didn’t know about any of these
things found along the river bank. And
the detectives didn’t bother to inform
him. In fact, they were so casual with
him that he began to get jumpy again.
They didn’t question him. They even
acted like they believed his story and
wanted very much to be kind to him.
“Have you found anything?” he de-
manded angrily. “My wife was mur-
dered ... murdered...I tell you...
her killer is going to pay for this if I
have to spend the rest of my life... .”
“And all the money you get because
the two are dead,” Mead cut in drily.
That crack made Powell wince, but
he kept demanding action. The two
detectives assured him he would get
action and didn’t say anything more.
Powell left headquarters with a hundred
doubts flashing through his mind.
Te reports from Doctor Dyren-
forth began coming in an hour
later. They weren’t encouraging. The
plaster cast of the footprint didn’t offer
much hope. The earth was too muddy
near the water’s edge and the print,
when examined closely, proved to be
out of shape because the mud was too
pliable.
Examination of the ashes established
the fact that the clothes of the murdered
women had been burned at the river.
Doctor Dyrenforth was able to discover
charred threads of linen and cotton and
a number of buttons from dresses.
While this added to the picture of the
murder, it didn’t give any definite
evidence.
“Powell murdered the women in their
home or near it,” Detective Acosta told
Mead. “We haven’t been able to find a
trace of blood on the river bank. He
took them to the river and tied the wire
and rocks around them and threw them
in the water.: He never believed their
bodies would come to the surface. He
burned the clothes on the river bank.
But the only trouble is we have nothing
to prove that he was there. If we did,
we'd throw him in a cell and charge
him with murder.”
Powell spent most of the next day at
headquarters. His fears following the
discovery of the bodies had left, and he
realized that there were certain advan-
tages in that unexpected’ development.
He would not have to wait until he
72
could prove to a court that the two
women were dead before collecting the
property.
ND it gave him added zest in watch-
ing the mad and frustrated detec-
tives, now faced with a definite double
murder, run around like crazy men,
trying in vain to find some smail detail
on which to base a solution.
Acosta and Mead were running
around like crazy men. The presence of
Powell didn’t help their’ feelings. He
kept taunting them with demands to
solve the brutal murder of his “dear,
sweet wife”! :
Then at five o’clock came the last of
Doctor Dyrenforth’s reports. The last
thing he had examined was the splinter
of what looked like amber celluloid.
And when Acosta read the report on
this, the detective leaped to his feet,
yelled to Mead: “By Joe, we’ve got it.
Look at this from Doctor Dyrenforth.
Somewhere out along that river bank is
what we need and we are going to
find it.”
The two officers, with ten detectives,
went to the Lofton River. They spent
three hours searching every inch of the
ground from the road to the river. A
good part of the remainder of the
night was spent in checking with
merchants in Jacksonville.
At nine o’clock sharp Powell ap-
peared at police headquarters. He was
wearing a new suit, a new Fedora hat,
and new shoes. He had augmented his
attire with a cane which he swung with
smug satisfaction. He sauntered into
the detective room to press his demands
that the police find the murderer of his
wife.
Detective Acosta and Mead were
waiting for him. They seemed very glad
to see him. Mead said: “Sit down,
Powell. We think we have news for you.
The murder of your wife and your,
mother-in-law should be solved very
quickly.”
The dapper murderer sat down and
he didn’t feel exactly comfortable as he
did. Neither of the detectives looked
frustrated or haggard now. Both seemed
exceedingly well satisfied with life in
general. ,
“You... you... know who killed
Kate?” he questioned. ©
Acosta smiled. “Where is your foun-
tain pen, Powell?” he asked. “The one
your mother-in-law bought you to cele-
brate your release from prison?”
Powell stared at Acosta like a man
who had suddenly been slapped in the
face by a stranger.
“My ...my... fountain pen?” he
gasped. “Why ...er.. it’s in my
other suit”
His head was whirling. He tried to
remember. Was the pen in his other
suit? He had forgotten all about it in the
excitement of the murder. Then _ his
stomach flopped over and seemed to
double up like a knot. Had he lost that
pen somewhere? He had it in his vest
pocket the night of the murder.
Acosta interrupted the stream of wild
thoughts by saying: “I think you lost it
out at the Lofton River, Powell, when
you took the two bodies out there. In ~
your excitement you must have stepped
on it. I found a splinter of something
amber-colored, but it was too small to
know what it was. Doctor Dyrenforth
reported that it was part of a cap fora
fountain pen. We went out there and
searched the ground. We found your
pen where you dropped it. You smashed
the cap badly, but the: pen itself isn’t
broken.” sen
The detective reached on the desk, :
picked up the broken top and the pen =
and handed them to the terror-stricken
Powell.
“We checked last night with mer- -
chants and found this was the one your
mother-in-law bought for you,” Acosta
continued. “It was just what we needed
—something to place you at the river.
We had plenty of other evidence to
establish the fact your wife and mother-
_ in-law were killed in their home. Doctor
Dyrenforth found that the yard count
of the towel in the kitchen and the part
found stuffed in your wife’s mouth was
the same. The doctor is in your kitchen
now, testing the linoleum for blood
Stains. We probably will find the murder
weapon there also. Your game is up,
Powell. You’ve killed your last victim.”
Powell tried to talk, but the words
stuck in his throat. His mouth was
parched. He kept trying to wet it with
his tongue.
He didn’t break and confess. The de-
tectives grilled him but he kept shaking
his head and not answering.
Weak, and covered with cold sweat,
he was finally led into a cell. He lay
down on the prison cot, something he
knew very well. He stared at the ceiling
but no thoughts came to his numbed
brain. He was out of this world.
Doctor Dyrenforth found traces of
blood that had been almost completely
washed away in the kitchen. Detectives’
Acosta and Mead went out to the house,
tore it practically apart and found the
blood-stained hammer under the porch
floor.
On July 5th, 1936, Powell, the oft-
time convicted murderer, was brought
to trial. He didn’t give up without a -
struggle. During his trial a bombshell
was thrown into it. Judge Carter Gray
received a letter in which the writer
claimed Powell was innocent, that he,
the writer, had committed the crime.
The only weakness about the letter was
that the person who signed it apparently
didn’t exist. How Powell managed to
have that letter written and mailed while
he was in jail was never learned.
The jury promptly found him guilty
of murder in the first degree and Judge
Gray just as promptly sentenced him to
die in the electric chair.
One year later, on July 27th, 1937,
Marcus Powell, the scion of a famous
old southern family, walked stiff-kneed
into the death house at Raiford Prison.
He was thin, looked like an old, old
man. There was no smirking smile on
his face.
Three minutes later the prison doctor
pronounced him dead.
POLICE DRAGNET
ae
plenty about Bill Door’s sordid back-
ground—as has been detailed earlier in
this story. They learned that the slain
big fellow was a man with many, many
enemies, both male and female. But
learned extremely little to shed any
light on his murder and that of his
beautiful mistress.
Sergeants Close and Cullings did suc-
ceed in establishing one vital point:
that Bill Door had received a telephone
call at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, and had
gone out of his house and driven away
shortly thereafter, returning at some
unknown time, presumbly about 9 P.M.
The homicide detectives, presumbly to
protect an innocent witness, refused to
tell newsmen who had made this phone
call, or how they knew about it. It was
also established that Door had gone
to his bank Monday just before 3 P.M.
and deposited $600—and further that
he had been drinking in a Hollywood
bar around 8 p.m.
That, however, was all that could
be established definitely. The detectives
talked to scores of the slain Smut King’s
business associates—and rivals. They
secured the names of a number of
bitter enemies of his, and checked them
out—eliminating all on the basis of
alibis or other factors.
Not only had Bill Door made many
foes by his sharp money dealing, but
he had been extremely rough and cal-
lous in his handling of the girl models
who posed for his pornographic films.
Many girls felt extremely bitter about
the Smut King and were glad to see
him dead — and so were their boy
friends and relatives.
But, as the file of reports became
mountainous, there still remained noth-
ing to point the finger at the killer. On
the basis of further medical reports, and
on reconstruction of the scene, the
homicide men felt confirmed in their
opinion that the double murder job had
been done by a single slayer, who en-
tered the house and killed Ellen, and
then lay in wait for Bill.
They didn’t neglect the possibility
that the slayer was a woman. A woman,
holding Bill Door at gunpoint, could
have forced the hefty self-styled ex-grid
Star to turn around and submit to being
bound. The exotic style of the execu-
tion, and the vicious beating about the
head, had certain feminine earmarks.
* Also, as one of the detectives pointed
out—there was the fact of Ellen Criss’
being completely in the nude. If a man
had entered her bedroom, she would
have pulled the bed-clothes up about
her neck. As it was, nothing was dis-
turbed except the pillow that was jam-
med over her face. Of course, this re-
mained mere speculation—and would
be negatived if the pillow had’ been
thrust in Ellen’s face before she awak-
ened.
Ellen's mother called Chief Brown
from Harvey, Louisiana; she had read
in the newspapers about the murder.
The mother, who had taken care of
the tall brunette’s son, now aged 13,
since Ellen’s divorce in 1956 from a
merchant seaman, could shed no light
on the murder. Ellen had been in cor-
respondence with her: but all the mother
knew was that her daughter had gone
to Hollywood “to be a beautician’—
the mother had never heard of Bill
Door. :
On Thursday, two days after the
bodies were discovered, the police lo-
cated, through a newman’s tip, a moun-
tain “love hideout” which Bill Door
had maintained near Malibu Lake in
the Santa Monica Mountains. The posh
hideaway, according to one homicide
detective, had “wall-to-wall” king-size
beds, and mirrors at strategic points.
The house had been broken into, but
detectives established that this was the
work of a couple of teen-age boys who
lived in the vicinity. The boys had read
about the murder and wanted to play
amateur detective. The house yielded
no clue to the double slaying.
Further lab tests by the medical ex-
aminer confirmed the theory that Ellen
Criss had died first.
Bill Door’s will was filed by his at-
torney in Probate Court. It left an es-
tate of more than $200,000, principally
to the Smut King’s adored son.
The police investigation, after several
days, ran into a dead end. At this writ-
ing, the murders of Bill. Door .and his
naked mistress remain just as black a
mystery as they were on that November
Tuesday.
As veteran Sergeant Jim Close puts
it cryptically: “When you put your hand
into a buzz-saw how do you know
which tooth hits you?”
A HAMMER FOR KATE
(Continued from page 39)
down. We want to ask you some ques-
tions.”
Powell had expected this. In fact, he
had wanted it. He sat down, unable to
hide the smirking smile on his lips.
For over an hour the two detectives,
now thoroughly aroused, grilled him.
Powell met their questions with an
aplomb that was devastating to the. in-
furiated detectives. He had only one
answer to all the questions and that
was that his wife and mother had left
to go to a picture show and had not
returned.
At the end of the hour, completely
baffled, the two officers had to let him
go, but he no more than got out of
headquarters than they moved into quick
action. The pocketbook was sent to Doc-
tor L. Y. Dyrenforth, the well-known
southern pathologist, who lived in
Jacksonville.
Then the two detectives went out to
the neighborhood where Mrs. Lou Speer
had lived. They questioned the residents
in the two blocks. None was able to give
any information of importance. Two
close neighbors, however, did say that
they recalled the mother and daughter
leaving the house early on the evening
of March 2nd, the night they were
70
murdered, and it was the belief of these
neighbors that the two women were
going to the picture show. ;
A check of the shows in the neighbor-
hood brought the two detectives the in-
formation that the mother and daughter
had attended a show that night. The
girl at the ticket window, knowing them
very well, recalled the mother buying
the tickets. f
Powell was questioned again. He was
questioned every day for three consecu-
tive days. He enjoyed the grilling. He
knew that the two detectives had check-
ed his story and that they had ques-
tioned the neighbors. All this added to
the elation of triumph that dominated
him. He felt no anxiety, nervousness,
or fear.
HERE was that memory of the drip-
ping blood, a thing that’ sent his
heart pounding. And added to this was
another source of satisfaction. There
was still left the house and a tidy sum in
gilt-edged bonds. These would revert to
him in time. Not a vast fortune, but it
would mean the difference between his
working arid living a life of ease.
At the end of the three days the
two desperate detectives stopped ques-
tioning him. They had worked cease-
lessly on the mystery. Doctor Dyren-
forth had not been able to discover
anything of value on the pocketbook.
The stains were human blood, but
since neither the mother nor the daugh-
ter was available there could be no
determining their type of blood. There
were fingerprints, many of them, but
they were mostly of Powell’s wife.
Samples of her prints had been found in
the house. There was no mud or dust
residue on the pocketbook that proved
of any value.
On the morning of March 7th, Powell
woke around nine o'clock. The sunlight
was streaming through his window, and
the first tang of a Florida spring was in
the air. He whistled merrily as he took
a shower. He planned to buy a new suit
that day. He had several suits, bought
by his mother-in-law when he got out
of prison, but clothes—smart ones—were
a weakness with him.
The bath over, and still in the same
high spirits, he went downstairs to get
himself a bounteous breakfast of ham
and eggs. He got to the kitchen when
the bell at the front door rang shrilly.
The sound caused him to jump:a
little. He wondered why. What differ-
ence did it make who visited him now?
But he couldn’t completely hide a
strange feeling of apprehension as he
walked to the door.
HEN he opened it, Detectives
Acosta and ‘Mead were standing
there. They weren't smiling, and there
POLICE DRAGNET
was a look on their faces that didn’t
make Powell feel too comfortable.
“We found something,” Detective
Acosta said, “and we thought it might
interest you.”
Powell blinked a little. He didn’t like
vague sentences like that tossed at him.
He tried to imagine what the police
could have found. He got no answer
in his own mind.”
“Come along,” Detective Mead add-
ed. “We'll show you.”
Powell went with the two detectives
without having any breakfast. He had
suddenly lost interest in his ham and
eggs and even his new suit. He got in
the police car and the next thing he
realized (and it came to him with a
sinking feeling at the pit of his stomach)
was that they were taking the exact
road he had followed to the Lofton
River when he took the two bodies out
there.
His feeling of anxiety increased when
they got near the Lofton River. They
turned off at almost the exact spot
where he had.
The police car stopped near the river.
There was a crowd there and a fishing
boat was pulled up on a sand bar. Powell
did not look at either the crowd or the
boat. He stared with terror-stricken eyes
at two bodies that lay on the bank—the
nude bodies of two women.
He didn’t have to look twice to know
that they were his wife and mother-in-
law. Not that anybody could have recog-
nized the bloated features of the faces.
The thing he recognized was the wounds
in the head and the open abdomen of
his. mother-in-law.
Then Powell heard Detective Mead
say: “They were found this morning by
two fishermen. A wire had been placed
around the bodies and likely rocks
fastened to the wire. A wire around a
bloating body doesn’t stay there long.
The body rots and the wire slips off
and the body comes to the surface.”
Powell swallowed hard. He was trying
frantically to collect his thoughts. He
hadn’t figured on this. His head began to
clear slowly. The bodies had been dis-
covered. What difference did it make?
There was no proof that he had killed
them. He had prepared for just such an
emergency without dreaming that it
would happen.
Without hesitation, he walked to the
two bodies, acted like he was studying
the water-soaked and partly rotting fea-
tures.
In a hoarse voice, he said: “It’s Kate
and her mother. Somebody murdered
them.”
“Sure,” Detective Acosta said, “some-
body murdered them. I wonder who?”
“How do I know?” Powell could be
a good actor. “My God, man, those
two women were the only friends I had
in the world. Do you think I would
harm a hair on their heads?”
“It doesn’t exactly seem human that
you would,” Detective Mead admitted,
“but suppose you come to headquarters
while we question you.”
It was the same old story, the ques-
‘ tioning of Powell. He countered every
question with the oft-told story of his
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wife and mother-in-law going to the
picture show. He had difficulty keeping
a smirking smile off his lips. It was
obvious that the two detectives were as
much at sea for evidence against him
now as before the bodies had been
found. :
The detectives let Powell go home
after an hour’s grilling. He strutted out
of police headquarters and by this time
he could not keep the smile off his face.
When he was gone, Detectives Acosta
and Mead drove back to the river bank.
The two nude bodies had been taken to
the morgue where Coroner Doctor Fred
Elkton was performing the autopsy. On
the river bank, Captain Cal Earlton and
Detective Pete Tully had searched the
ground. They had made two important
discoveries. One was a footprint near
the edge of the water, where the earth
was a Sticky mud. It was a well-defined
outline and arrangements had already
been made to have a plaster cast made
of it.
The second discovery was even more
important. Further back on the bank,
almost in a direct line with the foot-
print, was a small pile of ashes. Doctor
Dyrenforth had arrived at the river
and he was carefully dusting the charred
remains into papers to take back to his
laboratory for examination.
EAR the pile of ashes, the grass and
weeds were broken, showing where
the two bodies had been dragged across. «
the ground to the bank of the river,
and going further back toward the high-
way, the marks of tire tracks could be -
seen where the car had left the highway
and been driven into the woods. But
the ground was too dry to obtain any
good plaster casts of the tire treads or
to get even a clear picture of them.
At the morgue Doctor Elkton was
completing the autopsy. He didn’t learn
much more than was obvious when the
bodies were found. The two women had
been beaten to deatn with some blunt
instrument, probably a hammer. In the
mouth of Kate Powell was a part of a
kitchen towel. This was rushed to the
laboratory of Doctor Dyrenforth, who
was sifting out the charred ashes taken
from the river bank and trying to de-
termine what they had once been.
In the meantime Powell had arrived
at his home. The smirking smile had
left his face. The haunting fears that
come to every murderer bothered him.
He tried to assure himself that he had
left no telltale clues behind. He went
over every phase of the plan time and
again.
He was nervous and jittery most of
the day, but as the hours passed and
nobody came to the house, he began to
regain some of his cocky attitude. He
returned to police headquarters. After
all, he told himself with considerable
amusement, he was the husband of one
77
AUGUSTA
rae ONE
Tis, ine
» Attorneys w. 8. Moat ‘aah
W, Fielding, representing thie pia
and City Attorney Robt. BR ‘Davia the
defendant, concluded . the’;
+ [Friday morningta ine: haheae deepen
Case before Hon. James T. Wile, tidge
ne er Company, -seoks-retetse frome
eer a reapite ot
“State of Florida,
us “Executive Office.
“Appltcation has been
Bde to, me tor a respite of the death
dedikende Ordered to be executed upon
oS hora Perry, convicted of murder
ty, Flor
; August, A.
da order that'sn opportunity
‘efiprded: sald Cain Perry to
mt. to: the Btate Board of Pardons |.
for & commutation of
ac to suffer tha nec
te “eons ‘goting ‘ander the
Balhae potlobeat
93rd: aay: of August, . 1912,
b-day of Beptember, 1912,
piimation of which time the
1 aay execution will be en-
amt ~~ wewan_ttn
sat " "The case renutted ‘from M
Imposed by Mayor Matheson for ab
leged Olan of: the Sonia jab
ordinance, ». Ph yo a epee :
: “gtalock's
sal to connect Tohnson' ) Hall with
the feed wires. of the company on &
ideposit of $2 ‘offered “by Lawrence
‘Webster, who desiree “q@ worrecbens ¥
moving picture show,
The court, after argument was oN
mitted, took the matter under advise
ment, but a decision -: eres to»
day.
Judge Wills stated: to counsel for)
plaintiff that the case &% presented to
him involved two propositions: First,
did. the ordinance. cover or embrace
a case of the kibé-tn furnishing cur
rent to a ‘moving pleture show where
it provided for a $2 deposit. Second,
if it did, was.euch deposit a reagpn-
able deposit. vee
No Decision Announced.
Fram Bunday’s Datly Sun.
Judge James T. Willis has-
announced a decision in the
corpus case of Ira A. Blalock, manhger
of—the:-Gainesrille Gas -&
Power Company, vs. the ° City <of
Gatnesyilie. A decision: is + anticipated
Monday, however. aaa es
Sg ost eae
eee PORT. WHITE
;{ot. the . Righth “Judioial © “ Curouit, * in'}
Hh whieh ‘tre: ‘A BIn6eX,“Jotal - '
of the Gainesville Gas'@ Kieetri¢é Pow:
“Wat Libetly’ verve!
lgaveat gore
died o reese ‘qurtent.
when. mioting HES Be < er bes
briefly. 5
/Congreas uae abeat : “Patened: for
this session, end’ will adjourn: ina
very few siore daye” This has
been a most interesting, and in macy.
CAPT. JOA. KING ACQUIRES ©<:.° |!
10,000 PLANT. AT AUBURNDALE
Rina aad HW. Ward ot,
det we
they being ex route to Eager sayenet Aya
tive homes by ante from
&Rvya
Threugh al] the twenty-two
Florida never se itched from Under
woodseWeven baliots made during cba
in practically no
aftaraccs peated
Vitel free Sethi tetihoet, pe agieetieutl
babu oof the campaign managers of all the
candidates, the cceavention sdjourmned
until Monday, July Ist, at dl a om,
Speaker Clark arrived in Baltimore
shortiy after adjournment of the con-
change from the result of the twelfth yention, In anewer to a hurry call
ballot. early this cooraing. There wae
litte ‘to break the monotony
of the bls denupciation of Mr
from his manager, and Was strong ft
Bryan's un-
ealled for attack upon bim simply be
rol calls save the dramatic statement | cause the New-York delegation has
of “Wiliam J ryan in @aplanation Of - loen 8: tq rote for nim =:
his FOle supporting Governor Wood: !
row Wileon. MARRIAGE LICENSES.
"amid the wildest. scenes of this, :
. q -coarention Rryan. announced during | The following were licensed to wed
| fourteenth ballot that he could hO | by County Judge Mason On Saturday?
longer gupport Clark. He then casi: Mr. J. W, Davis and Miss Bonne
le¥ote for Wilson. | [E. Hamilton, white.
a {i terrific demonsiration by the Wil! futler Scott and Esther Randotph,
pein follow ed Nebraska asked to | -cobored
‘and waa called after all the:
ates Dad been recorded.
6d «all for a statement Bryan! :
da stood on: hi« ¢halr. é t Mr, Noegel To tnverness. © aot ae
\ Bryan. Expiains. » Wo, Noegel, a baker from Galnés-
ve an tviiie, eas hera yesterday sad rented!
“docs the gentieman afire 7) Lig, BAS aera FF reay aad teats
ed “Acting Chateman Sulzer, {tbe Schofield buslding, io which be
lain my vote,” repiied Bryan. "topes @ bakery the latter part of
he gentiemas ie not permitted up
Wewule to erplain,” ruled the tem-
po?
PHSE Goes the centieman rote ct”
‘WY ote, vote” arose cries from all
patts of the hall
TY WAs Yong a+ teean [ryan s se
oud tape. ° Nat acai he wae inierry;t
b Leprosr wus cheer ng.
dows the geitiernan vote”
Sulier
ferfrng aa Sew York a votea are
’ ~ teagan Prvan, “my rate at!
hheid from Ciark ant cast
hohe was interrupted
wacti.ng, ‘he hewees ats cat
Mase]. and Yirran sau}
Me Now York vote cant under fhe
5 A-vere regen? tie if
. tae i = he the yvalriect
the Fe > are bere #
Bis ‘he * f ALe@ MHAn-m
Fo oMarc*y end be repreeents
ares a Aotinated thea te
a erences at Chicaga, and are
ie to Gominate this coavest!
ee paeeaate 2 candidate sie
y xin : will enanie the in
: Purpose
Jobn Smith and Emma Eagiien, cot
On! fored. 222% eves a.
July. Mr. Schofield wil at once begin
the efection of a brick oven for the
‘thoroughly conversant with the bakery
Susipees, abd prapoyses to conduct a
firet<jaas shop here, Tegardicge @f |
sm+t fatlures of o'there Hie comes”
rere highly recaowmenSent and be hongs
% famiiy of tbewers, all of @hom
afe Im botines#e and meting *#{th g5¢
ext We certainiy wteh him success
and hepe our
patronire bitn Uberaily.--~
T8th.
in his undertaking here.
wople w 3
'svernesxs Chronicle,
Some Rain’
The Seaviest rain of (he week struck
ren Saturdsr afternoos et 2 34
joer "% made cinte ten gnaction
sich train Ner $9 of the Atbentic Comet
‘ine, with the peeg!t that paesengers .
getting off snd thoes getting stoard.
the trac Ware wu sbierted to a dreseh\, ake & weak
A 4 is
At Pine Growe Church.
“| color, one on “either side.
Mr. Noege] le & yoang man :
wae > Risse
Cc. H. Slaughter and F, ¥. White were |
fred by Will Brown and others who
testified against Bim... His statement
was practically a reiteration of what
he sald on the witoees stand suring
his trial.
shes oe ebwvlea & teed
The Sentence.
’ The sentenve was they dell vered by
Tdge Wits. ht read>—*lt tn tha
sentence of the law and the judgment
of the court that you, Cain — Perry,
be te the sberif of Alachua
courtty taken in charge and safely kept
vatil seach time as the Governor by
his warrant may direct, and at the
time and place designated in said
warrant. you be hanged by the neck
on your soul.”.- ict haekg
Perry was aasisted trom ‘the. 'soutt
room {0 @ “carriage by. two. “ot | hie!
Vie Bas!
donned in ao undershirt and the pants |
which he wore ®hea brought bete, the |
wound be received.
Fortune Berry ang 1. lae Brown are!
‘giao uoder sentence of death In con-j
jnection with Deputy § aaghter’s mur
i der, but Jadge Ryd 1.
cogneel, will wake a determined effort ;
to bave the sentence ‘mn hie caae com
muted.
Motions Denied.
in case of T.
&s
Hisiagictiew vs. the
th
Mthestic Ccmat Line Hallroad Com
pany, in whith iain? Was given rer
4iet for $2. dausasee for alleged
ered ipjury, defeocdants counsel
imeved for a uew frist The motion
was ¢egied, defen tant warerts and
etary Saye aivewed °% pregere ant
peewent Gili af eareptoome
im ease of Jois A Whitney ve
the Atimatic Cnoae: loca Haglgced (ors
ceay, tn which atrorceys for defead
na’ had gives notre of tmlentiog fa
until dead And tay Gd have merey (
| gar
iw,
5
same belng blood stained . from the |W,
KH.
.tes
Carter, Brown's BO
te
9
wt
{-
+
tf
DR
had time to transcribe tls’ ope
Rev. Lartmors. a csiat ot ths mann hob: He eae Bae. PORN O98 . WES bared
Grote Bapties church sbost sis siles
weet of Gainesville, wil] tenia « series |
senting Gait motion be
a2 to tacleds the 12th
x
bE ‘The first. warrant.
Senki Fortune Ferry. and Ie As tok
twelve, between the
AGOUMIPAL) Wig (hoe Sherif were Lrey
uly Sherif BL kK. Cellon, Rev,
Moody of LaCrosse and a representa |
tive of The Su. Arriving at the jath!
1
Sheriff Kauiwey told Jaitor Toriay that) O"T STP SHUl fresh in the minds of our! wyay him to Cainenstiie
he desired tw see the Perrys and was
conducted to the cell they occupy tn
the new jail, east side, lower floor,
“Boys, as much as } regret it.
my duty & ‘read to yOu the death war.
rants issued by the Governor tn your
cases," sald the official in addressing
Cain Perry and bis son, Fortune.
“All. right, Mr. Ramsey, we wit)
Heten,” replied Fortune, who Was ait:
ting on one of the lower bunks in|
the’ cell. His father was reclining
~on his bunk - “on the opposite side of
the cell. only five feet from the fon.
Both ‘wat in an “upright position | ‘as
the sheriff read. the documents...
was » directed |
lows fore me aes
ed ge Ba Desth Warrant: pee ee
“Executive Department,
sik “State of Florida.
“To Perry G. Rameey, Sheriff of our
County of Alachua;
“Greeting: Whereas, at the spring.
term of our Cireuit Court for
Eighth Judicial Cirenit iu and for our
said county of Alachua begun on the
7th day of May, A.D, one thousand
mine bundred and Fortune
Perry, late of our said
convicted of the crime of
the first degree and thereupon by our
sald court the said Fortune Ferry was
sentenced for said crime to suffer
the pains of death, by being hanged
‘by the neck untl! he be dead, al! of
which, by an exemplification of the
record of said conviction agd ren
tence, which |
hereunto sapered,
“Therefore. 1 Albert W.
twelve,
county, Waa
turder {n
have causes!
Hoth fully appear
Giiehsir’
“Governor of the said State of Florida
th.
oar
‘command you, that apon Friday.
“Sard dy of August, Inthe yoar of
Lord one thousand nine hundred and
hours of
e’elork in the forenoon and 2 o'clock
fm the afternoon, within the wails of
the prison tn our esif coun’? or with
in the enclosed yard of each prisot
fm our sald county of Alachua, agree.
ably to the four thounend and t#en-
~~. tysecond section of the general eter
- etes_ of our sald Btste, yoru cane the |
execution of the sid sentence eof or”
esid court, in at reaperte to be done
and performed npor him, the eald For |
“gene Perry, for wbich. this htt Lal
your eafictent warrsnt.
“You are reqetre’ to be present at.
_ the exeestion. unless prevented . bP
stekness or other casualty: siso, twe
Ne sir Gidea “te bo thestannted. by
“You. You are to request the presence
<< ot Gee Dente Atereey.” ‘Chere of the:
Win |
it is:
the |
10°
HAvIDE OCC ubod Within a bagghdre
Hyacds of Prown's home w few nulen!
jfrom Archef on the night of May Jith, |
‘this year. The particulars of the mar
readers, Slaughter, accompanied by |
iE. Vo White and J AL Manning, went:
to Brown's tome that “night expecting |
to find a number of negroes armed, |
X fesuval Waa iti progreaa when the?
officers reached the scene, and they
waited a short distance away until!
ithe negroes. atarted home. As Cain:
| Perry and his son and Lige Rrown, ac-
cording to teatimony.-passed the white:
men Slaughter. told them to th ow up!
papel hands. A fusillade of ahota folk}
lowed Slaughter and -- White
Fkined. - Cain “Perry was woanded fn
the. right hip, but he pat Dhaba
from hia wound, Ss
'
sae and were “pon tleted | at the May
term of Cireult. Court. ‘The evidence
against Brown waa of such nature
that bis counsel, Judge Syd L. Carter,
appesied the cape to the Supreme
Court, and aa that tribunal t« not
;now in session, nothing
in October
Has Made Peace With God.
uvoined mer,
them that he Waa Teady to do anp-
hing Of faut any requert
nel adviaed them
het crit) ee es
rema ca
Lite,
tth ibree
Terry. “I
anawer
the
Fen. *
“eo,” Caia le
Weeks feeking ay
Maker and at
while 1 was plowing toy
tore fisr
from my las? in
fieiil one day,
rop. trying to make a living for my
farmghly aLasered
Capt
prayers “ete
tiake,
Gy
{[ UNSe® fe Teguewt to
a7Tas seat thie lifer mar
atpay
and jet her come
ty di
* ile
Hf
from mow f
in»
the cel!
that yes marily
here,
weeks
hat ss
im
! an t®u
vurtt lo be allewed to talk with ty,
eife over Patiers that ] want attend
ed to.” .
The sheriff teld Perry that if such
-$0:ion. were permrseatte, under the
law, be weurd do it
ts answer ts questions properssded,
bye Kev. Moody PFortane Perry. «
eeered§ that:
coace with Ged “1 wee Ofty yards
‘tonen where the white men wore killed
shes the shots were fird,”
here”
“¥ 2e.* sald bis father. .
have spears a mean |
hone, bet every man will have te em
igwer for Bis sine some @ay—we've ail;
cot to stun@ before the fudgmest bur
lof Ood--aad thet fury who -fownd me
guilty will have te asewer Ser this
j Pret ite alt right.” 1am here, helpless,
‘crippled en@ wounéed. { think we
eboald beve hed more time, bat tf pou |
jena’ pera my wife $0 gume here)
being:
Themen’ were airealal the Eat
can be done! warning his captive’ het ty mi
in hie case until the court recon yene® | negro rifled the officer's pork.
jing
ferer §%
After reading the warrants tu the!
Sherif! Ramaey told |
within gras
. Make peace -
'Weleorie
+ pavmedh,
, saat r
% abd 6 @ebotk, hae it was after 7
2 we. when the wherifl board the baws. ,
°'Remery, Depety PF
he would try ta make. deere t |
O babe leit, dind # She cles by cali. b Sis Paes aie Se ight
phome of JoJo Cali, betwee Lally: was ‘ artis wore initua
wal the Goring siege « it & ¥ peo ae are as ;>
this fOtefition to hawe Afr Cail a: a a SOE ee ey te
How eed ras 7% z
jbefore he reached Mero Calla ey. id. Kidear: we
iWeleume requested the oaffleer to ot Migh adie FF Noes
doch the handeouffs as Ne “desires + The. bride: han: peene greece:
alleht for 4 purpoacowhich —- sae citer yi ol SS
fs eaeOtia bla The hegre revigics! , Rich. ate Ha€ etideared heres
| Ube vayons Within five. tiingtes’ iarge. Citele of Monde” am} ashe
Rut instead) of permitting ~Conata: He File weil wishes of aif her. aspia
) Caso to relock the cuffs, whith » ore ieee for: wedded lita &¢ Pali ines.
atith ob oue wrist he quick aa a ff vet.
j Rrabbed the oiticera feet and ti ried |
j him “backwards over the seat... Mr._
Cason: Was thrown w the ground with |
taking place
throat) the
largest and @ powerful, mat physical
ih il choked bin ont it he was altacet.
@nconscious The. “prianner ofa few 2
minutes before then galned poxseanjon i”
of the constables 45-calltre revolver |
And was In complete contro! of things |
ilolding the plato] th one hand. and
the |
rae
BOTTI |
ta,
money he had
and then walkel the
hoges, «which had draws thirty
er forte varda up the the horses
SHiing beeome frightened ty the ‘ne
heBinud them Phe satchel of MW
Caton wag tn the huegy, and this
took, wape ting in
he find another
After satisfstng Rbthee'l
“Rete
negra
in the bushes and made a haety fight
thrauah the woete
Ghercif Rameey Notified.
what
to
been
road
ae
it ails
that weal
tietal ta ft
"halts there hie morte ea pons
smrand the throw the gatche!
iikiatiwe twact iim r hié ree
uh af ef @alce
ieapreared in
burried tu the
afordet a
ve KesGeond bie be hae
ing the pegro watil be
@ heacby sWatop,
Kearens residence
the
whius
imtephone and sequasnied Shei Ram |
wey With the ¢clrrumetancee The ae
aad feblbecy omrarred bet wnag
>
auterneesi*, Khem
Critics asd Fo
> the scene, -
Heecoring § at
i‘Hieeman Walte barriccd
cartying the blew kisses 8 TR Ubean
The ofSeers reached i+ poiat where
pid Foti ine trogite oceurre! ators! 3 deiorr
{bone, <" dst (of cource T am OT cad aitbongh the dear tracted We!
=n falts a motte, the phase wae Boat
td ity stesdened in '@ seanz. where the.
i pre sper tte
considera bie: fores,"and Welcome waa litaln for “thar: rity
upon bim before he realized Wha! ®ae reside =
é ‘Beiging ¢ the white mark)
NEKO, who. An funeh ANAT 2
?
7
‘Southern
‘Advent
Linegaly sttended, delegates betag ie
teat
‘ord te naturally elared gree the ou
thet etughe being grewh by Preaa Wb
ieaaeage ‘wea re [hoy bebe pworetion
The tranny ja wail, kom 9
, an of Clearwater aad the
ieouple departed bn the 7 as
-whare ‘hee
yar
thin
%%
ORE yates An ek cage ee are
“Elder “Mundy Returns.
hider McA Mundy, pastor: of
ADV eR Cirtetion chore, retufned F:
fay from Mishopervitte, # CL
jhe epent two weeks very pleasas!:
fand profitatis, While there he
tended the antesul ineeting
Publicatiog ioard
Charch, whick es
Bue?
*
ot th
of tt
Christian
Frid:
of Elder |
years
hie
trom four of Nee States
Maunty
fobRsin,
the
aes
flats ‘
or Sere Bee
was &@ gueet
for several pastor
feral church sad 12m R
° a quaintanrces 2)
pleseed (Gh tears ‘hat he tq we an
eth eucrkees fh Rte work
iteh
eet ng
the "Cehoperiiie oh
AO re nem art
Cancer Remaowed Fear Lio
‘-a'*rer .
the of »
@icd ws?
Rimes ge fie visitowm ts
wae J KB Rta toed,
mor hans
Friday
fue 8 turceesfial
bere he called t: erdeg The Som oor
tittie t t Rie s-2d ¥en Wr Ata Fixe
Bas fecetit,g returqge:t fromm 2
iver where be spent. several t4:3
He has teem trowbied fur eame Cie
with ag cancer on the joeer
thaghke fa the knowledee of fe w )
Witteame. the Cryetial Kirer pare:
fan. Mf bee tees remote Mr tac
tt b+
i: Eon
eeeetst apeterion and te besd te tla
preias of the ph reictan
em ee eer eer —s
Mave Bate «f Cetten.
we Petget ute Usecenr
“otiwm eo Maient tw yieht ac baie
the warti-rauee for more ibaa a * eK,
iat
in
us ratagets * bacon wast of the city. This
jwater whe pearly Kaeo deep, the done the caprhngse withis the peti few
ein g saabie/te semiinne the Dist eo dase, 4
accompmaind thom, wad de W being Work a0 the extension of he Cen
congratuintes apes cocaptng WW Hts: ategce Tee of Uhe local strest
as the meqre hed bi complotaty ot! \. "ony vill tents Masany mone
his mercy after severing be rerctrer “1. aq the efletsls expect the line
- Many Remers Aftoat. — tenes . Petereherg te Same Cotes
ee f pites as Sea's
. ay ot foo apie
pile Reeds i opie oa eS
ed ee ee ee
POWELL, Charles, black, hanged St. Augustine, Fla., 2-28-1908.
"POWELL PAID THE EXTREME,PENALTY/WAS HANGED AT JAIL YARD THIS MORNING/ ©
COLLAPSED BEFORE EXECUTION AND WAS FASTENED TO A BOARD TO HOLD HIM _.
ERECT. - Limp and apparently unconscious Charles Powell was carried
to the scaffold at the jail yard this morning and legally executed for
the murder of John Rogers, another negro at Bunnell last summer,
About a half hour before the hour set for the execution Powell collapsed
completely and it was impossible to restore him. eh oe engage injections
were administered by the physicians, but without result. ‘The man's
pulse heat normally and this at first lead to the belief that he was
shamming. "hen all possible means for reviving him had been exhausted
the sheriff ordered him carried down from his cell to the jail yard
and then up to the top of the scaffold. Powell lay limp on the floor
of the scaffold while the officers prepared a board to fasten him to
in order that the execution might proceed., It was rather a gruesome
scene for the large crowd. Finally the board was ready and Powell
was lifted end fastened to the board, which snswered the vourpose for
which it was intended, viz: to hold the body of the doomed man erect
until the trap could be sprung. Supported by an officer the plank was
placed on the scaffold trap and the noose was adjusted to the neck of
the unconscious man, The black cap was pulled over the head and when
the siensal was given to the sheriff that 911 was in readiness for the
crucial moment, he sharply jerked the rope connected with the spring
and the trap door flew open and the pnlenk and body shot into bhe space
below. For s second perhaps, the rove sustained the strain upon it
and the plank snd body were sharply checked in their downward flight,
but only for s moment and then the rope broke and the body with the
adhering oe plunged to the ground. A groan burst from some of the
spectators a: the body rolled to the ground. The officers were beside
the prostrate form in a moment and the doctors who were in attendance
made an examination. Life was still pulsing in the man's body but the
doctors expressed the opinion that his neck had been broken by the
drop. They closely watched the pulse of the man, but the sheriff
dispatched a messenger for another rope, fearing that s second drop
would be necessary. In eleven minutes Powell's pulse ceased and he was
dead, but the announcement was not officially made for some 20 minutes,
no chances being taken, BEKAKK Before life was pronounced extinct the
messenger arrived K with a new rope and it was adjusted in place on
the cross tree of the scaffold, but was not needed, Fully an hour
before the time announced for the execution crowds began to flock
to San Marco avenue, leading to the jail. They streamed out the en-
tire length of the avenue end not until the execution was over was there
any cessation in the incoming throngs, Rev. Fathers Clavereul and Foley
attended Powell, but he became unconscious shortly after their arrival
at the jail and after that was unable to resvond to their ministra-
tions, The two priests conducted the final services on the gallows, both
kneeling with bared heads in the cold north winds, The jail yard and
the outer yard wes crowded with spectators, meny ladies being among
the spectators, Cameras were very much in evidence arly in the morn-
ine, but the several deputies had been instructed before hand by the
sheriff not to allow kodaks or other cameras in the grounds and the
officers advised every photographer, amateur and professional to
stack their cameras in the jail building, threatening them with
arrest if they attempted to take any pictures. The warning was effec-
tive and only one kodsk fiend outwitted the officersand secured e@ snap
shot. About five minutes after 11 o'clock, Yr, Alexander officially
announced that Powell was dead. The body was then turned over to the
undertaker. The attending physicians stated to the press that the
man's neck was broken by the drop and that he had died as Quickly and
|
POOLE, Hosea, black, hanged
ansind OBA REUL PLY
Last man hanged in Escambia
calmly bid the world goodbye
By Craig Myers and Dave Goodwin
News. Journal
The last man te be hanged in Fiscambia
County said * ‘goodbye world, I have made
" my peace” as he met his death in July
1920, according to press reports.
Hosea Poole was hanged at the old
county jail in Pensacola, at the corner of
Jefferson and Zarragoza streets.
Today, the gallows have been removed
from the old jail, but the building is part
of the Pensacola Cultural Center. The jail
will one day be remade as a 500-seat
theater. And the courtyard where people
watched the hanging now houses Norma’s
Cafe.
All executions in Florida once were han-
dled by officials at the jails or prisons
where the offender was confined, accord-
Ing to the Florida Department of Correc-
tions. The method was hanging by the
neck until dead.
In.1923, the Florida Legislature placed
executions under state control, changed
the method to electrocution and provided
a permanent death chamber. The first
- State execution was Oct. 7, 1924.
, Poole didn’t want any preaching or reli-
gious talk the day before his hanging, a
report said.
On July 30, 1920, a reporter for the
Pensacola Journal wrote that Poole the
previous day had insisted on no talk
about the hereinafter.
“He said he would not take up his last
full day worrying about what was to
happen to him after his death,” according
to the newspaper story.
The previous March, he had killed his
brother, Albert, with an ax on a dock of
Pensacola Bay, tied the ax around Al-
bert’s waist and threw the body over-
board. He claimed it was self defense.
Poole was led into the so-called “death
chamber” at the jail around noon July 30.
Only a few witnesses were admitted be-
cause of.the size of the cell.
Just after noon the “death mask” was
placed over Poole’s head and he was
allowed to speak his last words, the Jour- .
nal reported.
The trap door was sprung just as he:
finished uttering the word “peace” at
about 12:13 p.m. Poole was pronounced
dead 13 minutes later, according to news-
paper accounts.
i. |
mf
5!
aie
af
are
; K eee S
A gel gir ay AN oe PR eh aha
ee See
ii
faas
intormation from Judse Bruno, July 1962
nequested Ly Al Mortenson, Pres. of Fernsacola Historteal society
The room that is now being used for the Juvenile Court, and that
4s loc: ted in the Court of “ecords budlaing on Jefferson and
Zarrefosa Streets, os shee used Lor the ‘scant le County executions.
it was Cusvanary For €£ecf: couunty Lo tt vWe.Of Tape Ovn place of exece
utlons Lbertore the state hed a central tic ton site.
Uhe vourt of necorcs tulloing was tulit in the rcrly 1906 cra. The
walls sre :t Le at eifht inches thick anc brick. ‘he court room
Was resecora tea several years ayo. ‘t the tine Judre Bruno first
sew tis mew quarters there was an tron circle in the ceilings
throagh which the rope for a noose ‘fitted. ijrectly under the
jron’ring was a Givicea aoor in tie rloor, which use to be oven-
ed ty a lever at the side. be request ea tirt this be left, but,
the cecorators lost the iron rine, Same OW, era cemented a very
rouph plece on the celling. This syor is essy to see.
One vietim is known to hsve been © nerro. Fev have witnensed
evecutions there, it twas thorht John “oreno Coe VAS e witness
at the last exccution.
phe one Voowrs out oe. auth vineow they con sec a shell of the
builcing that ‘as once tre detent aes cell for county inmetes.
securcs of the inmates ahsula be found st the county Clerks office.
7
'
ate obtoineo by Sutton.
Led
T7034 . ¢ +f
Pensacola [fistarics! .
Ad rh St jee Oo oT ad OS 5:4 ts
. .
Penscnit Biotica
PA SS
PENSACULA Aa Pcie .
405 SOUTH ADAMS STREEG
PTHSACOLA, FLOE' ¥ 32501
_
MARRIED BLISS——
for the Powells didn’t last
long after Mrs. Powell found
her husband was philandering.
THE VICTIMS——
Mrs. Lou E. Speer (left) and Mrs.
Katie L. Powell, from an old Photo.
silence. Presently we rounded a
long curve and immediately noticed
a small truck belonging to a geophy-.
sical survey crew that was parked in
the King Ranch pasture. The wire
fence stood between it dnd the road.
There were a couple of fellows sit-
ting in the front seat of the truck. We
naturally assumed that they were
members of the crew.
It was in my mind to wave a greet-
ing as we passed by them, but just
as we drew opposite the truck I no-
ticed that one of the pair had a long
scar on the side of his face.
“Stop the car!” I called to Nichols,
who had relieved “Red” Arnold at the
wheel a short time before. “Look at
that boy with the scar on his face.
One of the murderers was supposed
to have a scar on his face. Remem-
ber? -We’d better investigate that
pair.”
Nichols braked the car to a_ stop.
Arnold, who happened to be holding
his rifle across his knees at the time,
stepped out.
“Hey, there,” he called. “What are
you fellows doing this early in—”
Arnold was never permitted to
finish his sentence.
The blond youth sitting on the side
nearest us left his seat with uncanny
swiftness. One moment he was sit-
ting quietly in the truck. The next
instant he was on the ground and
his short barreled revolver was spit-
ting lead at us.
Arnold stumbled and fell heavily
to the ground.
“He’s shot Arnold,” I yelled to
Nichols, and yanked my revolver from
its holster,
Nichols and I leaped out of the car’
on the opposite side, keeping it be-
tween us and the barrage of pistol
bullets coming from the truck.
The other bandit had climbed out
of the truck with the heavy .45 cali-
bre six-shooter taken from Pickney
Barnhill poised and ready for action.
He took cover on the far side of the
truck and, an instant later, he was
joined by his blond companion,
My own six-gun leaped and rocked
in my hand as I sent a fusillade of
bullets toward the murderous pair,
Nichols was firing his revolver from
the cover of one end of our patrol car.
Suddenly there was a sharp burst
of rifle shots.
DETECTIVE
worried was because several nights
before some man had followed his
mother-in-law home, implying that
this mysterious man was thinking
about robbing her. i
Detective Wait took the necessary
notes and filed these notes with the
case, but it wasn’t a part of Powell’s
plan to have the case pigeon-holed as
just another missing persons mystery.
He wanted to make sure that there
was no question in the public mind
that Mrs. Lou Speer and his wife had
really disappeared and something had
happened to them.
This happened to be necessary for
the legal phase of inheriting the great
fortune of Mrs. Lou Speer, and when
Powell left the Police Headquarters,
{
CRIME DETECTIVE
“It’s Red. He’s shooting at them
with his rifle. He’ll smoke “em out,”
Nichols cried jubilantly.
“Where’d they hit you, Red?” I
yelled,
‘[m all right, fellows,” Arnold
called out. “I wasn’t hit. The punk
missed me. I just stumbled and fell
in this ditch. Pour the lead to ’em,”
And “pour the lead to ’em” was ex-
actly what we did for the next few
seconds. It seemed much longer than
it actually was. The furious battle
could not have lasted very long.
_ The bandits suddenly ceased fir-
ing.
PBe careful, boys. Try not to show
yourselves,” Red called. “I think
they’re just saving their ammu-
nition,”
We held our fire for a moment.
The stillness was painful. With our
guns leveled we watched that truck.
We were waiting for the gunmen to
make a move, or show themselves
even for a moment.
HERE was no use calling on them
to surrender. We knew that. We
knew it would be a battle to the death
and that the desperate pair would
fight it out. It would be them or
US.
Soon the break we were waiting
for arrived. The heavier of the two
bandits was barricaded behind the
far rear wheel of the truck. We all
saw his six-shooter bein pushed for-
ward from behind the wheel. A fore-
Fa followed it. Still we held our
re,
A moment later the tousled head
and scowling face of the bandit ap-
peared from behind the wheel. His
glittering, fear-crazed eyes tried to
\search out our own hiding places.
I think we all fired at him at about
the same time. I squeezed the trigger
of my six-gun. Almost simultane-
ously came the sharper report of Red
Arnold’s rifle; Nichols snapped two
quick shots from his revolver.
The gunman fell from behind that
truck wheel and there was no strength
left in his nerveless trigger finger. He
didn’t fire the cocked six-shooter,
We were taking no chances. We
laid down another barrage of bullets
until we were certain he was dead.
From the other end of the truck,
the blond killer threw one final shot
89
in our direction. Then he suddenly
wheeled and raced for the heavy
protecting timbers some 40 yards dis-
tant. ‘.
Red Arnold leaped to his feet and
leveled his rifle,
“Stop or V’ll kill you!” he shouted.
The blond youth increased his
speed. Two or three more of those
long, desperate jumps would have
carried him to the doubtful safety of
the thick brush.
Arnold’s rifle cracked. The bandit
staggered, swayed and fell to the
ground. Before Arnold could fire a
second shot he wiggled behind a thick
pile of brush which had recently
been grubbed out. :
“Look out, boys!” Red called to us
as he put the truck between himself
and the felled bandit. “I’m afraid I
didn’t kill him. I think I got him in
the shoulder. He’s hiding behind that
brush pile and waiting to get another
shot at us.”
“He’ll never get it,” Nichols an-
swered. He reached into the patrol
car for his own high powered auto-
matic rifle.
A moment later he joined Arnold.
Deploying swiftly to either end of the
truck, but-still on our Own side of
the fence, the two highway patrol-
men literally riddled that pile of
brush. No living creature could have
withstood that withering hail of fire.
Satisfied that the blond killer was
dead, the two officers and I climbed
the high fence and went to inspect his
remains. He was dead all right. More
than one bullet had taken. effect.
There was one macabre note to the
scene. Lying close beside the riddled
gunman was one of the largest rattle-
snakes I have ever seen in the south-
west. It, too, was shot to pieces.
“Boys,” I said, “it looks like you
killed two rattlers when you were
only expecting to kill one.”
We took the dead bandits back to
Kingsville where they were identi-
fied by their fin erprints. Dwain
Johonson, of Haskall, Tex., and LeRoy
White, of Houston, Tex,
Pickney Barnhill died that after-
noon as the sun was sinking in the
west. But we had wreaked ven-
geance on his killers and on the mur-
derers of Mrs. Davis.
We caught them. We brought them
back. And we brought ’em back dead.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61
_ A FIEND FOR PERFECTION
he went directly to the newspaper
offices and gave the newspapers the
same story, embellishing it somewhat
_with more details about this mysteri-
ous man that had shadowed his moth-
er-in-law.
Then Powell went home, highly
Satisfied with his, work. This satis-
faction increased’ when he saw the
bold headlines of the newspapers,
He waited another day before ad-
ding to the story that his wife and
her mother had met with ‘foul play.
On this day he again walked. into
Police Headquarters and this time he
Was carrying a'water-soaked woman’s
pocketbook, which he informed De-
tective Wait, in a very broken and
hoarse voice, belonged to his mother-
in-law. <A friend of his had found it
in Hogan’s Creek, he explained,
He became , angry when Detective
Wait did not at once order \Hogan’s
Creek drained to find the, bodies. So
great was his indignation, and so
touching was his controlled grief, that
the police finally agreed to perform
this rather difficult job. |
Hogan’s Creek is a five-mile stretch
of water that flows through the
Springfield residential section | of
acksonville and runs into the Saint
John’s River, It is controlled by'a
series of locks, which made draining
difficult.
But the locks were pumped dry and
a thorough search made, No bodies
were found. ey Pa et
SONAR remem
90
This was completed the third day
after the murders, and Powell was
convinced now that not only had his
murder plan been perfect but that
all legal difficulties in the way of a
quick inheritance of the fortune of
Mrs. Speer had been cleared away.
Another thing that brought him ex-
treme satisfaction was the fact that
three days had passed and apparently
the bodies had not risen and his mur-
der plan was fool proof, no matter
how suspicious the police or the
neighbors might be of a man that had
already murdered two other persons.
But on the morning of March 7th,
Marcus Powell's feeling of satisfaction
received its first rude and unpleasant
jolt.
af geo phone at his home rang and
when he answered it a rather gruff
voice said: ‘Powell, this is Inspector
Ed Acosta at Police Headquarters.
We have just received a phone mes-
sage from Fernandina that two fisher-
men have found the bodies of two
women in the river there. They may
be the bodies of your wife and her
mother and we want you to come to
Headquarters.” .
‘Tl be right down,” Powell man-
aged to say without showing his feel-
ings.
But when he hung up, he gulped
and suddenly felt weak all over.
Fernandina was a small town on the
Loften River, a little distance below
where he had thrown the bodies of
the two women in the water.
Something had happened with his
carefully planned trick of making
sure the bodies wouldn’t rise-to the
surface. He had adopted this plan in
preference to placing weights on the
bodies because the. undercurrent of
the Loften River was so strong that,
in time, these weights would come
loose and the bodies would come up.
He grabbed his hat and rushed to
Police Headquarters. By the time he
got there, he had recovered complete-
ly from this unpleasant development.
He congratulated himself on his wis-
dom in preparing for such an emer-
gency.
At Police Headquarters, he was
ushered into the office of Inspector
Acosta and he didn’t have to be a
mind reader to know what was go-
ing through the inspector’s mind.
County Detective Ed Hurlbert and
Deputy Sheriff Rex Sweat were with
the inspector and neither of these
men made any attempt to hide their
suspicions of Powell.
All three of the officers knew his
record as a killer and all three knew
that if anybody killed Mrs. Lou Speer
and her daughter, it would have to
be Marcus Powell.
“What have you learned?” Powell
played his part well.
Inspector Acosta said: “We haven’t
learned much yet, but we are going
to Fernandina and we thought you
might want to go along.”
“Certainly, I want to go,” Powell
replied. .“My poor wife ... my poor
wife...”
“Better not start crying until we
learn if the body is your wife's,”
County Detective Hurlbert suggested
drily. “And before you start crying
we want to ask you a number of
questions.”
Powell let that remark pass and
he followed the three officers out of
Headquarters and got in the police
car that was to take them to the little
town of. Fernandina.
When the officers and Powell ar-
CRIME DETECTIVE
rived in the little town, they went
directly to the Oxely Funeral Home
where the bodies lay on two slabs,
and where Medical Examiner Doctor
R. Dillinger of Duval County was
making his preliminary examination.
Powell glanced nervously at the
bodies, hoping against hope that they
were not his wife and mother-in-law,
but in that quick glance he could tell
nothing. Five days in the water had
done much destructive work.
“It’s the bodies of two women,”
Doctor Dillinger reported. ‘Both have
been beaten over the heads and killed
that way and both have their stomachs
slashed. It looks like whoever killed
them and threw them in the river, cut
their stomachs to make sure they
wouldn’t rise. The cuts weren’t deep
enough and gas formed and the bodies
rose.”
Outwardly Powell was a much
puzzled and distracted man, but in-
wardly he wasn’t puzzled at all. And
it didn’t make him feel any better to
hear the doctor say that-if the cuts
in the stomach had been deeper, the
bodies wouldn’t have risen fo the sur-
face.
A stupid blunder, caused by his
haste to get the bodies out of the
house, but Powell was cunning
enough not to overplay his hand.
He brushed his hand across his eyes,
as if he were trying to hide from view
the ghastly sight. “It can’t... no, it
can’t... be Kate ...my wife... it
is horrible, that body.”
Inspector Acosta wasn’t impressed
by Powell’s acting. The hard-boiled
officer said: ‘We'll find out soon
enough if it is Kate, and in the mean-
time, Powell, we’d like to have you
stay around with us.”
“Tl do anything you want,” Powell
replied, as docile as a child.
But behind this appearance of
docility his mind was doing some fast
‘thinking. He knew it would be only
a matter of a few hours until the two
women would be identified by their
dentures, as both his wife and her
mother had had considerable bridge
work done.
And after that Powell sensed that
he would be in for a long and relent-
less grilling and he began formulating
answers to the numerous questions
he knew would be fired at him.
Inspector Acosta gave orders for
the bodies to be rushed to Jackson-
ville for identification, and then the
two fishermen who found the bodies
were questioned. They were Otis
Skinner and his fourteen-year-old
son, Jimmie.
What they told wasn’t important in
the case, and after hearing their
rather dramatic and frightened story
of coming upon the floating bodies,
Inspector Acosta and the other offi-
cers, with Powell between them, got
back in the car and returned to Jack-
sonville.
OWELL was taken to Police Head-
quarters and the detectives started
to question him even before the
bodies had arrived or were identified.
The first barrage of questions weren’t
troublesome, and Powell, having
twice before known what it was to be
grilled by the police, adopted the .
time-honored ruse of a guilty man, to
say nothing he didn’t have to say.
But while Detective Jim Mead and
Deputy Sheriff Sweat questioned him,
Inspector Acosta and County .Detec-
tive Hurlbert were back in the police
ear and headed for Lofton Creek.
They had to make a wild guess
about where the bodies had been
thrown in the water, basing this guess
on how fast the current of the Lofton
Creek would carry the bodies down-
stream. Their first guess wasn’t bad,
considering that it was nothing more
than a guess, and two hours later
they came upon their first evidence
where the bodies had been thrown
in the water.
This evidence was the charred re-
mains of the fire Powell had built
with the women’s clothes. The detec-
tives examined the ground closely in
all directions, and after a while came
upon the tire tracks left by Powell's
car. Around these tracks, they found
footprints, plenty of them; and by
tracing these and the marks of the
tires where the car stopped, they were
able to form a fairly accurate picture
of each move the killer had made as
he carried the bodies of the women to
the creek.
' The two officers jumped back in
their police car and covered the five
miles to Jacksonville in record time,
and in record time they raced back
to the scene of tire tracks and foot-
prints. D. L. Dyrenforth, well known
analyst expert and laboratory man,
was with them.
“I want plaster casts of these tire
tracks and these footprints,” Inspector
Acosta said to Dyrenforth. “Also
there is a pile of charred ashes back
there in the woods that I want ana-
lyzed.”
Dyrenforth started work at once.
Making the casts wasn’t a long job.
The charred ashes of the fire were all
put into a cloth: to be taken back to
Jacksonville.
The officers and Dyrenforth arrived
back at Jacksonville within an hour,
just in time to hear the news that the
bodies of the two women had been
identified as Katie Powell and Mrs.
Lou Speer.
Powell was still at headquarters
being questioned, but the detectives
weren’t getting very far with him. He
answered questions when he wanted
to and when he didn’t he shook his
head and smiled at them.
“Okay, Powell,” Inspector Acosta
said when he entered the room where
Powell sat. “We found where your
wife and mother-in-law were thrown
into the water. We have plaster casts
of the tire tracks and of the footprints.
After we check these, I think you'll
be willing to talk.”
Powell settled back in his chair and
smiled at them. That smile sent In-
spector Acosta and County Detective
Hurlbert out of that room in a raging
fury.
But a half an hour later these two
officers weren’t in that raging fury.
They were crestfallen and mad, and
as helpless as two babes.
They had checked the tires on
Powéell’s car and found that they
didn’t come within a mile of compar-
ing with the casts of the tire tracks on
the creek bank. They had rather un-
ceremoniously taken one of Powell's
shoes off and made the baffling dis-
covery that the rubber heel of his
shoes didn’t match the one in the cast,
which had a cut in the side, and the
sole wasn’t anything like the sole of
the shoe in the plaster cast.
Inspector Acosta and County Detec-
tive Hurlbert drove out to the Powel]
home, taking Dyrenforth with them
They examined the kitchen floor and
the bath-room. They found traces of
blood.
They examined Powell's car, but at
first they found nothing. though thes
made t
the car
someth
Dyrenf
were tr
of the {
it woul
examin
fact.
Inspe:
Hurlber
to Hea
could m
tion, ar
‘back in
search c
This s
in the }
thing of
ing the
floor to
was a b:
the bath
that of F
Inspec’
closet. &
there. A
hat was
body mu:
of the cl.
suit was
the coat
The In
closely, b
he walkec
of the ho
ters,
While }
had been
cers were
ination of
wife and
living nea:
This lin
more prod
Acosta and
uncover, ]
from Elliot
Speer, that
to divorce
balked at t
sisted that
and had in
marriage, r
_ Furtherr
that Mrs.
her will che
under no ¢
of her large
This clinc
the police \
the neighbo
eral of ther
woman scre
night Powe
mother-in-];
When Ins
this, he wal
Detective }
Sweat were
questioning
hours, but F
as when it ;
and Under-<
looked at the
NSPECTOF
questionin.
to divorce
mother-in-la\
out of a new
make,”
Powell swu
SWivel chair.
to go to trial
dence against
fool than I thi
“There is kb
your home ar
countered.
“Naturally,”
my dog raw
He took the bundle of clothes from the car, walked some
distance through the trees before stopping. When he
did stop, he scraped up the dead limbs of the trees,
placed the clothes on this pile, and touched a match to
the dry brush.
The flames leaped up quickly, and he stood behind a
tree while the clothes burned down to black and indis-
tinguishable ashes.
Then he went back to the car, started the engine, and
headed back to town.
His mind was working smoothly and clearly. Every-
thing had gone as planned, without the semblance of a
hitch, but there were still many other things to do.
There was the blood in the house and in the car, that
would have to be all wiped up, which would be done
with a special solution to remove blood stains.
Powell wasn’t banking everything on the fact that
the bodies would not emerge. To combat this possibility,
the tires on his car would have to be changed as the
police might trace the tire treads his car made. The
rubber soles of his shoes would also have to be removed
and new soles put on.
Purposely, he had made a cut in the rubber heels,
a cut that would show up in the footprints. The soles
were also fixed to leave their marks, but they would
never trace these soles to him.
-BY midnight Powell had completed every detail of his
murder plot. He had changed the tires on his car
and replaced them with new tires he had purchased
several weeks before in another city. He had also dis-
carded his shoes. They were buried far away from his
home and if anybody should, by some accident, find
them, they couldn’t be traced to him.
The blood had all been wiped from the floor of the
kitchen and from the bathroom. If traces of blood
were found, he had a perfect alibi. For over a week,
he had been buying his dog bloody meat and purposely
let the dog drag the meat over the kitchen and bath-
room floors. He made this alibi perfect through having
several neighbors know that his dog did this.
So at midnight when he sat.down to have a Scotch and
soda, he was highly satisfied with his night’s work.
Nothing more was to be done until late the next day or
perhaps the day following.
Then he would make his second move of his perfect
murder plan!
It wasn’t until the morning of March 4, two days
after the double murder, that Powell, wearing the
benign look that always made him look like a minister,
walked into Police Headquarters at Jacksonville.
Sergeant Mike Flannery was on the desk when he
entered. ‘Sergeant,’ Powell said in a hoarse voice, “TI
am worried about my wife and her mother. They have
been missing since night before last.”
“You better talk to Detective George Wait,” Sergeant
Flannery said. ‘He handles missing persons.”
Powell walked into Detective Wait’s office and re-
peated what he had told the Sergeant, adding that his
wife and mother-in-law had started for the picture show
and that was the last he saw of them.
“Did they haye any money on them?” Detective Wait
asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Speer was carrying a pocketbook and I
think she had about $300,” Powell answered glibly
and convincingly. “I always warned her about carry-
ing so much money around, but she had collected
some rents that afternoon and she said she couldn't
put it in the bank.”
Detective Wait asked other questions, the usual ones
about missing persons, and Powell had a quick and
ready answer for each. He even proffered the sugges-
tion that the reason he was (Continued on page 89)
IN THE KITCHEN——
Powell finished his gruesome work
before disposing of the two bodies.
; Pues
AG rarareea emer a7, 05
OTIS SKINNER——
and his son Jimmie discovered the
corpses five days after the murders,
INVESTIGATORS.
included Det. Inspector E..L. Acosta
and Detective J. S. Meads.
61
6-A THE DOTHAN EAGLE
ALABAMA/NATION
Thursday, June 29, 2000
Horida executes man who got renrieve in
By Ron Worp
_ Associated Press Writer
room shooting and thought he
was Jesus Christ was executed
by injection Wednesday, one
day after he received a
teprieve while strapped to the
gurney in.the death chamber.
Thomas Provenzano had
been granted the stay Tuesday,
11 minutes before the sched-
uled execution. Intravenous
needles had already been
inserted in his arms
A three-judge panel of the
U.S. Court of Appeals in
Atlanta, which had given no
reason for its: stay, dissolved
the order Wednesday morning
and Gov. Jeb Bush resched-
uled the execution for the
evening.
The execution was delayed
again Wednesday while the
Florida Supreme Court
teviewed a stay request
received at 6 p.m. — a half-
hour before Provenzano was
scheduled to die.
Provenzano’s lawyers said
his mental condition had dete-
riorated and asked for time to
have him examined by psychi-
atrists. The request was
denied at 6:44 p.m. and seven
minutes later Bush told the
prison warden to begin the
execution. ;
Provenzano looked at his
lawyer, Michael Reiter,
“Thanks — for everything,
Mike.” He was pronounced
dead at 7 p.m.
Provenzano, 51, was exe-
cuted for the murder of
William “Arnie” Wilkerson,
one of three bailiffs shot in
1984 when the unemployed
electrician opened fire. The
other two bailiffs were para-
lyzed; one has since died.
A trial judge concluded in
December that Provenzano
believed he faced execution
because he is Jesus. But the
judge ruled that was not a
strong enough reason to spare
him, because Provenzano also
knew he had killed Wilkerson.
Under Florida law, con-
demned killers can be execut-
ed even if they are mentally ill
chamber
— unless they don’t under-
stand they are about to be exe-
cuted and why.
Provenzano’s sister,
Catherine Forbes, had asked
thé governor in a letter Tues-
day to spare her brother.
“As. you know, Thomas is
severely mentally ill,” Forbes
wrote. “He believes he is Jesus
Christ and that he is going to
be executed because people
hate Tesus.”
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION (Jacksonville)
Tuesday, 8 February 1949, page 6.
Negro Dies in Chair
| RAIFORD, Feb. 7 1) — Aaron
‘Quince, 20-year-old Daytona Beach
“negro, was electrocuted today for the
murder of Mrs. Leona C. Sparkman.
| State Prison Parm Superintendent
|L. F. Chapman said the current was
‘applied at 8:01 A. M. and Quince
‘WAS pronounced dead seven minutes
‘later. The negro was convinced in
: 1947,
iiinenliieasnatedlind deat A nee. ee ee
SO eTOrt was Taade for a hew hear |
MP “Abas VON A short distance ins iu the ease of Fortuae Perry, and sa
ReOf Urown's home In the Archer SOC he wan told to stand up.
Alon, } “Fortune Perry, you have been con. | de
ats . ; ree ae . q '
ae Brown and Fortune Perry were vieted of murder in the first: degree, | bo
¢ Ba tried Wednesday, and the Jury dao What have you to Bay why the sent oh:
ji
“ . “Aig ae t 4 \
ame turned the follow ngs verdict at 30 ence of court should uot. be Passed Kay
t
; a O'clock p,m: ‘UPON yuu?” sid Judge Wills. j def
Pals ee , votre ; ie afer ; Te | sf
We, the jury, find the def ndants, What Perry Said. j aad
Be Brown and Fortune Perry, guile! : Eel
t murder ic ike trat degree So say Very, Standing erect and raising aS
aii ho HICKSON {Da right: hand above his head, sald: | ‘Tt
a ode erica I Murder in the first degree? Hones:, | ™!
“May 22. 1912 Foreman.” :
The can: went td the Jury at G:ag before God, 1 had hothing to do with
™., but no report having been oan mags. Fs |
made at 7:50, Judge Wilts ordered e Seath sentence was then a.
.
; ‘ nounced upon Per , anc
eo adjournment until 9 o'clock Thurs. : - ye ib wate 3 eae mais Fl
; Beat. aesas cae oo
me Gay morning. Shortly after 9 o'clock | tras : :
fo Wednerday night, however. the jury When brown wae Asked a similar
jest ho
SMotifled the bail that they Ocal fed | eres sere fa ontence nee’
“to report, and Sheriff Ramsey so noti- | [t be passe spon him, he answered:
fied Judge Wills, when Solicitor Long, sae oO ' He, Aaah sucece to
Clerk Wienges, the defendants’ coun. | 10 be hangec at such time ax rhe
¢ wo
e aie y 3 id
ge). @el were summoned to the gourt Pore of wich aus ie saute no
ie Sine w ,
Foom. The defendants were carried | nce Hrown's counsel was’ a rhe.
meeto the court house,
and the Verdict received, ~
Fa 34s, 0: C a Mar ly that a date for hig execution will
Attorney reed pra jbe set by the Governor unti] late
a! Judge Carter Spread the following in the summer, but unless Steps are
on = the Motion docket: IN taken in Fortune Perry’s behalf the!
gi
(3
“(
w¢
court “reopened Sixty days jn Which to prepare and
file a bill of exceptions, it js not like- Mes
€
’ ‘ aj hin . :
the Cireuit Court, Fighth Judicial Cir jdeath warrant may be issued in his
iy galt of Florida, Alachua County “ie&se within the ext few weeks.
* State of Florida vs. Fortune Perry aay Court Has Adis
es Lige Rrown, Murder.
or has Ss 1
defendant, | ‘rt has adjourned until Tue aay. |
“And now comes the ;
Mine ith. when the trial of EL 1, S
Lige Brown, and moves the court to Smith, sherit of Volusia counts. whe
Set aside the verdict of the madi? au, . ; nd a;
SeAlnst hin, rendered by the Jury on |) SHarged with murder, wilt bexin, |
the 22nd day of May, 1912, and to the case having heen brought: here |
Brant him a new trial upon the fol {Wen a change af venue. A -special |g
lowing grounds via: H¥enire of forty was ordered summon. ;
“l. The Verdict of the
trary to the jaw
jury is con. ed from which fo SOlect a Jury in that
i Case,
i]
{
j Following the Smith tTlal the enue
wy The Verdict of the Jurys ts con. } t Cai P wa —_ H
] trary to the evidence ° on ees ire Ney be Seid
Ae "2 The Verdict of the jury ig con. UP fins
“trary to the charge of the court. ! — jap
£4.48. The verdict of the jury is con. ENTERTAINMENT AT TABER.
p. trary to the weight of the evidence | NACLE SATURDAY EVENING | kx
ae “6. The verdict Of the jury ts not :
Supported by the evidence - The entertainment at the Taher. | VU
“6. The juror who acted as fore. nacle, on Saturday evening, at x 5)
f Man of the jury and signed the el jo'clock, incident to the University pa
Gict did not hear a large part of the commencement exercises, will be wf pr
oe 8Fgument of counsel. 4% superior nature. of)
S72. That juror, E. A. Hickson, =e Prof. Chapman and several of the [by
a asleep during the argument of COUR: | pupils in expression will give selec. fig
Pe @el, and did not bear and could not jn- ; tons, Mostly of a very humorous char. Rd
a telligentiy understand what was going acter. and Prof. Chapman wil! appear | ga
On during the progress of the trial. fin hig Celebrated character of “The
“Wherefore defendant Prays for a j Widow Redott" in the play, “Elder
fw trial, SYD L. CARTER, ISDifies’ Courtsnip.~ =
prot RE “Attorney for Lige Brown.” =. The Uuiverstty Orchestra will ren-
The Motion Argued. ~ der several selections. Fa
? Judge Carter, after reading - his A nominal admizsion fee of 10 cents
totion to the court, argued the same | ¥ 11). be charged to defray Incidental
ee an OOeth. expressing his convic PE ee eee ee
Bion’ that the evidence was pot sufi.)
FI
‘
‘
OR oe PP Sat eegrnen
Song te warrant a Ferdiet |
DS RO ae
OR ae te
» XXIX, ‘NO. Te
tS we mnt
Peter RY A te
N PERRY CONVICT.
D ON MURDER CHARGE |
lteen years, Bald the only pletol he
paw that bight belonged to Will firown,
‘and that brown Gred a aticot as the!
while men came up, and then ran
mri es eur TWO that @ atray bullet siruck him, He!
“ acknowledged, {n answer tp questions
5 A HALF HOURS. [by Bollcltor Long, that he haa served |
stich: 5 he two terms {n State prison for cow
Stealing, but sald that the cows were
his own papery.
two years, the ober for six moatha
Trouble In Securing Jury—De
mt Made Statement in
argument, and after
charge of
hearing
at 10 oclock, Judge James
4 , Judge
Mis presiding, with State Attor-
a few minutes after 12 o'clock. After
Bire mk
de ng, Llerk Wienges and Sheriff deliberating thirty five minutes the Seht lasting «ic hours bliin a ie .
ey present. following verdict was returned: belected Cemporara chatrran by a sa’
yaagBherif made return of special) “We, the jury, find the prisoner MAsorits
pat os '
pre of twenty: ‘five as follows: J.! rRuilty of murder fn the frst degree Tie selection of Mrod, 6
~~ homas, A. D. Tilson, P. C. Deane, , | $0 say we all, S. M. MIXSON, pomitlom fs cesuarded 46
Cs: ) Masters, T. J. Hammond, J. C. “June Isth, 1912 Foreman” Taft. as be is one of th. 4
3 f. Samuel Shaw, W. G. Knowles, Three Ballots Taken strongest sinpporters
: en mers, J.B. Jordan, J.G. Rice, | _ bn HH The Rowses.dt fotewers are fates eg
- § Phree tallots were token Viv the
wekiill, J. Q. Harrell, T. L. Weeks, | . , ° every ineh of the g: ’
wing ,ijJary, the frat two cesniting eleven ,
Russell, Ss. D. Cellon, J. N.! the tome Titles t.ay
pas . . for murder in first degree and one fer’
idingham, W. J. Goolsby, 0, work AD tein 2 3%
a, J. E. Hays, R. T. Thomas murder in second degree. The third), — ce
a foes m . : oOmas, ; . hireaday
. hallot was unanimous for free SeRree |
murder
eH. Waters. , .
Perry did not appear
“Cain Perry Asralgued. ceerned over the verdict.
: a Perry, 8r., the Aked nek RIP. Mn ably be sentenced today.
‘ Jointly with his son, Fortine | Court then adjourned unt!) 9 o’etos k_
aie ( , and Lige Brown, for the murder) Wednesday morning, when cases on
puty Sheriff “a H. aan bea clvil docket will be taken up
Kreatiy con,
Hie with prety j
f
The Perry case wan the laat on the !
7 arraigacd, and plead pot gulity to | erfininal docket, and Soltettor Long |
charge. Fortune Perry and Like returned to hia home In Starke Tues
own Werg tried and convicted of day afternoon. The only case on the,
0: fer in the first degree about three | criminal docket In which an acquittal
‘a josh ago, it will be remembered. j was secured at this term was that of |
Perry. being physically unable to| sheriff E. L. Smith of Volusta county.
nd trial at that time. He Is atill :
Able to walk without assixtance,
" to the wound sustained on the
ht Deputy Slaughter and F. V.
Phite were killed. Perry was shot
f-the right thich, as a/reault of
b bis: right limb fs now about two
" @horter than the ‘Jeft. His
Patil swollen, but the wound
pally healed. He Was con-
5 and trom” the court house in
“andtgroaned as !f in con-
je pain While being assisted up
5 leading to the court room.
“Yart appointed Attorney 8. L.
to defend Perry and he
by his father, Judge Syd
wasn emploved to de.
m at his trial.
BIG POINT
GAINED BY PLANTERS
IN LAW 18
WASHINOTON, June 18.—-Deciatona
said to Gontro! 1186 sults tnvolving 200
plantations, worth several miliion dol
lera, in the flood section of the Mls
sissippi siver valley between New
Orleans and Cairo, Ill, were an-
nounced today by the court of claims,
mainly in favor of the land owners
on the question of Government lia
bility for damages accruing from levee;
construction work. For seventeen
years the controversy has been wagrd
before thia court, Involving the legal |
Hability of the Federal Government!
jfor having conatructed and com pleted |
UAINESVIL LE, FLORIDA, WEDNES
One term was for!
His Own Behalf. Submitied Without Argument.
’ BY agreement of counsel on each!
Court convened Tuesday ,8ide, the case was submitted without
the?
Witis the Jury retired |
i ed here “touay ;
phevoroke the ® indow
TAFT MAN CHOSEN As
_ TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN
Perry sald many shote were fired, and |
FIGHT OF $1K HOURS.
‘
pELINY ROOT ELECTED AFTER
;
j First Day of National Republican Con
vention Was Strenuous One
Nomination Thuteday (7)
National Repubican Comvention oye,
aod affer a
OLIVER CARRIED ON
WHOLESALE ROBBERY
a ee
SET ANOTHER UP IN BUSINESS
WITH STOLEN GOCOS
Negro Arrested For Robbery of M
Mch. Grady‘’s Stofe Appears to
o Be Very Undesirabie Citizen
Arch Oliver. the
to jall by Justice Letley
Springa last week pon a charge (hat
he broke Inte the ature of HH. Mcl.
Orady, ta evidently a had character,
an the followibg will ehow:
High Springa, June bic Arch Ollver.
employed some UUme ago by H. Mel.
Grady to paint and kalaomine the In
terjor of hie store, Axed a ladys
hegre Gatirmitted
while in the store so he could enter dey by
charkce ©
from the outside during the
te made it
before Mr. Grady missed anything.
several viaita,
micoter,
imat night Oilver entered Me
twhich was on Wedneaday of last wook
he
gata ‘tat
SDAY.
hi h 4
¥s St dent
nigbt.?
js paid,
the)
fatock being large and varied, but the qg..74
Peraaeh
f.
Ye
5 Sc ad
ALAS
fell
as he te
the wag
ance «uf '
ORNNIS
Hap wh
t
Matheew
WOM AN
Mpls
34! & t inet
WARE
at the
thw
Mrs |
Sight
s
Sao
The art
[eatin
he A {
Mack
:
oeery
i Kies
,
the aged negro in
jointly with his son, Fortune
4 ,and Lige Brown, for the murder
uty Sheriff Chas. H. Slaughtor
B Ascher on the night of May lith,
Sr gi and plead not gullty to
F ch Fortune Perry and Lige
pown: | ere’ tried and convicted of
arder. in. the first degree about three
; ioks © ago, it will be remembered,
Perry. being physically unable to
nd trial” at that time, He is still
ns ble to walk without assistance,
wing to the wound sustained on the
ys t Deputy Slaughter and F. V.
ite were killed.. Perry was shot
he. right thigh, as a result of
h hig‘right limb {s now about two
“#horter than the left. His
wtill swollen, but the wound
cally healed. He was con-
‘and trom” the court house in
ia “and‘groaned as if in con-
p pain While being assisted up
Bw Cain Perry, Sr.,
he
mo
a
3 “eourt appointed Attorney | 8.-L.
; Jr, to defend Perry™ and he
saisted by hia father, Judge Syd
> er, who was employed to de-
ge Brown at his trial.
Jury Easily Secured.
selection of a jury consumed
a half hour, the following be-
: orn: 8. L. Crews, J. N. Par-
ey wW. Cardy, L. C. Beckham, J.
le, Jos. F. DuPree, J. B. Rich-
ison, S. H. Hall, E. W. White, S.
e Mixson, J. R. Thomas, P. C. Deane.
fan) those summoned on the special
ire not taken on the jury were
charged for the term, and the State
wean the introduction of its testi-
en against Perry. The State's wit-
Sages were J. A. Lee, Will Franklin,
Wright, Will Brown, J. A.
Aeming, Sherif! Ramsey aud H. P.
pratt. |
POeputy Sheriff Slaughter was killed
me the home of Lige Hrown, and
wakiin, Wright and Will Brown, all
eed, who attended the festival at
Brown's house, testified to seeing
: have a piatol that night.
anning, who accompanied |
<x »
Ean
ed fatal for them,
ter down. Slaughter, White and |
thing approached thd
mblic road, and when Slaughter
Ba: them to throw up thelr hands,
i Perry raised bie right-hand, and
ope r with a pistol he held in
t hand. * Sherif Ramsey testified
{ter county tn the lower branch of the a ey desienticate them. Another and
) leading to the court room. .
hably be sentenced today.
Court then adjourned untll 9 o'clocks
Wednesday morning, when cases on |
the civil docket will be taken up.
The Perry cause was the last on the
criminal docket, and Solicitor [Long
returned to his home in Starke Tues: |
day afternoon. The only case on the |
criminal docket jn which an acquittad |
was secured at this term was that of
Sheriff E. L. Smith of Volusia county.
i
BIG POINT IN LAW IS
GAINED BY PLANTERS
WASHINGTON, June 18.—Decisions
said to control 116 suits involving 200
plantations, worth several million dol-
lers, in the flood section of the Mis-
sissippi river valley between New
Orleans and Cairo, Ill., were an-
nounced today by the court of claims
‘mainly in favor of the land owners
on the question of Government lia-
bility for damages accruing from levee
construction work. For seventeen
years the controversy has been waged
before this court, involving the legal
ability of the Federal Government
for having constructed and completed
the levee system along both sides of
the Mississippi river by confining the
flood waters In a narrow channel and
placing plantation lands between the
tmproved levee system and the low
water banks of the river, now in the
adopted artificial channel and thus
destroying these lands.
All the cases will be appealed to,
the Supreme Court for hearing next
Ictoher.
NEGROES HAD DIFFICULTY
OVER WOMAN—ONE SHOT :
|
Meagre information was received :
here Tuesday of a shooting which oc-
curred at Blue Peter lake, several |
lmiles from Archer, and near the line |
dividing Alachua and Levy counties. |
From what could be learned Yance ;
Howell! and Will Johnson become in: ;
volved in a difficulty over a woman,
“and White on the journey ; and Johnson was shot by Howell, but,
testified whether the wound wlll prove fatal)
‘saw Cain Perry shoot Deputy | was not learned.
Howell was‘raised in the Arredon-
negrocs in, do section and is well known there |
‘by both whites and biacks.
A Prominent Visitor. ea
Among the promineat visitors to
Jainesville Tuesday was” Hon. Gtean
Terrell of Webster, who was ere 00;
duainess with the United States Land
Office. Mr. Terrell represeuted Sum-
}
'SET ANOTHER UP
i;Negro Arrested For Robbery of H.. 20
| goods,
fyoods to him by the wagon load.
WHOLESALE ROBBERY
IN BUSINESS. Ma.
WITH STOLEN GOODS.
-
'
Mcl. Grady’s Store Appears -to
tye
Be Very Undesirable Citizen. Th.
as
the
hanc
Arch Oliver, the negro cotnmitted
to jail by Justice Bexley at High:
Springs last week upon a charge that |
be broke into the store of H. McL.;
Grady, is evidently a bad character, DE4
as the following will show: |
High Springs, June 17.--Arch Oliver,
employed sume time ago by H. Mcl. | 7
Grady to paint and kalsomine the in-; 4;
terior of his store, fixed a window ine
while in the store so he could enter | day
from the outside during the night.’ one
He .made several visits, it Is sald., yf
before Mr. Grady missed anything, the: ya,
stock being large and varied, but the gay
last night Oliver entered the store,’ pos
which was on Wednesday of last week, fort
he broke the window glass that he ji),
had been removing, which gave the 2.4,
whole thiug away. def
The negro had sold goods to various .y
parties, and many things that were Qo,
en
stolen have been found, Including dry -j)
notions, clothing and ladies’ _
dresses, but the largest find occurred to «
today in Columbia county, where he}
had set a darkey by the name of
J. R. Tanner up in business, hauling
Oliver is’ a very danxerous meer
us well as a sitck rogue, and the com
'munity has suffered from his hands wat
| po little. There is good proof tha: be *5
Hs the party who entered EB. BR. God-,
i win's smoke-house and atole about) avt
‘three hundred pounds of meat, and 4
then a week later broke Into the Wa
smoke-house of Mrs. G. W. Easterlin “El
land stole about the same amount, [rt }0U
‘ig also thought that the meais were this
‘carried to Tanner's store tn Columbia boi
tr
i county and sold. Qtr
he tr
Life
ei
Pinkoson’s Alligators.
H. H. Pinkoson has seven small alll.
gators at his fish market on West
Union street that have attracted con- | |
siderable attention recently. The lit.
tle saurians were captured some time.
since in Maples swamp. and while
they aro only about two months of str
age they are showing their natural in- nes
cination for biting: The ‘gators are ¥i
only‘eeven or eight inches in Jemgth anc
and Mr. .Pinkoeson will probably en- | ed
ot
eit)
ple
by
ness is ‘the shell of an
pon, “modnted, which Mr. Pinkoscn | i wil}
soared Gerng a recent a at Clean | fri
ve he's
“, ae a oe - an, ae “ rs
SR nema ammntet e oe eRe” eee
- Published ‘Twice a "Week—Monday nel Thursda
ste sme om ay
'
“WK NO. 0S GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA MONDAY, JULY 1, 1912 |
—_
cara mmm
Paattu ame
Fon the or r ‘rotl call finally vo i aa OCAL DELEGATIO y
e J “ABTA PREVENTS ; 4 Fas leriocy: is Ww =the <3 oe SENTENCE OF DEATH IS ; = pa Baraee
a i ? son Continues To Gain.
am Me Z sal rhe annie at vet twenty-second bal- P RONOUNCED ON P ERRY |
~ {Jot was a. gain, of 9 votes for the | iB
New Jersey Governor at Clark's et: MAN REITERATED HIS FORMER.
ey. Edgar Wilson
| erg Methodiat chureh
Be ale
: “Tpense.. On the twenty-second ballot) + ee AL Tt Hartwfield and
i fl viarmoa was eliminated, his vote go- | Speer: ieee Hartsfleld have returne
- {ing to Clark.: The. ballots up to § 730) 1 SS NV illg, where they: atten
are as follows uae * [That Other Parties Fired Shots Which | District Conference,
SS ARS APES LIM ert Fe Ne ap eee er e Vaderss. ars! mn seeing
< JRallots. Clark. Wilson. ewood. mon. | - Killed Two White Men—Other South, “and report AE
; Tet .o..e: 440g S21 117 14814 | Matters Before ‘the Court, | ThE Brooksville Sout
ind eevee 446% 339% UL Geil: EEX ; Ren ge ok tains this reference td
ard versa 44l B49 14a “140 1g Ses = 8 ~ “Wednesday evening
ELH, Green, Baltimore Sun)
ith 2 See 443 . R494 “q12. 126% | Whea Circuit Court Sony envd Sat : Ww ligen pr eached to a ve
{
pirivons é oa. re first. Sth 443 351 119% 141%, rday morning at 9 o'clock, Judge gregation. He administe.
* ¢ mg Lg 7 ‘ % ,
bg Bn ne 354 121 125 James T, Wills presiding, there were | Supper, Rev. Wilson
352% 123% 129 perhaps fifty spectators res ent, ati lading preachers of th
3h ference. Tt
351 123... 130 frracted by the information tha: death} erene ie people
o-albnight Sessions of Deas
tonal Coven: ton came at 6:59 ‘this 9h WEP iat 452 S526: 13944. -197 Sap ee: eit: ge cont nat TOTS trea’ by his serme
erneem, When Idabo switched ber/10th ..... 656-3800 117 8 eee ee ener cee sas cee Pome Astor of the Gali
rotes Thom Clark to Wilsum Kan- Vth ..... 854 84% O1Sty od Merry. Sr, the aged negro cosh ted land last year was past
$ followed tramediately, taking 20 12th ...-. 549 S34 12 99) con, June Isth of the marder of Deputy Mr Al tt Uartatlerd ¥
mm Clark And xiving them to Wil terh oy... “4 B5Rty 119s 29) Sherim® C. H. Slaughter near Archer =!" frome the Joeat
L tath....- fag 2 NS 29. || on the night of May.bith, 1412.) Among: “ted & Preserve delen
: e score: Clark Si24, Uth o.0., a2 SHIH TDAty pe | toiat cout retmee ttis
fe Cnderaouk Iiitc end i6th |... BL Sammy Lng «gee | ES: Peete lore. eevural .F0U0R iy slactufield, wan ebe
peenery ith... Bah Mey TDs ogy f* hite boys and they looked on fn ase nye paymen's Moveme
Ae BOOM as the result was announced [Sth 60... ono 351 125 29) us the words were spoken which seal trict,
nator Fragcis of Missour! moved a [8th os. SR SAN rhe 29 Perry's doom, barring actlon ou the Mir ohn bi Plartsth
ees until § 50. Before the motion 27th ..... 612 Sooty TSEMy bart of the Goveruor, PCOMTNE tee GE pane
ud be put Luke Lea moved a roll fist oc... BON 39aty ddsig oa Perry ds still feeble aa a resi't of rAd HATO p, being grag
eee ere Bl he ieee eee pute ete ech SUG hg “ie ihe wound he received tp the thio iron Pear a ener
jeving that 1f a continuous gesson 26rd oo... “ss zen A1t"s . bene nighi of the killing, and was cu ates. \ a tlartafle}
1 be held Witson will be ueminated 4'N . aS Wlkg Tloty red to the court hotige ia thick ae ee
fore 1 t “3 en 25th ..... 469 405 ius 29°34 e Gdade a aDlendht ad
’ midnig!'. The sf ark patie aie rasta 4 a oe a = aa nut handeuton, _ oe betid 7 “ rie
‘wr an > tin wts re ee re . ‘ a” & ? P 3 a b fet Ont { I
fav --- Cheha aie ro: eats i" ( When Judge Wills asked Ferre if ee
amed,
Note—Guv. Marsball of Indiana re! done by the goctets
Yo the 2loi ballot Massachusetts ‘ceived Ju Indiana deivgates solidly all,
he had anything to say Why the sent
a , through the balloting, There’ were: hence of the law should not be passed
itohed a votes from Clark to Gov. “several scattering votes for Kern and: jupon him, be made @ Jengthy atate EVINSTON OEFEATE
itryan. Gov, Foss received 43 rotes |
ment, delcaring he wae innocent, and. IN FIVE-INNING
op eK ‘on the last four ballots.
ead Ley! AS fog begs | After the 26th ballot, by agreement! Charging that the shote that killed |
Shreugh al) tre teentstes ballots lor ihe campatgn managers of all the). H. Slaughter and F. ¥, White were}: EVINSTON. June 3
’ 27. =
Reaver switched from Under candidates, the convention sdjourned! fred by Wil) Brown and others whos H, M. Smith, who have
Sdye even vats made Auring the oe ie Clack arrived to Haitlmsore| ‘erties agalnet Bim. Hi statement ihe lettar’s parents, Be
arnoon resuited in practically RO 5 ortly after adjournmect of the con | 8s Practically @ reiteration of what! Pp, Bhettleworth, have re
sage ffom We result of the tveifth vention, in answer to a hurry call|/be said on the witness stand during! bome tn Rochelle, f
dot early this morning. .There Was ‘rom his manager, and was strong in: his trial. M :
de. ~~ y break the monotony of the his denunctation of Sr. Bryan's tn- The Se : e ' a mise beta Ors
16 eave the dramatic a! tatement | Called for attack upon him simply be-j_ $ asenee. mia. Hester, together
oa Pace eceaplacciten st ‘cause the New York delegation has| The sentence was then dellyered by |Ramie and Corrte Hest
P seen At: to yoto for him, -|Judge Wiis It read: “It je the|!™e & house party at
» vote” mipporting Governor Wood:
¢ Wilson. Sen esas MARRIAGE LICENSES.
gaia ‘the wildest scenes “ot this fe tae
tvmnition Hryan announced during | The valineing Were licensed to wed M
i ra,
teenth: ballot that he could no: by County Judge Mason on Raturdays. county eae’ in charge and safely kept MR Pass.
eters S until such ume) as the Governor by poCe 5 Be Grate Kaa
/SUpro lark, { ca t y. Da
(mid pga bee he Ags. ast; Mred.W: Davie and am Liesl) sie warrant may direct, and at the ville. to attend the a
lor Wilson Tee “Hamilton, white. Reet ee gee : *
ime and place designated in said the: ‘Ocala District Co
io’ , th: Wit. t
( berrit demoustration by the Hutier Beott, and Esther Eandoipn, warrant. {you be banged by “the: bea) © Miss Sarah Wood ts
é toliowed. Nebrasks asked to | colored. a
oo Lind and war, called after all the?) John Smith aad Emma . English, col | a ene ar us a pred be 4 oe eae Sols oF)
tes bad been recorded. Ont red. si i
pt aah a oa a statement, Bets | Perry was assisted trom the court We B arlow, “who
ree eine {room to a ‘carriage by (wo “ot “pia tag hie ‘prandparents, -
= mar bate? ie Sr outa colar, oho ‘on either side He was, Py Bheitleworta,
xe me the gentlemen zi eas “here. Fee! erdar ‘and rented “ pease ents re pants: ha bomecins ats: “i
4 Arihie Chalrwas eek the Behofield butiding, tn which be |” " ek ia aie es : ee eel: M. Prince, pg ;
ot Be ee WT i giar,” We Nakers Testes parts att pA SH ting. me) cae Pat om the, cat
eapia's mr voles : tapers Fast ¥ Me Be hefel. efit at otic ; i -eotund he rer elved : xe ‘ina the Jatior's parents.
“Tha ge: leas » got pertdtted unm ia tieicinict i at once begin ie ne Berry ang Liaw Neown are "TL W. Prince, laat Bun
~ ea uie 6s pisia pabedt the tem ’ tot of a brick owen far the sind NKAAY Mpmtoniia: oF death in ray The TNeddick and Fei
sontence of the law and the judement [s!ven by Mites 1 Kile: A
of, the. ae that you,’ Catn” “Perry, | waavine. Shas
be > te “sheriff! of Alachua} RB. G. Base ts visit
AEE ne son eat <
SG ‘
i ena crater ti
ee pepe
!
i
i}
yestcorcay afternoon ind askec for on cudisnee with che covesnor
Bet tit “EN2ES% Was Kee 14 gad, The POVePRor sent. ord tent Ke
agvevw the nature of ner request be be colt net eecanethine: Vor ody
The governor arrived! here yesterday to ecanfer vith “leckwell and,
that cectston stooc nlsot" |
(ivr, Coe sedd theiaxe was tiea to the brotrers Lee under the)
trousers before being cusped overboard.)
On . july 30s
of the cou
ns vistte:
guriar
&
|
aty Jail for tho. nurder
2 ty constc nt
: 920, che, dournel rerorted:
Be PRECHG OL HANGS Aq .
“8Poole wille hangitodey st acen in the erath chocber
at ‘
map reck oe Tony
oy «ae © ane jae AY e be SS A
Pv J we call ah Bey ae :
2f ts “Hprotier fibert. Whee
e$re\em of vbite and colored neonlc
#
visit inp! HourB yesterday and underwent the ordeal calmly
ge thourt nothing unusual harpeded. | |
! He insisted Chak ey he elibwee ifreecon [vem preachiar
1i vious talks iyeat orcry, gtsting that if nreachars wished
and ail ue
to taLx
Loxe uy hi
ne after @
| peosed the)
“tet a ‘
ip aapooit goog ft
a,
_ for: extra
tim t@ Come.
2a
i 4
St ful, ery
‘wan tb
tole “ov ide! suiteb)
4 nF EPO preacher
16¢ | bet iepodiys: cefore ha left eet
ind todey« jHe said that He would not
vorry log about yhat wes ta herpen to
en up By lhe [Jets ‘re waillinghas
@iclethes aneibarisi for the nerrs
Hisional, noney. £3 each wan or woman
Kee to give Sd to “4.00.
Hoses spent siost of the dey in tie
gapqted, the PROT ners aedtelear
Lt noah | Bounty | makee no rrovi sion: |
* ne it ai Hie 14 j | yi
ilk nay | :
hi blige 128 ‘sh pity { es PA ry os Be
Liduly hy 19205 tells. 4f the
a te ad ie eee
sh) treo WTS GAT CALALY
: souney ia, x! for the iz
hiinutes | efter teelve 9
/ |
“wes! pronounced | dead sy
tha wes
ten lever im the county jeil yesere
| flor ¢ thelmurder, o f his brother. (The:
oF of] che Jeih oh only a fen) ee:
sens ON | i adnea the sme jlness of
ea cer aT 4 fF
Fk was! places over the head bo ised ih
Yipeccns e g@ithe trep! was. sprung: : rai
The fepro was composed and) went | to. i
7 tae or ones the psitenecat: febr fa:
iL HERR Bae 1 Pees
ibEnnacdlle ! other ape! whore a od gh
jsven were PLL Eee: with people. Ledereor
pnd Hosea said that he:
be dia. ig wife land)
ce on the tras end hig
‘end weal eacy
he took his) nd.
a Helatu ioe jh geal ne. ited
blithe - :
ON AN AA TES
DEL TE
-n tinrl stetement that he ivved is
4 vt ge
‘ ‘other aid no héeve Une Sahe feeLiny sor
Rance fu to be fan var wure apein it 3
. ad >
PHe gga in mekin
Tot her wut thet h
4c excer
C
<
=
teed
nn < be es ‘ ;
. , a R . Poe iy Bee aap ; a ee ee nC he
rmeirer be murderes > segeld than xtas mis CSUN Tee He mi CRES
{tin on ae sever d wher G #1 OG OMe chrew tne
Styert in the heed +
cee in the veye -he murde Seve = Oped Dal od che rge Ys petty
larceny mace aroinst Losea by LG JUNE.
Greeting Lhe recorus tt Ube Court uf .ecsres
eoorht forth: canudrcy 1920, tosre
ae? wf 4? : ;
“pond terceny; cost os GhIFlyY GChYSe LPive Commaati eu feces
7
4 4
eee ae ee ore hob Sy.
si, L9LY. ~ Buvie Proper? of ALLEN POOLE. PPO: y
Oia OL tia dat De
ff onievele, one pair of shoes and: ane
, Kia EX OES G
Scent &L Sortvensons
s
bd > . a - .
peletortesh Geciviy reaesreh ches we aeices
o - ~
te VOU. cy renSsetO.a Right so
‘ , 1 ¢° #4 wees “ estar XY. “yh: an
Lieto ae Suttons LSWee ere at qveu us Pome ad Ga Ceram Asad UST
* =
eee
rryiects cinta bvory sf the
oon ae
«.
ear i,
a. 4"
i ae
ce
tnd
ne
—
*
q a ee]
<a
»
Ee Oe a
TSE ae
‘pe 4 aoe s 4 S wy fa pe 4 be aa 7 oe
tisornmetion iron ier. Jolin eoreaud Lode, 3
me °
Of: DeETOe nivea hovie [001.. Ets COL -€- VitTeentce
60 <u Fox heacVorn, 2ehin ous: dobe¢ areata gee
:
4
CxO8- Ch ADR eR Ee CC». 3 we 802 chad dilig eee Pane ae Lethe meee a
-% ©
afer e Cc STS E Brule be € ey te Meee CR Ne AS Bee c
1. be nent Shorey dha ii cris -babv. o-Pliasew. Stas Li
14s
e
e p 4 « % . y 4
Ph. GE pee Seeritisce: te fine ul CoB Teen Lie: Case Sas oot athe
O35 Sth: DE Sere ees Sarena fOr eee Lee eChtie Court House.
Mo teeter al See Ge eer Vl ee CE Aa Se. Wes J issings
tonite Liat the
eg Ce L6Ge Lig POE
ane ile? ES EG ae Ok Lae Cag bt led Sob eae RE v
Coty WOGk MEO Su. Gullit ys vulierae pe Acie Sayer” GPs
ache . whease
fe 4
. : ay By
’ = . - ee eee res 3 Lo a ht Se
ee Set) aes sta row Soe Oh) PETS | Path ew EP Dadse
*
. Rs . ae bd , can < @ ‘ y ited - } . + ~ +4
it A ae ia | & baad, hak Gey , oy elas, dana td VaR dy a Oe aA 2 i Cbs nen iy 4.% ee & : éy a \& SZ y 33
er oes , pe st EY a eS ey . a 24 o «aitige. kate tod 1. 2
beheee ge 2 at edas » Cos | See SS eh Fs ee tits De Gait oat \4~@ valet GEL re | Lie +
3
Gercee® wile -ceuaice bY Gp rude orevGar Che, cls cus Lori YOsteriay
Se ENOORG UBULG Ne TA Ly, CO as cent ocbant cs fat. Rone
eer COL LAC ONG tise cay 6 TELCO s he UPTO Wis °o Lrusty
Bese: euunty Gell enc acre Lie Ae aarion- ore nipht “Lone
erouyh Po vo tothe Uucn ot letbeddemeiy atrect: vhera, the elleced
pci £eOn (Diets vi tec Une atese bose new boul, 2 ixac..
Sh the Lei mopigar,. dune 23, 19a Peitec sla saurntl, it. tedis
So Ue he ble ee OOLt. ae Witch tn ahwodie Semel iret dapreé Dy
a tree PT Bie sire t Ciurt. “ene Re wis CL eenty..2 tvetpineres
Conse CP LAF an Chae. hCtdre Sanvbes. bas Not aanounce: when he
ak © SUL BIG.
Moule ts tire thro woo murde eau his brother lest
four Sf Maskorea sPhurl, Tieton 440 Keith which ne
Mit Lars Sreahs. G8 PPoOLoecCeE RE ZOLP antl Cerwin
SOL sa, yak 7 bye Ae is 8 Oe een: Cune in
Rie! Beit dete Eo Devic vent ripe erother would
24 te ha ee eel Ge RL Vie reek pr SUPER ee ee a ee enty=
ne goat tstal sees SSP hE HG Vee a eee ve aclorney
or) e bgt Oe iit: Le be cay 8 Waren 6 te) C3 TE re EY cle ehoGs ar tre .
rat Gordes ay wee :
Lae ‘ jae e % ve cele: we ksiat ? ee wh gous gee A thi.s yew
es eh : , (oan de Ge $).% t 7 PERL OS
tia we a Gr SB Fae & A med. Sete ht tf ol, ; Lise ° ° eg Ue NALA AD
‘ t ° a > vt . a
oe Oh sas Fo 18 Wwe tte ~4 iS Ue See a e i its bie k Che Cravd,;
EC wie Wwe -°@ yas EG af it. a
PMN ee gg ta: Page SS
isa POOL Webienie ahem on. TEC eOChL GAC G@PWLLS 9
bes: pane Oe 424 : pee: Shek: LA as PR eek ie ht OO OES were g te valts :
es ies te, 17 ae Oe Oh gee OO Re ek i Ps 24 oe a AO ee, Rome Ge et y tiated HON Fie ek 3 CSvt ire
eb Sed bt ee Re te Let. Bike Sete CEN OF OR cept Pa. at € fycien for ‘
me as ‘ . 4 ya + P
fo Lounty reaivted. Brom the
7 . r
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/) oydee, and
be is jay PALE, etc, a2 iviteu to tic Livrory Jor essistance.
Poy ¥¢. fay : ere ay” le b) } .- ’ : La oe i é . ie ~ ne
Age warests pee f ts dod” i aouere yi v4 SUC Leu’ LOO. Llc (oe ke WAS Lscutcd at the
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rst
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eee « toe -was-surprised te: fine the iile on the cass tas not at
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ong POR loskingefor it there it was- Giscovered that it was wisein
“and ont thesrecords of the-court wae thers) but it dic list
“Gate. Pool ves” ound: Barat June oe 1920. _. “The nse bas Sspelle
BOSAL: %
a ae . os “fyb agi RS ES Bog ee sips
After, the: wsaethting Toes “k: carne to tio litrery for
~The 1905 cit ons éirectory stated thet. the Jail was Located
corner 2 She a “aFOSe™ ene peewee ee ———
PSSS ee ree
SR RA RE AB
thy 1920. 4aeue £2: the ? “Ponsacola “Heweraser” he Ba SLyYS!
Sy agninst whom an. indictment. of murder in the first
R- £1 BAG falEy =n She: circuit court yesterday.
ib ce 'g ¥
ae SOM, Sern ae Ceiitty me ftHdtttnent charces that Poole
=F ected. the ba Phils -brotoer. She nesro was o trusty
: i mace racgm one night lonrg
encia street where the elleved
murder ‘took pl ace, Bete. a the trio f 428. NOt. becn fined."
riuey moraines Ji 259 [5 20;. “Pensicels Jou ae 4% tulis
cnerce. by
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“BeL~r defense and- if he svg by yaiied. ae brothar, hig prot ree would
=== ave ilbled hin, —Thejury-was charged. at 6: 30 anad Wes out thenty=
five minutes.” The prosecution was conducted by State attorney
si. for the
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em
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and-O, if, Muffrian."
ih aR A fctthahet oe
|
2 1
“From June 27, 1920 papers: _ = .
Lceconmaas 2 *HNosea Poole will be hanged and the sentence will
Ie be §at csiide au for as he -is“coucernecs fovernor 3. J. catts
2 cae Pewus ed ve heve stuteg 3 ive YecLe sues aHiGeENION LA a MmGSLr LE
“yet te Poole S-nethers ano attorney for +013 filca a moticn for
a a hth Fie when-oole-wus=foune2uilvyof- Sires degree murder ERG
ea sthe court cate 65 - ES ssed-on- tne: wouLons rar creme mae fe cme em
ee Sn eee ea ihe: mother of: fe0ke-oelisd—s at. the San
Powell considered before answering.
“T thought I’d cleaned them all,” he ap-
peared to be searching his memory. “You
see my wife had nosebleed a good deal and
she had a bad attack the last time we were
out in the car. Then there were some more
stains in the bottom of the car that came
from meat I got for the dog. You'll find
more meat stains on the linoleum in the
kitchen,” he added.
“T see,” said Acosta, thoughtfully. “What
about the visit to the garage you spoke
about—what was it for?”
“New rear tires,” Powell returned
promptly. “I’d ordered them. We were
going on a trip.”
The pale eyes met Acosta’s steadily. The
voice was easy and had every appearance
of frankness.
Abruptly his manner changed.
“Why this eternal, infernal questioning?”
he rasped. “You aren't trying to hold me
on circumstantial evidence, are you? The
only thing you have against me is my rec-
ord—and two states have thought that
pretty good, even under the circum-
stances.”
“Have patience,” counseled Acosta. “No
one has accused you of anything.”
At the house in Laura Street interested
workers were scrutinizing every corner.
Meantime, the services of E. R. Don-
aldson of the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigation’s laboratories at Washington,
D. C., and Dr. L. Y. Dyrenforth, well-
accredited blood expert, were impressed in
the effort to unearth every last shred of in-
formation that might be concealed in the
remnants of the Dead Landing bonfire, and
to determine whether ‘more than appeared
on the surface could be gleaned from the
bloodstained car and smeared kitchen lino-
leum. °
“Take a look here, inspector,” was the
greeting Acosta met as he returned to the
Powell residence.
From atop a cabinet a pair of eyeglasses
with badly bent frames had been retrieved,
to add to the detectives’ miscellaneous store
of possible evidence. From a_ bureau
drawer a set of false teeth.
“The old lady’s teeth were missing, re-
member?” asked Hurlbert.
“Locate the dentist and the oculist the
women dealt with,” Acosta’s order came
crisply. “Get the facts—whether these were
in use or merely cast offs.”
It was a hammer found in a tool box in
the house that brought them all up on their
toes, however. A hammer—an ordinary
claw hammer, such as carpenters use. But
a hammer that had been scoured with some
dry material, cloth or soft paper, perhaps.
Cleaned, but with stains in four different
places. Caught in the claw something that
looked like fragments of hair.
“Get that to Doctor Dyrenforth, quick!”
snapped Acosta.
The blood expert received the implement
with a thoughtful shake of the head.
Turned away, then paused. ‘‘Tell:the in-
spector that the stains on the kitchen lino-
leum are from raw meat, probably beef.
I’m working on the other tests. I'll report
results as fast as I get them.”
Sid Hurlbert and Gene Griffin thought of
their automobile track impressions when
Acosta mentioned Powell’s new tires.
“Trail along down to.the garage,” Acosta
readily directed. “It may mean something.”
The visit was disappointing. The old
tires were gone.
“Sold ’em to a stranger that came along.
They were pretty good—I wanted Powell
to put the new ones on in front,” the garage
man recalled, “because it’s the way to do.
Those old back tires were a lot better than
the front ones, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
Stubborn cuss, but you can’t help liking
him.
64
Hurlbert and Griffin rejoined the others.
Detectives R. L. Woods and J. S. Meads
had been present at various times when
Powell was being questioned, and had
shared in the intensive search now in prog-
ress, as had Deputy Sheriff R. G. Barker.
Hurlbert and Griffin had likewise been in
close contact with the murdered women’s
husband and son-in-law. The garage story
set them off.on a new slant.
“Interesting,” commented Assistant
State’s Attorney’ Bryan Simpson, “and
might mean most anything. When the back
tire passes over where the front tire has
been it obliterates the tread of the front
tire.”
“One more blind alley,” said Woods, and
the others nodded. -
“Funny thing we can’t find the coat and
pants that belong to that vest that almost
matched that stuff in the bonfire,” said
Barker.
“We've all got odd vests,” reminded
Meads.
“Yeah, but they don’t almost match stuff
from a murderer’s bonfire,” retorted Bar-
ker, touchily. Nerves were getting ragged.
Fo THERE WAS A GROWING LIST of dis-
crepancies—an amazing list, when notes
began to be compared in concert.
“Powell couldn’t Have done it,” asserted
one, answering an unspoken question, a
doubt that had begun as the size of a man’s
hand and now assumed proportions that
must be reckoned with. “He’s no one’s
fool, and only a fool would pull off a cold-
blooded murder when he had two killings
behind him, ’Tisn’t in reason.”
The neighbors’ comments had begun to
sift in. And with them a flood of conflict-
ing statements emerged.
Mrs. Speer was never known to carry
large sums of money—she always paid bills
by check, Yet Powell had said that she had
$200 in cash with her, on a Sunday after-
noon when bound for the. movies!
“Queer about her wearing her rings,” a
neighbor said, referring to Mrs. Speer.
“The last -I knew she had them at the bank.
Katie’s, too.” :
And at the bank, in Mrs. Speer’s safe de-
posit vault, three diamond rings were
found—one of them three-carat!
As for the partially burned coat of the
bonfire, a close friend said quickly, “Katie
hadn’t worn that. coat in years, except
around the yard—she never went out in it.
Not on Sunday, anyway.”
The motion picture visit of Sunday after-
noon—
“Katie Powell. was sick that Sunday
morning. They’d had two doctors on Fri-
day, and she hadn’t been out since.”
The physicians were interrogated and the
visits proved. Dr. W. R. Schnauss re-
called that there were two pillows on the
bed: Now only one—one and some half-
burned scraps.
The lodger, Stephens, had seen Mrs.
Speer at about 9:30 a. M. on Sunday, ask-
ing her if she wished to drive to the beach
with him. She couldn’t, she answered, for
Katie was ill and she had to do the work.
Katie was ill—yet at 1:30 they started
for the movies?
And no one had seen them leave the
house. Neighbors were. seated on their
porches that Sunday: afternoon, in a friend-
ly, intimate neighborhood where everyone
passed the time of day, called out a casual
greeting or paused fora bit of talk. Yet,
except for Stephens’ brief contact, for Mrs.
White’s half remembrance of the flutter of
a dress, no one saw either woman that Sun-
day or afterwards—until the dread Friday
at Dead Landing.
The stories came thicker. Powell and
his wife had quarreled—she had thrown his
clothes out of the house—they had been
separated about three weeks the preceding
year around Easter.
Mrs. Speer was a proud woman—she’d
have felt dreadful had she known she’d be
found dead like that, and without her teeth.
Then the dentist reported. The teeth of the
bureau drawer were Mrs. Speer’s, the set
she always wore, the only set she had ever
had. Positively never had she been known
to leave the house without them.
The spectacles were Mrs. Speer’s and the
optician’s records proved them the bifocals
last prescribed. She had no second pair.
Moreover, she could not see without them!
HE TELEPHONE on Detective Inspector
Acosta’s desk shrilled insistently. It was
Dyrenforth calling.
“What?” he repeated. “Hair from both
women’s heads? Yes, yes, of course. I'll
call the funeral parlors; Oxley’ll attend to
it. Right away. Yes. Yes. What? What
the heck! Oh, well—no, I don’t suppose
you would be jesting. But you'll admit it
sounds queer.”
He called the undertaker at Fernandina
and relayed the expert’s request, adding
that a speedy trip had best be made in get-
ting the material to Dyrenforth.
Hardly had he put on his hat, prepara-
tory to dropping in at Dyrenforth’s labora-
tory, when the telephone rang again. It
was Donaldson, the government expert.
“Your murderer wore Powell’s clothes,”
he announced, while Acosta listened
amazed. “A scrap of the vest subjected to
heat showed a white thread instead of the
original blue. That’s that. The feathers in
the burned pillow, the ticking and the ma-
terial of the double pillowslip, all match
the pillow on the bed. And—the gag in
Mrs. Speer’s mouth is of a linen tea towel-
ing fabric exactly matching those in the
Powell linen closet. That’s all.”
Acosta put on his hat. But he didn’t go
to Dyrenforth’s. Instead he sought out
Albion W. Knight, attorney for both Mrs.
Powell and Mrs. Speer. He, together with
a fellow attorney, Elliot Adams, who like-
wise had had the two ladies as clients, had
gone to Fernandina to identify the bodies.
Knight was frank enough under Acosta’s
questioning. A divorce was under con-
sideration between the Powells. Mrs.
Powell wished it and Powell had agreed,
after some bitter remarks about property
matters.
“T ought to have half,” Powell insisted,
according to Knight.
In the end he agreed to his wife’s get-
ting the divorce.
At that very moment Katie Powell’s new
will was ready for her signature. She was
to sign it.on Saturday. She did net come.
It was never signed. Why?
Back to his office sped Acosta, to a con-
ference with State’s Attorney Harrell and
Chief of Police Abel Roberts.
Doctor Dyrenforth again on the phone.
A story of blood, blood, blood—and a life
hung by an eyelash! Bloodstains on the
Powell car door, human blood. Clotted
human blood and hair, human hair, inside
the car. Four separate bloodstains on the
hammer the assassin had thought rubbed so
clean, and fragments of human hair in the
claw!
Carefully Doctor Dyrenforth had re-
moved the head of the hammer. More
blood—and three eyebrow hairs!
“Hair,” Dyrenforth explained, “has in-
‘dividuality—much like fingerprints. Our
scientific tests leave no doubt possible. This
hammer is the weapon with which the
women were murdered. Mrs. Powell’s hair
was in the car, clothed with blood.” That
beautiful auburn hair! “The eyebrows
beneath the hammer head were Mrs.
Speer’s.
Only
have hz
person ... .
cleaned th:
put it in:
other livin
tie Powel
was replac
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as, besides, the
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t caused a fear-
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eritable welter
daughter, the
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the fact that
ms were not
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> women were
ie murderer
familiar with
gical phenom-
the internal
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e, had thought
is crime com-
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ms without a
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ted, since they
ise to accuse
ould sleep in
ent of having
the “pertect
apparently did
irtunately for
Doctor Kill-
fact that the
st be punctured
gases. He
ed that the cuts
es of crime de-
e department,
Detective In-
W. Harrell
oot-by-foot ex-
Loftin Creek,
| by scrub pines
-d up from Dead
in the soft dirt
ther by a car.
on tracks made
m—a small tur-
returned to the
Together the
they don’t fit,
mavbe
The search went on, tirelessly, and almost hopelessly, so particular combination of articles,’ Harrell commented.
absolutely untouched by human contact seemed this singularly
A woman’s dress, of a reddish hue; a woman’s coat,
isolated region that was still so near to the-haunts of man. smelling of singed wool; remnants of a corset and of stock-
. A ° ° a ’ . a .
[hen a man’s hail rent the solitude suddenly, excitement ings; a man’s shirt and part of a suit, nearly consumed by
vibrant in its very accent.
| “Look here!” shouted. the triumphant investigator. Then,
| as the others gathered quickly around his find he added
doubtfully, “Do you suppose it means anything ?”
the fire, this iast.
The wife and mother-in-law of Marcus Powell (left) stood
| loyally by him, in his troubles with the law. The man repaid
their kindness in a peculiar way.
“It may mean plenty,” said Acosta, and State’s Attorney Harrell
nodded grimly.
“Tt”? was the remains of a bonfire, a charred mass of partially
burned materials, apparently of recent origin.
As the materials were carefully lifted and deposited one by one
in an ever more ominous heap, voices became tense, nerves tautened,
and each man saw in the others’ faces that here was the beginning of
a thread that would eventually entangle the murderer inextricably.
“Hardly likely that anyone but the murderer would burn this
“This may turn the trick,” observed Acosta quietly.
“But what would a feather pillow be doing here?” de-
manded one of the men.
“Plenty, if we can find where it be-
longs,” returned Acosta, “though
that may be a large order.”
Singed feathers, burned ticking.
parts of a double pillowslip.
“Queer pillow case,’ observed
Hurlbert.
Other fragments were indistin-
guishable, except for parts of a car
or floor rug.
The men returned to their cars,
waiting at Dead Landing.
The bonfire debris and tire mark
impressions safely bestowed, Acosta
gave a crisp order.
“Laura Street.” The home of the
dead women!
BX“ TO JACKSONVILLE at high
speed, sirens shrilling. Into
quiet Laura Street and the once
happy home that would know its two
beloved women no more.
Straight to the ground floor bed-
room strode Acosta—to the room
Powell said mother and daughte1
shared. On the double bed one pil-
low—a pillow with a double slip!
“That’s that,” said Acosta. Then,
“One of you boys see if you can stir
up one of the neighbors to identify
these other things.”
(Continued on page 63)
HELPED SOLVE TWO DEATHS
Detective Inspector E. L. Acosta (below)
listened attentively when Powell reported
to him the mysterious disappearance of his
wife and mother-in-law. When the bodies
were found, he took charge of the case.
r own
censed
IscOV-
ulshed
ce the
ide of
lasa
ances,
ipon a
ied on
more
. June
ouse,
actlv-
ly on
. con-
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ittice.
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isked
feers
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hus-
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and
y
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Was
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‘
car while he went inside, and had casually
noticed a girl walking from Rogers City.
An instant later she had seen an old car
drive up and heard a woman’s voice call,
“Florence, come here!” Not noticing its
occupants, she was certain, nevertheless,
that the girl had entered and ridden away
in a machine very similar to that which
had recently been identified to her as be-
longing to the Arnotts!
Judge H. Frank Emerick, who has gone
down in Michigan’s history as one of its
most noted jurists, promptly bound the
couple over to the October term of circuit
court without bond. As promptly he de-
nied an appeal by C. M. VanBenschoten,
defense counsel, for a change of venue,
pointing out that, inasmuch as the October
term was scheduled to be held at Onaway,
the respondents could be assured of a fair
and impartial trial even within the county.
AS THE TRIAL opened at Onaway on
October 24th, the defense led with a
surprise move that waived jury rights and
placed the case squarely in the hands of
Judge Emerick. The crowded courtroom
tensed as VanBenschoten and Frank. T.
Hinks, the latter engaged by the county to
assist in the prosecution, lashed out in a
four-day legal battle that was fought bit-
terly, desperately over sensational testi-
mony and,.at its conclusion, was to be
branded as one of the most stirring the
state had. known. :
The Grambaus and Smigelski, of course,
were the star witnesses for the state, but
Attorney Hinks produced a startling and
damaging surprise in the person of Mrs.
Myrtle Rioux of Bay Port, the aunt who
had cared for the girl from January 8th
to March 26th.
It was testimony from her lips that was
to reveal the very first public inkling of the
definite motive which the investigation had
uncovered as underlying the brutal slaying
on the peaceful forest trail.
Mrs. Rioux described the Arnotts’ call-
ing for Florence late on the evening of
March 26th and insisting on returning to
Rogers City at once through the dark.
At that time, she said, Florence had
brought about a serious family quarrel by
hurling accusations of attempted intimacy
at her stepfather.
SLASHED CADAVERS
Mrs. Lilliam R. White came willingly
enough, eager to be of service. She had
known the dead women, liked them.
“The dress was Mrs. Speer’s,” she said at
once, “and I’m almost sure I caught a
glimpse of it when she was in the yard Sun-
day morning.”
Mrs. White hesitated over the half-
burned coat. “Katie had one much like it,”
was the most she could say, so badly dam-
aged was it. “The stockings?” She hesi-
tated. “Wait a minute,” she said, and
stepped to an open doorway. “Look!” she
exclaimed. There upon a towel bar hung
a pair of silk stockings, washed and hung
to dry. They matched in color, texture and
size those of the bonfire.
From ‘an upstairs closet a man’s waist-
coat was unearthed.
“Looks like the stuff in the fire,” ob-
served Griffin.
Mrs. White looked at it with a woman’s
quick eye for color and design. “It is al-
most the same,” she said judicially, “but
not quite. Do you see this white thread in
the half-burned stuff? There is a blue
thread in the stuff of the vest. It isn’t the
same.”
She started to leave and then stopped,
thinking deeply.
During his heated denial, during which
he was prevented from striking’ the girl,
the witness quoted Arnott as saying, “If I
ever do lay my hands on her, though, she
won’t get up again!” ‘
Whereupon, the aunt declared, she had
warned him that “if anything happens to
that girl in Rogers City, I’ll remember
your words!”
There was more than a hint as other wit-
nesses, including Sheriff Kowalski, told of
frequent quarreling in the Arnott home and
of the girl’s growing fear of both her step-
father and her own mother, that Arnott
had been motivated in “stealing” Florence
from the Saginaw home by his own selfish,
immoral desires! ,
“She told me several. times,” Kowalski
related, “that Arnott made improper ad-
vances whenever he had an opportunity.
The only reason that nothing was ever
done about it was that she was unwilling—
probably afraid, it appears now—to sign a
formal complaint.” . ’
That the mother’ herself had’ made no
complaint of these things, and since had re-
fused to discuss them.as. an aid to the in-
vestigation of murder, now placed her defi-
nitely in the light of a conspirator. And
as such, the state contended. that. she had
become as anxious as her husband to get
Florence ‘out of the way, before the girl’s
reports: should. eventually bringabout, an
investigation. :
Furthermore, that Florence’s continued
presence under these conditioris was ‘feared
by Arnott and his wife, was given addi-
tional weight by Kowalski’s testimony of
the attempts that had been made: almost
frantically, even up to the day before the
murder, to have the girl committed to an
institution.
«Neuer ad HINKs aimed the remainder
of the state’s evidence at an attempt
to establish, in a record of time and dis-
tance, the fact that the Arnotts had had
ample opportunity after the husband left
work to pick up the girl, drive to the
wooded trail, engage ina brief altercation
leading up to the actual slaying, then dis-
pose of ‘the weapon: before returning
home.
Defense witnesses testified that the
Arnotts had been in the Clark store at
“You don’t think they were killed here,
do you?” she asked fearfully, singularly
perturbed.
“Why?” countered Acosta.
“I was wondering about something I
heard Sunday morning—but they couldn’t
have been killed here, could they ?”
“What did you hear?” pressed Acosta.
“A scream, terribly loud, then a sound of
someone falling and a door slamming. Of
course, it might have been the dog, though
it sounded like a woman. Or a radio?”
hopefully.
“Perhaps,” said Acosta, suavely non-com-
mittal. “We may need you again.”
Mrs. White went away with alacrity.
“Let’s have a look at the car,” suggested
Hurlbert, eager to try out his carefully
taken impression of the tire tracks back
near Dead Landing. Tire tracks of the
murder car, he felt sure.
But not so much as a second glance was
necessary to show that the imprints from
the mold were from an entirely different
make of tire. Hurlbert replaced the im-
pressions in a black valise with mingled
feelings.
He straightened up from his task and
opened one of the rear doors of the car.
The interior smelled decidedly of gasoline.
6:25, but the state produced others to show
that it was from ten to fifteen minutes
later that they arrived. Another blow was
struck by the testimony of Joseph Wasylk,
a neighbor of the Arnotts, who said he had
had occasion to look at a clock, as the
couple drovg from their home, and that
the time had been just five minutes past
six! In addition to that, he had noticed
them return at somewhere around 7 :30.
Therefore, since by their own admis-
sions they had left the house but once, it
appeared that they had left considerably
earlier and been gone much longer than
they claimed.
The defense also attempted to show that
Wandell had committed suicide because of
a “guilty conscience,” that he alone had
known the entire story of the vicious at-
tack that had taken Florence’s life.
’ Mr. and Mrs. Arnott did not take the
stand in their own defense, but sat calmly,
neither displaying the slightest emotion,
during the final summation by opposing
counsel.
Without hesitation, Judge Emerick de-
clared both defendants guilty of second de-
gree murder.
“There is no doubt whatever in my
mind as to the guilt of these two re-
spondents,” he commented as the court-
room, hushed a moment before, burst forth
in a-buzz of excitement which still failed
to move the doomed pair.
. They were immediately remanded to the
Alpena jail; pending thirty days granted
for a possible appeal. At the end of that
time, no further plea having been entered,
Judge Emerick called a special session of
court at Rogers City and pronounced a
sentence of thirty to forty years in Jack-
son prison against Arnott, and twenty to
thirty years in the Detroit House of Cor-
rection against the wife.
That was on November 28th and, work
having just been completed on a new cell
block, that night the Arnotts became the
first occupants of the remodeled Presque
Isle County Jail.
Early the next morning Sheriff Kowalski
and his son, Deputy Joseph Kowalski,
escorted the convicted couple on their last
long ride of many years, a ride which took
_ them within thirty rods of that ghastly
death scene on the forest trail.
From page 13
Griffin joined him, catching the car door
as it swung back, then withdrew his hand
with a muttered imprecation. He rubbed
his fingers distastefully on his handkerchief,
then stopped to stare.
“Good God! Boys, what’s on that door?
If it isn’t blood I'll eat my hat.”
BF Ge-re LOOKED THE CAR OVER thoroughly.
Besides the suspicious smears on the
door, the interior showed some smudges
that might prove to be almost anything, and
the cushions appeared to have been
scrubbed with gasoline.
“Looks like a job for Dyrenforth, the
blood expert,” suggested Harrell, and
Acosta agreed, then led the way back to
the house.
“T’m going to have a talk with Powell,”
he announced a little later. “You boys keep
on with your fine-tooth combs here.”
“Ask him about these stains on the
kitchen linoleum,” called someone from the
kitchen. Acosta went back to look at them.
The substance on the floor certainly looked
like blood.
Confronting Powell, Acosta came straight
to the point.
“What about those bloodstains in your
car, Mark?” he asked.
63
Sa A
while for the rest the list read like a Who’s Who of Jackson-
ville. The board of pardons itself comprised a roster of
notable names, the state officers. of the time, including the
then Governor Doyle E. Carton; Secretary of State H. Clay
Crawford; Attorney General Fred Davis ; Comptroller Ernest
Amos, and Commissioner of Agriculture Nathan Mayo.
Acosta moved restlessly.
Powell had spoken of another killing. That was in Pike
County, Alabama, the inspector knew. Convicted of second
degree murder on April 15, 1913, Powell had been pardoned
in January, 1914, thus having served less than a year of his
sentence. “Justifiable homicide’ and “technical guilt” were
terms used in describing that affair, the latter phrase having
been employed by Associate Justice William H. Samford of
the court of appeals in Montgomery, Alabama.
The detective pushed the papers on his desk aside and
strode to the window, to breathe deeply of the tangy sea air.
The women were doubtless
instrument similar to a carpenter’s hammer muffled in heavy
cloth. The condition of the head was horrifying. The help-
less woman had literally been battered to death, with no
chance for escape. She had further received a terrific body
blow, so that the liver was ruptured. There was, besides, the
long cruel slit in the abdomen, inflicted with a heavy knife
of either the bread or butcher variety.
Mrs. Speer’s head showed four powerful hammer blows.
One, undoubtedly the first, a glancing one that caused a fear-
ful gash down across the forehead and cheek. That the
sprightly, kindly, sympathetic elder woman had put up a
brave battle for her life, the condition of the body gave
ample evidence. The chest and. arms were a veritable welter
of cuts and bruises. And for her, as for her daughter, the
wicked abdominal slash.
Doctor Killinger gave a curious explanation of the ab-
dominal cuts, however.
“The condition of the
safe somewhere, absent, not
missing. If, however, they
should be found murdered,
in a manner reminiscent of
Powell’s previous frenzied
killings, things would indeed
look bad for the man. That
TRUTH ... STRANGER
THAN FICTION
bodies reveals the fact that
these mutilations were not
inflicted until five or six
hours after the women were
murdered. The murderer
was plainly familiar with
the physiological phenom-
contingency seemed com- Month after month, these pages enon that if the internal
tortably remote. ° ett lee : gases are released, bodies
The day dragged by with sparkle with thrilling mystery tales; are not likely to come to the
no news of the missing tales in which plots, characters, fas- surface.”
women. cinating solutions are frequently so The cold-blooded mur-
UT ON TvueEspay the first
break came, and Mark
Powell’s theory of robbery
and foul play seemed to be
substantiated. Mrs. Samuel
. Paladins and her brother,
S. R. Griffis, fished a
woman’s purse from Ho-
gan’s Creek. It bore the
initials “L. S.” and was
readily identified as Mrs.
Speer’s. It contained only
a handkerchief and a scrap
of paper. No money—
entertainingly in
strange as to be almost unbeliev-
able. Yet every single word in every
single story holds fast to actual
fact, fact sworn to in official police
records and by our expert corps of
writers and true crime investiga-
tors. If you're looking for the truth
behind the startling crime news of
the day—truth stranger than fiction
—you'll find it presented best, most crime.”
derer, with his slashing
butcher knife, had thought
to cover his crime com-
pletely. He had planned to
sink his victims without a
trace, sure of going free
and unsuspected, since they
could never rise to accuse
him! He could sleep in
peace, confident of having
committed the “perfect
“What he apparently did
not know, fortunately for
us,” finished Doctor Kill-
no $200. REAL DETECTIVE inger, “was the fact that the
The hunt was now on in
intestines must be punctured
dead earnest. Inspector
Acosta conferred with
Police Chief Abel Roberts, and Hogan’s Creek was pumped
dry in the section where the discovery was made. But there
was no trace of the missing women. No further scrap of
evidence. No clue.
Jacksonville and the surrounding country throbbed with
the story. Two women had vanished, were probably mur-
dered, and the killer was at large—possibly in their very
midst !
On Friday the gruesome find of the Yulee fishermen at
Dead Landing sent the excitement to fever heat, with threat-
ening premonitions of a rising mob spirit, incited by fear
and fury.
Dr. R. R. Killinger’s report of the autopsy performed
Saturday morning, March 7, was one to make women faint
and strong men blanch with pity, horror and impotent rage.
For this killer was a fiend incarnate.
Both women had died of brain hemorrhages, approximately
six days before, as the result of “multiple blows upon the
head.” Neither body had been put into the water for many
hours after death.
Katie Powell, vivid, dashing, auburn-haired Katie Powell,
had been struck no less than five times, apparently with an
12
to release the gases. He
plainly believed that the cuts
inflicted were sufficient.”
What is considered one of the fastest pieces of crime de-
tection in the history of the Jacksonville police department,
took place during the next few hours, with Detective In-
spector Acosta commanding.
Acosta himself, with State's Attorney: John W. Harrell
and a picked group of assistants, began a foot-by-foot ex-
amination of the ground along the banks of Loftin Creek,
where the bodies were found.
Twenty yards back from the creck, screened by scrub pines
and palms, was a little used dirt road that led up from Dead
Landing. There were but two sets of tracks in the soft dirt
of the path, one made by a wagon, the other by a car.
Deputy Sheriff Gene Griffin trailed the wagon tracks made
by the one vehicle to an innocuous destination—a small tur-
pentine camp, while Detective Sid Hurlbert returned to the
police car to get his plaster of Paris molds. Together the
two men made an impression of the tire marks.
“Pve a hunch I’d like to see if these match the tires on
Powell’s car,” remarked Sid Hurlbert.
“It is worthwhile,” assented Acosta. “If they don’t fit,
it eliminates one car and that’s something—maybe.”
The
loys
“It ma
nodded ¢:
“Tt” wa
burned mi
As the
in an eve:
and each :
a thread 1
“Hardly
a confes-
\rthur.
fountain
he woman
son and it
him and
‘ the bed-
2 and that
iim.”
document,
She re-
anything
Kay. She
destroyed
. in com-
lla Harris
legally be
bodies of
vered. In
ound any
tr McKay
farris and
n a first-
ore Judge
iry found
» killings.
e pair to
McNelley
Peniten-
the Rock-
\nd_ only
ts of the
and Cy
id Letty,
es » a
dropped
s along a
iveled by
ion. The
d, held a
a calling
id. Late
read that
r, blood-
id bloody
> a youth
Powell
indignant
in Hogan
dies were
she living
1d sipped
‘onderful.
plan was
finding of
tablished
rs. Speer
with foul
build-up
wife de-
> fortune
ning. At
g of the
swered it
the cold
“The
found
yn Creek
by two
{quarters
ilp, “Yes,
1e world
‘rumbled
s found!
his fear
passed. There was no assurance these
were the bodies of Kate and Mrs.
Speer. They were found at some dis-
tance from where he had thrown them
into the creek.
Even if they were the bodies of
Kate and her mother, the police had
no evidence he had killed them.
Powell’s confidence wasn’t too great
as he hurried to police headquarters.
When he got there County Detective
Sidney H. Hurlbert was waiting for
him and ushered him into Inspector
Acosta’s office. Sheriff Rex Sweat
was with the inspector. The two men
eyed Powell suspiciously and Powell
felt a cold chill pass over his body.
“To save time,’ Inspector Acosta
said to Powell, “‘we’ll drive up to the
funeral home. Dr. Killinger, the
medical examiner, is already there.”
The trip was made in silence. Pow-
ell’s brain was doing some fast think-
ing. When he was taken into the
funeral home to view the bodies, all
hope that they were not his wife and
her mother faded. The faces were so
bloated that they were not recogniza-
ble, but the wounds told the story.
Powell knew that in time the bodies
would be identified by dental work
and fingerprints. So he said, “I be-
lieve that is Kate. Yes, that’s Kate
and Mrs. Speer!”
The medical examiner said, “The
killer was smart, but not quite smart
enough. If he had cut deeper into
the stomachs, the bodies would have
had no gas and wouldn’t have come
to the top, even after the current
broke the ropes.”
Powell gulped. If he had only. cut
deeper, but there was no use crying
over spilt milk. He stammered, “But
who killed them? Who would kill
Katie?”
Inspector Acosta didn’t try to
answer that question until he had
Powell back in his office. Then he
said, “Suppose you answer the ques-
tion who killed them. You have a
prey, long record of murder, and we
ave learned some things about you
and your wife. We talked with her
attorney. She called him the other
afternoon and told him to start divorce
proceedings against you. Her mother
also told him she was going to change
her will so you wouldn’t get any of
her ‘money. That night they were
murdered.”
“They were murdered when they
went to the picture show,” Powell
spoke easily now, his confidence
strong. “Katie and I did have an ar-
gument. Katie was quick-tempered,
you know. But we made it up and
it was forgotten before she and her
mother went to the show.”
“We'll see,” Acosta answered.
He and Sheriff Sweat got up and
left the office. State’s Attorney John
J. Harrell walked in and with Detec-
tive Jim Meads and County Detective
Hurlbert continued the questioning of
Powell, who had his legs crossed and
his ministerial-looking face beaming
with a smile of triumph.
“What did you do the night your
wife and mother disappeared?” Har-
rell asked. “Just give me a running
account of your activities that night.”
The state’s attorney’s voice was low,
easy, deceiving. It made Powell feel
a little jumpy. He stammered an
answer, not quite sure just what he
should say. After that he tried to
turn the questioning back to Harrell.
“If you think you can convict me
on that flimsy evidence,” he boasted,
“you’re a bigger fool than I believe.”
“Probably I am,” Harrell agreed
with a smile.
actions.”
This. questioning went on for. over
an hour. Inspector Acosta and Sheriff
Sweat were on the bank of Lofton
Creek, trying to find where the bodies
had been thrown into the water. They
figured that the current would not
take the bodies far, no more than-a
mile after getting free from the ropes.
This was largely guesswork, but the
guess paid dividends. A mile and a
half from where the bodies were
found, the two officers saw the tire
tracks and the footprints.. At the edge
of the water they saw where both
bodies had-beeh pushed through the
mud. One had caught ona rock out
in the creek and a part of a blanket
was there. .When they examined this
blanket the officers found it covered
with bloodstains.
“The killer,” Inspector Acosta said,
“didn’t seem to be worried about foot-
prints. When we get plaster casts of
these, we may find we Ve something
of little value.
“The murderer,” Rex Sweat added,
“never expected the bodies to come to
the surface. If he had cut a little
deeper into the stomachs gas wouldn’t
have formed and the bodies wouldn’t
have come to the top when the ropes
broke from the undercurrent.”
“We'll soon. find out,” Acosta an-
swered. “Get to a telephone and have
Doctor Dyrenforth come out to take
plaster casts of the tire and foot-
prints.”’ :
Sheriff Sweat left to find a tele-
phone in the area. Acosta walked
along the bank to make sure the killer
hadn’t left other marks of his work.
He hadn’t gone far until he came upon
the ashes of the fire. The footprints
around the fire looked so similar to
those at the spot where the bodies
had been thrown in the river that
Acosta placed a stick in the ground
so he could find the spot easily.
Dr. L. R. Dyrenforth, of the criminal
laboratory, arrived. He took casts
of the tire tracks and footprints.
Acosta took him to where the ashes
of the fire lay. Dyrenforth examined
them, pulled out several unburned
pieces of cloth.
“This is where. the murderer
burned the clothes of the dead wom-
en,” he said. “These ashes could
easily prove far more important than
the tire tracks and footprints.”
Acosta and Sweat returned to Jack-
sonville. State’s Attorney Harrell was
still questioning Powell, who wasn’t
quite so cocky now. Technicians had
gone over every inch of the Speer
house and had found traces of blood
left
floors.
The traces were not large enough
for tests to determine whether the
were animal or human, but Powell
didn’t know this. He said, ‘Those
bloodstains came from the raw meat
we feed our dog. You'll probably find
the same traces in the car because I
hauled the meat to the house by car.”
“Why did you go to such trouble
to wash these stains up?” Harrell
questioned. “If you had to wash the
floor, that meat must have been pretty
bloody.” i
Powell felt his stomach turn over.
He didn’t have a ready answer and
the ease with which Harrell was ques-
tioning him made him nervous. |
“Kate was a lee ano housewife,”
he answered. “She was always wash-
ing things up.”
‘A careful housewife would have
seen to it that the bloody meat wasn’t
“Let's get back to your
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shot are, ABLE Got Bel Am AAA Be a
thrown all over the floor,” Harrell
commented. ‘We’re going to have to
hold you, Powell, until we can check
your story. We have the right to hold
you on suspicion of murder.”
Powell shrugged. He had expect-
ed this and he felt relieved to be
away from Harrell. He wanted to be
alone. As he walked out of the office,
Harrell smiled at him. It affected
Powell like the smile of death.
The medical examiner’s report on
the autopsy gave the time of death as
the night Powell said his wife and
mother disappeared. The cause of
death was compound fractures of the
skull. Neither of the women had
been criminally attacked. The report
had no other information of any value.
Detectives were checking and re-
checking Powell’s actions. since he
had got out of prison. They found
that he had been having affairs with
‘ two women and that his wife had
come home suddenly and caught him
in their home with one of the women.
They also got definite figures from the
Speer attorney on just how much Mrs.
Speer put up for Powell’s defense
in his last trial for murder.
But none of this information was of
value in proving Powell had com-
mitted the murder. State’s Attorney
Harrell said to Acosta, “Powell is no
fool and is an old hand at murder. I
am ready to give odds that those tire
tracks and footprints won’t be worth
a thin dime as evidence.”
Harrell was right. Dyrenforth made
a comparison of the plaster casts with
the tires on Powell’s car. They did
not match. He had gotten all the shoes
worn by Powell in the Speer house,
and had taken a cast of the ones he
was wearing. None of these matched
the footprints found along the creek
bank,
“We'll have to forget about these
tracks,” Harrell said. “And if we
don’t find something fast, some little,
wedge in his murder. plan, we can’t
hold him much longer.”
Dyrenforth had the laboratory re-
port on the ashes of the clothes. He
had the assistance of E. R. Donald-
son, associate scientist for the FBI, to
help him in examining the ashes.
The two had done a thorough job.
One piece of white cloth, which hadn’t
burned badly, had a cleaner’s mark
on it, and using violet rays Dyrenforth
a Gare cl AMR AN Nt NS A ny haces Ht
and Donaldson had brought out this
mark and it had been identified as
the cleaner used for Mrs. Speer’s
clothes. ‘
“The murderer burned the clothes
at that spot,” Dyrenforth explained.
“We found a number of large un-
burned pieces, enough to make this
bundle. It’s funny, how cloth burns.
It looks like ashes, but when you
examine it, there are many solid bits
of cloth, only charred. Here is one
piece I don’t understand. It certainly
wasn’t a part of the dress.
He handed Inspector Acosta a small
piece with one button on it. Acosta
studied it. Then he looked at Har-
rell. “All right, Harrell, you said you
needed a wedge to break down Pow-
ell’s perfect crime,” he exclaimed. “I
have the wedge right here and watch
how I can use it.”
A half hour later Powell lay on the
cot in his cell, staring up at the ceil-
ing. He smoked a cigarette, showed
little outward concern that he was in
a cell. Harrell’s questions had wor-
ried him, but on second thought, they
hadn’t amounted to much. They could
keep him in the cell until tomorrow
and he was considering the advisa-
bility of hiring a lawyer. Yet he
hesitated because he didn’t want to
spend money that wasn’t necessary
and he didn’t like lawyers as none
had kept him out of prison in the past.
The door to his cell opened and De-
tective Meads was standing there,
looking at him with a funny expres-
sion on his face. Powell swung his
legs off the cot and sat up.
“What now?” he demanded. “You
letting me out of this dump?”
“The Inspector wants to ask you a
question,” Meads answered. “It won’t
take long.”
“Questions!” Powell grunted. “All
they do is ask questions. Why don’t
they find the murderer of my wife
and mother-in-law?”
“Maybe they have,” was Meads’ curt
remark.
Powell looked at him, didn’t like
the tone of his voice. Detective
Meads started walking down the cor-
ridor and Powell followed. He was
taken to the office of State’s Attorney
Harrell, where besides Harrell, Acosta
and Dyrenforth were waiting for him.
“Sit down,” Acosta said to him.
He did, not too comfortably. The
whole air of that office seemed
charged with some terrific explosion
that would go off at any moment.
“You say you weren’t near Lofton
Creek the night your wife and her
mother were murdered,” Acosta shot
at him.
Powell squirmed in his chair. He
wondered why he was jittery. The
question was simple and the answer
simpler. He said; “I haven’t been to
Lofton Creek for months.”
“You’re a liar, Powell,” Acosta
picked 3 the peculiar looking piece
of cloth Dyrenforth had found in the
ashes. “You were out there and you
burned the women’s clothes. Look
at this piece of cloth. It was found
among those ashes.”
Powell looked at the cloth. It was
from his vest, the one Kate had bought
him, the silk plaid vest. The full im-
pact of the discovery of that piece of
his vest hit Powell with a shuddering
force.
“You took the women’s clothes out
there to burn,” Acosta was saying.
“In your hurry you grabbed your
vest,”
Acosta’s words seemed to die away
for the panic-stricken Powell. The
vest! He remembered seeing it in
the closet. Acosta was right. He had
taken it with Kate’s hat and coat.
Harrell was shooting questions at
him now. Harrell’s voice wasn’t easy
and casual as it had been. It was like
a sharp-pointed dagger jabbing at his
heart. Powell tried to answer. He
got mixed up. He was alone now.
That was all he could feel. Nobody
was ready to fight for him. He had
never been alone before when charged
with murder. Then it came out where
he had buried the tires. He was sob-
bing and his body was shaking. They
took him back to his cell.
Detective Meads went to where he
said he had buried the tires and shoes.
He found them. Three months later
Powell was brought to trial. He had
a lawyer and he pleaded not guilty.
But no fortune was at his fingertips
to fight back.
He was alone and only a shell of
his former self on that night of Janu-
ary 5th, 1937, when he walked through
the little door to the death house.
Three minutes later he was dead.
THE END
MURDER BY FIRE
(Continued from page 56)
—the victim’s husband,” McAvoy said.
“T hope we're right.” ;
“But what would this woman be
doing here?” asked Marron.
_ “That should be fairly obvious,” the
lieutenant continued. ‘Since she was
married, she’d hardly be keeping a
rendezvous here in the middle of
the night with her husband. I’d say
she was a dissatisfied wife who came
here to meet another man. One of
them brought the wine, perhaps to
ease their consciences, They quar-
reled and the man struck the woman
over the head with the bottle’ He
may have killed her, or he may only
have thought so. At any rate, he
carried her downstairs and over to the
kiln house, where he threw her into
the furnace to dispose of the body.
If Herrick had not heard het scream
—undoubtedly when she was hit—the
killer might have succeeded in con-
cealing his crime.”
“T think you’re right, Chief,” Mar-
ron declared. “But why did they
choose this place?”
“There may be two explanations.
First, because the yard was nearby
and secluded. But that poses the
question of how they got into this
locked building. Second, either the
man or the woman—or both—might
be employed here and have a key to
this place.”
“The woman didn’t work here,”
the manager put in nervously. “We
have no one named Poleski on our
payroll. And I don’t believe any of
our men would dare use company
property for a meeting of that kind.”
“Don’t be too .sure,” McAvoy
warned. “We will want to question
all of your employees and see what
they have to say. But it’s still pos-
sible neither the slayer nor the vic-
tim had any connection with the yard.
They might have broken in, say,
through a window.”
“But there’s no glass broken any-=
where,” Walsh pointed out. “My pa-
trolmen would have seen that.”
“A window. might have been un-
locked—left that way on purpose—
and after entering the pair could have
closed and locked it. The slayer
easily could have carried the body
out that way and shut the window
behind him—but he would have to
leave it unlocked.”
“That’s true,” Walsh nodded.
“So we'll go down and check the
windows on the first floor,” McAvoy
continued. “They’re the only ones
close enough to the ground to enter.
Then we’ll get over to the East 11th
Street address and see what we can
find there.”
Before leaving, McAvoy picked up
the pieces of the broken bottle and
wrapped them in soft cloth. Marron
also wrapped up the handbag. Both
were carried away carefully, for thus
far they constituted the only evidence
other than the charred corpse.
A methodical check of the windows
on the first floor at least proved Mc-
Avoy to have been right. At the end
{
}
, —— ee zie 1
of the hall }
one window
tom sash w:
inch from t
“Don’t tor
ordered.
men right
prints.”
Advising
abe for fur
tectives left
the other o:
there.
At the |
McAvoy cal
quested th:
amine the
He also ady
was bringin
tle and th:
tion.
McAvoy :
squad car ;
town to the
dress print
There they
brick build
tion. The:
a card tack
way, led tk
floor. Marr«
wooden doc
a response.
But none
again, har<
no one rep!
found it un
McAvoy «
fronted by
disorder.
rugs were
torn. A b
the center
“There’s
observed.
bedroom.”
Lying o
cléthed in
haggard rm
and sharp
down his
over the pi
McAvoy
shook the
He opens
ly, “What
out to cai
“What h
the lieuten
“Tm Joh
replied, si
“Somebody
“But wl
“Tt’s ha
replied.
“You ce
will be he
Poleski
McAvoy a
cotton, ga
the medic
room near
Soon the
interne be
to make a!
only a su
pronounce
patient to
take X-r¢
isn’t a fre
Attenda
while the
into their
bulance to
Marron a
of the fac
her husb:
head, app
strument?
“The s!
the Poles
am LPN SATE TE Ae A A RE NT TE STE TE TN LTR LTT LT TE TT I TT ET RTT on:
Three hours later the two bodies were in the back of his
car, carefully wrapped in gunny sacks to make sure no
blood stains would be left on the upholstery. He had re-
moved the clothes from the bodies and the clothing now
lay in a pile in the back of the car. He was headed for
the Lofton River. Around each body was a wire and in the
trunk compartment were two large rocks, carefully chiseled
out to hold the wire so that he could sink the bodies to the
muddy bottom of the river. His car came to a stop in a
secluded section along the river bank; where there were
enough trees to hide his movements from any person
who might be passing on the highway at that hour.
He worked quickly when the car had stopped. He pulled
the bodies out, let them fall on the ground. Then he got
the rocks from the compartment, wired them securely, and
five minutes later the ripples of the waves caused by the
throwing of the bodies into the river were dying away.
He was taking no chances that the rotting of the clothes
might let the wires around the bodies slip off. He had read
where that had happened in several cases of bodies in the
water.
He extracted some paper from his pocket, wadded it up
and placed it under the clothes. Then he lit it, stood over the
smoking flame until every part of the clothes had disin-
tegrated into ashes.
He looked around carefully. He couldn’t see much in the
darkness. But he knew there was no chance of leaving any
clue behind. He walked to his car and drove back to the
Speer home. The rest of the night was spent cleaning the
blood from the linoleum and the kitchen. He hid the
blood-stained hammer under the porch.
Daylight was breaking when he had finished. He cooked
himself a large mess of ham and eggs, ate with relish, and
“PARTMENT
LORIDA 30246
ney
Seaperintondent of me Mee, Prien,
Sheri of our Cooly ovat
Srevtieg ome « ire farm of our Chrenit Coort
tm end for our onid County of DOTAL
A.D. One Phoneund Nine Hundred wed
me ¢ roe
is MS Finer ORME
marca ¢ PowaLL woe
+ OF denth by being slectoncuted by the parsing
ty of au Rewal intensity te conse hie immedinty
by 08 corm pli fication of the proud of miid camrin.
he Deowunts annered, doth fully appedr;
Govern of aid Stare af Ploviche,
Lim the per of o56t Loed Ome Phonan
Ms deliver the wid BAST O PUeRLL
- HOARE LT OharwAR,
paar Comnty of Paton, by Aim be hy kept seewrnty iw
sted, and that at 90 hour am @ week day, te be dorigy
tte Pesos, ie the wyek hegimning with Mandy the
se Year of Har Lord tae Phonaend Nine Rendeed wud
Peemanent death chawser if ward State Prima in war
the Sit Phonsad thee Hawdeed and Fwenty Alth Bers
pred State, an ameter hy Chapter Niet Thaw. -
e ¢ haw of wire Stale, Acts of 1824, pow cornee the
nr satd Coord. tm alk compete te he dane and poriuemit
we ros, | \
Aetent warrant a
Atate Prien. oe amit deputy by gow to be dee
me Cut UAL atone gon
wer pert, aad make vetnen of thin warrant, with ow
soy Se iter srveotion :
Lover boy’s crimson career merited death warrant.
38
then went to bed, fell into a deep sleep at once.
It was late in the afternoon when he awoke. He lay in
bed stretched comfortably, revelling in the grim satisfaction
that this time he would fool the police. In the car was the
pocketbook carried by his wife. He had brought that back
for one purpose. It was to be used to tantalize the police
in the game he would soon start playing..
Two days later he rushed into police headquarters. He
acted excited and frightened. Detective Jim Acosta was on
duty. Acosta was a short, heavy-set man. His eyes were keen
and he had a reputation for swift and unusual work when
he got on a case.
“My wife and her mother,” Powell gasped, “are missing.
They left night before last for a picture show and they
never got home.”
Acosta knew Powell, having been instrumental in sending
him to prison. It didn’t strike him at all strange that Kate
Powell and her mother might have decided to walk out on
Kitchen was the scene of bloody carnage.
aren
“a
Oe ae
se
‘ai?
POLICE DRAGNET
oe,
Powell. And Acosta was veteran enough not to become too
excited over reported missing persons. Such cases too often
made the police look foolish when the missing wife or mother
suddenly returned to life in the midst of a wild investigation.
Yet Acosta didn’t take this as a usual missing persons
report. He had Powell. tabbed as a cold-blooded murderer,
capable of any crime. Yet he said: “They'll probably be back.
They may have gone on a trip.”
OWELL shook his head. “I’m worried. They never stayed
away this long before.”
He didn’t push his fears and suspicions too far. That
would come later. He stood watching Acosta, feeling a
strange thrill of triumph as the cop seemed to flounder
and act like an amateur.
Powell wouldn’t have been so elated if he had been in
headquarters fifteen minutes later when Acosta was closeted
with Detective P. R. Mead, a gray-haired, blunt, and ag-
Detective J. Acosta (below, 1.) and District
Attorney Harrell (r.) saw justice carried out.
gressive detective who had the habit of staying on a case
until it was solved. .
“T don’t like it,” Acosta said to Mead. “Powell is a patho-
logical killer. Mrs. Speer and her daughter spent their
fortune to get him out of prison. You wouldn’t expect
that anybody would be so ungrateful as to harm the persons
who spent their fortunes to save him.”
“We'd better report them as missing,” Mead suggested,
“and see what we can find out.”
The report was sent to the Missing Persons Bureau and a
police broadcast was sent out on the two missing women.
The next day Powell appeared at headquarters again. This
time he was carrying his wife’s pocketbook. It was blood-
stained.
“I know something has happened to my wife and: her
mother,” he exclaimed to both Detectives Acosta and Mead.
“I haven’t slept since I was here yesterday. I have been out
looking for them. I found this on a creek bank. It had
blood on it. Kate has been murdered!”
Detective Acosta took the pocketbook, looked at it and
didn’t say anything.
Mead asked: “Where did you find this?”
“Out on Middle Creek, at the edge of the town,” Powell
answered. “It was right near the water’s edge.” :
He felt a strange desire to laugh in the faces of the two
puzzled detectives. Middle Creek was miles from Lofton
River where the two bodies lay in the mud, securely fastened
down by wires and large stones.
Acosta said to Powell: “Sit (Continued on page 70)
POLICE DRAGNET
39
36
POLICE DRAGNET MAGAZINE,
FEBRUARY, 196he
A HAM
Lethal weapon.
White-haired Romeo.
There’s always a
& THERE WAS BLOOD on the hammer in Marcus
Powell’s hand; and, fascinated, he watched the crimson
drops fall to the linoleum kitchen floor. There was also
a corpse at his feet, but his eyes avoided that ghastly
sight. It was a woman; and her head was bashed in. Her
hair and face were a splotch of dark crimson—un-
sightly evidence of murder most foul.
HE dripping blood sent strange thrills of exhilaration
over Powell. Blood had always done that to him. Per-
haps that is why he had murdered so many times before.
He had been born a scion of one of the famous old southern
families. The silver spoon, so to speak, had been in his
mouth on that eventful day when he had been ushered amid
luxury and considerable fanfare into the world.
When he was ten he got his first feeling of seeing blood.
It dripped from the throat of a playmate ripped by the
knife in Powell’s hand. The playmate didn’t die. There was
plenty of trouble for the family. They paid and the news
never got out. There were many other similar escapades,
and again and again the family paid. When he was 21
Powell murdered a man, cut him to pieces.
This time even his socially prominent family couldn’t
save him. He was sent to prison, but wealth and political
chicanery got him out in less than a year. But by this time,
the family apparently realized that the young scion was
too expensive a luxury and they gave him money and told
him to get out of Alabama and stay out.
He went to Jacksonville, Florida, and here his charm and
POLICE DRAGNET
—~
FOR KATE -~~
Romeo for love-starved women looking for a second chance at romance
culture soon got him another family. He met Kate Speer,
a tall and rather slim spinster, who fell madly in love with
him practically on sight. He wasted no time, and married
her because her mother, Mrs. Lou Speer, was wealthy,
owning a number of houses and a good-sized bunch of
bonds. The Speer family soon had the privilege of bailing
him out of trouble. He did a neat and bloody job of murder-
ing William T. Cowles, attorney and sportsman, whom he
met socially through his new family and whom he didn’t
like. Besides, he couldn’t resist the temptation of seeing
blood again.
The Speer family came to his rescue, spending a good
part of Mrs. Speer’s fortune fighting in his defense. Even
this sum couldn’t get him free. This time he was sentenced
to life. Mrs. Speer and her daughter didn’t give up. They
continued to spend their fortune with lavish abandon, and
after more than fifty thousand went down the. hole, they
got his sentence remitted to three years and then had this
cut down to two and a half years for good behavior.
It had only been three weeks before, February 23, when
he had walked out of the Florida state prison a free man,
vowing eternal love for his loyal wife and his equally loyal
mother-in-law.
They received him with royal splendor. He was bedecked
in expensive suits, and the mother-in-law gave him a present
of a solid gold inlaid fountain pen.
He was wearing one of the expensive suits, and the gold-
inlaid fountain pen was in his vest pocket. He regretted
deeply that he would have to destroy that suit because there
was blood on it, but that couldn’t be helped.
POLICE DRAGNET
The impulse to murder his wife and mother-in-law had
not come suddenly. Two and a half years in prison had
whetted his appetite for blood. It had also done other things.
It had given him a gnawing hatred of the law, a wild,
insane desire to show the police that he could outwit them.
In his other murders, he had made no attempt to hide his
crimes.
This time it would be different. He would kill and he
would laugh at the law. His murder plan had been carefully
thought out, painstakingly planned in every detail. There
could be no slip-up, no small mistake to land him back
in prison or the electric chair.
HE body of Kate Powell lay on the kitchen floor of the
Speer home, a substantial brick house in the better sec-
tion of Jacksonville. Her mother lay on the back porch. Her
body was mutilated worse than the daughter’s. Powell had
had a knife and her stomach was ripped open. Her head was
only a pulp of bloody flesh and crushed bones.
Powell’s breath was coming in short gasps. Cold sweat
stood out on his face as he stood there, watching the blood
drop from the hammer. Then the blood dried and it didn’t
drip any more and Powell shook his head, as if trying to
gather his thoughts.
They came back quickly. He had a lot to do. It was
eleven o'clock at night. He couldn’t dispose of the bodies
until an early hour in the morning. The disposal was an
important part of his plan. He reached down, grabbed the
shoulders of his murdered wife and dragged her out on the
porch beside her mother.
37
*LE6T ‘ct ATar uo (Aqunop Teand) *d °S epTtoTy peqnoouqoete feqtym fsnozey “TTRMOd
batencrortes ety Het ae HR EE CCEA ERT HELP RENEE ES Hietta
Ps Ee ff
ss An Net
DEE 6 ie 2 ee
‘ 5 Pate oa .
Tht thaw aan Nest :
ars since Gaincsville residents had the
anging in the yard of the county. jail.
ay in 1914 or 1915, when Cain and For-
,Were hangedinanoontime “double
earby buildings, rifles in hand, guard-
ute attempt ta rescue. the two con-
nf Alachua County" s history for many
Hthe pi Hlory and the lash on the bare
langings in the city, came in 1875, when
MggeMonroe, who was convicted of
Hows. As the crowd milled about the
Trecited the Lord’s Prayer and the
p trap dropped beneath him, and his
noose Snapped tight about his neck, at
tg anrug . ele shoulder was visible,” ”
; Eocented “that on one occasion, while
0 gal newspaper reported {hat the rope
nh would be used to hang the man as
him. | \ '
E specifically - legal. In the 1880's, an
mland Florida, under leadership of
me of the gany; members were cap-
lem from the jail by force, and hanged
le, Just cast of the present-day
@ Jargest non-legal mass hanging oe-
eturn ofthecentury. Six persons,
p hanged in a criminal sequence which
po" sheriif,
eS rage
peed together, with two ropes and one xy
m an 2,000 persons — a third of
his own crime and told the crowd to _
eseet eee rnornentonatinaer te
B citer jails,
of the state to hold all executions in the state prison dn the elec:
tne chair ended the days of hangings in Gainesville and Alachoud
ihe unt . whether froma jet! yard gallows or an eak tree
TN RANS ssi RETR HETER cen,
ins
4
if
.
GOH er ossittt
tHdtkedty ree TTT ERLE nati apni
more reliable law enfarcement. and the decision
TUPLE EEE CEE itd Pilati Ht mutt Nyy
be paid,
Checked
TALLAHASSEAS
irks’ presse youre:
Dress “area af the
happening?’ its
thing’s brew?as,
For Russel Str
e
t
queéstiad's £4 Yoaitisr af
taking a tem, per ha
the day, |
If there aren)
developing tha twa
Kirk words, yeu ¢
some action by 1
Governor.
It happened the
Governor gard oe
signature witht: 3
pay While the ia0 if
Kirk tn
to remind cite a
losisiative salary
etrattam turd ey
Dews -ftlyat oda ry
eee oy? Pad . t
WaS saoollbertines,
: x ¥ thoes 0 gy
neadiine eee eere
rm 'oyg
iT JS TUR Caan
headline-—a sate
in benefits fer. wt:
erty.
The Govern 0
UNI DLE reais
disclaimer sie
; $
additional Lane's
we at : i
ROCb ier Wai an :
iy Ted a hy st '
ree ’
tan oad ' |
Laagaver pees vel Pyp a :
Airk, elected iy
form, duwh oa
;
Per etihee oho. ad hag ees
tie
feet fab fe anes
‘le th
t tetia H
rh vdtine
a! ? 4
\ af 1b ! J
fang, leans 1
5
.
lle 2
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, PIRIDAY.
— tA GEER E aweeaeN oS ste tise tlie iaiphadinsesvenienboclon caotedinieas api sibigss uth fh tne tan amma
~ Tee oe eer ee nee ea anita a eet than eoebia eee sda tis
| ee enaonk a iene THREE NEGROES IN 2
- _ Preceding Entertainments. eee |) | R MURD !
JT stim even ty te ae| DICTED FOR MURDER}
| partments of music and cxpression eT ioe Sree
4 was attended by an audience of about] CAIN PERRY, SR., FORTUNE PER-
five hundred, $50.45 being taken in at RY, LIGE BROWN.
the door on admission fees of 10 and
20 cents. From beginning to end there ; ;
ie; Was not the slightest hitch in the ren. Were Indicted Thursday for the Mur.
dering of the program. The audience
was in the best of humor, the order
was most excellent, and when the en.
tertainment was over and the audi-
‘ j ence was filing out, expressions of
' commendation and appreciation could
"be heard on every hand. Each of the ,
r [sixteen numbers wag well rendered ‘TY, Sr., his son, Fortune Perry, eae
sand it would be exceedingly difficult: Lige Hrown, three negroes, charging |
i- to pick the best.
Thursday morning a large aUMber | Sheritt Chas. H. Slaughter and F. VY.
j;of patrons attended chape] rer eS White, hear Archer, the crimes hav.
and witnessed an excellent exhibitio
1! lof the boys’ gymnasium class, under ‘ing been committed on last Saturday |
jnight between Jl and 12) o'clock.
a ithe able direction of Coach Pyle. |
Att thi ; | There were two indictments returne d,
or “ many patrons and vis ati man three parties being charged with !
Bpent the morning examining the
first degree murder, The documents
"| displays in the different rooms and
i4re so drawn as to be called double
many expressed much Burprise ati
jatid thribble-count indictment.
what they saw,
The case was taken up by the grand |
Jury about 10 o'clock a. m. and the!
der of C. H. Slaughter and
F. V. White,
,turned indictments against Cain Per-
them with the murder of Deputy
A Handsome Table.
The grand jury on Thursday re-,
true bills reported late In the after.!ham for plainuiff, W. 8. Broome for
eee EWE at ee te hana,
MAY uF LEE =
dicchneey also witnesses.
State vs. Frank Welch and Gane
Pinkney, © _ fornication, eegueents
discharged. wee *
Upon order of the grand jury ‘the
case of State vs. Ben Caswell, aggra-
vated assault, was referred to County
Judge for disposition.
Indicted for Murder. se
A true bill having been presented
against Fleming Latson, colored,
charging him with murder in the!
first degree, he was taken into cus-
tody by Sheriff Ramsey, Latson, it
is alleged in the indictment, caused '
‘the death of one of his race none
| Newberry some months since.
Henry Bradley, colored, has been !
Indicted upon a charge of burning the |
‘barn of Stringfellow & Beville, six!
‘miles: West of Gainesville, a few weeks |
| ago. H
Af
Civil Cases.
Cases on the civil docket were taken
up Thursday as follows:
Theodore VanNess_ ys. Addie M.
‘Fry and J. Pp. Fry, her husband, eject-
ment. Jury called and sworn, where. ;
;Upon, on motion of plaintiff, a juror!
was withdrawn and non- suit taken.
Hampton & Hampton and D. R. Dun-
a Ue rae
The Lumber Manufacturing Com-
pany have recently completed a new
drop-letter table for the local post-
office, and it was Placed in service a
day or two ago. It is taade of quar-
tered oak, is handsomely finished and
Vostinaster Lyach aiid the attaches
of the office are elated over its ap-}
pearance and usefulness. In no bulid
ing will be round better equipment an dq}
furniture than in the Gainesville Ped-
‘Martha Brown, Elmore Wright, W i
}Erantelin, John. Howard, Cain Perry, |
noon. The hearing of testimony re. | defendant, :
quired but a short time, comparative-| The afternoon session was consum-
ly speaking, {ed in-hearing the ejJectment case of
Eight Parties Released. j Edward Sapp et al. vs. Alice V. Young-
jlove, involving a tract of Jand near
During Thursday Sheriff Ramsey,
Newberry. It was hot compieted when
;upon instruction of Soliettor Long, re- |
i: oe tsody Ati Hrown :adjournment was taken until 9 o'clock
“ABET rom CUTSOC 3
Friday morning.
In- giving preceedings of Wednes-:
A Sn reenter
Oe Te satan
ing case: ' |
Nees
1 } ai
jeraj building, and While the bulk re toa saad, there
this furniture “was secured "In © th Srieene ts . :
<E: 0. Upihesraves vs. Seaboard: Air
Line’ Railroad Co, damages $e 00) for
a le on @ siven |
pNorth, the table made in the plant |MAPPlest people on earth when HANG
of the. pets Manufacturing Con-
pauy is” an’ “well” constructed “and as |
handsomely finished as can bq. Be een!
Any wheres gare LS Sach ae cil |
¥
se. Mr. Cushman, Moves. Offices. €;
¥ AGM ushinan, | 3 the. insurance. man,
has” moved. ‘hie Mices from” the “Miller
Law. Exchange, north side. Bauare,:
[ine * “second floor 6f- the. new Baird
‘building, ” East = Main “atid = Masonic |
intreetn. = He” i cried ina bulteset;
rooms on the” ‘nouihonst ‘corner. “of the;
handsome. new structure, ” "and = bas “hae
; ties alleged to be gullty “of: the ‘out:
Tagedus crimes.
fj Broce. Indicted Were in ‘custody f
“to.
cause to fer} proud-of his new. “quar:
A pases se oy Sea te wants
their freedom, +2 = {loss of: cow, “Jury trial, “and verdict ,
She ae Ramsey and aaa wits for plaintia in tel Bl $190." Willian:s
é | 4 +
& Hardee. for plaintiag. Eembton &
him are f0 be. con ratulated upon
nel B i Hampton for’ defendant, ;
their success jy apprehending the par-
.
‘day's sess , tte » follow-'
» Harry Perry and Willie Perry, the 2°38 Session we omi ed the ‘follow: |
: j after Circuit Court. opened .
committed Saturday near midnighe TOUreas moruing, ANT M. Rorbnck, one”
and before Sunday noon the three ne aS nae petit Jurors, becamic quite: M i
—Jand Was” “forced to-£o to his “home.
; Friends’ of Mr. Roebuck trust: that. his
es ‘Arraignment Today. =| indisposition. “wil “besa
“Solte tor Long’ stated “Thursday. ae however.
ternoon that the, three hegroes will be [Senate
Arraixned ‘at ay “o'clock. this - TiN RE EPLANS ACCEPTED. FOR CON.
and he Wil ark that: pat Jrials be po pb cat a Ire sek =
wet for next Weduesday” 7 TEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS 4
seal Perry Sr ety only negro | ms
Ss 7
Asie EN err ange 3 ont Ste aft ’
The murders” were
>
is
Plaka *
el a Hd
H "Arraignment. Today...
et
-,}ternoon that the three hegroes will be
yi woh. Lhe bearing of testimony re
\ | ase but. a short Ume, comparative:|
jed in hearing the ejectment case of ae
j Rd ward Sapp et al. vs, Alice V, Young- |; WORK PROGRESSING §
flove, involving a tract of land near |
It was net compieted when |
adjournment wis taken notil 9 o’cloe |
Vy speaking.
“Eight: Parties Released.
| During “Thursday Sheriff? Ramsey,
“tupon instruetion of Solicitor Long, re-
j leased from. cutsody Will. brown,
(Ui Martina Brown, Elmore Wright, © Will;
my! Franklin, john Howard, Cain. Perry,
&
BS
. Ve BB os Harry Perry and Willie Perry, the
last three named being sons of Cain j
\ Perry, ar and they were about the !
1
hapy Hest. people on earth .when hie
Si their freedom. —
A, Sheriff ‘Ramsey and those’ aaaiatiie
him are to” “be _ congratulated _ -Upon
4 their suicee as. in’ apprehending the par-
ties” alleged: to be: guilty of the’ out: |
y rageous, “etimes. © The. ‘murders “were
J committed “Saturday
* and before Sunday noon the three ne-
a Eres Indicted. were” dn custody.
Solicitor Long. stated Thursday: re
\ arraigned at gy O'clock this ‘morning,
stand he will ask that their trials be
i} set for next Wednesday.
Cain Perry, Sr, the only hegro
sy Wounded when the attack Was made
tyupon the white men, is doing as well
jas can be expected, but he will have
ijto be carried te the court room upon
Vin stretcher,
rs ed
Confident of Conviction.
1s rl
sat ledishah
The afternuon session was consum
j Newberry.
; Friday morning.
| In giving preceedings of _Wednes- |
:dus’s session we omitted the follow-
ing case; 2
KE. O. Upthegrove vs. Renhoard Air.
ane Railroad Co., damages $200 for,
loss of cow. Jury. trial, and Verdict,
for plaintid in sum of $100.”
& Hardee for. plaintiff, Hampton «
Hamp {ons for defendant,’ ens oe
—
of the petit jurors. “became: quite ill,
and was forced to g0 to his home.
| Friends ‘ot Mr. Roebuck trust that his
indisposition: will be a brief duration,
however...
PLANS ACCEPTED FOR CON.
TEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS
The Board of County Commission-
ers held a special meeting Wednesday,
‘at which all members were present — |
! 3
‘Chairman Dampier of Hague,- A. LL.
pStnders of Trenton, C. C. Pedrick of |
coufident .
will result in each!
{| ease, and will exert every effort to
a State Attorney Lothg ts
i
pthat a consiction
‘bring the defendants to trial the com. |
i
Jing week,
Other Court Matters.
jy Phe Circuit Court met Thursday ;
fw Phaot rina
& Wednesday. whereupon the xrand jury ;
Jeatne into open court and presented !
sthe foliowing trie bilis:
State vs Henry Sapp, grand
jeeny, Defendant arraigned and ple
ynot guilty.
State vs. Henry Thomas,
with intent to murder.
State vs. Ned Dickerson, grand lar.’
,ceny. ;
State vs. Lillie Lunacks, agyraya!ted
aggault.
assault |
State vs. P. F. Luncaks, agkravated |
assault.
State vs. Noah Graday, forgery, hiwe
Arraigned
indictments), Defendant
and plead “not wullty. :
ge
Howing casee:
State rz. Grant ‘aie pares: charged
‘ announced, and when told to go he
said, - “Thank you,” and wended his
way out {ato the big free world.
f _ State vs. fot ww. Hammack, disposing
t Sheftall must aceon
lar- j for Plans and specifications
ad will be returned upon safe return of
; Plans to the architects.
| payable to J. G. Dampier, chairman of;
‘the board, must accompany all bids. | His Sen?
} Dorsey and [ny
Hids will be received at the office of;
jthe Clerk of the Circuit Court up un
ti! 2p. m. June 20, 1912. and check
accompanying those bids which shall
be rejected will be recumned.
plated these dmprovements for a long
; while, and. it will be a source. of
: "| eratification to those having business
. ore were Feported — the fol at the court house to learn thar they
are to be made without delay. — |
The basement wi be located in the
Pith murder of Isham Richardson on | Proposed annex to the building, on
Dec, "37,' 1911. ‘Humphrey, who. is ajthe southeast corner, “and it Is the ‘in-
laree. black man, was ‘sitting in the tention of the board to have tow an-
‘prisoners’ box when ‘the Debill was pec, Ashen as soon as possible.
Gaamesville, J. W, May of Micanopy
and BE. RO ORO Kite of Waldo.
The plans submitted by
Sheftall, architects
Mark &
Jacksonville, for
building of basement, installing hear.
ing, electric wirtng and blumbing in |
ithe Alachua eothty court house, were
accepted, and an order made that ad-
jvertisement be inserted in The Sun
Pursuant to ‘oie hent of | ifot bids
for the construction of the
salhe
A check made Payable to Mark @
pany all reqnesta
Check |
A certified check for $500 made
The commissioners ‘have contem-
¥
yes z
ae ; weiss
a a TA oe, fon tat ae So om lS eat oe
Wilians :
eGhortly after Circuit Court obeied |
| rhur 1; r le
Aioars. anidnight | sday mo nin, T. M. Roebuck, one
¥, Sane ’
is the vers [ates
‘machine of the
: |The batlding wil! M Ban
brh
‘Capt. H. 0. McArthur, Repudabeele grade of prose!
iter
SSS a See f
} ng ey « i
thee tity
ABLY ON YOUNG:
The work-or-;
t uitaine. Mast ot
EWU DE MET ET
fatre by Gilibert
‘Rressing tavors!
thopes to peg tye ross:
‘June dst.
De oer terreus tice
zbe remodeled itor
-and — When “eotssite
re worn <8 near ne rere mae
in Florida. © 1 hv rt ub iS
roomy and inviting, thetinter
ing will be in” Kee pice WEES
and every modern Couilor: a:
fence will be pronided.cs Pha: teat
be ‘inclined, affording an ore
for all, hence those au the *
will have no advantag. ovr the:
desire to sit “farther stack
theatre will be fitted a>
dred opeta chairs, Mi:
ing purchased thi< oar
ment trom Bo bai
Baird Theatre
The machine co ls 4
new theatre has aires
has been on 6h:
’ of Mr. Youngiose -
‘day. It is of +:
TWENTIETH CEN™ v8
MET MONDAY SFT a8 oo
The Taerntienh
regridar a
Elks’ Clit
There was 4 <>
much Interes’ was:
the business amd Por ca
The subject for ts
a debate, “Resolsed
Punishment Was Qu’ ot)
Crime.” Afitipany:
idames Tench and Tal.”
Satter a spirtted deta
rendered a verdict os 4)
firmative. After ac.c-"
cial hour was enored
McCormick, Dorser UU * ath
Smith * PRESS KER OSS
adi b 3a I
" Willlame Mas Co7tt4> did
J. Dudley WiEams Ha
deen awarded, the coerce chat
struct an elegant 8d ad
home forthe. Last PS hs 3 na :
Lawtey, “and has acres
ements for orki-** Bae
a
Pye aot
14 enallneas
Hanmer te: ll ntl asap ge sg
XXIX. NO. 87
ES IN EFFECT FOR
‘ELECTRICITY AND GAS
T CONSUMERS OF GAINES.
VILLE SHOULD PAY.
re ae
#8
g Over Old Rate for Electricity
About One-Third, for Gas is
About 22!4 Per Cent.
ing to the action of the Florida
‘me Court in sustaining the de-
of Judge Jas. T. Wills with
mce to the suit brought by the
‘seville Gas & Electric Power
any, who sought an injunction
strain the city from enforcing the
sions of an ordinance passed by
‘ity Council on January ist, 1912,
ame befng denied, The Sun has
requested to republish for infor-
mn of consumers of electricity and
be rates named in the ordinance
in effect.
cording to estimates made by
company, the reduction as per
ordinance passed January ist
ints “to about 32% per cent on
ric current and about 22% _ per
on gas over the rates charged
ne company prior to that time.
‘ a number of consumers, it its
have been paying their bills at
Id rate, pending the decision of
courts {nthe matter.
New Rate Ordinance.
low we give the principa] por.
of the ordinance relating to. re-
on of rates: ; es
ft ordained by the Mayor and
Council of othe City of aines-
Florida: : SA Si 2 8 eh AE ae
tion SET. muaxtnure Fate to
harged and collected by® any ‘Der:
persons, firm or corporation . “en-
d in the wanufacture. and ‘sale of
ricity, or. gas in. the City” of
esville, for use. and consumption.
of shal! be as follows
. ectricity—For Hiumniating Pr
re poses,”
000 watts and “under, per. mouth,
hie per 1,000 watts. — sues
er 50,900 watts to and including
00 Walle. Pit month 9 cents ber
“satay Combai Riese Ae anh Ree ig 48
walt
er roe BO" wate td and inet ding fi
4 watte, per awonth, 5 cents par
per ante
300,000
L tiene
wt Watt
per watts
required by the person, persons, firm,
or house, occupied — “by : “them,”
3 = pager e ak ae Sam,
Gatesville Maly
Se
GAIN ES SVILLE,
a NA th ent 8 nel em Ae vt ~~
Placed in houses or buildings, aye
are located 400 feet and not over 800
feet of any feed line or branch there-
of, for each nod or boildiag the
sum of $2.00, 0
For any connection and meter” “tor |
gas placed in a house or_ building,
which {s located within 200 feet: of
any supply pave, pata or branch phere.
of, $1.00. - ay eae
‘Bection ‘Any person, - persons,
firm, ‘or corporation engaged in tne
business of furnishing electric current
as aforesaid, may require a deposit
from customers thereof, who live in
_
rented houses, to the amount of!
2.00, whether current is furnished |
through meter or, on a flat rate as.
aforesaid, the said deposit to be for
guaranteeing the payment of tbe
raonthly Nght bill for electric lights;
any or all such deposits to be refund-
ed to the person making the same
when the use of such current is dis-
continued, or after the person mak-
ing such deposit has been taking and
paying for such current continuously
for a period of six months. No such
deposit shall be collected from, or
made by any person using such cur-
rent who bas been continuously using
and paying therefor for a period of
six months before the date of the
passage of this Ordinance.
Section 4.—No gas meter, or con-
nections thereto Jn any house, or
building shall be disturbed, or dis-
connected from the supply pipe line
or branches thereof, unless at the re-
lan indictment charging him with mur. | “
quest of the owner of the building,
except where the fame is done be-
cause of the non-payment of the
charges by the user of such gas, as
or corporation furnishing the same.
“Section 5.—Al electric current for
iluminating power purposes, except
na herein provided, -whall be furnish-
ed. through | ‘mneters, end charged for
in that manner.
Sec tion. eSpace meters . ‘may. ie
used by ANY person, persons, firm or
corporation — selling and = furnishing
where” “the” ‘consumers have no
: o “not ‘own. “the ‘building,
‘and
where used such meters shall be ar.
franged ‘80° as to ‘deliver to. the” “con-
sumer “170 cubic feet. of ‘gaa for “each
twenty: five cents of money pacecel ted
in wald.. meter.
emt -
Be Age PN nse
rm, or: ‘Corporation engaged: j
manufacture and tale ne elther elee-
=< }trtettv= or” gas
fetoplove of elther thereof, who shall
| Violate
“in thie” city” “or any
any
court at. that time.
of the provisions of this
FLORIDA, SATURDAY, JAY. 18, 1912
PERRY APPEARED | IN
_ COURT On STRETCHER
HAS NOT YET ‘BEEN ARRAIGNED,
HOWEVER,
intent to murder, and defendants
were discharged. ;
Late Friday afternoon court ‘ad-
journed until 10 o’clock Monday morn-
City Wins Liquor "Cases.
The appeal cases of Lem Hutchin-
son, Henry McMillan and Lilla Mc-
Millan have been ‘dismissed in Cir-
cuit Court, which means that the ety
of Gainesville. has won out in the
Fortune Perry and ‘Lige Brown Plead
Not Guilty When. Arraigned
Upon Charge of Murder.
talk here last fall. ;
The spectacle of a man carried into Hutchinson was convicted in Mu-
2
the Alachua county court room upon : Hic!pal tet ood eee oe 1911,
‘a stretcher to hear the reading of {Ubon a& charge of selling whiskey, and{
yas fined $500 and costs or 60 days
the streets. He was reported to
have skipped out Friday, ‘but a
capias has been issued by Mayor
iMatheson for his arrest.
Henry McMillan was convicted in
the Municipal Court on October 30th.
.1911, upon a charge of selling whis-
key. His fine was $100 and costs
thirty days on the streets. His
Lilla McMillan, was also con-
rs Oo
dey was witnessed here Friday,!°?"
when Cain Perry was conveyed from
the county jail shortly before 9
o'clock to the Cireuit Court room.
It was the intention of Solicitor:
Long to arraign Perry at the same
time when his son, Fortune Perry,
and Lige Brown, were asked to plead
to the two indictments returned by °F
the grand jury charging them with ite.
the murder of Deputy Sheriff Chas. victed upon a similar charge upon the
H. Slaughter and F. V. White, but as. date, her fine being $250 and
the elder defendant, who was wound: SO or thirty days in jail.
ed in the
thigh on the night of the
murder of Slaughter and White, seem. | ISSING BOYS FOUND
to be oblivious to his) surround.
| DEAD IN BOX OF FEED
Ings, he was remanded to Jail|
|
until his condition becomes stronger.
same
ed
CINCINNATI, May 17.—The corpses
He was hauled from the jail to the of two litth: boys discovered in the
court house {in a wagon, and for great feed box of a horse stable here
about thirty minutes the stretcher today turned out to be the bodies of
upon Which he lay “occupied a place ; Robert and Urban ‘Nichols, the tots
on a table to the left of Clerk Wien-| who disappeared from their home on
ges’ dexk. Perry did pot. utter afApril 20th. The boys’ father found
word while in the court room, but their corpses. He had
seetned in a stupor. shovel into the feed and when it
Shortly after Perry was removed ; Came in contact with a resisting }
from the - court. room,. his son, For, ,mass he poked down further. until
tune, and Lie Brown, were told to he came to a_ little foot. Startled,
stand up “by: “Solicitor Long. He read - ‘the elder Nic hols tugged at the foot
the two Indictments to them, they, ttill the body of = a “small : boy was |
with the elder Perry, being charged } yielded. enone: = Saeoeacers:
with the murder of Slaughter in In. “Sure that he had found ere Ti the
dictment..No, 1 and with the murder {missing sons, Nichols worked . until
of White An No.2.) Both defendants” he found ‘the corpse” of he “othe A
pised not guilty. in ‘each, instance. = When the tots ‘Aisappeared_ on April |
-~Cain Perry. will. probably be jar |20tb ft was feared they. had been kid-
raigned Monday, and it Is the purpose; Dapped by a band polar ZY psies ‘and
‘Ying, at which time the criminal docket | f
will be taken up. ences f
liquor cases which caused considerable} 4
a a
dipped | :
ee ae
7
of Solicitor Long to_have the trial of ; taken. Into the. Michigan- sugar beet
the negroes set for next Wednesday {felds x
if the wounded man ts able to be in/in the North, however, and the. search
ete Was. continued until” At took” sin” al:
ned. ates Hie roeang Dig city. ;
epee ae EAM aera ear ce te,
Peer nate Ree tk belleved” Ay ees
i ‘
bill charging: ra ‘in the arr de Hg food bor,
Kree, arraigned and
ud y Latson is charced
Evidently” nee “tell in!
plead noe) Vere Overwhelmed fn the mountain ot
WHR Paie feed. then were suffocated
Whe
’
“No trace was found of them |
Cree pee) a
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Remmereture, Pulse, and Resvirations normal Blood Pressure 196/83
qt.63ineh strinoed Wt. 155% lb. strinvned
Sicins Tines versicolor of the neek and unver back fe of 2
cvracticel imnortance. There ere geveral Torelen bo@iee una
sin of tie left hand which ere orobably gun shot wound ¢ ser
There are 2 orominent scars on the rizht side of the head
* lonv seer extending from near the left breast around 7 under
erm end ending on his beck. There are other scars which eyoccect
tret he *es been in fietts or accidents, whieh have been recorées,
Teac; There are no abnormelities in size or shane, Heerin= ant
evesisht ere wroesly normal, No abnormalities are noted in tha
esr douns or the eye.gvounds, Te noge, mouth end throat revealed
no #rose vatholocy. .
Weck: "rere ere no masses, no limitation of mo+ fon, no deformity,
Chest: Yeert end lunes wit hin noraal linits .
Arcoment “o masses, no ten cerness, no hernia,
nxtremitles: Minor defecte have becn recorced, bot there ig no
Tinite ation of funetion,
Senito-urinery: No venereal Giseese, no sizaificent abnormality.
intact with no ebnornal reflexes, end no
€ye muscleswere under voluntery control
them crossed for a consicereble veriac
Ervous Cisease,
id. re ier superficial and deen reflex e@s were
revealed no abnormal function of tie eninat nev“vee,
sine Bebineki, Powbere, Sneec* nrrases, and Telence
mel limits,
nervous eystem aonears to be free from anc oreanic
Jiseage :
13 4
’ rut
Gr3ctmn wv ry
BF c
4
+
Fo chrom *
Cc
3
ty) “<
5
—
LAPORATORPY AND Kunpy
Txeminetions of the Lisod Li cerebroesninal
wees qornal, “MeReye of the ayia heart and lune s
-Nere Ware 10 Leboretory
°F funetional or
lataueda be) yaronu :
wey wa.
the “lorl€a State
“seritst a Om ars Or symntome of functions? om
orcanie Jieeese oF the ra lind. The OMinion of thle exantcer
“Oo comoetent. He is convetent to
im wit murger in the firet decree,
to assist Ales counsel iv +t
Vy ao opoetent £9 annreciete the
i de knowe the nstove
- % Sn
Ant wranc,
Aug 7 Clink AD
Reervation a
Pad iF
o UL
ct
is thet ne is Sone
"9
in ccaencatione ts 2S Cia paepinaselleneniseanre atoni
ne Ripon iA OIE CYS eg ey ee ig ie
q | For Reference
Not to be taken from this room
= HOLMESTEADING
The History of
Holmes County, Florida
By E. W. Carswell
Edited by Ray Reynolds [ { le
Illustrations by Frank Roberts
Property of
Houston-Love Memorial Librar:
Dothan, Alabama
*
He seid thet certein of the phrases ve used were narts
oF s0Nte “e used to singe in camp, but the rest was 2 nure eet
and he showed wus gome of the thince he €ié ent Laurtea ntou* them.
Fe said 1b was the celt that finally broke him dorn, Steyine’ .~
there with only four wells to look et wee all rizht for a erary
he < :
“me because they Gidn't know any better, but if he haé to etry.
here very suc’. lonrer hé would go cresy himeelt, ; a5, |
PSYCHIATRIC PXNANIVATTON
As Frent Peterson entere® the examinins room 4t wag
aynarent tret he wae a ¢ifferent nereon fron the One we 4nd beon
eecine.. le wae nheerfnt, courteous end friendly, He discusee? “Le
nrevious seftivities end 034 behevior in a fran and onen menvrer,
“e Laughed eg we @ieaureed sone of the amusing ineidents, Ye
sell tiet ne “ad made @ clear confession and ne knew that ate anty
euenes of egsrening the Blectrie Gheir wes to ent crazy, Ye ante
Lt wee “te own igea, one thet te was not corched or diretrysted at
env time. Be ned alweye hed the trices of ervesin« tle eyes, and
cay ati Phe noite tdnve he Tsu set of shoul’ eve Toole? éryone,
He wee sered AP the Lor’ an: eered to hin on telcer *n |
nko, pat be Ssalee tie. Ye erted és he oreyes when he ges! ed
ta tive un hie act, but he denies thet te Yaec exer excerlenced
ae i atnetone ar ‘elduecinetiones. Prenict« mind WAS elespe bie
even 4% rental setivity wag Cg erent; his e:erere we
Ttmcot aed locleel, His effect end emotional ELeoler
(ene “here wee no evléence of undue enxiety. Ye wee -
Reet Me aqulé eet lice a nopeal umen |
hs be on we gay
oe er ae at tle. “e meelleecc
fer ioaendnes OF ihe arine Ye knew “Te ned Gone wrone
4
ne felt ue wee reacy. Hie ret thoy
tO etadc fe
gore Sim,
} fe Rot Ouky verhet, tut navatatartasy
v3 rl ectly welt mentel ty ;
mage eetPon&e he hed PA, and be preiapced
ed e 4) ? oe con a) Ce oy °
ow
X fy y? Teeth
*) on -
Tee: tome e ot
ete a we a al gn as) ro Lian t ~29 o. ~ :
Tere sOyantenre ot the Prpentty PSTOE Meme, Once he Nes
os, -. t a ry as oo Wt et ee eer . . .
NE GE, OC ane exemiuer feeds tict me wee atove Tie everece
Peyoy ger aode ebhlite to comnpene:c end trire s&vanteacenr
“oncortucdties, The ‘aet tht te wee 9 truety ir jril, thet
Al’ the poede ¢ tele nuubers where he had worreé, enw ty
that “es wee a fevgrite exons the mrieoners, suscveste th:
Inte iverae te wiihin normal limits, ent above toe avepes
yrieoner,
oe
Fh dna tease ge By?
igen
Dixon testified that he had gone home after his encounter with Pennington.
After eating, he said he got his shotgun to go hunting, but realized that he had
left his jacket at the mill. He said he encountered Pennington upon arriving at
the mill to get his jacket, and that Pennington reached for his pistol. Dixon
said he shot Pennington first as a means of preserving his own life.
Dixon’s attorney was William W. Flournoy of DeFuniak Springs. Assistant
State Attorney Joseph M. Bailey of Panama City prosecuted for State Attorney
J. Edwin Holsberry of Pensacola, who had been assigned to the case because
State Attorney L.D. McRae of Chipley was ill and hospitalized.
A first-degree murder indictment had been handed down April 11, 1944, by
a grand jury whose foreman was Charlie Register. Members of the all-white
trial jury were Henry Redmon, foreman, Charlie H. Messer, Coy Anderson,
M.J. Kent, J.J. Hardy, Will Allred, B.B. Padgett, Floyd Groce, G.A.
Hawkins, J.C. Miller, H.W. Watson and Esker Martin. The jury found Dixon
guilty of first-degree murder with no recommendation for mercy. Sentence
was imposed by Circuit Judge E.C. Welch. Dixon was transferred to the state
prison in Raiford to await execution after his motion for a new trial had been
denied.
Flournoy appealed the verdict to the Florida Supreme Court, which heard
the appeal and on May 29, 1945, issued an opinion written by Justice H.L.
Sebring and joined by the other six justices of the court which said:
‘‘Ples Dixon was tried and convicted of the crime of murder in the first
degree without recommendation to mercy. He has appealed from the
judgment.
‘“The evidence shows that the defendant waited in ambush for the deceased
and then, without warning, shot deceased at point-blank range with a shot
gun. Although the defense interposed the plea of self-defense, the jury did not
believe his version of the controversy, but chose to believe the testimony
offered by the prosecution. The defendant was given a fair trial by an
impartial judge and jury and the evidence amply sustains the verdict and
judgment. The judgment appealed from is therefore affirmed.’’
~ Ples Dixon on October 29, 1945, became the first person sentenced from
Holmes County to die in Florida’s electric chair. Execution by electrocution
had been instituted in the state 21 years earlier.
Speculation and rumors surrounding the Dixon case continued to circulate
40 years after his trial and execution, but the speculation had not been
documented. Those discussing the case often concede that the Supreme Court
was correct in concluding that the defendant was given a fair trial on the basis
of the testimony presented, but that some illuminating aspects of the case
were never presented — by the state or the defense — during Dixon’s one-day
trial in which he appeared as his only witness.
THE COUNTY'S MOST SENSATIONAL MURDER
Frank Peterson, a 34-year-old black man, in 1959 became the second person
from Holmes County to die in the state’s electric chair. Peterson was
sentenced in 1959 following a guilty plea to the ax-slaying of Ira Gene Carnley
after breaking into the Carnley home near Bonifay on the night of June 11,
302
1958. Peterson
Ernestine, age
Herschell Gene
beside that of
Peterson, a:
serving a sen!
entering. He sa
country, where
Carnley on her
sleeping memt
He fled soo:
Springs, from \
New York. He
including finge
footprint becan
Gov. Averill F
Peterson’s extr
the investigatic
New York to 5
Andrews sak
for the Advanc«
prevent extradi
The anti-extrac
some foreign n
that Peterson
Andrews sai
‘*Peterson is th
believe he will
apparently con
other persons
reports that lyr
own hands an
One of the r
newspaper tell
from the shert
been no lynch 1
Peterson then
intentionally u
Gov. Harrim
both Mrs. Car!
already prese
continued to d
York. He also
grand jury. He
in Chattahoocl
A.P. Drumm
prisoner almc
eventually dec!
a>:
room, where Petersen
» his mother and grand-
ppearance of two other
a paper sack of fire
Petersen grabbed for
ys. The escape attempt
end when Warden Bob
from one of his guards
of the prisoners. The
-etersen got a_bullet an
rt, and was rushed to
sh., hospital.
os, whose ex-husband
convicted on a murder
ying of a Clarksburg,
“HRISTAFALOS
it for services rendered.
uring a robbery, says she
‘e reward money offered
h the slaying since her
lice led to Petrou’s and
rrest The Night They
May FRONT PAGE, 1959).
has been sentenced to
for the fatal stabbing of
) Levy, who was assist-
N.Y.C.’s Birdland (He’s
Man, May FRONT PAGE, ~
leaded self-defense.
aey, 20, has been sen-
ctric chair for the slaying
3arnes; he had also been
‘ing of Mrs. Barnes’
re young Houston,
ment technician was
ice followed a trail of
hases that led them to
Of The Missing Type O,
PAGE, 1958)
MN ts
Perfect -
Murder
No. 12
CLOTHES MAKE. THE MAN
M@ When 55-year-old: Marcus Powell de-
cided to do away- with his wife and -
mother-in-law, he had to come up with
a good plan quick.” Every tick of the
clock could cost him a fortune.
The need for urgency developed after
his wife Katie and her mother, Mrs.
Lou Speer, came home early one night
. and walked-in on Marcus in bed with
another woman. Marcus’ wife took it
badly, yelping they were through. ‘
But what pained Marcus more’ was
Mrs. Speer ordering him out of the
house. Of course it was her home. In
fact, everything belonged to her. Mar-
cus had only married Katie because she
could keep him nicely and would even-
tually come into a huge fortune.
As Marcus left the house, his mother-
in-law was still yelling she was changing
her will immediately. Marcus took that
so badly he went out and bought a
hammer. °
The next night he returned to the
house after*calling to say he would
come’ by to pick .up his clothes. In-
stead he clobbered both women to
death. He then stripped the_ bodies,
placed them in the tub, and pfoceeded
to jab holes in the corpses with a knife.
He did this because he figured it would
prevent the formation of gas pockets
that would bring sunken.corpses to the
surface of the water in which he
planned to dispose of them.
‘He dumped the bodies in the mouth
of an estuary and buried the bloodied
clothes..‘ Then he. drove to a well-
traveled country road and _ partially
burned some fancy clothes he had
pulled from the women’s closets. He
didn’t Jet .the flames destroy these -
clothes entirely, however, for he wanted
the police to find them, plus a bloody!
five dollar bill he planted in his mother-
in-law’s purse to make ‘it look like the
women had been robbery victims.
Powell : then reported the women
missing ever since they’d gone to a
downtown Jacksonville, Fila.,
house, He_ dutifully described the
clothes. they had been wearing. Marcus
had tried to get rid of the bodies so
that murder charges could never be
lodged against him, but he wanted the
clothes he’d burned to be found so
that he would. have legal basis for in-
heriting the estate.
Even when the bodies surfaced in
four days, as Marcus hoped they
wouldn’t, he wasn’t too upset. He knew
the police would soon find the burned
clothes that’ would point to robbery, or.
at least keep him in the clear no matter
what the law suspected. .
Marcus got his wish. The police
found the planted clothes. But then
they began asking him if the women
‘had. carried anything with them when
they’d left for the movies.
puzzled, said no.
and Marcus kept saying all they had
taken with them were their purses,
In that case, the officers informed the
puzzled Mr. Powell, he was under
arrest.
It developed that among the charred
clothes the police had found a plaid
vest Mrs. Speer recently had given:
Marcus as an anniversary present. Evi-
dently, after the trio’s fight, Mrs. Speer
in a huff had spitefully taken back, the
vest and hung it in her closet with a
dress over the top of it.
Marcus had simply grabbed the dress
and slipped the hanger out without no-
ticing the vest. In his attempt to lead
the law away, Marcus left a clue that
tabbed him the killer. That oversight
landed him in the electric chair @™
Marcus,
movie.
The cops kept asking .
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.
» .™@ WHEN MARK C. POWELL showed up at police
headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., he looked like a
man who had had a hard night. But it wasn’t from
drinking, as he quickly explained. It was from worry
and lack of sleep.
“My wife and my mother-in-law are missing,” he
said. “I’ve been looking all over for them and I simply
can’t find them.” .
Detective John Montgomery nodded. “Well, tell me
about it,” he suggested. “When did you last see them?”
Powell, a portly man of 50 with a heavy shock of iron
gray hair, sat down and nervously lighted a cigarette.
“They left the house together yesterday afternoon,”
he related. “They said they were going to walk up-
tawn and take in a movie, then come home for supper.
I know they intended to be home for supper because
Katie—that’s. my wife—said we’d have veal chops and
French fries.” He lifted his hands in a gesture of
helplessness. “Well, they’ve just vanished.”
“People sometimes change their minds,” Montgomery
pointed out. “Perhaps they visited friends after the
show and decided to stay overnight.”
Powell shook his head doggedly. “They wouldn’t do
that without at least telephoning me,” he insisted.
“Anyway, just to be sure I called every last friend we
know, and nobody has seen them. I tell you, there’s
something more to it than that.”
The detective was beginning to be inclined to agree.
Youngsters were notoriously unreliable about their
comings and goings, but two adult women were not
likely to pack off without warning. “I hate to suggest
this,” he said, “but it’s possible that your: wife and
mother-in-law were involved in a traffic accident or
something of the kind. We’d better check the hospitals
first.” stg
“I already did that,” Powell said as he wearily
ground out his cigarette in an ashtray. “Did it just
before I came here. I called every hospital in town.
They aren’t there.”
“Well,” Montgomery debated a moment. “Did either
of them have any money or anything of unusual value?”
“That’s just what I don’t like,” Powell admitted. “My
SCREAM IN
mother-in-law had $350 in cash with her. She shouldn't
‘have been carrying money like that around, but she
intended to use it for some remodeling on a house she
owns over in Avondale. Besides, both Katie and Louise
were wearing rings. Katie had her engagement diamond
and her wedding band, and her mother was wearing a
diamond. I'd guess the three rings would be worth
close to $1,000.”
Detective Montgomery wrote it all down on a missing
persons form. Mrs. Katherine Powell was blonde, 42
years old but looked younger, and had been wearing a
red dress, brown oxfords and carrying a red leather
purse. Her mother, Mrs. Louise Speer, was 62, plump
and gray-haired, and had been wearing a tan topcoat.
As for Mark Powell himself, he had lived in Jackson-
ville for years and after retiring from business had
gone into the real estate investment game. He lived
with his wife and mother-in-law in the 1400 block on
Laura Street, in a fashionable residential district within
walking distance of the business section. The Powells
had no children. . ;
“All right,” Montgomery said to Powell when he had
all the facts down on paper. “We’ll get busy on it and
let you know what we find.”
™ WHEN INSPECTOR E. L. Acosta, head of ‘the
detective bureau, looked over the report a few minutes
later, he frowned. “This doesn’t look good,” he said
to Montgomery. “Two adult women, carrying con-
siderable money and valuables, disappearing like that.
We’d. better go all-out on this.”
Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Speer had left for the movie
at about 1:30 the previous afternoon, Sunday, March
1, 1936, and it was now 11 o’clock Monday morning.
Inspector Acosta immediately sent out Montgomery.
and several other operatives to make inquiries about
the character and reputation of the two missing wamen,
and also to check the theaters to see if they had
actually attended a movie.
“Better do a complete job,” Acosta advised. “Make
a canvass along Laura Street to see if any of the
neighbors saw them. Inquire at cafes and cocktail
Bre Dewecrws. (Cases, FALL-IS2.
oe ia ae tee i fg a a eS
= i tae ues ~
RSET I.
= — ~
or
pees
eh
Be
fad tis
Detective J. S. Meads—he added up three bloodstains
and a missing pillow and decided he knew the murderer.
SCREAM IN THE NIGHT continued
lounges—they might have’ decided to have a drink or
snack after the show. Check with the taxicab companies
too.” ‘ ” ;
The investigators spent the remainder of the day at
this assignment. They learned that both Mrs. Powell and
Mrs. Speer were women of: excellent reputation. Both
were members of several civic women’s clubs and were
believed to be comfortably situated financially. But that
was as far as the detectives got.
No one could remember seeing the two women walking
toward the business district. No theater cashier could
recall selling tickets to a pair answering their description.
The check of cafes and taxicab companies was likewise
fruitless. The detectives even made inquiries at railway
and bus depots, but found no evidence that the missing
women had left town.
Inspector Acosta shook his head in consternation when
Science proved this hammer the death weapon when a few
hairs found in the claw matched the tresses of a victim.
er
if 4 Me .
i “Ary
4 ,
} egy
ee
- wach,
, hei
the detectives reported back to him.
“A complete blank,” he muttered. “Well, there’s one
more thing we can do—give the story to the newspapers.
Maybe that will turn up a lead.”
The facts in the case were. headlined in the Tuesday
morning papers; and at 10:30 that morning a local man
walked into headquarters and sought out Inspector Acosta.
He was carrying a woman’s purse. ;
“I read about those two missing women,” he told the
inspector. “Well, yesterday my sister and I were walking
through Springfield Park and we found this purse floating
in Hogan Creek. We wondered if it might have something
to do with the case. You'll notice the purse has the metal
initials ‘L.S.’” co
The purse indeed bore the initials of the missing Mrs.:
Speer. Acosta examined it carefully. It was made of
dark blue calf with handle to match and had a fancy
chromium-plated closing device. It contained a compact,
some bobby pins, a comb, a handkerchief and ‘a slip of
paper. The paper bore a column of figures jotted in
pencil which at the moment seemed to have no meaning,
Acosta thanked the man for his help, then sent out a
detective to bring in Mark Powell, This certainly seemed
to be Mrs. Speer’s purse, but at the ‘time he made the
missing persons report Powell could not tecall whether
' Mrs. Speer had carried a purse, and the inspector wanted
to be sure. As he waited for Powell’s arrival, he debated
the possible significance of the find. ar
Hogan Creek was a shallow drainage canal which carried
away the overflow from the artesian wells at the main
city waterworks. The creek meandered through Spring-
field Park, and the point that interested the inspector
was that Springfield Park was only a few blocks from the
Powell residence on Laura Street. If this was indeed
‘Mrs. Speer’s purse, Acosta had a grim feeling that he was
i1 all probability working on a double murder case
»ather than a. twin disappearance.
When Powell arrived, he immediately identified the
urse as Mrs. Speer’s. “I forgot about that when I made
ut the report,” he said. “This -is_hers, sure enough—
he was carrying about $350 in it, Did -you find the
1oney?” :
“There wasn’t a penny in it,” Acosta told him.
Powell suddenly slumped in a chair, as though over-
me by weakness. “I don’t like the looks of this,” he
groaned. “Here it is Tuesday, and still no word from my
wife and mother-in-law. Now you find “this purse in the
creek, with the money gone. . .” .
“I don’t like it either,” the inspector admitted frankly.
“All we can do is work on the case.” He took out the slip
‘of paper with its column of Aigures and showed it to
Powell. “This was in the purse. Do you have any idea
what it means?”
Powell scrutinized it, then nodded. “That’s just an
estimate of the cost of the work she was having done on
the house.” He was red-eyed with fatigue, and he nerv-
ously ran a thick hand through his rumpled gray hair.
“I wonder,” he murmured. “I wonder if I'll ever see Katie
and her mother again alive.”
Acosta wondered too, but he didn’t say so. He told
Powell that he would -be kept informed about develop-
ments, and saw to it that the man was taken home. Then he
gathered a group of city and county investigators to make
7
a search of
to Acosta, v
Deputy She
County Det:
@ THEY S”
Griffith had
in all direct’
there were :
The creek
and could r.
Deputy Bar’
have been
This took
works emp):
gators prob:
of its lengt!
the center «
pond which
drained wit!
and used g)
but wound
“One thin
no bodies a:
the two wo:
they left th
the purse ir
then contin.
“Also, the
ulated. “Y:
would have
couldn’t fin
they never
“Powell is
nodded. Sh.
play, h
look li
fixed, and ;
’ quarrels the
worried hus!
his friends <
less, he’s goi
First thin:
the Powell |
two-story b
and with a «
the rear. M
shirt, was h
“Batching
wouldn’t mi
feeling that
That purse i
gulped at hi
“Naturally
this as we
“First, may!
here last Su
“Sure.” Po
“Let’s see. °
had breakfa:
stairs and s:
and spend t'
‘“Roomer?”
2
P|
‘
4
entdn tds cm.
4
a search of Springfield Park. Among them, in addition
to Acosta, were Detectives J. S. Meads and R. L. Woods,
Deputy Sheriffs Dick Barker and Gene Griffin, and Duval
County Detective Sid Hurlbert. .
@ THEY STARTED at the point at Hogan Creek where
Griffith had found the purse and made a careful search
in all directions, but after an hour they had to admit that
there were no further clues to the missing women. .
The creek itself averaged only about a foot in depth,
and could not possibly conceal a body or bodies. “Still,”
Deputy Barker pointed out, “a gun or other items might
have been tossed into the creek: We’d better look.”
This took a little doing. With the cooperation of water-
works employes, the creek was drained and the investi-
gators probed its muddy bottom for a considerable part
of its length without finding anything of interest. Near
the center of the park, the creek widened into a scenic
pond which was considerably deeper and could not be
drained without great expense. The officers took to boats
and used grappling hooks to drag the pond thoroughly,
but wound up with nothing.
“One thing is sure,” Detective Meads said. “There are
no bodies around here. It sounds fantastic, but I suppose
the two women could have been kidnapped shortly after
they left their house. The snatchers could have tossed
the purse into the creek as they drove over the bridge,
then continued on with the women.”
“Also, there’s Powell himself,” Detective Woods spec-
ulated. “You know, we checked the route the ‘women
would have taken if they walked uptown to a movie. We
couldn’t find a single neighbor who saw them. Maybe
they never left their house alive.” ;
. “Powell is by no means ruled out,” Inspector Acosta
nodded. “Now that we’re pretty certain there’s been foul
play, he’ll get a careful going-over. Offhand he doesn’t
look like a hot suspect. The family is apparently well
ed, and none of the neighbors reported hearing any
quarrels there. Powell has acted just as you’d expect a
worried husband to act. We found that he had telephoned
his friends and the hospitals, just as he said. Neverthe-
less, he’s going to be investigated.”
First thing next morning, Detective Woods called at
the Powell home on Layra Street. It was a substantial
two-story brick house surrounded by a well-tended lawn
and with a driveway at the side leading to the garage in
the rear. Mark Powell, clad in slacks and a green sport
irt, was having his morning coffee.
“Batching it like this is no good,” he said gloomily. “I
wouldn’t mind it temporarily, but somehow I have a
feeling that Katie and her mother aren’t coming back.
That purse in Hogan Creek. . .” He shook his head and
gulped at his coffee. jonas
“Naturally we want to get as complete a picture of
this as we can,” Woods said, getting out his notebook.
“First, maybe you'll tell me. everything that happened
here last Sunday.” : bye
“Sure.” Powell shoved back his chair and lit a, cigarette.
“Let’s see. The three of us got up around 8 o'clock and
had breakfast. Then about 9:30 our roomer came down-
stairs and said he was going to drive over to the beach
and spend the day there.” -_
‘“Roomer?” Woods echoed. “I didn’t know you had one.”
“Oh yes, Pete Moffitt’s his name. We have plenty of
room here and Katie thought we might as well put it
.to use.” .
“You' know him well? Is he a reliable person?”
“Absolutely.” A wire-haired fox terrier scampered into
‘the room and made as if to leap onto Powell’s lap. “Get
down, Sniff, I’m busy.” Powell turned to the detective
again. “Pete’s a fine fellow—been with us six months
and is,practically a member of the family. You don’t need
to worry about him.
“Well, like I was saying, Pete was driving over to the
beach for the day and he asked if Katie and her mother
would like to go with him. They decided it was too cool,
so he drove off alone. We had Sunday dinner about 12:30.
The two women did the dishes and then decided to go to
a movie. I felt more like just spending a lazy. afternoon
reading the papers, but I offered to drive them. They
said no, they’d rather walk. They left the house about
1:30, maybe a few minutes later. (Continued on page 79)
Unmasked, the slayer proved to have a lengthy record in
homicide. Two men and two women died at his hands.
SEES PO
r
HE GRAYING man seated facing
Detective John Montgomery in the
central police headquarters at Jack~-
sonville, Fla., had obviously suffered a
sleepless night. Dark puffs beneath his
eyes and lines etched in his face be-
spoke worry and fatigue. He identified
himself as Mark C. Powell, 50, retired
businessman and long-time resident of
the city.
“It’s about my wife and my mother-
in-law, Mrs. Lou C. Speer,” he ex-
plained ‘uneasily. “They left home yes-
terday afternoon to attend a movie
uptown and haven’t come back yet.
I’m sure they intended to return home
immediately after the show.. They
wouldn’t stay away overnight. Be-
sides, I called a number of our friends
to make sure.”
“Tried the hospitals?” the detective
asked. :
“Yes, I did. I may be foolish,” Powell
admitted hesitantly, “but I’m afraid
that something worse than an accident
has happened to them. Both women
were wearing expensive diamond rings.
In addition, Mrs. Speer had over $200
in cash,”
Montgomery began to share his call-
er’s apprehension. “Was she* in the
habit of carrying that much money?”
“No,” said Powell. “She was going
to use it for some remodeling on.a
house she owns in Avondale.”
The detective recorded full informa-
tion regarding. the two women on a
Missing Persons form. It was 10:30 a.m.
on Monday, March 2. The Powells and
Mrs. Speer resided at 1431 Laura
Street, a fashionable residential thor-
oughfare not far from the business sec-
tion. Powell said the two women had
been walking when they left for the
theater the previous afternoon.
Mrs. Powell was 44 years of age, and
had been wearing a red dress. Mrs.
Speer was 65, and had left home in a
light tan coat. In addition to the ex-
pensive diamond ring worn by each
woman, Mrs.’ Powell also had on her
wedding ring.
Preliminary inquiries by detectives
established that Mrs. Powell and Mrs.
Speer were prominent in local social
and civic affairs. Both women were
considered well off financially and
Powell himself had a modest but steady
income from real estate investments.
There were no children in the family.
Inspector E. L. Acosta, head of the
detective bureau, pondered the report.
“If these were teen-agers I wouldn’t be
inclined to worry about them for an-
other 24 hours,” he said. “But middle-
aged women are usually too responsible
to remain away overnight without let-
ting someone know.” 7
Had the two women, as Powell
feared, been robbed, perhaps even slain,
for their diamonds and cash? Had they
been kidnaped and ‘held for a larger
sum that would be demanded ina
forthcoming ransom note?
“Take some men and check all down-
town and neighborhood theaters,” the
inspector told Detective Montgomery.
“Make all the restaurants, hotels, cock-
tail lounges and clubs. They may have
stopped to eat somewhere after the
matinee yesterday.”
“Yesterday was Sunday,” Montgom-
‘N ere
"One man," Detective J. S. Meads
pointed out, “had new soles fitted
on his shoes and new tires put on
his car after the woman vanished.”
sk maint a aa
get you out of
son.
iight, December
»ody was found,
with him in his
hat a man had
2 $5,000°in cash.
in a plot to get
wan no part
fe said I was a
neone else. You
n arrest because
evidence, Didel-
‘e with Gilmore,
that lasted for
ey had evolved
1 to entrap the
n the following
ied before U. S.
o charge George
cusation of as-
in jail pending
ment of bail.
‘rest the federal
it the Keystone.
ries that pointed
direction of the
eep in a closet
unpressed pair
been obviously
r, stuffed within
were strips of
shirting, covered
lried blood. To
is’ trained eyes
opeared days old.
the clinching bit
lence came when
. found a white
pe under the
ess containing
in $100 bills.
fever, the fed-
sleuths, * never
3 to present a
that offered the
st weakness, still
vack. Their next
or a seemingly
n Bates, now al-
d the suspected
iticipated, Meeks,
minate the man
most dangerous
quicksands. In a
uly recorded by
he again sought
e Juneau, raising
cnowing that his
been impounded
slayer was thor-
ere was one vital
<tremely anxious
e missing Hamil-
ilan and Thomp-
task of securing
Meeks had pos-
- to December 9,
he missing watch
askan Northwest.
met with quick
ney found a man
. Ritter who as-
er he had loaned
to pay for his
were working on
And in Juneau,
g contractor, told
| for him briefly,
> on wages, and
his work covered
nett, power com-
n Meeks worked,
* confirming evi-
been in financial
nber 3. He as-
-epeatedly sought
vances which he
Didelius was about to give up his 12-
day quest for the missing watch when,
in scouring through Gulcana, once a bee-
hive of activity when the Alaska Road
Commission was pushing through, he came
across a jeweler who recollected having
appraised a gold 17-jewel Hamilton three
weeks previously for a young construc-
tion worker by the name of Nathan
Skinner.
Watch Squared Debt
Skinner admitted having received a gold
Hamilton from Meeks. “Why, is some-
thing wrong?” he asked anxiously.
“A great deal. That watch was taken
from a murdered man,” the agent in-
formed him. Skinner quickly informed
Didelius how he had secured the watch.
He related that some time previously he
had worked with Meeks. on the ‘Aisskea
Highway Commission, and that Meeks had
borrowed $20 from him.
About three weeks earlier Meeks had
come to him and offered him $10 and the
Hamilton watch in payment for the debt,
which he had accepted. After Meeks had
left, he began to wonder if anything was
wrong with the watch, since he believed it
was worth considerably more than $10.
He had taken-it to a jeweler, who assured
him its minimum value was $60. He as-
sured the investigator that he had never
dreamed the watch had been loot secured
in a murder, and readily agreed to give
testimony before a grand jury.
Since mid-December the investigation
into the Campbell mystery had been com-.
pletely undercover. Five days after the
watch was found George Meeks jwas
brought before a grand jury and charged
with the murder of Clarence Campbell.
The news, seven weeks after the slaying,
burst upon Juneau like a veritable bomb-
ell.
Between the day he was indicted, Jan-
uary 30; 1946, and the day of his trial, the
government sleuths forged their case
tighter than ever. For one thing they
eliminated the hair curler found at the
scene as having no connection with the
murder. The mystery of why Campbell
had maintained rooms both at Hannah’s
Boarding House and the Keystone was
also cleared up. "“he former’ establishment
had always been one of his favorites when
he visited Juneau because of the excel-
lent food and quiet surroundings. How-
ever, it was situated at the top of a long
hill, and Campbell, afflicted with leg trouble
since adolescence, had taken a room at
the Keystone, nearer midtown, as a con-
venience.
Then Solon Dore, the Juneau patrolman,
recalled that when he had hunted in the
bathroom adjoining Meeks’ room, searching
for the misplaced ‘wallet, he had seen
three bloodspots on a shirt. At that time
he had not attributed any importance to
this, little suspecting that Meeks was the
killer of Clarence Campbell.
On February 20, 1946, before a large
crowd in the U. S. District Court in
Juneau, Meeks went on trial for his life,
still maintaining that he was innocent of
the murder of Campbell. Defending him,
and bitterly challenging the testimony of
each of the 43 witnesses presented by the
prosecution, were three of Alaska’s ablest
criminal attorneys—William L. Paul Jr.,
~J. J. O’Leary, and M. E. Monagle.
However, through 16 days of legal skir-
mishing and dramatic testimony that held
the intense interest of a never-waning
throng, U. S. Attorney Patrick Gilmer and
Asst. U. S. Attorney Robert Boochever
patiently, skilfully wove a skein of guilt
around the heavy-voiced prisoner. The
testimony of Carl Bates, star witness for
the government, made a marked impres-
sion on the jury, as did that of Didelius,
who calmly weathered the verbal lashings
of all three defense attorneys. ;
At precisely 4:40. o’clock on the evening
of March 8, the case was given into the
hands of the jury. At 2 o’clock in the
morning the jurors reported that they
had failed to reach a decision, but left the
impression with court officials that the
disagreement was not of th .defendant’s.
guilt but of whether he should be given
the supreme Ity—death by hanging.
Judge J. W. Keyhoe instructed the jury
to retire for the night, and resume de-
liberations at 8 o’clock. ‘
Five hours later, at 1 o’clock on March
9, the jury brought in the verdict—guilty
of murder in the first degree, but without
capital punishment. Seemingly, the cir-
cumsfantial nature of the evidence had
swayed the jury to the lesser penalty, al-
though four members had stubbornly held
out until the final balloting for sending the
accused man to the gallows. .
On the following day Judge Keyhoe
pronounced the mandatory sentence of
life imprisonment in a federal penitentiary
for Meeks’ unholy crime.
Eprror’s Nore: To spare possible em-
barrassment to innocent persons, the names
Carl Bates and George Strautman, used in
this story, are fictitious.
3-Time Loser Gets
the Hot Seat!
(Continued from page 30)
room behind the house disclosed nothing
out of the ordinary.
Woods returned to headquarters and
made his report. “Of course we will want
to know all about Charley Sutphin,” he
told Acosta. “I’m not jumping at con-
clusions, but Sutphin could have waited
a few blocks from the house and then
picked the women up in his car on the
pretense of giving them a lift.”
“Or he could have waited for them in
Springfield Park,” said Detective Meads.
“Their most natural. route would have
been through the park.”
“It’s an angle,” agreed Acosta. “We'll
find out where he spent the day at the
beach and then check his story closely.”
Before this phase of the investigation
could be completed, however, a startling
report reache headquarters. The follow-
ing morning, March 6, a phone call came
from Deputy Dave Higginbotham of Nas-
sau County, adjoining Duval County on
the north.
“Two dead women were found in Loftin’s
Creek a short while ago,” he phoned.
“They've just been brought ashore at Dead
Landing. We're almost itive they’re
the women missing in Jacksonville.”
“We'll be right up!” snapped Acosta.
Two carloads of officers, including Duval
County Medical Examiner Dr. R. R. Killin-
ger, roared northward out of the city.
Dead Landing was 50 miles away. Loftin’s
Creek was a meandering: stream that ran
through a swampy, wooded section of
northwestern Nassau County. Difficult to
reach by auto, the place was visited only
by an occasional sports or commercial
fisherman.
The two women’s bodies were laid out
on the bank at Dead Landing, guarded
by Deputy Higginbotham and Nassau
County Judge, H. V. Burgess. There was
little doubt that Mrs. Powell and Mrs.
Speer had at last been found.
The heads of both women had been :
smashed by repeated blows with a blunt
instrument. In addition, the stomachs of
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49
2 A Ams ARORA A MI AL OE. cathaleng or «
. il} ‘ }
. _ ery reminded his superior. “That means 1 heard ribet yrtried
ee hed they couldn’t have gone shopping at witness. "At the tim
left for the any of the stores.” maybe it was only the.
pean “That's right,” Acosta nodded. “But. now | know what. it,
; of age, and , also make inquiries at the railway, bus (Photo specially poved
deems: * Dire. and air terminals on the chance that si
t home in a the women left the city for some rea-
- to the ex- son. Start a canvass along Laura Street
m by each and Springfield Park. It’s probable
had on her they took that route uptown after leav-
ing the house.”
y detectives
Agric g> beg i, Pocketbook In Creek
local social This routine investigation was com-
yomen were pleted by nightfall. It only served to
ncially and heighten the mystery. Not a trace of
st but steady the missing women, was found. q
investments. “There’s one thing we overlooked,”
n the family. said Acosta, reading the day’s reports.
head of the “The taxi companies.”
.d the report. However, a thorough check -with
I wouldn’t be switchboard operators, starters and
them for an- drivers of the cab companies also failed
“But middle- to produce any. results. “Give the story
0 responsible to the newspapers for early morning re-
» without let- lease,” the inspector directed. “That
may bring us a lead.”
as Powell It did—a startling turn in the case.
aps even slain, The following morning a man came into
sh? Had they headquarters with a woman’s water-
soaked pocketbook. “My name is S. R.
Griffith,” he told Acosta. “My sister
and I were walking through Spring-
for a larger
manded in a
9
reck all down-
field'‘Park and found this purse floating
theaters,” the in Hogan Creek. I read about those
Montgomery. two women who’ve been missing and:
;, hotels, cock- thought it might have belonged to Mrs.
Speer.”
Acosta examined the purse eagerly.
Made of black kid, it bore the fancy,
nickel-plated initials “L.S.” on the out-'
“hey may have
ere after the
ay,” Montgom-
‘e J. S. Meads
»w soles fitted
w tires put on
nan vanished."
A few hairs caught in the claw o
hammer were identical with hair fro
been bludgeoned with this instrume
side. The inspector opened the bag:
and found that its contents were a
woman’s lace handkerchief and a slip _
of paper bearing a column of numerals.
Acosta made a note of the exact spot
where the purse had been found, then
thanked Griffith warmly for bringing
the article to headquarters. He sum-
moned Powell at once.
Arriving a few minutes later, Powell
was shown the pocketbook. “It’s Mrs.
Speer’s!” he exclaimed. “She had it
Sunday afternoon when she left the
house. She carried the $200 in it. Where
was it found?”
“In Hogan Creek,” the inspector re-
plied. “What about these numbers on
the slip of paper? Can you tell us
what they mean?”
Powell examined the figures. “I think
they pertain to the cost of the work.
she was having done on her house,”
Twice before this killer had been
convicted on homicide charges, yet
he served only four years for his
crimes. Then came the final payoff. .
he said after a minute. “I don’t believe
they are important.” Suddenly the full
import of the purse’s discovery seemed
to strike the man. Trembling, he looked
up and asked, “Inspector, do you
s 9”
“I don’t know what to believe yet,”
Acosta answered. “We will keep in
touch with you. We are going to do
everything that we can.”
Within 15 minutes the inspector, to-
gether with Detectives J. S. Meads and
R. L. Woods, Duval County Detective
Sid Hurlbert'and Deputy Sheriffs Gene
Griffin and Dick Barker, was at Spring-
field Park.
Hogan Creek was a long, shallow,
concrete-walled drainage canal con-
structed to carry off the overflow from
artesian wells at the main city Wwater-
works. It wound through Waterworks
Park, the residential district on the out-
39 skirts of the business section, then
twisted its way through. sprawling
Springfield Park. The park was: only
a few blocks from the Powell house
on Laura Street.
-A thorough search of the vicinity
where the pocketbook had been found
disclosed no further clue to the two
women. ;
“The purse could have been flung
into the creek from a car as it crossed
the bridge on Laura Street,” pointed
out Inspector Acosta. “Or the two
women could have been slugged and
robbed in Springfield Park and the
purse thrown in at some point over
there. The current is strong enough to
carry it along.”
“If they were murdered, the bodies
eouldn’t be in the creek,” pointed out
Detective Hurlbert. “The water is too
shallow to float them or cover them.”
“But other articles, such as a weapon,
might have been disposed of there,”
said Deputy Griffin. “We'd better drain
the creek. We can do it by stopping
the overflow pumps.”
With the aid of employes from the
nearby waterworks, the creek was
drained. For an hour officers tramped
through the mud and silt, probing and
raking Others made an exhaustive
search among the trees, arbors and
shrubbery of Springfield Park.
Roomer In Home
After this work had failed to produce
any additional evidence, boats and.
grappling hooks were used. There was
a small scenic lake of greater depth a
quarter of a mile up the canal and near
the center of the park. This pool was
systematically dragged. Again the hard-
_ working officers drew a blank.
‘!’m convinced that Mrs. Powell and
her mother met with foul play,” Acosta
summed up that night. “A motive of
robbery will suffice to go on for the
present. But, dead or alive, we’ve got
to find those two women.”
. “Could that pocketbook be a red
herring?” Detective Meads probed
thoughtfully. “It might have been
thrown into Hogan Creek to divert our
search from the right direction.”
“That’s possible,” admitted the vet-
eran Acosta. “If-so, it adds up more
conclusively than ever to a crime.
There you would have.a murder plot,
with everything planned out in ad-
_ vance.”
- “What about Powell himself?” Woods
interjected. “Since we’re figuring all
angles, he might have done away with
his wife and mother-in-law.”
Again the inspector agreed. “I’ve seen
stranger things happen. But then, so
far as we know now, you would have
to exclude. the motive of robbery.
Powell has an independent income, an
easy life and a comfortable home. But
I do think we should go out there and
make a check in that house. The women
might have left some correspondence,
something that will give us a lead,” ~
Detective Woods called at the two-
story brick house at 1431 Laura Street
the following morning. He was re-
ceived cordially by Powell. Seated in
the living room, the detective’s keen
eyes swept over the comfortable and
well-appointed furnishings of the home.
Nothing appeared to be out of place.
“We're checking on everything we
can think of,” Woods explained. “We
thought perhaps your wife or mother-
in-law might have left some memo-
randum, some papers or a phone num-
ber that would give us an idea where
they went.”
“I don’t know of a thing,” answered
Powell. “I tried to think of all that
myself. But you’re welcome to look
around all you wish.”
“First,” suggested Woods, “let’s go
ever everything that was done and
said Sunday morning before they left
for the theater. Tell me everything
that each of you did that day.”
“We all three got up about 8:15. We
-had breakfast together about 9:30. Then
I read the newspaper here in the living
room while the two women did the
dishes and prepared Sunday dinner. °
We had dinner about+12:30 and the
women left for the theater about 1730.
I offered to drive them in the car, but
they preferred to walk. I had a head-
ache and didn’t care to go myself.
“About 9:30 that evening, when they
hadn’t returned, I became worried and
drove downtown and looked around
the streets for them. I came home about
10:30 and went to bed about 11. Mon-
day morning, as you know, I went to
police headquarters.”
Woods reviewed his notes. “That’s
everything?”
“That’s all the three of us did Sun-
day,” nodded Powell. “Our roomer
came downstairs about 9:30 that morn-
ing,” he added, “and said he was go-
ing to drive down to the beaeh for the
day. He asked my wife and mother-in-
law if they wanted to go along, but
they didn’t care to. So he drove off
alone.”
The detective looked up quickly.
“You have a roomer?”
“Yes, his name is Charley Sutphin.
He’s been with us for about eight
months. A fine chap. I like him very
much. He was in bed when I got home
Sunday night after looking downtown
for the women. I awakened him and
asked if he had seen anything of them.
He said he hadn't.”
“Did he know they were going to the
theater?”
“I don’t know,” Powell answered.
“One of them might have mentioned it
to him. Charley’s almost like one of
‘the family.”
Bodies Found
Woods noted the roomer’s business
address downtown. Then, accompanied
by Powell, the detective made a tour
through the house. Seeing two adjoin-
ing bedrooms, he asked, “I presume
Mrs. Speer had a room to herself?”
“No, she and my wife generally slept
together,” Powell told him, “and I use
the other room. I suffer from in-
floor the detective observed three faint
stains. He was about to inquire re-
garding them when he saw a large meat
bone in a corner and then Powell let
a frisky, wire-haired terrier in the
back door. A walk through the garage
and a work- (Continued on page 49)
In Chula \
met Warre
of Casper
quarreled.
chased her
Who said
inferior to
Nippon. +
ing a stree
her look +!
‘
4
Saas f
/VOL. ANIN. NO, ree
— agence. 2 eon
MEN UTTERED PRAYERS
ON MARCH TO GALLOWS
CAIN AND FORTUNE PERRY EXE-
CUTED FRIDAY.
—-Doutte Hanging Witnessed By Crowd -
Estimated To Be Between 3,000
and 4,000—No Confession.
Summary of Case.
their homes.
eVecuhon
Atigust $5, 1ett- Governor granted
Teepriev September
September 20. 1912 --State Noard of
Pardons refused to consider favorably
&pplication for cominutatiot of sent:
e ounth 2ith
ences
Septemoer 26 Governor inatricted
Sherif Hamsev to exectte death war-
rants on Friday, the 27th
September 27, 192 Cain and For.
tune Perry paid the extreme penalty
Thousands Viewed Execution.
—
People begun arriving from the out.
Ivine dixtriete Thurxdns mikht
ook F morning several hun
were attract
MA yest
vay
the
oe
read
by
in eity, swomMme
iw oheemite the
th. Taw tap! foul mur
|
«
GAIN ES
Sikes
| Sheriff Ramsey. walked ete
i stendily until they reached the flight
of 12 steps leading from the ground
to the platform from which they were
ito drop to their death. The men
were hand-cuffed together, and beside
Cain Perry walked Sheriff Ramsey
‘while Deputy Wheeler assisted For-
, tune.
e
“You Seem In A Hurry.”
As the men came out the jail door,
' Fortune Perry, who: for the first time
‘had opportunity to view the thousands
assembled,
a hurry, but IT would uot run-—-l will |
‘soon be at my last resting place.
remarked: “You seem in
To
this his father said: “Amen, amen.”
Slowly the officers assisted the ne
groes up the steps, and they joined ;
the ministers in a hymn. While stand-
‘\ ILLE. FLORI
|
|
‘ing on the senffold the Men were snyr)
May it, Pt2. b1:80 pl m.--Deputy
Sheriff Chas. H. Slaughter and FL OV.)
White mortally wounded near Lige‘
Browns home about four miles from:
Archer.
May 12, 1912—Cain Perry, Fortune:
Perry and Lise Hroewn arrested at
iH
Indictments charging
‘another
this old
/ Want
iready.”
May ie, ite
murder in tirst decree returned by
grand jury.
May v2, lid2-- Fortune Perry aud
lige Brown tried in Cirenit Court and
convicted of murder in first degree
Upon indie tineuts connecting them with
murder of C. FR Slanghter .
June Ts, Tetl Cain Perry 9 tried:
gud convicted upon indictinent con-
neeting him with murder of C. H.
Slaughter
August “ Jil Governor Gilchrist
sent Sheff Ramsey death warrants
for Cain and Fortune Percy, bige!
Hrowns case having been appealed to,
Suapretne Court August 25rd set for
ported by Deputy Sheriff Wheeler and |
J. Riles.
Dr T. H
pansies of
1.
scripture, followed — by
hymn.
Cain Perry Speaks.
assemblage
“Sisters,
Looking out upon the
Perry exclaimed:
and friends, prepare to meet
in Heaven,
is going to die. They can take
body, but they can't take the
Thank Ged, thank God."
“Now, say what
say, son,” and Fortune
“Let us now -T
Cain
brothers
your relatives
man
lie
you
soul.
said:
an
am
to
‘Bwered: KO, go
Rev. Robinson requested all to foin
‘in a petition to the Almighty, “for
‘we oalf have to zo some time,
some how,” .he added At this
“Thank
juncture Cain Perry ghouted:
Shome to heaven.”
‘an almost
farewell, we are going
Roth men kept up
continnous uproar of ex-
clamations, relating to their faith In
the Almichty and thetr readiness to
die
God, farewell,
blessing upon all present, and cape
‘ciatty upon the tto men who were #0
‘near to death and upon Sheriff Ram
sey and his deputies,
}
|
Walker read several;
for every |
moving from Chicago, Cincinnati, Stoithe minister thac they woulc
towis and all interfor points North.jmore to say about it.
‘ast and West, and forwacded ta) Cain's Original Versic
Gainesville in through car. ia
H The original verston of ths
he new service will prove a erect: \ . .
j atven by Cain Berrys, and
saving to the merchants and fustness ;
reiterated upou several
people of Galnesville, and will tasuce “usp .
t gh ' ' was told The Sano represer
local shipments arrivin ho gead of . . ,
t , & ; 7 Sunday, May (lth. the day
i a wre wre re) on vee
‘der from thre fact there wiiloontv be cue: Heweta “2 aaeieiiel
one transfer eh route from oans poling! .
‘ = a ‘ | Fortune and me, together
sand oat the same time msure fast P
; Keaut eral others To dont know !
ifreight schedule ;
a B ‘ pWwere [ho the party, and a:
| The car wilh move frem Atlanta via!
! . jdisgtanee from ttes hotise oy
ithe Seuthern Railway ta Macon: G.S. |
too : . ‘dance was Kiven three or
'é& F. to Sampson City, and To & Jb. i
H , ;Caine up from behind us.
jrailway to Gatnesville, and is sched) {_.,
H Throw up vour tandsa, Po wa
fuled to delfyer freight in Catnesstied | , , 3
i . (4 oat YOU Oy Wales ist.
lin 3h houfs. The new service anti ;
psd ftig, Dont shoot ome,
the Jacksgnville Gainesville package | . > :
. Shaven't got a thing. Th
car service enables the Tampa «! ‘
idont know who he was,
Jacksonville ratiwav to handle pack | ;
: pdark jathed a pistol amt
age (retght from all pointe North, |
i ; fehot. 2 fell and dragged ms
East and West with only one transfer 7
juntil my sen, Fortune, ca
SATU RDAY,
D 4, SEPT
NEW PACKAGE CAR MT.
LANTA: TO GAINESVILLE
TAMPA & JACKSONVILLE EXHIB-
ITS PROGRESSIVENESS.
demeanor
Beginning October ist Freight May
Come From Chicago, Cincinnati,
With But One Change.
Arraugements have been completed
the Tampa & Jackson ille
a
Company
by
way for new packase car
erviee fran Atianta to Gainesville,
effective October Ist. This
‘eo Will be made up in ACanta on the
Southern Railway tracks frow
Hew were
=
en route and this fact alone will save
the merchants thousands “of dollars,
ag well as the ratirvad since it wili
‘lessen famage and loss of freight ac. |
The minister inveked the divine |
count’ of the many transfers hereto
fore mee. at transit.
L nee ns Eas Oe SE. SS
leald In reference to the straps about
the faflor, and!
‘the State Hoard of Vardone “who only |
and bw
men
Roal”’
a few days ago turned down the ap-
pifcationsa for clemency.”
The praver was concluded at 11:17.
tiben request of the doomed
the hyinn, “Jesus, Laver of My
was sung The mintaters shook |
of both men 1t Zt, and!
read
“That's all
when
‘he haada at
Stee i ff
teegth
Roaryaes ewan Yas
wartnats
the:
| ’
tee black cape nee neeeeen atl Mre. Blaughter Prese
(41 29, when Cain exclai vest: Make
“ cc dab Nace 3 ‘| Among those wha witne
i ate © haste. can see mH Das ;
now. dimen eimai wees ¥ l executions wete S.J] Slauch
re Crembllng. | oe neputy Bheriff C. H. Stam
labhes from fear of Rapicnesa —no one |p bittew’ odes : Mr
j rout tell which. gale ee
Blaughter, with her ehildres
' The noosea were ole ielt around Me Mlaughter dr the muriterd
. t a tle . ueS8"
meiia newke aft PY? oO" Poem t etek | sas f bed
ittias V@ verae vobe @aet) aa’
189) spree qe ¢ Ff ,
hia lower limbs.
Biack Capa Adjusted.
EMBER, 28, 1912.
a
hether or not the men’s ne
broken, but the supposition
they were. The bodies were:
by Sheriff Ramsey and tury
to Cain Perry, Jr.. and oth:
relatives after they were ;
the caskets, which occuplted
in front of the old jail
relatives left Gainesville ear
afternoon for Pineville Baptis
where Friday night was eld +
term “wait.” Interment
made today.
Expected Confessions La
do
a
Rall: |
treiuht
Not onty atd the mren fail
confessions as fo
exptated,
no referer
Pe\pected
der which they
pmade absolutely
(On Thursday,
‘Dr. To Hood both
“asserted that in’
the munmer of Mr. Slaughter
fn a statement
Walker,
MOre
.
.
they
iwith w tussy and carried
i! had no pistol, and did
ishor, Cal and Wiltle, othe
mine eho are in jait here, d
a thing in the world about
ble, for they were not at
or in the party when the 4
lavertook us,"
Cala Perry never deviated
AbOVe «tary
is
‘
t
3
*
é
&
«
eee eee
MEN UTTERED PRAYERS —
ON MARCH TO GALLOWS
“CAIN AND FORTUNE PERRY EXE-
. CUTED FRIDAY.
Estimated To Be Between 3,000
and 4.000—No Confession.
Summary of Case.
May It. tare,
Sheriff Chis. H
Vhite mortal
Brown s
Archer.
Perry and Lise Brown ayrested at a Wiles limoving from Chicago, Cimetnaath St othe minister Chat they woul
their bomes ‘a “homis and oalb interfor poms North oimere te pout
! s. _ . , > Is art £ i! YOETIS ih ane ee © Oe oot at it
Dr T. Hoi, Walker read) several) Wiasr. “and. a
: tpl ey Pesci oon an . re ee - “ast out “est al farw thea} ots . t 4
May ie, Mets tadettnents eOarging® es of scripture, followed bs and est, and farsi ) Cain's Original Vers:
murder in tirst dezree ceturned by ' Gainesville in through car. “
“another hymn : The ortginab veostanm af th
grand jury A The pew service WH prove acre ct , . a
: Cain Perry Speaks. saying to the merehants and Tustiess ae Pe Peele a
eT or ee ee a aving ta the oo thanta and lnrstiess
Mav zl, deii- Fortune Perry aud a - ‘ ; “oe retrerited upon several
. ’ - i . “coking out ye 5 Asse vEiasres paesergates Suen stitn Me, § i s
lige frown tried in Cirenit Court and Leoking out uj - the assemblaxe people of Gainesville, and til PO was told Phe San reqeresen:
: Cucina "es ’ aimed: “Sisters, : shi ni : ving Boe i :
ohvicted of murder in first degree | A Ie ™ t ve ned ters, ioeal shiprne an _ ng tp | sood ah judas: ee oa she ae
. } ther : f > 8. thy . > INneet! e fron t? . “re ri} sony ier
Loot indiettpents connecting them with Fel - wo be teks ft nees _ te Mees Ger Er TG Eat Sere wl ee ost. dhe satd AV wanpae ae
mere + LE Shanghre veur relatives tn eaven. for every one tratster el Towbe Prem cas panne .
THU r att M. Slaughter. : ; ; Portute wali mie, tawether
lunes TS. lel’. Cair Perry tried fiat is going to die. They ean Cake and at the sate time ttisire fast ae tod ;
nh : ~ aan erry eae . . erie sotlyers shevti tT mg
tnd convicted user indictment this old body, but they can’t take the (freight: schedule
gud convicted UPpen Ra tieant on . ; ; . . . _ Were ith thre pears cit A
heeting him with murder of C. H soul Thank God, thank God. lie The enr wiih move frem Ntlanta via?
i Cissy Petry H bt t F . we i . diatanee from thie thertise
Stanightor said Now, say what youcthe Seuthern Railway to Macon CoS |
oi ToT, . : Bac } , ' ' Uae Wiese attvets threes cer
; $58 “Ba vier rer Wabf [0 Say, Son,” ane ortune aa ce Fo to Sampson City, sod To oA 7:
Nugist {4 ty Gesernor Gikehrist — : her ' ' ; _* ' bine eaine up frome behind ws
named. $2 hieirs Toa wrceesyt cleat t . , swered: ‘Let us Ko, gu now winorailway to Gatmesvtlie. and ts se then + :
sent Shen Hamsev death warrants B i . : 3 ‘ Throw up venir iaaneda. Po
for © Gn and Fortune Percy, lise read: wled to delfyer freight dn Gatuesyilled |, ay '
: Pf sali ! rvs, ais - na erun ve a eee
Mrown's ense havo been appealed fo Rev. Rolunson requested afl to foim in oe hou The new seovice ante ; ;
’ $ } ist il ahi : ‘ . i ber Saat © 4 ‘ot! tient frye
Sicpeme Court August 2trd set for In 38 petition to the Almighty, “forithe Jacks@nville Gatuesville package, ; ; , MN
: 2 St os i . 5 eve 95498 a thing i
ee eOCUron we alt have to za some time,!car servies enables the Tanoa re
: : ; ce , ehete | . . dott) Kapes wtp tee wip
Aneet (5. 112. Gioverner granted some haw. y he added At tPis dacksooville railway Co handle pik + —_ head .
. 4 - Tess ws ‘ . ~ eae J - , tack? jivdateas oh gril rt 3
reprieve until September 2708 fancture Cain Perry ghouted: "Thank (age frdeht from oath petits North, het 1 H \
: soe } -: Ye . . . . mde oe staal Ufageed vis
September ®) JOL2 State Uoard gt God, farewell, farewell, we are going , Rast and West «ith only one transter et '
- - 5 ; - ; i maa ty Mati, Bertcetie 6s
Pardons refused to consider favorably home to heaven Roth men kept uplen route and thia fact alone will save). ‘a \ \ os
St . ; WATT ® Cage Ab Curries
' '
Application for comiautation of sent an almost continnous uproar of ew! the merchants thousands “of dollars. t had tart er
! f : Rate i He Thaw feistael, ane if
aneee clamations, relating to their faith incay well aw the ratiroad since it will, J, re ‘ bowart
. ° svt ys j Ushor aM: ane! }ffer, ea€ire
Seprem ier fe 4 soe cc wtesseeet (De Alinichty and thetr readiness to lessen ‘famage and loss of freight we |, ? tt
: : t i , - . : tretryee Whey ares Sry Sieth trerrer of
oe Yige r r - ., te : ‘ ’ ate t
Shen Hatnsevy to execute death #ar ie The minister Invoked the divine count of the many transfers hereto | thi t tet
: - ‘8 Ndr im fhe workel ainoet
rants on Friday, the 27h hleasing upon al! present, and espe i fore tmade in toanéit
: an =e ; | / ; thle, for thee were not at
Seer tem ter rate Cn and For ‘ aiivoupen the two men awh were so 4 —* = Ra gre ca Rarer |
. . ; tgs be ‘ ; j ; ror in the party when the
cane Perry raid the ostreme penalty, Sear fo death and-upon Sheriff Ram Osald in reference ta the efrapa about
! ; i , ; ; lus.’ 7 overtook ua
-evoand his deputicosw, the fallar, and his tower Tims.
. Calg Perry never che siates!
the State Moard of Pamtoens “who only ; : 7 e
Thousanas Viewed Execution. ‘ ‘ Biack Capa Adjusted. tabove atory
ui a few davs ago turned down the ap The Mack
or ae mn omretsemie (roo Pine cat .. : ! he ise "mW ae ;
Praveng Kun & u te ity eattone for clenmary” i i ws ere adjnated a! Mre. Slaughter Presd
Ivtng clietricts Thaursetes rant and tv! 2 of ow when Cain exclavoed “Make
The praver was conchided at Tiotii:, : i Among thuae sha witne
ep OOO t Av ree thee meee al hut h 1 niante make haste } Cal aoe my tiod i
when pea request af the dootred boa bust ‘executions were S oI dladsh
ae) Poet Pee ee oftte attract . m0 Ou men Were trembling, |
vol , ten thee dey tite, fewis, laover ot My ‘ » & ‘of Preepernty Aherl? $$ Shas
er} ote in chermuter 7 9 be Matesty + petther fram fear of hap nese -Ro ute |
Soul was sung The ministers shook the latter a withow, Mr
ae’ otf. laa oirtes i+ ft ase} ve offemead Leyte . pool tell which J 1
the hands of both men aft Tt Zt, and! =e ;Blanughter, with ber chtidres
her ’ > e beer t \ a 7 , ' p liet fherepmers were lage cel mrevgmef the
. Steiff Roasemaes ‘evan 'o rome the. . Slaughter tr the iiwrnter
rn s we patens Nene nerks af P2688 Peer? eheke :
veatt waeonits af od? sy “Thatn nil 1H%4 hye ear bed meet oe
: ee . - , tua toB! ore ak tne wh . 1¢ \
‘ , erent Sey Tea remar® ie: : * a ie wrt fatter ritia ibirine
wile ae
Pp.
wounded
ot
four
m.
Siaughter and
nh
Deputy
ear
F. VY.
Lige
milles from
May 22. lull -Cain Perry, Portune
Cain) Perry walked Sheriff Ramsey
while Deputy Wheeler assisted For
, tune. z |
‘Fortune Perry, who: for the first time
Cassembled, remarked: “You seem in}
" {
a hurry, but T would not run -— will)
—-—Double Hanging Witnessed By Crowd-
Sherif Ramsey. They walked quite
steadily until they reached the flizht
of 12 steps leading trom tbe zround
to the platform from which they were
to drop to their death, The men
were hand-cuffed together, and beside
“You Seem In A Hurry.”
yeaa
As the men came out the jail door
had opportunity to view the thousands
soon be at my last resting place.” To |
this his father said: “Amen, amen.”
Slowly the officers assisted the ne |
With One Change.
Arrangements have been completed
thy the Tampa & Jacksonsille Rai j
' War Company for new packase car
groes up the steps, and they Joined POT* ©? from Atianta to Gainesville
the tiniaters In a hymn. While stand. rerenive October Ist. his new ser
ing on the seaffold the Men were sie:
ported) bs Deputy Sherif? Wheeler and ;
~GALNESVILLE. FLORIDA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER, 28, L912.
NEW PACKAGE CAR AT.
LANTA TO GAINESVILLE
TAMPA & JACKSONVILLE EXHIB-
ITS PROGRESSIVENESS.
nena EE
Beginning October ist Freight May
Come From Chicago, Cincinnati,
But
byee Will be made up in AChnta on tie
Southern Railway tracks frotio treichet
‘whether or not the men’s ne
ibroken, but the supposition
they were. The bodies were
,
by Sheriff Ramsey and tir
to Cain Perry, Jr. and oth:
relatives after they were
the caskets, which occupied
ah
{
i
{
|
jin front of the old jail
ear left Gainesville ear
afternoon for Pineville Bap:
where Friday nigh! was eld +
Trertn ao “wait.” Interment
hinade today.
Expected Confessicns La
+ Not onty atid the men far
e\pected confessions as fo
der which they exptaced,
Sthaade abselutely too tefere:
Qin Uhursdasy, ia a statement
Dr. To bt . Walker bath
asserted that they
WOR Uh
the murder of Mr Slaughter
“+
ae ns
eee tein iat tk ee ee 2 ee 2 ee oe
“gees as now. A larger number of families
fs ot
anh entrance examination.
a; vacation than eyer before in order
® advantages
© schools. An unusually large number
<4 of pupils from nearby. junior
<schools will enter this fall for the i trich pieces, pheasant feathers ‘and
= equipped for efficient work than ever
nw arg ; «.%
L. XXIX.NO.U6 |
ocala ip taoipee
er
“GAIN ESY ILLE, FLORIDA, SUNDAY, SRRTENBER, 2 2, J92
GAINESVILLE SCHOOLS
OPEN TOMORROW WEEK’
INQ COMPLETION, -
PAS *
“New _Pupits, Other Than “heaias|
EGANT ~ NeW “BUILDING” Wen: Soroush commas tn. judge a8 to al
jknows Miss Granberry weil,
[piano teaching, she’ has made . PoE
(Preparation for the teaching” ‘oft paty
citizen of . Gainesville, a gentleman
jmusic teacher's ability and one who
* stated
that she would have his two daugh
tere-ea- pupils, although he had nev-
patronized the muake department
nera, Requested. To. Have -,
: t: Certificates Ready.
It is now certain that the Gatae»
Pville Graded and High School will
open on October the 7th. Although
the new building will not be completed
by that time, practically all of-the tm
®ide work, ercept the staining of the
Seymouldings and casings, will be fnist-
ed. The remaining work will be of
# kind that will disturb the work of
the achool but little and that ilttle
disturbance will last but
~ all of the tine between now and the}
opening of school
buildings and grounds ready, the en-| Company will have their street hat
clasaifica- |
to getting
' tyance examinations and
tiem of new pupils will be deferred |
_uatil the opening day. Au new pu.
have their pamee TEE in of promotion, !
and records Made in other scohols,
ready to present at the opening. This
Tay save them from the ordeal of
The outlook: for a very successful
term Wwas.never quite so eneourmging
have located here during the present
their children might “have: the
offered by Gasinesriije’s
high |
the senior
® of completing
shen aghool course. ce
“ Numerous inquiries Received.
Several letters have been recetved
by the principal from parents in dist-
@nt parts of this State and in other
posse inquiring about the Gaines
Graded sad Htgh Schoi, the cost
, books, tuition, «tc. :
Por the Great time in sevarat years,
the school will not be hampered on
a@éeount of a lack of room and in
other reapecta the school. is better
Ht was desired to add other re- |
“partmegis and courses this term, bat
2 was not practicable or best to do
#0 at this time The erertion of the
: Granberry: states that a ‘better seloe
a. ~ short |
the
‘ cured
{that Mises Ethel Butler ts again in
of the public schoo! . hetore. A lads
who has been. -Gssociated: with: ‘Miss
tion for the position éduld not. have
beea nade, A noted teacher says
ot her: “I believe it has not been
my pleasure to have, in‘ my-eighteen
years of touching, a more mature and
artistic . student, She is especially
good in Beethoven and ts the first
pupil | have .ever had to play all of
his plano concerto in concert.”
‘BAILEY & BRUSH COS. MIL.
| LINERY OPENING OCT. 2 AND 3
Seen cma On Bt -
Wednesday and Thursday, October
2nd and ird, the- Bailey & Brush
opening.
lic school music and voice and: the df 7 'g
recting of choruses. A - prominent |
jeemeterr, éhres: mites’
WWFERMENCT MADE AY SINEVILLR
euniek: Ga
| tended Murat of Mon
Im Gainesville Pritley.,
yf ——— = ‘¢
The bodies of Cain .ai& Fortune
Perry, the, negroes: executed in
Gainesvilie Friday at 24:40 a. mm,
were consigned to grareg 4 Pineville
tN of Arch.
er, Saturday at 11:36 08k
The funeral and burial ¢
tracted several: hundrad:
ple, among them many
the two men who pai: fi:
«, a
extrema '
penalty for the murder off parte H.:
Maughter. oe | as
The colored ministers rho were |
their sptritual advisora Bittring the /
last days the Porry's in the|
Alachua ccunty Jail,
cong ted me |
obsequles, 4
|
Mra. Bailey has just returned from |
the markets and will have ihe moat:
-attrerfashionadie-—maodela. tor ert
patrone.
the exclusiva agency for the
well-known “Gaze” hats, Among
theseThere is an extremely stylish
model of London smoke velvet with
a diue quill and the much-in-vogue
silver Duckle. Another extremely at-
tractive tmodel ts of Hatter’s biue
blush, with a dashing nheasant feath-
The~ striking: feature of the many
models is ‘their elegant simplicity.
Hats of Velour, Noiton Felts and Hat-
ter’ Plush, “with trimmings of of-
Birds of Paradise, with be much aven
this season. The leading shades will
ibe Fuchsia, Prune, American Beauty,
Mostard and Taupe,“ not forgetting
dlack and white, which always holds
its own.
~ The many patrons of this popular
emporium will be pleased. to know
‘ldkiene of the millinery department,
where her taste and skill has beens
thelr many custotiers.
The Bailey & Brush Company. wil
always be headquarters tor the pee
ple of Gainesvitie end ricinity on ae
count of the <ourtesy and accomme-
Gations extended..i ~~ eo @
t
new buliding hae so depleted ‘bei geyiyar MEETINGS wits
Pree He F ths Vertn-@ thee other fee
er. rd Sree ;
demonstrated to the satisfaction of |
{alleged a@aasaly of Josiah. Hatt—ift tug
oe :
Boquets For The un,
congratiiated J The }
MM lany _ readers
While in the East shé ae | Sua Saturtiay upoa the complete,” con. PHBE
cige account of the doubly execution |
aa lt appeared in Satarday- morning's |
igsua Many columns equid have |
been written, but It wae of sndear- 4
of to give our patrnas the: ‘Dest pos-
alble report of the grasseme proceed:
ing in . fedet - poasibie apace.
9
Reptrta Exaggers
it was learned Saturdaj. bee dia
Patohes sent to various . paperd&
throughout the country relative to
anticipated riota at Archer aa a re
sult of the Perry's. execation have
caused some ihsurance companies. to
make inquiries relative to contem-
plated revocation of policies: on prop-
erty in’ that town. There has heen
no cause for aisrm at Archer, and the
anonymous postal card
considered a mere joke by almost
everyous. :
’
a «
Sheriff. in Gast ind,
Sherif? Ranwey, who was detained
here Thureday and Friday te look sft-
er preparations for the dewble hang-
tug, left Saturday afternoon for: the
Orange Meights section, where “he
went to apprehend Lonnie Lewis, the
sppreheysion {a pogalhle,
es reel
matied to),
Mayor- Ualdwin on last Tueeday {s/!,
o> [reaidence of Mea. .H. H.. Xi
ist ‘when sbout sixty wore tn att
- of inehading momahars . ot. Kird
ASL SE bal.
tera, Ue De Cand C. Cy rest
also a few tepresenting th ‘the |
t tients ¥ 8 232 a ‘bas
One of tha. pringipal battles
ida during the 60's onourred i
cinity of where the now pr
city of Marianna. te located
splendid paper prepared by 3
M. -Taylor..was.-. moat tatarea:
ing a graphic but concise at
Of ft. 62s See a
Readings by. Mire. “Litttan
; McCall elicited much appla
Appreciation. ‘Thle lady has :
lished reputation as‘h. reader
than ordinary ability and th
ance of her nama upon AR
ifa always xroeted with ‘pleas:
The entire program was f}
ever, including the following
ithe numbers already noted,
nee Hivar,” suag by the,
strumental solo, Mra. G.»
‘love, Voval solo, Miss. ‘Hei
~¥ocal--soto~Mes--H—
Instrumental aqlo, Miss Ida ‘
him, Song, “Dixte - =<.
Quite a sum was realized f
entertatament, termed a aij
jwhieh will be utilised “In-te
the monumental wark unde:
the Danghtebs,~ > Se,
Doring the sfterncen’ Mere ]
ze nurved tempting sandwiches
ai 2 Rete Sis 5
Pe te:
SECOND. ADVANCE CAR ©
BUFPALO g1LL —
(emer
The sbeebd™ eavanessene
Rafalo Ui Wid per or |
Rill Far Rast Bhows Cc shins!
nese” for tha aubfbicion.
ots me. biiad oe u Chiat cugl-
“soul. Thaok God, thank God."
ene + 4¢ “a saakast ai He :
Pes ti him with murder of C, H.;
‘: Slaughter “ j sald: “Now, say what. you |
- August 9, 1912—Governor Gilchrist | *#9t to say, son,” and. Fortune an-
“Let us go, go now—I am
«
| '‘swered:
sent Sheriff Ramsev death warrants
for Cain and Fortune Perry, Lige | Peady-"- .
Rrown’s case having been appealed to; Rev. Robinson requested all to Jota
Supreme Court. August 23rd set for |!" & petition to the Almighty, “for
weecntion. | we all have to go some time,
August 13, 1912—-Governor granted | Some how," ahe added. At this
reprieve until September 27th. jJuncture Cain Perry shouted: “Thank
September 20, 1912—State Noard of | Ged, farewell, farewell, we are going
Pardons refused to consider favorably | 20me to beaven.” Both men kept up
pplication for commutation of seat-|*9 almost contintous uproar of ex
. ences, ' clamations, relating to their faith. io
September 20--Governor Inetricted (the Almishty and thefr readiness to
Sheriff Ramsey to execute death war; die. The minister Invoked the divine
rants on Friday, the 27th. i dlessing upon all present. and eape-
September 1912 —Cain and For ictaily upon the two men orba were 50
tune Perry paid the extreme penalty. | 9¢@F oO death and upon Sherif Ram-
sey and his deputies, the jallor, and
the State Hoard of Pardons “who only
a few days ago turned down the ap
plications for clemency.“ ;
The prayer was concluded at 11:17,
p when, upon request of the doomed
men the hymn, “Jeeus, Lover of My
Pied
ae
wt,
Thousands Viewed Execution.
People began arriving from the out. |
lying districts Thursday night and by
9 o'clock Friday morning several] hun-
dred were in the city, some attract-
<8 Uy 8 FER a One he ney Soui,” was-sung. The ministers shook
of the law upheid and the foul mon the hands of both men at 11:21, and
der of Charlie Slaughter and F. V ' Sherif! R oy began to read the
White expiated, while othera, it seem bangin warrants at 11:22. “That's all
ed, came to «ratify morbid curtosity. nent, you needn't do that,” remark-
“Although the heat from the ann W288 | nd both Caingad tls son: but the off.
sweltering. Waznolia street, het ween | .o. continued; ‘as was his duty. The
Factory atreet = an Sweetwater |
Dranch, presepted a cireussday serene f44:27,
Ss regards attendances as ear!tr as 19 ne
ay?
5 aioe atl
o'clock, aad by Tt o'clock the crowd poss of pardons and the last
was estimated to be hetwaeg 3.004!
and 4,000. A more conservatira enth-i4, execute the deat
mate would be 2,00, however. In the | say the
assemblage were olf men. young men, |
boys of tender years, women of both |
races. and !t wan noted that there
were present fuily aa many blacks as
whites. Not the least disorder was ‘he teand over the officer's voice.
apparent at any time, Sherif? Rasy | On
Sey having ‘aken the precaution 10! aed
station many of his deputies at ra-:
e t
rious poihts inthe cocrt earrosBding | reosty K Ba Wheeler, J. 2. Thomaa,
the fall
On the rent of Se BOF we 5. Rites sad one or twe others
jail were matinned between 20 and’ 4 isst nyma. Leaning Oe the Arm
3a men with arms. Their services.» Jpaue,” was song, open a
were not seeded, however. | the (we aibk.” ehich acca dae an
Speat Might in Prayer. jius servies, and the eclored mints
During Thursday sight Cais and \tere deecended the stage.
une Perry slept Dot a few hours. Adjwetment of Straps.
Bid | At 12:42 the sheriff and Me secigt-
ig o'clock Theretay aight asd 2 o'ciork |
s Vriday’orning. bet the talsare of;
the time they passed in prayer. Ther |
abd no bevakfeet ef af) Prider
com
3th, were read.
Shert® Rameey completed
| you want,” said Catn.
end of the warrants were reached at |
when other papers relating to:
Rand,” pleaded Fortune
reprieve and ‘to t a@¢tion of the:
p es ne ° * hetd up SY One of the deputios.
munication eommanding the sheriff:
B warrant on Fri.
this |«teraity,
(aaty af 13:29:46, bat darting tae aw (he stepa, caught Solid
Ure tine the two nen kept ap a com. Which centrale
‘Uauecs uproar of praise which could and remarking:
: i
7 - [oat the eam ht ne ” _ ae iwhtch sferded sdvagtegeees stew’
Py. ors a4 Hd ,~tewtee F : 4 £ i
the platforn with the mea and; t was 0 ones ft ra? ‘that more than a hundred people were
+f t ;
@ Rarpecy were Jaiior W. M4. a8 eprung. i perched
Toviay, Chet Deputy WT. Bruton, | The feet of Cais fF
[big weight atreteRing the rope, touch
ante bean edjurting the straps sheet;
The car Wil move fram Atlanta via
the Southern Railway to Macon; G. 3.
‘@ F. to Sampeon City, and T. & J.
Tailway to. Gainesville, and is schad-
uled. to dellyer freight. in Gainesville
the oparty, and whan aome
distance the house where ihe
dance was given three or four men
came up from behind ua. One: said:
‘Throw up your banda, I want to see
What you boys have got.’ [ did so,
Arye ail
from
ise ho The new servien ant saving, ‘Don't shoot me, bosa, 1
the J avil eaviile package haven't got a thing.’ The man—i
car sery enables the Tampa a@&
Jacksonville railway to handle pack:
age freight from all points North.
East and West with only one tranafer
en route and this fact alone will save
the merchanta thousands ‘st dollars,
ag weil as the railroad since {t will
lessen damage and loss of freight ac-
count of the many transfers hereto
fore made in transit.
Sochaaivered
—
said In reference to the atrapa about
his lower limbe.
Biack Cape Adjusted.
The black cape were adjusted at
11:33, when Cain exclaimed: “Make
haste, make haste; I can see my God
now." Hoth mea were trembling, |
elther from faar or happiness—no one
could teil which. .
The nooses were placed around the
Men's necks at 11:39. “Dea't choke
me-—juet break my neck.” said For
tune. “We done give up: do what!
oath were now |
t
;
so nervous that they asked for as.)
sistance, “Help me, be-igy me, I
ite
ant;
wWAas:
The Trap Sprung. i
Ail was tm readiness for the
touch that would send ‘he men igto)
Sherif Ramaey descended |
af the repa:
cillowe deter’
OY S, Sweat. |
}
ri
"Sa
“Sow
erry, Owing ta,
‘
ef the earth sa the nusctay of Rie |
lower ‘imbe relazed A apade waa;
Raatiiy gotten and considerable dirt |
femoted from under bia ewtnéing :
At 11:81 Drs Ro Lartigue of mia!
* 4
’
j
eF
i?
OR sain in the aftarnoct thine sepe
of the nosteerdie were seld,
; frm the aaeBold.
Ligh jall feres offered ac resistance
threughumt the reading of the
raste sad tther documagts,
amd@ ‘aintied when ther saw
jon't know who he was, it waa so
dark --jabbed a pistol in my -side and
shot. I fell and dragged myself along
until my son, Fertune, came along
with a buggy and carried me home.
tT had no pistol, and did not fire a
shot. Cabi and Wille, other sons of
mine who are in jJall hera, don't fnow
a thing in the world about this trov-
bie, for they were not at the frolic
or in the party when the white men
overtook we,” ,
Cain Perry never deviated from the
above story,
Mre. Biaugnter Present.
Among those who witnessed tbe
executions were 8, J. Slaughter, father
of Depaty Sheriff C. HH. Slaughter, and
the latter's widow, Mra Fannie
Raughter, with ber children. Chartie
Slaughter, Jr. the merdered man's
little five-year-old son, sat in his
crandfather’s arms during the entire
proceedings. He ts a >eantiful child
and notwithstanding his tender yeara,
i1pressed satisfaction at the outenme.
ingtdents of the Say. ;
\ aumber of camerng wers focused
“fun ‘he negPoes aa they stood spon.
the gsilewe sad Johan Q. Wille hed)
Taia views of the sapectacie. Dozens
i
i
ilusdeede seeared particles of the!
ioves used la the e«equtiones :
Ao great was the demaad fer points |
i]
spon tse rect af the eity fash
whirh ‘es incated coiy a few panda
a
The barbed wire om the inp ef the
shalever ‘o many whe were eager ta
ae ithe “hanging.* .
Colored woinem repiding on the ;
Magnviia street side, whe stood
Fahy
aT OR My
Cais ead
Perse bodiea shat dewn
s
Fortune
ward. i
Series 12, Box 19. Powell was executed at 8:29 a.m.
on 12 July 1937.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF TES FOURTH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA IN AND FOR DUVAL COUNTY a
FALL TERM, A.D. 1935. No.3377-¢
— | STATE OF FLORIDA 3
|
| MARCUS C, POWELL Rs nt
|
JUDGMENT AND SENTENCE OF THE COURT
A jury naving found you, iencux C. Powell, guilty of
murder in the first degree, the Court adjudges you to be guilty
of murder in the first degree, It is the judgment of the Court
and the sentence of the law that you, Marcus C. Powell, for your |
said offense, do be remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of
Duva}] County, Florida, to be by him safely kept in the common
Brest of said County until the Governor of the State of Florida
shall have issued his warrant for your execution; and that after
‘the issuance of such warrant of execution by the Governor you shall
be conveyed to the State Prison Farm at Raiford, Florida, there to |
Ibe safely kept by the Superintendent of the State Prison until
such time as the Governor of the State of Florida may in his said
lwarrant of execution designate, and that at the time so designated
| the said Superintendent of the State Prison, or one of his
authorized deputies, shall cause to pass through your body a
current. of electricity of sufficient intensity to cause your
‘Euediaceqaestsy: and. shall continue the application of such
current untilt cpa tay COPE tee have mercy upon your soul,
|
| STATE’ OF FLORIDA’) |
COUNTY $0 FS DUVAL" )
‘ “T, ‘ELLIOT W. “BUTTS, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the Fourth
Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida in and for said County, do
hereby Certify the above to be a true and correct copy of the ‘Juden
' ment and Sentence of the Court in the above stated cause.
yA. my Hand and the Seal of said Court, this the 6th day of
waly A.D. 19 37.
| : What Ae (sutee
lerk of the vourt
—_——-- tf
Powell Pays
With Life for
Slaying Wife
Convicted Jacksonville Man
Dies Calmly in Chair at
State Prison.
RAIPORD, July 12, (#-—The
State of Florida today exacted the
supreme penalty from Marcus C.
Powell for the slaying of his wife,
Katie.
Powell gave up his life in the
electric chair sixteen months after
the battered and slashed bodies
of his wife and mother-in-law were
found floating in a Nassau County
ereek.
The two women had spent thou-
sands of dollars to secure Powell's
ed to see him dje.
“God biess you,” he said as
ee ee
Sheriff Rex Sweat threw switch
that sent high voltage surging
through his body
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION
(Jacksonville)
Tuesday, 13 July 1937
page 26
STATE OF. FLORIDA-
OFFICE OF THE
ATTORNEY GEN FERAL
GEORGE co R GIBB
yah 7 TALLAHASSEE
October 11, 1940,
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Honorable Fred P, Cone, Governor,
Executive Officés,
Cap it 64,
RE: DEATH WARRANT FILE op
EDWARD POWELL,
Dear Governor Cone}
H.E.CARTER
ROY CAMPBELL
M.C.MCINTOSH
JOHN L.GRAHAM
WM.P.ALLEN
J’.COMPTON FRENCH
TYRUS A.NORWOOD~-
LAWRENCE A.TRUETT
ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL
We have examined the file in the above
case and find it sufficient for the issuance of
the death warrant for the execution of the convict.
Inquiry has been made of th
Court and we are advised that there h
action in that Court which would prec
suance of the death warrant.
WF:G
e Supreme
as been no
lude the ig-
COPY
reproduced by
FLORIDA STATE ARCHIVES
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
R. A. GRAY BUILDING
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
Series Carton
rOWRLL, Charlie,
SHARUI POWERS.
go MEGALLY BRECUTED
Pe ‘
*es 4
TO SCAFFOLD. : ',."! ye
sere wad nw *
- th % 1
| Meet Had Been Broken.
- rge Crowd Fretent.
, ? cal i he 4
' BL Augustine, Feb,’ *h—Chartle Powors,,
eoloved, was publicly @xecuted 'n the coun
Ay Jall yard here at 10:30 thie worning for
‘Ahe merder vt: John Kogets, alno cuolvted,
As the trap was aprunk, i rope parted,
but nor before the-crimjnal’s neck had
‘been broken. Powera was pronounced dead
‘wlevéen minutes after: the drop. '
J) More than @ thoasand: pe: sous angembted
‘around the ‘Jall yard ta see the execution
dong before the hour arrived, tha vacant
ote and houses around wére ewatmed with
/poopls awaiting the ‘scene, Mherif{ Perry.
Aud bls depucies had taken every procuu-
6m tO #e@ that’ the execution went. off
Mpioothly. but the best of plane will som4s
Minee fal. .
bee after tho death warrant. had been
‘read to him ° nee nN to wedkon and early
thie murning | collapmed” coupleersy. {
blac«x, hanged st.
PRIS ER NAD TO BE DRAGGED
“Restornuves Pion adininiatered, ‘but failed
to-wllect thé prisoner.” Whén’ the hour of |
exevution arrived {t Was found Necessary ,
.to carty the dooined, man’ to the meatfold. j
“He was perfectly Ump. and to all ‘appear:
‘ances completely (uncdsacious, Upon ase
veending the scaffold, the man being anadle
to stand, it was de-idea ‘(o support jalr
‘with a hoard fustened tO his back In order
that the eaocullon nilght take place props
“erly, Fathers Clurteul und. Foley were ;
‘fpresont with the man at the last momenta }
“ind aacenddd the .scatfold, praying and
s partorniing the last had ites of (he Cuthoe |
e fale
When everything wae in readinens the |
eigual was given and the trap sprung, Aas
the body plunged through tne Baufinid tha |
“yopd bruke and Powere tell. ty tus ground.
Another rope was procured and adjusted.
but the atiending physlvians, Dre. A.exan-
Mer, irwin and Kates, Im exanidning. the
man found that his neck was broken by
, the fell and declared a second drop uny
“necessary, The duct.ra toux the bUuwse HU-
‘tlon constantly and.in ‘eleven minutes they
wffictally bronounced the man dead.
Ry Bherncte Percy naturally ,regrets-the, acci-
ydent in ¢onnectlun witn the execution; buf
Ale! wae through no neglect’ ‘of bis: or hia
jhetnd pro The, Topehad beva thoroughly |
r] to She hinging ana haa’ stoud 1 )
Lssuethie d. strain, The man’s conapsed.
tos dition! ne tla necehalty’ ‘Of mupporting
eth -budy ‘on} werd conditions wu gts
vogcted: Ny, vy otticials and 99 doubt; Bi
atbelrcettect.on the rope... ee ae
hit Lowever, the ‘result: poh ‘the sinte-as if
rie To dvd bei Lpovaceldenty: for the doomed
fer atop at @;- ahd. ‘from ae ‘as
ily he ha hut mene
fag until tte. cideg tloét. rhe en ‘ rae. ,
The exectition. was carefully Bey ‘and
ie abl aa slang ova tioeat
hi é raphers
Were allowed th ‘une thelr. cameras’ nod con
P hequentlys: Ho.phopograpas of? thes BT ilde |
ome: mlght: w erg “ODisaed, )% ie Sally ofns:
tales and; a; Sm With th¢aaes- were, ~Rarmttted |
peibln thes jail [’ rare “bark tba: ‘prt 6
kéption Aheson iiggss bareys 1ak ted fay
athe ewapeper song Necentativek and- ‘iitew.
prwitnesnes,: ‘viewed: thy! exceutton’ trom’ the
i Lprridur -windows. ot- the Jat As She -trap;
a Wee Hts hoot Rswmeart 7 Hrdpmetecer
t Rebate renalty. awn tte" cng: wan oY ‘
bell»: wal) toe Ariat: ‘oe the’: yeh area,
jaro {aNd ‘entertig atid: the.ah oCki thre
otk ‘Inte, “an: jetta’ CO. Ot. tity: neslitine rs
thur.Labell: who ie: walling nat: bn tha
Rh Sie Stee eerie
Barto RO rahall.n tn,
Ue. bhryee Of the Mt, bat’: aa eet
ng an ant’. soon: Secovered.:, gt Be fy
S Kaye
LAR rt
60 AMERICAN DETECTIVE
So the police, with Powell in their company, spent a
whole day draining the creek, a five-mile-long stream which
meanders through the Springfield residential section here
into the St. Johns River. It is controlled by locks and
was pumped dry. No bodies were found.
Meanwhile, neighbors of the Powells had told police
they’d heard piercing screams emanating from the home
Mrs. Lou E. Speer, whose
body was discovered float-
ing in the creek, by two
fishermen. Above: the
weapon with which the
state contended the mur-
ders were committed.
Sunday morning, and as the case drew newspaper publi-
city, largely due to Powell's past criminal record, he agreed
to be questioned by police and the state’s attorney’s staff.
For five hours he sat at ease as an official reporter took
down his replies to a barrage of questions. Police found
that he’d bought new mats for his automobile—which he
hadn’t mentioned—and, with these circumstances in mind,
police, while not formally docketing Powell, kept him in
custody during the night, riding him around in a moving
police car and questioning him.
Then, early on March 6th, a telephone call came to
Jacksonville police headquarters from Oxley’s funeral
home at Fernandina that they held two bod-
ies taken from the creek and
believed they might
be the missing women.
Detective Inspector E. L. Acosta and
County Detective S. H. Hurlbert and deputies of
Sheriff Rex V. Sweat, accompanied by the attorney for
_ the two women, went to Fernandina and made the iden-
tification. The bodies, immersed in the water for five
days, had been attacked by crabs and other water animals,
but were recognizable. .
Questioning of Powell then commenced in earnest.
The women’s attorney, Elliott Adams, told police that
Powell and his wife had discussed a divorce and she
wished to get one without giving her husband any of
their joint property, most of which she had heired. “The
mother-in-law had rewritten her will, cutting Powell off
without anything, and she had told friends that she feared
Powell would do her bodily harm.
Powell was formally arrest-
ed and charged with the mur-
ders after blood-stains were
found in the Powell home and
in the tonneau of his car.
He explained that the blood-
stains in. the
from raw me:
fed and that |
great deal due
period. The |
he explained,
let wound he ;
St. Augustine
Chemists w
They told po
carpets at
hammer fou
blood-stains.
plain the bl
. The court
dictments w:
jury, chargi
gree murder
Then, th
tigation was
the creek b
a fire. In
ments and
Officers \
ington.
G-Man di
among the
of a man’s
which had
home. Th
suit he wo
they screan
by her den
Speer, also
W. P.
ance of h
‘set it for
The tr
in years.
from 6 o
the janit«
courtroon
session W
during th
Three
prospectiy
the case.
As the
room’s |!
collected
watched
occasion:
The >
62
The state next moved to establish a
motive. Lawyer Adams and Albion
Knight, attorney with whom he is asso-
ciated, testified that Mrs. Powell for some
time had tried to get Powell to agree to
a divorce without giving him half her
property.
Dr. R. R. Killinger, Duval county med-
ical examiner, who conducted the au-
topsies next told the gruesome details of
the autopsies he performed on the bodies.
“The bodies were covered with slime
due to prolonged immersion in the wa-
ter,” he stated. “The hair of Mrs. Powell
was filled with small organisms—like tiny ,
shrimp. The skin of her hands and feet
were white and wrinkled.
“There were five wounds ‘in the head.
At no point was the skull fractured...
There was no water in the lungs as
would have been in case death were due
to drowning. The abdomen had. been
slit open to a length of four inches. It
was not such an incision as a surgeon
would have made, but more like a novice,
I should say the wound was made four
to six hours after death because it caused
no bleeding. The liver was ruptured and
the exterior wall about it was bruised.
This could have been caused by a kick or
some straightly applied force at the end
of some blunt instrument. Death was
caused my multiple blows on the head,
causing copious hemorrhages of the brain.
Any of the blows would have caused un-
consciousness.”
i ows state’s theory was that Powell
surprising his wife in the bathtub, first
slew her with the hammer and then as
Mrs. Speer returned to the house from
the back yard, struck her down, quieting
her shrieks with the dirty rag stuffed in
her mouth.
Dr. L. Y. Dyrenforth, analyst expert,
then produced the lethal weapon—an
ordinary carpenter’s hammer. He testi-
fied that blood on its head was human
blood as was other blood found in the
home by Detectives Acosta,’ Hurlbert
and Deputy Sheriffs Griffin, Barker, Mil-
Jer, Humphries and Southwell. —
The jury got a jolt when City, ‘Detec-
tive J. S. Meads who with Detective R.
L. Wood, took Powell to the scene where
the bodies were found related that Powell
first told him he’d never heard of Lofton
Creek but that when they approached the
site, Powell said, “Oh, yes, I’ve been
fishing here.”
Dineen, the defense attorney accused
Meads: and Wood of giving Powell the
“third degree” by their relentless, uninter-
rupted questioning for four days and
nights.
The prosecutor asked Wood, if Powell,
when the prisoner saw the bodies, ex-
hibited any of the feelings a man nor-
mally would upon viewing the body of a
loved one, victim of a fiend.
“No more,” said Wood, “than if he was
looking at a dead rattlesnake.”
Powell kept a poker face during the
early part of the trial.
Judge DeWitt T. Gray, presiding, de-
clined to admit into testimony photographs
of the nude bodies taken at the undertak-
. ing home, but court spectators, mostly
. women avid to see them, were permitted
a glimpse during a noon recess.
The state: made much of the testimony
OE at
AMERICAN DETECTIVE
of Lawyer Knight that on the Friday pre-
_ceding the Sunday the women “disap-
peared” that he had advised Powell that
the wife, Katie, wanted a divorce. Powell
finally consented to a divorce without a
property settlement, the attorney said, and
left. Knight at the time, was preparing
a will for Mrs. Powell to sign. She failed
to appear Saturday to sign it and Sun-
day she was dead. The will overlooked
Powell.
INEEN’S attempt to prevent In-
spector Acosta relating details of
finding blood in the Powell home upon
a search on grounds that the search was
illegal failed. Acosta also told of how the
back of the car smelled of gasolene as
though attempts to clean out the blood-
stains had been made. The state con-
tended under’ protection of nightfall some
time early Monday, that Powell placed the
two bodies in his car and’ took them to
the creek, slit the stomachs -open believ-
ing that they wouldn’t float and threw
them into the water.
The real “dynamite” testimony of the
case which it is generally conceded played
a more important part than any, was that
given by E. R. Donaldson, associate sci-
entist of the United States Bureau of
Investigation of the Department of Jus-
tice, assigned to the case by J. Edgar
Hoover, head “G” man.
Painstakingly, he related his chem-
ical and microscopic tests of ashes of the
fire found on the creek bank to bring out
that among the ashes were remnants of
the trousers and coat* belonging to the
vest found in Powell’s ‘room. The cloth
was of. the’ same fabric as a charred
piece found at the fire scene, he testified.
He testified that the piece of rag found
in Mrs. Speer’s mouth was of the same
material as that of a dish rag found in
the Powell home.: He even told that the
yarn count in the manufacture of pillow
cases found in the Powell home was the
‘same as some material taken from the
ashes. The federal government paid his
expenses to come here and testify, in line
with its recent policy to assist public au-
thorities ‘in their war on crime.
The state then produced four witnesses
to relate that each had seen Powell on the
street, Sunday, March Ist, before the 9:30
p.M. hour that he told police he first left
the house to search for the woman.
And one of the witnesses added that
when he passed. the Powell home about
10:30 o’clock on that Sunday morning, the
lights were on and the shades were pulled
down tight. The state fixed this as about
the time Powell was beating the women
“to death.
As one of these witnesses left the stand,
he passed close to Powell and the defen-
dant mumbled some remark to him. The
witness halted quickly, peered at Powell
sharply, and then went on, later telling
officers he didn’t understand just what
Powell said to him.
Miss Mary Metzger, a stenographer and
sister of a woman living in a garage apart-
ment in the rear of the Powell home testi-
fied she nearly bumped into Powell on that
Sunday night after she parked her car in
the alley and started for the back yard and
that he jumped when he saw her. Later,
when they were introduced, Powell re-
marked, she testified, “Oh, yes, you're the
young: lady who scared me 80 badly the
other night.” The state was trying to show
Powell was highly nervous a few hours
after committing the murders.
Filling station employes testified that
Powell bought 10 gallons of gasolene on
Sunday March Ist, during the afternoon,
a large amount for him to buy at one
time. The point of this, the, state ex-
plained, was to prove Powell was getting
ready for a long drive with the bodies
into the adjoining county. ;
A former renter of the garage apart
ment related incidents of a previous
month’s separation of the Powells and how
Powell had broken into the garage and
with another car pushed away the Powell
vehicle. The Powells were reunited follow-
ing a mysterious shooting at St. Augustine
. when he was wounded.
This witness admitted upon questioning
by the defense attorney that Powell al-
ways was extremely polite to his wife and
mother-in-law but answered the prosecu-
tor’s question of: “Do you know how
polite he was to them on Sunday, March
ist?” with a “No sir.” -
AX employe of a safety deposit vault
firm testified the women had rented
a box in March, a year ago, and nobody
but they had a key. A policeman testified
he found this key on the front porch of
the home.
Mrs. B.. M. Owens and Mrs. Pauline
Lanham, her daughter, and both friends of
Mrs. Speer testified Powell told them he
was “tired, having ridden all night up to
4 o'clock in the morning looking for them,”
when he had told police he went to bed at
midnight.
. Mrs. Lanham said she took issue with
Powell when he told her his wife and
mother-in-law had disappeared wearing
the valuable diamonds and Mrs. Speer with
$200 in-her purse. “I disputed with him,
telling him I knew the rings were in a
vault and that I knew Mrs. Speer was
careful about carrying such large sums,”
Mrs. Lanham testified. The state was try-
ing to bring out that Powell, reporting
the “disappearance” of the two women
added the jewelry and cash details to
strengthen his theory that they were vic-
tims of foot-pads.
Recalled to the stand, Detective Wood
related that at one point in his questioning,
Powell asked him, “Now, how could I put
those stiff bodies in the car with my back
as weak as it is?” but couldn’t explain
how he knew the bodies were stiff.
The usual love triangle slipped into tes-
timony when Miss Alma Craig, employe
of a downtown dry cleaning establishment
was heard.
Miss Craig said when Powell went to
her place the day before the women were
‘slain to get a suit of clothes, he asked
her, if she thought a man Id love two
women at the same time. She testified her
reply was, “No, not when they are both
alive,” and that Powell responded, “Well,
they’re not dead yet,” and left adding that
he'd tell her “all about it, the next time I
see you.”
“Dr. H. Foxworth Horne, called to at-
tend Mrs. Speer a day or so. before her
murder, testified that she was lying on a
blue-bordered pillow, remnants of which
were found in the woods fire. Plates of
another set of false teeth found in the
home were identified b.
belonging to Mrs. Speer
had no teeth in it, whe
state contended she wou
the show without her pl
A partly burned cors:
fire remains was identifi
G. Moorehead, saleslad
department store as the <
as that worn by Mrs. §
The fact that there
tonneau of Powell’s c
washed two days befor
none-a few days later \
testimony of garage en
NE ‘of the most
testimony then v
state. It was assert
forth that he found «
hammer, four human
hair: on the body of
particles found in her
. Miss Alma Mortan:
Knight-Adams law
Powell, telling her al
appearing, informed h
a red crepe dress, \
The state then produc
found in the Powel
step to discredit his °
As the state neare:
entation of the pre
was created when |
ordered into testimo:
ter and a package
he package contain
eeth, and the letter
-'$ “Judge Gray:
peer’s teeth. Pow
fTwo men did it wit
“end of a gun. I wr
it didn’t do any goo
still is in one of the
‘this will keep Po:
what someone else «
The ‘state objecte:
letter, but Judge G:
of an anonymous
~~ was helpless to do
into the records.
Then, the previo
Dineen had recei
jurors. It said:
“I think it my d
I would send this
so blood-thirsty to
tric chair, I think
“He is innocent
did it’ and they «
think if those w
* ‘examined, you Ww
and a butt of a g
deaths.
“They were n
either. The two
out of pocketbo
leave his house ‘
it and any evide:
ing it would be
had been in trou!
“God came to
me to write this.
the truth so do
for God’s sake.”
A parade of 6
heard, weaving
about the defen
and defense con
In all, the st
71 exhibits, I
Powell home a:
ly the
show
hours
| that
ne on
‘noon,
at. one
te ex-
getting
bodies
apart-
revious
id how
ge and
Powell
follow-
igustine
stioning
vell al-
rife and
»rosecu-
w how
March
‘it vault
i rented
nobody .
testified
yorch of
Pauline
-iends of
them he
ht up to
or them,”
to bed at
‘sue with
wife and
wearing
peer with
with him,
vere in a
peer was
re sums,”
was try-
reporting
o women
details to
were vic-
ive Wood
uestioning,
ould I put
1 my back
rt explain
itiff.
d into tes-
r, employe
ablishment
ll went to
omen were
, he asked
d love two
estified her
y are both
ted, “Well,
adding that
vext time I
illed to at-
before her
lying on a
s of which
Plates of
und in the
home were identified by Dr. Evans as
belonging to Mrs. Speer, also. Her body
had no teeth in it, when found, and the
state contended she wouldn't have gone to
the show without her plates.
A partly burned corset taken from the
fire remains was identified by Mrs. Albert
G. Moorehead, saleslady in a downtown
department store as the same size and make
tonneau of Powell’s car when he had it
washed two days before the murders and
none a few days later was brought out by
testimony of garage employes.
NE ‘of the most damaging bits of
testimony then was exploded by the
state. It was assertions of Dr. Dyren-
forth that he found on the head of the
hammer, four human eyebrows similar to
hair on the body of Mrs. Speer and to
particles found in her comb. ;
. Miss Alma Mortanson, secretary in the
Knight-Adams law office testified that
Powell, telling her about the women dis-
As the state neared the end of its pres-
entation of the prosecution, @ sensation
was created when presiding Judge Gray
ordered into testimony an anonymous let-
ter and a package mailed to his home.
he package contained a third set of false
4 eeth, and the letter said:
“Judge Gray: I am mailing you Mrs.
peer’s teeth. Powell didn’t do the job.
wo men did it with an ice pick and butt
“end of a gun. I wrote W. P. Dineen but
it didn’t do any good, Part of the ice pick
+ still is in one of their heads now. Hoping
' this will keep Powell from paying for
what someone else did.”
The state objected to introduction of the
letter, but Judge Gray, assailing any writer
of an anonymous communication said he
"was helpless to do otherwise than place it
into the records.
Then, the previously unannounced letter
Dineen had received was read to the
jurors. It said:
“T think it my duty to let this be known.
I would send this to police but they seem
so blood-thirsty to get Mr. Powell in elec-
tric chair, I think it best to send it to you.
“He is innocent of that crime. Two men
did it and they didn’t use a hammer. I
think if those women’s bodies would be
examined, you will find that an ice pick
and a butt of a gun was what caused their
deaths.
“They were not killed in that house,
either. The two that did this took keys
out of pocketbook and watched Powell
leave his house and went in after he left
it and any evidence. that was there, think-
ing it would be laid on him because he
had been in trouble before.
“God came to me this morning and told
me to write this. God hears me and this is
the truth so do some more investigating
for God's sake.” : A
A parade of 65 state’s witnesses had been
heard, weaving an almost story-like chain
about the defendant when the state rested
and defense commenced.
In all, the state introduced as evidence
71 exhibits, Jargely exhibits from the
Powell home and the bonfire remains. The
. a eaating ac ciiieaiael vey
Dic a at rage ea ease a na ia ae
raat didn
AMERICAN DETECTIVE
state failed in its efforts to have the court
agree to sending the jury to the scene of
finding the bodies, the fire and the Powell
home, asserting that photographs introduced
presented ample information for the jurors.
First attempt of the defense to excuse
blood-stains in Powell's car came with tes-
timony that Powell had been accidentally
shot at St. Augustine Beach in the car and
had bled profusely. But the state estab-
lished he was shot in the front seat and
never, got into the back. where the other
plood-stains were found.
The first show of any emotion visited
Powell shortly after he was placed on the
stand to deny all connection with the
crime. ;
Hi body shook with sobs for a matter
of moments following his declaration
of innocence but he quickly regained his
composure. :
“Where were you on Saturday night,
March 7th?” Dineen asked.
“Well, I went to Fernandina about 8:30,”
Powell began. ~ “I had begged them (the
officers) all day to carry me over. to see
my wife and mother (here he sobbed).
They finally agreed to let me go.” (Here.
he broke down completely burying his face
in his handkerchief, as Judge Gray or-
dered the questioning halted). Asked gent-
ly by his lawer “Can you continue?” Powell
got hold of himself and went on.,
On cross-examination, he refused to tell
the state’s attorney what he did with some -
money he had received from payment of
a mortgage. “Tt’s none of your business,”
Powell told Harrell and then quickly de-
nied he’d used part of it to buy a diamond
ring for the woman who was his com-
panion when he was wounded at St. Au-
gustine.
Asked by Harrell if he (Powell) went
to the creek a couple of days before the
murders to “find a place to put your folks,”
Powell hesitated seconds, scowling at Har-
rell before he mumbled “No.”
Powell told Harrell “You act like it”
when the prosecutor asked Powell if he:
were mad at him.
“No sir, no sir, no sir,” had been Powell's
answers to queries of his attorney whe-
ther he murdered the women, split open
their stomachs, dumped them into the
creek and burned traces of the crime.
Testimony was given by Mrs. Mary
Wellborn, divorcee, that she saw the two
women standing on a downtown corner
talking to a man Sunday afternoon—after
they were supposed to have been dead—
and the state attacked her credibility by
bringing out the fact that she had been
seen by - policewomen in company with a
well known local dope fiend. She re-
sponded that the man. sold dope to her
husband and that’s why she got 4 divorce.
The state also accused her of being a
“professional murder witness.”
During his testimony, Powell had re-
lated that he and Katie had been married
nearly 20 years and that they had seldom
quarreled except just before their last
summer’s separation about which he said:
“] was-sitting on the porch one after
noon reading the paper when they threw
my clothes out on the street, and she took
one of my shoes and hit me on the head
with it, and 1 went back and took my
clothes and went to a hotel.” The separa-
tion lasted three weeks, he added.
Powell. said that his wife spent the
63
Friday and Saturday nights preceding
the “disappearance” of the women down-
stairs in her mother’s, bedroom, becayse
Mrs. Speer was ill and denying it was
because of the impending divorce.
Describing his Sunday’s movement, he
related eating breakfast, helping move
the women because he had a headache. He
said he never got real worried about the
women not coming home Sunday night
because he thought they might have spent
the night with Mrs.- Owen, a friend, one
of the state’s witnesses.
Explaining variance in some of his state-
ments, Powell testified that he was ques-
tioned from Thursday until Sunday night
by police without sleep, handcuffed and
manacied with a trace chain and that he
was so sleepy he didn’t know what he was
saying.
Questioning Powell, the state’s attorney,
indicated accusations that. Powell placed
the gag. in Mrs. Speer’s ‘mouth so she
wouldn’t scream as he tortured her before
killing her, but the court sustained defense
_ obj ections.
Mr. Harrell asked him if he had heard
a scream the morning of March Ist, and he
replied in the negative declaring, “No sir,
I had the radio on.” He also said he had
heard nothing fall in the house nor a door,
slam, except that caused by Mrs. Speer
leaving her room, which he said was not
any louder than usual. (One of the state’s
star witnesses had told of hearing a scream
originating in the house and the noise of
something falling and a door being slam-
med). Referring to his saying that Mrs.
Speer closed her door, Powell was asked,
“You weren't after her when she closed
that door, were you?” and he replied, “No
sir.”
The state offered a few rebuttal wit-
nesses to draw tighter its steel-fibered net
of circumstantial evidence and following
the judge’s charge, the case was given the
jury at 10 :25 o'clock on Saturday morning,
April 25th. Just 29 minutes later, at .
11:24 o'clock, the buzzer sounded notifying
the court the jury was ready to report.
OWELL, who had issued a written
statement to the press, while the jury
was out predicting his acquittal, did not
show any emotion when the verdict was
read. Taken back to his cell in ‘the
* “Chinatown” part of the county jail, his
first query was to the turnkey “Is my din-
ner here yet?” He has a daily meal sent to
the jail, and eats prison fare but once a
day. Taken upstairs to the tier where he
is incarcerated, Powell told friends, “Well,
boys, they. gave me the works.”
In April, 1913, Powell was convicted of
second degree murder by a Pike County,
Alabama, jury and given 10 years. He
served one and got 4 pardon. In May
1926, he was convicted of first degree mur-
der here, got life with a mercy recom-
mendation and obtained a pardon with
restoration of full citizenship rights, less
than three years later. ; a
Authorities see small chance of a fe-
prieve or further consideration in the case .
just ended and predict. that Powell will
hear the death whine of the electric chair
motor before the summer ends in expiation
of his alleged four recorded slayings of
human beings. 4
nN THE Enp
a
ver publi-
he agreed
iey's staff.
orter took
lice found
which he
; in mind,
pt him in
a moving
| came to
s funeral
ary
‘
1g women.
Acosta and
deputies of
ttorney for
e the iden-
er for five
ter animals,
in earnest.
| police that
rce and she
sand any of
eired. ‘Lhe
Powell off
t she feared
qally arrest-
th the mur-
stains were
ll home and
lis car.
it the blood-
; i
grt ’
~ at ie = that blood on the
MURDERS IN
—
Nem,
stains in the home were probably
from raw meat the dog had_ been
fed and that his wife’s nose bled a
great deal due to her change of life
period. The blood-stains in his car,
he explained, were caused from a bul-
let wound he accidentally received at
St. Augustine the past summer.
Chemists were called in.
‘They told police oN
ee ee
wr
aw pe
om at
carpets at the home and on a
hammer found there were human
hlood-stains. Powell couldn’t ex-
plain the blood on the hammer.
The courts moved fast and tw in-
dictments were returned by the grand
jury, charging Powell with first de-
yree murder.
Then, the prize find of the inves-
tigation was made by officers. Near
the creek bank they found ashes of
a fire. In it were remnants of gar-
ments and other articles.
Officers were dispatched to Wash-
ington. Expert chemists of the
G-Man division there found that
among the ashes were burned pieces
of a man’s suit of clothes, the vest to
which had been found in Powell’s
home. ‘They surmised that Powell had burned the bloody
suit he wore when he slew the women with a hammer as
they screamed. Remains of a set of false teeth, identified
by her dentist, Dr. Lynwood Evans, as belonging to Mrs.
Speer, also were found in the ashes.
W. P. Dineen, attorney for Powell, sought a continu-
ance of his trial after Circuit Judge Bayard B. Shields
set it for April 8th, but this was denied.
The trial was one of Jacksonville’s biggest sensations”
in years. Women formed a line on the courthouse steps
from 6 o'clock in the morning to get inside as soon as
the janitor opened the doors, and then, once inside the
courtroom, never budged from their seats until the day’s
session was over. They took their lunches along and ate
during the noon recess in the courtroom.
‘Three days were required to select a jury. A good many
prospective jurors already had their minds made up about
the case.
As the trial commenced with every one of the court-
room’s 100 seats occupied, Powell seemed about the most
collected person in the place. His cold blue eyes intently
watched each witness and he chewed gum, bending over
occasionally to offer his attorney suggestions.
‘The state proceeded to establish identity of the bodies
THE NUDE
The blood-stains found in the kitchen above, were said by the
defendant to have been from raw meat fed the dog.
and describe how and where they were found. The lawyer
and neighbors who viewed the bodies at the funeral home
identified the women, and James M. Oxley, the morti-
cian, exhibited a dirty piece of rag which he said was a
gag found in the elder woman’s mouth.
Oxley testified that Powell showed no emotion when
he viewed the bodies. He placed his head against the
battered head of his mother-in-law and mumbled some-
thing the undertaker couldn’t understand. Then he
ordered a wreath for the women’s funeral, but never sent
any money. He washed his hands and left in custody
of the officers.
Deeply tanned and simple folk were the fishermen, Otis
T. Harris and his 14-year-old son, Jimmie. ‘They told
how before dawn they found the bodies in the creek and
tied them to a stake at Dead River Landing. immie,
unaccustomed to the courtroom, introduced the first hu-
mor into the trial when State’s Attorney John W. Harrell
asked him what was the first thing he did on the morning
of March 6th.
“T ate breakfast,” the lad excitedly explained.
“No, no,” said Harrell, “I mean before that?”
“Oh, 1 washed my hands and face,” Jimmie said as
spectators laughed.
mn
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION ( i
Jacksonv
Tuesday, 5 October 1943, page .
Negro Is Executed
At State Prison
the negro went to his death with-
Sy:
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Ly
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bau, John, black, elec, FL (Pinellas) 11-13-1959
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION (Jacksonville)
Saturday, 14 November 1959, page 22.
NAACP. PROTESTS
2 Rapists Electrocuted
“After Delay Pleas Fail
RAIFORD. Nov 12 | UPI) -Two admitted murtiple rapista ched in
the electric chair today after last-minute pleas for delava were denied
by the governor.
| John Paul, 23. and Willie City, 22. died 16 minutes apart for
separate attacks on white women. Gov. LeRoy Colling denied pleas
be delays from his sick bed last night.
City had admitted to six rapes
‘in Pinellas County in 1956, and
| Prison Sup. DeWitt Sinclair said
Paul confessed to four such at-
tacks. City died specifically for the
‘Tape of a white widow near Lar
go and Paul for the crmina! as.
Sault of a 47-year old grandmoth.-
er at Clearwater.
Except for a brief at ment hy
City. Sinclair said the exeAitione
at the State Prison here \were
routine.
Following the electrocutions, the
Flomda NAACP lashed out at the
action {in a statement which said
IN Part. “We pray that the execu.
‘tions of these men does not mean
-that the State of Plorida Is re
turning to the so-called traditions
,0f the South. whereby a Negro
;Must die for a crime against
i womanhood while # white Man 1s
,miven a leaser penalty for the
same cnme when committed
against Negroes or women of
other races ”°
“I'm sorry for the crimes |
have committed.” Cis told pris
on officiale before his death.
“And I hope none of vm: all wil}
; ever do anvthing like I did God
|
|
bless my mother. my wife and
} two children. Amen.’
i Paul made no statement and
walked calmly to the death chair.
An indictment also was pending
Smainat Paul for raping a Negro
woman abit the same time the
white woman waa assaulted
PERRY, Caine and Fortune, blacks, hanged Gainesville, FL, 9-27-1919,
"TWO NEGROES HUNG: LITTLE TOWN QUIET: Jacksonville, Fla., Sept.
27. - A special to the Metropolis from Gainesville, Fla., says:
At 11:1 this morning the bodies of Yain and Fortune Perry, the
two negroes condemned to death for killing two Gainesville
officers last April, shot through the trap doors of the twin
gallows, standing side by side, in the presence of 200 spec-
tators. Both were pronounced dead in 12 minutes. In the little
town of Archer, where the people had become alarmed over the
receipt of an anonymous letter supposed to have been sent by
negroes threatening to burn the town if the Perrys were not
released, there was perfect quiet. Vigilance of officers has
not been relaxed and will not be until there is assurance that
there will be no attempt at vengeance on the town by the
negroes," RECORD, Columbia, SC, 9-27-1912.
"Archer, Fla., Sept. 26. - Mayor ©, W, Baldwin of this city has
received an annnymous letter reading as follows: fYou had better
turn Cain and Fortune Perry loose, or we will burn the whole town,
We told you we would burn Baulknight's store, and we did. Old
Bonnle (meaning the marshal) is bad, but we can fix him, We can
kill more whites than you can 'niggers.'! The parties referred to are
the two negroes now in jail at “ainesville, sentenced to hang there
Friday for the murder of Marshal C, M, Slaughter and Deputy “Sheriff
White last April. Feeling runs hich here and throuchout this section
2s no one knows what the outcome may be. Mr, Baulknightfs general
store was burned to the cround after an anonymous letter had been
sent to the mayor," N®WS, Charleston, 5S. C, 9-2-1912,
pte MEF
S367 -§
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT DATA SHEET
FlopiDA 8 pepe?
STATE INVENTORY #
OFFENDER: 4, Perry SOURCE OF DOCUMENTATION
NAME: FokTave Perry (TITLE, DATE AND PAGE#)
eres. 8 TAM pA Trai Lane
SEX: (Y\
Aer Q-23-(?/2 &:3
OFFENSE: (“UA
9-24-1972 3i57
DATE EXECUTED: Sept. &7 , (4/2 9-25-92 1H
county: Alachua Co. a> + Wee zl.
AGE: : 7 Q@- 28- 14/2 [6
weg: 5 H rnuGhter | ‘ - Lois
NAME: Prsaty Sef Chacles KH, Slavgh tr op Diputy She Y Dh te
RELATIONSHIP
TO OFFENDER:
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION:
>
y
3
"
™~
DATE CRIME | vee
comearren: Ppiieq UU vbaee
DATE OF
SENTENCING:
DAY OF THE 7
WEEK EXECUTED: Aiden
OFFENDER
RESIDENCY:
MEDIA ACCOUNT
OF CRIME:
Lyle t Sow goatee
MEDIA ACCOUNT
OF TRIAL:
oo, Were Los i a the Later t Son,
\ \ . Ages ip }
Doob\e Ga neck bloke ard was dead in Yh prin,
MEDIA account C*!~ Perey‘s ae GS he
OF EXECUTION: Foctone Petty AeA in (Of, miawt® of Stransulation,
METHOD: hanging TIME: Ca Il 4|
ais M
STAYS OF ) Avard Pardons refused to interfere One
EXECUTION: State be of :
week Lefoce the C¥e COTA
EXECUTIONER:
WITNESSES: LOO O
RITUALS:
LAST WORDS:
OTHER INFORMATION:
B XXIN. NQ. 835
a
aaa
WENBLAUQHTER AND FF. v.
{TR ASBSASSINATED.
’
Wee Dccurred Five Miles From An
ine! Saturday Night—Six Men
SLeodged in Jail Sunday.
ops cere
ouday’s Semi-Weekly. ail
Hag into an atroctously con-
death-trap, which, it is be
was conceived by Caia Perry
48 ¢ons, and in which they wers
- by others of the negro race,
of bresat- howe, and ranged through of
Near the heart, It wae femared frm
the left side.
Mr. Manaing emptiod his revolver
at the desperadoas, bul Mr Whites
revolver showed that he did not fire
@ shot. Deput) Slaughter, while ty.
tug om the grousd, and in @ dying
Cenditiog, flred three shete at the as
eaegina. Ilia revolver failed to work
propefly, as only alternate chambers
Were empty.
The negroes disappeerad iu the
darkness the instagt their ammuni-
tion was exhauated, and they evident.
ly thought that they had performed
their «dastardly mission, as not a
white man was standing.
Officers Moetified.
4
ee nal
(GAINESVILLE. FLORIDA, TUESDAY, WAY 11 ET
‘CONGRESSMAN CLARK
WILL SPEAK TONIGHT
MEETING WILL BE HELD iN Tre |
COMMENT Ent
LAINE S
\saloeeriibe
eae Sunday
| nemceimen!
{.e
! hee eaptMmiie fe
{
’
v ac
COURT mOUBsE. ols ie
oe of the Firet ji)
Mr. Clark Ie Leading Candidate for) the shia aud
Compress and Wii; Conduct The audituir
were deepty }/
Vigorous Campaiga. beveun'«: Wace:
id
Mr Manning, although not injured | Alachua
Hon
Teas
Frank
j trou (he Second Dtetrict of Florida |
(@od & candidate fur renominatiorg in {°°
the primary of
the
ee interesting asic
abpropriave
The
“lark, | ¢ “UNGTeeaman
oars Te ae
wher Yire
May 28th. wit! ag mee _*
citizens of Gaineaville ang | 701"
ie feat
county tn the court house te |
|
}
di Sherif Chas. H. Slaughter and! during ‘he fusillade, had a very Bar night, beginning at © ociock ,wers soon
‘White of Archer are dead, and|row escape, a bullet having plerced Mr Clark received a maguificenr| 2’ "ith ee
ea are lodged in the Alachua jone sleeve of bis coat. Hasteaing to! vote in \rainesriile and Alachua coun jmuss ard os
jail awaiting action of thea/Archer he gave the alarm, aad oM [ty in the Arat primary, aod jeade hig DOM UF Bae
joRrs were soon searching for the mur OpPubent by Tia votea in the dia heal _o
ding ‘o information received | derers trict He will present the insuee ot] ae
Duty Sberi® Slaughter, who! Sheri]? Hamsey was notified DY ithe present campaa tonight ing: MARGMAL Pi
hO marshal of Archer, waa ap | telephone early Sunday morning, and. concian practical manner and ay ia, | NOW
Si Gaturday evening by a ne jaccompanied by ¥. EB. Cellon, he NUP! imense audiewm e will ne tow et greet!
Whd. told bim that thers was to | ried foward the scene of murder, be him | Ptteuwnt')
*telic” Or dance at the bome | ink joined en route by FO OK. Dennin | Everyone is invited tu attend th o| starena: ran
Brown, about five miles oorth-}and Ira J. Carter lineeting, and ‘he preaeare wo? Ihe im twhet sata te
ot Apcher, aod that if he! The Arrest of Cain. files will te apprectatnd ts al) yentarede
Mites) would go thera in wontd | Deouty 4. 0 Wynne of Newberry | - lhe deere ps
P Bamber of guna on those par lwhe joined in the Bunt for the guilty }fom The tctae where che tei e sania Sorte ?
ory | partion, in company with Jessa Man | beld turee four men came ig from st * -
Bpon the advice, the omer ining and Mr (reen, had followed the {Helin ae Ge seid Three Ub Te oe ar
MPa gementa to visit the scene bugKky tracks from where the shooting FOUr Nand fw arte ANAT Wirt weypare .
ac, and asked Joase A MER) ponurred to Cain Poery home The) Ove hare eo er oot eo aa ik, | tind g a te ate?
Marcher liveryman, and FF Nea keoof two iien following the Drea Phen { omtheet ie tema, | havent ROU vou ee nies
ne of Manning's eimgloyem, yy buggy were found, sad when thing De man foe t ema 2 tig | Periser “sagt
epesiy Sim. Ail were ared. | Sheri Rammey and his party cameshe wae it wae an dark —febtad Miah remand
journey tao Browns home Within about be cards of Bem ya beatul ‘ome aide and abet I tet ads wl fettet +a
sm Rt wae between Liane ToT nersneee they found that Deputy Woenoe raged oy weif along UE my mea laatmeed te o-
ck when the party drew near to Lif Nie atdiete hel arrested trie to Portute aterm wicne with « beemey acd eigpet foe ot,
"@ Rouse, and gettting oat 0 i ite Beye Mortane Cain. dr amd Wal lo aetied ise tere Poa mee psa Geh Mea
Slaughter. Manniog andi pao Sart othe cteter Beers otra | teed oboe) aged Meee ew lguet i .
advancing cantioumby te werd te them that he weutd aie Catt ath Wieste thee omen et! Reece en
the” Tomisen sehen they heard, Arrested ty anyone arcept the Nigga eithe wer are Ir tail tere feet bone! .
pe Bpereting theimarives trates rite” ‘a thing he wortd athent this tere! ; : 7s
* vi they Walled. and aa the| Mntoring the house, Mhert® Rameay {tlt fe they sere ost at the font . 7 7 Me
Groea (ire near ca EI oii fhe father of the tres its tie! : roth Totem pemets wleens thee Mite mens aes ea ow
eee Bae mrarn To. eay ‘Me did not reatet arreat, and waa (U°C ork ie weit Peres te t ‘ ont
< - Slaughter “aoe here to the ire jail, aa| Pert: wae chot i (Ne rate itwvaeh Ye _ - _
ee ene Wee, #94 Hf we Ais ie three Love The alder |!" Be OG, Bye het + = iy oa i |
TH show him how 1 ae | ie Vv denied havi ae tol but a: Ppie tt pretend for the rmatie® Hunday af. — rei
i ‘ wih iia cheat . lard he @as plaved itm tail but 44 wale eet? be
Anowledwed that he was ahot Hurtig ! : ‘ letseando sid
The Pate: Settie. re trouble wlth white men‘ the jm ate Fe CORDS Te way Moly 445 hermte@ea fae o?
above Quoted sentence fas inrevioua niaht. tle gave Sheriff Bam erase Tatal nave. br Lint! uniese as tate Bak
Stered (he negroes. who uum wey the hamea Of two negroea whom | 2leed pian aden develog a sth. aetontiad
ea f@ said, posatbiy ten of n, said did fire ahote, and the oMeer) (ain Peer: haa horne a fad repy wea “i Hoe
er 4 ere almost oppogite tthe sud Mer Ceilon agata journeyed ta the |: ieete Face peace bbe livedi tea miles nsnte ear ae
a en, and they atenpeg our care! ircher eection When they returned - om Aroher and hae a wife he awe Mics |
( ~ Pweputy Slaughter sold Cain at ys uy Sunday they brought Elmore of t@eive (bUdrean, ie aut rememer. : |
f. to (hrow up Sis Nanda, the: Wreeth! and Lige ftegwa. alan We * artts wo theme ee en a}
to ewearch him POR vy AF rt core Voegre wAnns Cegaite Aaah STS Or Ml remre foe caitin ateal ig , }
i te the statement of Mr \tan roavreeted Sarurtar at Nawterrr: mits White Dewd “ae a |
Re tmet hie rta@hs Sant art ooag? C en tMaes whtatay TS
wa heel we ae
_ GAINES VALLE,
osmag Pte Clark» made th
%% ap Alachuy eounty andi.
“rehat Cainesvilie fis raplaly Drogress-
Hag a8 ta ‘Upte-date city Can ba seen
of Circuit Court
Fhe gecond day of’ tha’ tort” eatin
tor “Alachta county
i] was RENDERED TUESDAY g
. ING AT ARCHER,
?
Unto Rel
Spansibie. for the Crime.
(Seer ont ard
‘The coroner's jury empaneded
day at Archer by Juatics ¢
lor te tha rimary of May fan every hand, but. nowkera tints pon yaad Tuesda wd oe ae i Wt to ge if possible, : the 3
‘Ne Court house Tuebday. aizht marked than in tha office of the Wea Sele a ees noeiabhatag we nae ltes Who was
hundred peepte belay ie | i a. J. DaCoseg Wis sworn Hyrts Assiat wourded at ‘he Same time 2ag ob
HRC were any ladsew, em Vuion Telegraph Company. } Clark Wieagoe duttug the aetsion.. | Whers Deputy Sherif? Chas, H. Siac giits
* “as intcoduced by coy{ Manager £. 4g, McCormick, whol Shortly. after court wag cated taj tec waz almost ‘ustantiy kites 4 ae
3. These references ip htg {has -auss tw fact graud: of 3 Si ; ‘he gram? jury, witica pagan {ing a fuallade of 3ROts fired by ae
OTS = Mb Car regen - AR fam one: wvMent, coadscted The wut iebars Monday ahont: Boon, ogine | ATCC’ near the home of Lize Breda
: BL Spsiauge,. ol, Dette resentative through the céllea a jay (809 the conrt roar thd resorted ong pabout. Svs “min es trom Atcher gai
ming tia Atty vers" POP Noe two eo : hing the imerore | 77 Ol and two crag bins. . ught between 11 ang 12 ekg a
Poiltica Frank tT ents . centip p rade, aaa The isllowing caeae on) the civiy] PEdered a verdict Tuesday ote ie;
S@ Soest aod beat RTS} Tha new switeh Scan and uperat re {a “Hel Were tried during the mora} The Verdicg, coy
:3 ih atapian t = ae WEP Hate fi of tho very latesé pattern, 228 sud wliernoen Seaglons: “Wa, tha Jury, find that FLY. i
deserved re-election. and sree tility hag & installed! #. L. Cherser va, Jasper Cas ola Same te hie death ps) ixtal
°. Glark rese ke Mei wilh ha ‘Peer : oe he ureter aad Tange "EDlayin, porn tallad i serous fal vram the hands ” i > <j
®, I- Re pracesded at ones , , ite oof Sie posathls in. aad SYGMN, svidansr #ng ars of fortune ¢z srry, of tome wae
Als esters yn the ale ty, “SG sowie Lusiness of the — ad 4d verdies roturndd for | known REPROR——S, T. Flemi mF
Bets He i Botod, He was! jaefendaars, Witllams & Tardew rey {man 4
fo iBtormnied by applause} customers’ jobby fg nanplied {resented the Dlainct#®, Carter & Lay. { The peggagnel of this ju ury Waa: “4
ww oOnISA of hig gpene rR, sell oak nonaiee ainda caper j tu the detendunse: E Pleting, H. c. Prevatt, p, 3
Yefsted the accusations made [oi lly for the telegraph conipany, and} Mret Nutiona! Bank” of Gainesville lor, Geo. b,. Taylor, W. C. nr
‘Yt sad pald hla reapects {2 lforma a bandsona part ef the new | v#. Geo. i. May, assumpsit, damiges W.. Me Cowart,
thoay who have pr oterred | oouipmens and this, together with; $1,300. Jury called and gworn, art: No. Verdict in Slaughter Ose
nate solid plata Blass windows and iniaid ;dence, argument and charge submit. “The. jury organized 20 investigall
ioe of hla speech mane linoleum on tha floers, ‘Bivg to the tote ted. Verdict tor Baintit tu “sum of the murder. af Deputy Siaaghter ¢
bred Sad asenred kins of their
ito kad voted for one oy ths
Sia opponents in ths Siraz
by businegs-lHke appearance.
” Every Detail Lavked After.
New iUghte have been instalied,
Making it one-cf the. best fiehted of-
fices in the city. Steel wall: ‘lockers
bate teen -set-ap-tor: the- mee: pt: em
Ployees for clothing, ete, 905.
The entire ofee Ig finished ima a the.
color, adopted. bythe” Wenterg: ‘Unida
Compagy, and presents « very tayviting
effect, Ali surniture and other Sz.
tures “are “new and of the latest. do-
BED, adding much to: the attzactive.
Resiof the euarterg.
for Apeommedating business. -
Lee ‘Work “was lergely done under
jthe M hapervision of LL. Ap
ft Atlanie, pro of the experts
¥ Of the compeny ana la
“* lett last aight for Oranze
PHRES- ADORESSED
CITRA schooL PATRONS
‘ Pi sate 5 : mo,
May 13.—~The China Junior
AH clawed . ie rigay. OVening,
‘tor A very. SUCCesefal. term,
tMisseg- “Fennia~ ‘Payne-aad
th. There’ Rore only. two
The bragrany waa ae! fol,
4et- ~-Misoen: Reddiita,: ae me
‘R-~Rev, Grimeb,
ed:
Caaraqtat—Caroline very complete, SRK fetal barn |t
boon aa ‘atheg ee
: efeattag Pacing” in For UM _ hia forea
' Weekowt, a4 ate. proud
‘and. the fucsiittes !denne,
L084 33.
wan of jury:
tor Digintit, a
fandant.
Morrimac. Mazut (acturing Co,
FOVE Collins, > REGA DS]t.
F508:~ ~The dare—-or- whick 2-
[pack ‘was foreman,
oer ag
he athe
B. Elita, r., for “We
va.
damages
P>-Shep-
foreman, Feturned verdict
for plainsist im gam ef $151.94, ‘Baap
ten & Hampton for’ plaintitr, me 2
Smith tor detendant. t pie:
subiatttied“and
lela? in gum of $86.48, with 50° pr
Cent intorvgt. CA,
foreman ot. the jury. Wittiema # Har.
| | dee for eeiayn bers ek & Haimpe9
ad cep ae nce SS Re a
“Other” Matters. ASA
“Other “thea on i aca ware}
called ane diagosad af 2s follows:
waicrin ly with *
ihe
a Me + ~ -
Be
Reees Lumber 5. va Wedding Wan #
Roebuck Wha fore-f rot arrive
Hampton: & Hampi wy)
Wi Thomag was e
at a verdict Monday, =
i i Probably do 40 today,
McGill! Released,
Jim MeGin, the y uegro arrested
day at Archer by Deputy Manz
“pon Suspicion bhat he was the-pe
who eougat to have Deputy s Siaught
Bato ‘Brown's-house—saterda#i
Was - relegged: “Tuesday by order
Juatic® Baldwin, he bsving establi
ed bis. innocence. Will Frankly
“janother hegto, was brought here
aay hy Sheriff Ramsey, however, 9
+f intperatton that he is the. party
“Slaughter, - White—and-
ning. to make the trip which py or
ia) for. two of their number.
ABaeritt | Ramsey alac caused. ibe
reat of Harry Perry, the fourth ;
Can Perry to be taken (nto ca
sinoedghe Murders, and John He
and they were placed in js:
Tuesday to await further iavestia
thon, :
bateeles | MU oi vbalatiiag 4 CUP Lay em,
BOOny him. All were armed,
Yourney to Brown's home
it wie between J} and 12
When the party drew near to
a's house, and gettfng out of
ater Slaughter, Manning and
were advancing cautiously to-
the “promises when they heard
““Seereting themseives bestde
‘s athey waited, and as the
hegroes was heard to say:
Slaughter is
ye in these wooda, and if he
I'll show him how I can
' The Fatai Battle. .
f@ above quoted sentence was
lettered the negroes, who uum.
ig said, possibly ten or
‘qwere almost opposite the
sien, and they stepped out Into
- Deputy Slaughter told Calin
Br. to throw up his hands, that
x4 to search him. Perry, ac-
F to the statement of Mr. Man-
A jratecd his right hand, and at
Instant shot Slaughter down
4 a fatal wound and Cain Per-
4» Was shot in the right thigh.
fanning, who was standing be
da, dropped to the ground at
k of the first shot, which, no
saved his life, as dosens of
Were fired at the entrapped
Men. It was very dark, but
Bfrom the Kun in Perry's hand
@ Manning to diseern his poai-
mad oa bullet from his pistol
* the @ hegro to drop in tae road.
eonfusion, but Mr. White. al
Mortally wounded,
wi to the vehicle a short distance
;and wag driven to his home at
aes = Green, who was left
2 “the team wien Deputy
: jh Mesarsa, Manning and
eft it.
Deputy Slaughter fell to the
d- he asked Mr. Manning, who
: ytoteh repiled Manning;
+ rae
Realized Condition,
lett. Then a fusillade OC} more Wright WAS one of the negroes
*followed, during which White | who did the shooting, but he has
yjthe community, bad carefully planned |
managed | u
a few feet of him, if he
a
i]
the buggy were found, and when]
[Sheriff Ramsey and hin party came
Within about 1000 yards of | Perry's |
house they found that Deputy Wynne!
and bis atders had arrested three of!
his boys, Fortune, Cain, Jr, and Wil |
He Perey, but the elder Peer, had:
sent word: to them that he would hots
be arrested by anvone except the “high
sheriff.” :
Entering the house, Sheriff Ramsev
found the father of the boys in bed.
Hie did not resist arrest, and was
brought here to the county jail, as
were also his three boys. The elder
Perry denied having a pistol, but ac-
knowledged that he was shot during
the “trouble with white men” the
previous night. He gave Sheriff Ram.
Sey the names of two negroes whom
he said did fire shots, and the officer
and Mr. Cellon again Journeyed to the
Archer section. When they returned
at 6 p,m. Sunday they brought Elmore
Wright aod Lige Rrown, also Will!
Harris, a negro whom Deputy Slaugh-
ter arrested Saturday at Newberry
upon a charge of selling whiskey. The
elder Perry told the Sheriff that El-
established hia Innocence to the satis.
faction of the officers. He ls held {in
4 custody, however, until further investl-
= White and Slaughter when the!
OmMimanded Perry to throw up|!
Rrown {a the |
man at whose hame the dance was |
given, and he furnished the buygy in
which Cain Perry, Sr, was conveyed |
home after he waa wounded. |
Was Well-Planned Plot.
Tt is believed that the negroes, who |
had become antagonistic toward Dep- |
uty Slaughter on account of his en-:
deavor to break up lawlesaness in!
#ation can be made,
he plot to ambush him, and that
worl waa sent him regarding the
“frolic” purposely to lur him into a
trap.
+ AdDout two.-reeks sou Rinse a
tested Harry Perry, a aon of Calin
Perry, after a spirited. chase near the
crossing of the 8 A. L and AGL
railroads in this city, upon a charge
of selling whiskey at Archer, and
this, it is thought, added to the hatred
they had against the officer.
Cain Perry Tatks,
The Sun Tepresentative yisited the
lwell known in this section.
| xarded as one of the most alert olft- is
ldauane er and son—the sympathy of all:
Vel ter psrerttitse
eta The man of dent know who Former Nt
Was wo dark—jJabbed ajwho reacnes
Pistol Ino my side and shot. T fell and rural letter of
dragged myself along until my son, entered the 4
he was, it
Fortune, came along with a buggy aud lanimet tis dy
Cartied ome hone {fo hath no pistol, Monday,
and did not fire a shor. aie
“Cain and Wilite, other song of
Social ar ;
nine who are in jail here, don't know
The Woma:s
the First Mas
its regular as
a thing In the world about this tron-
ble, for they were uot at the frolle
or in the party when the white nen
overtook us," said Perry.
Perry was shot in the right thigh,
the ball ranging upward. Dr. J. M.
Dell probed for the bullet Sunday af-4
ter he was placed in jail, but did not
locate it. The wound {gs not likely to
prove fatal, says Dr. Dell, unless nestess: for 44
is called to |
blood poison should develop. ; |
Cain Perry has borne a bad repu- will offertag.
tatton for years. He lived two miles band at ties
from Archer, and has a wife and ten seedy are dity
or twelve children, he can't remember | **® ane,
oxactly how many. He has served
Several years for cattle stealing.
Mr. White Dead.
clety willl hay
F. V. White, who was shot in the
i the home of \
tight hip by one of the negroes, dled |, Sortie:
at his home in Archer at 7:10 o'clock ‘rie ~e.
Sunday night. A bullet also struck morning will
the outer part of one ear. Dr. Rice,
who attended him, says he was ayvi- vou a good &
idautly clubbed [no the luft side after maior will Se 9?
being shot. He formerly resided inva exercisen
the vicinity of Newnan's Lake, and lal yi ited to spen
A wife)
Meeting this {
at Epworth jj
be the leader!
Subject, “Me
the South.” 4
LeGrande an;
An A
The Ladies
and sewing.
do this, cc
survives him. ‘We assure yo
Deputy Sherif Slaughter was Tei dinner wei
cers in the county. He is a son of!
Mr. and Mrs, Samuel Slaughter of |
Trenton and has many relatives in}
‘that and other sections of the State. !
(To ais wife and two little children —
Twentic
The ladies c
‘Clute will bo!
on Thursday
N
i383 extended. His funeral, as well as! fay 16th, at
that of Mr. White, will probably oc-
cur today, but the Bour and place Heavy er
of Durtal copld not de learned iast/ S78 Row goins
Asta cae - oe Rane a em Sees!
nighe .
+ Monday's Develooments. thee <3,
The funeral and burial of Mr. White | ne non J.
occurred Monday at Archer, bat the. 'GU, tt te sald,
remains of Mi. Slaughter were con "| Deputy Slaugi
veyed to the family Durial ground | Brown's hom.
adout Seren miles weet of NewDderrr.| 1 of the
Justice C. W. Baldwin of Archer) joo oy
empanelled two juries Monday, one
query the bdrave officer!
jtation oa Sat!
<-"Fea, Pm dying. Get a/jail Sunday afternoon and conversed |‘ !nvestigate the cause of Deputy; 2,0 |
earry me home.” These/with the elder Perry regarding the|S!aushter's murder and the other were also i
t: words, as breath left/murder, and among other things he|that of Mr. White Tbe juries vere :
“We were going home, For |#till deliberating at a late hour Mon-
-yemoved from the/ said: ) gation of the
2 from a 44jtume and me, together with several |?4y afternoon The grasd
othere—I doe't know how many were More Arrests. may take up
tn the party, or
. ayer po Te Ow od
ye
St co > ;
gD
ALNCHUA COUNTY, ~
‘it’s heen quite a few years since Gainesville residents had the
opportunity to witness a hanging in the yard of the county. jail.
Such was the event this day in 1914 or 1915, when Cain and For-
tain Perry, father and son, were hangedina noontirme “double
feature.” The iwo were hanged together, with two ropes and one
irap door. Deputies atop nearby buildings, rifles in hand, guard-
ed against any last-minute attempt to rescue the two con-
demned men. re :
Hangings were a part of Alacnua County's history for many
years, as was the use of the piilory and the lash on the bare
back. One of the earliest hangings in the city camc in 1875, when
man by the name of James Monroe, who was corivicted of.
murder, drew a crowd of more than 2 000 persons -- a third of
thern Women — te the gallows. As the crowd milled about the :
gallows, Monroe denounced his own crime and told the crowd to
live better than he. He recited the Lord's Prayer and the
Apostle’s Creed. Then the trap dropped beneath him, and his.
fali was broken when the noose snapped tight about his neck, at 5
just 11:1 in the morning.
“At four minutes a slight shrug of the shoulder was visible,”
reported a news editor later. Shortly after, he was dead.
Hanging was So much accepted that on one occasion, while
trial was in progress, ine local ne Mispaper reported that ile rope. 3
was being stretched’ which would be used to hang the man as.“
soon as the jury. convidled hirn.
Not all the hanging was specifically legal. In the 1839's, an
outlaw gang terrorized inland Florida, under leadership of
Harmon Murray. When some of the gang members were cap-
tured, a lynch mob took them from the jail by force, and hanged
them. in east Gainesville, just east of. the present-day
Boulevard, ) |
Deel HT Ta ee gaten eae Te
What may have heen the largest non-legal mass hanging oe- Be otte r - jails , more reliable law enforcement.
cured in Newberry about the turn of the century, Six persons, of the state to hold al! executions in the state i
one of ihem a woman, were hanged ina criminal sequence which tric chair ended the days o i hangings in Gatnesvi
ended with the killing of a deputy sheriff. - Coonty, whether fr am a jail yard gallows er ana
er
Ro SAI ga ys UST NSA eRe
ite
ify
et
= Py. 8 i 7, te all
x iy Hg OMS P Ale £ Or -— | a
aes |
it ey mA tie
ain 8c aN te A
d Ly yo by
beaks
Feat
Sigh tn ea
4 . Poth a
ct
b i rs
WA
Q ©
NAME / a * ch - ike gZ COUNTY DOE & MEANS
aPesup liver Fla 5 A AE
OCCUPATION RESIDENCE ay
Te 2#\ Ol |Bocted earl MMiTa aE
= GLl~ arecl TIL. CO ae re l tx tll 24
Mr A de tid Apo UA Ve sued fe cs deen Chia Jang) odin Axceto
CRIME OEE arliy/t 7H — CCA eyrcler Ct
Waurclt ba] 4 Ms L7SS Yoo ee t/lins poe Sa! nae cat
tinea, Co Ade uk . Carney 7 KAW. Ss MétHOD (/ aA s
CApLolinc SIE f a LU Hittin
MOTIV.
Kay “of 7lro, ON, LH) wales Lhe JL welhir « of tL baie
ZA ie ae ae arect — pitied ee éLihis: DSF Cates LE artcle_
des ee Vigan bre L2e seelibey tiple the. di rohit Seid todack q
Abhiohey Meintng AL LGLL Lh al~ piglet leet larg pee iat ?
Aa ley Poe Liad ff Lesh e ated A Lt « tu cA lit; par
Les Aid: l hss Dect Weil ae Lact teased). a enkey. Lb of lo
Ger Five Lyf) ae Pt Bbette Avi. tisth 2dtk . Buss emt.
Yeo. Meu aliycs 2 tbtHe TF ALA te te Phe OEE Maud hehe Le
bu Lad. Hee cht oe eer Ax truth Lhe pifir | hen. Taide:
erpeel Moe. Lh okey; Lie? a ae
a PIE EIS A DA az t Z7¢2G 21 ny Lo Za Desfliele: 7d
(223 1d 3D Oklie Leta
Litt VL fig. LONE A LE tg Al tifa LLtticlt Pras Lil Ceditdltiar
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Le aden Geil ly MAA | Lethers Avan Le BR ae Low SAAC bef whistles ee
APPEALS
Weg
WDROS
“bbw. Atod lL ite tte, Lid biheta tia PAZIEA Live oe LOCC “oepteal poptle:
EXECUTION
Ha bus Mounts H Abpy tice ie [195-9 aud 6/5 )/959
fuienoONh, Frank, black, elec, FL (Holmes) 6/1/1959
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION (Jacksonville)
Tuesday, 2 June 1959.
PAGE 19
é &
FOR UNRELATED SLAYINGS
3 Are Executed
At State Prison
RAIFORD.June 1 UA—In Florida's first triple exe-
cution since 1954. three murderers died in the electric
chair at the state prison today for unrelated crimes.
Frank Peterson. 33, Negro, died -
for (Me slaying of a 2-year-old |
Holmes County girl. Peterson also ;
killed her father. 27. beat two
other children in the family and!
| raped her mother, 22.
The assault happened at the)
family's farm home near Bonifay :
June 11, 1958, the day after Peter. |
; 80n was released from a prison |
road camp. near there. Peterson :
fled to New York state and | was’
extradited for trial.
Hariey Conner. 58. the onty |
| white man among the three exe-
| cuted. had been convicted of kill-
!ing Sheriff Mark Read of Gilchrist
; County in Dec., 1956. when the
| sheriff went to investigate a com-
; Plant from a member of Conner's
' family.
John Prazier, 44, Negro. was ex: ;
ecuted for drowning a Negro:
woman in August, 1957, in Union!
County after a rape attempt.
The execution chamber was
crowded with 55 witnesses, many
of whom came from. Holmes
County.
Conner was executed first. He
entered the room calmly, eyes
, down, sat silently as the straps
| Were fastened and died without a
' word. ;
| Peterson, too. was quiet. He
| said softly, ‘Save Me, Jesus’ two.
j0r three times and that was all.
| Frasier prayed aloud from the
‘time he sat in the chair until the
_ Current jerked his body erect. As.
this happened, the electrode on:
his head jolted sideways. An elec-
_trician, wearing insulated. gloves. ;
‘calmly stepped to the chair and
| Rex the electrode in place until
the current was turned off.
In each case, Dr. Donald Mose-
ley, prison physician, pronounced
the man dead five minutes after
the switch was thrown.
Chattahoochee, Florida
12 Januery 1959
Revort on the examination of Frank Peterson at the Florida Stete
hosvitel from 12 December to 12 Januery, in accorcance with an order
from Hon. E, Clay Lewis, Jr. judge of the Circuit Court Leened
from hie chambers st Peneme City, Florida on 11 December, 1958,
EARLY HISTORY
Frank Peterson was born in the home of a South Cerolins
shere cronver, the ninth in @ family of 12 siblings, He thinks
“e Le about 21 years of age, but he is illiterate ana Goes not
know the year of his bitth., He had Only one year of scnooline,
ené he ean barely write hic neme. We have information that Wien
re wes in Jail at Buffalo, NeY¥., he learned to follow the readine
of certsin vesearves in the Bible, ~
In his early youth, Frank dic some snerecronnine
, but it must have been svoradic and short lived, tecauge
ese Of 17 he wee already in troubie with the lew ané served
et sentence, Even thoush he has been in and out of Sail
nis life since, we heve no idea of how meny crimes he
wlth, but he has confessed that ne stabbed a man several
eO end left him for dead,
He wes a heavy Orinker, end 1t is auite likely that
8l1c6%01 playee some vert in bringing out his ruthless criminal
vencencles, becsuse his vrison recore of behavior is very s004,
Ve nae beer Geescrited ag an e@sy going, courteous, alert necro,
& tynicel southern colored boy who knew hie Dlace ané steved ty it,
Fe was well liked oy the Jailors ané otner orisonere beceuge of
hle sense of humor, his ready wit and his keenness in eeceoting
orcere and cCarryine them out. He wee ant lone in beeomin 2 well
lixec truety, end after working hours would amuse the other
oristrers ty olevins a guiter end sinsine songs that he ed meée un,
He is sie to heave been marries severe] times,
ne Smeelf resorted that he hac one wife end One son, anéd
nim because he wag urvait'ful to ner,
Frenk Peterson hed Siven the authorities a comniete
corfession of ALe crime in Bonifay, Florica, Everyone who hed
enythinge to do with him congidered aim to te eo yerfectly normal
orisoner, who eid nothine out of the way, anc eecmed serLouely
reventent shout his crime, even to epyine ehout killine the |)
ehh Te hed become religious, and Geclered that he Ceperved
ty 3 Por Le erime and honed tre Lord woule Porszive him,
CG,
fc.
While in the jJeil in Penane City, it was noted thet ne
was acting a little stransely, but when he wes moved baek to
Pensecola his behavior was extrenely bizarre. He drank urine,
smeared fecal matter on his face, paic no attention when he wag
sooken .to,,eand mumbled ineoher ently ebout his mule, the world
deine on fire, end worée thet sounded like Mordecai
Ye wae exemined by two Psyc’iletrists 44 Penescols, and
ney recommended e@ 30 day neriod of observatinn at Florida
itel he was transferred here or, 1° Decemter 1652,
nedvel ne was vlaced in a eo) ' tary conrinement eri?
sceurity tildlare, 8 patient wag aredy “wel ty iL:
le. end ettencante were Instructed
Sy
oselv and revor heir Pindines,
a al sed
<> -t+OMa
v
'y
3
> ce
“an
f awe + Phas
Front was seen nearly every day, hut he Wog ineecessible,
fe wes usuelly lying on the floor with a blanket v COvErine hie head,
"Lt" some nereuacion he wouls rouse end face the examiner, or te
mitht sourt, Ye weg extremely cross eyed, his face wag exnreestonless
is ™A4 ith rene) oven, anc saliva dranoned Fron 4t. Ye wou)3 waayve
i Fors, and his arme nuns loose in Mm anemlixe fagstiton,
sreb the cell bere, or sween hie hends Scroses the flo oor,
_ ne nicked uv a oliece of tras’ he woul ut 40 in “te moyt
“usec tO enever the gimnlegt Ouections byt wouls -umble in
Lassone chant, enout More cecal, or hie er One of tie tynieel |
“Vege wee geomet ine like the followin St "ity mule eran where Th:
“ren the world eateh on ares my mule comins home, Het 1 he
rizst on ny beek, end I'll be riding in nis mout,
Attendents resorted thet they thourt't he wae fekins
Thev eonlée not neern what ne e215 to the patien+ Geejenes ty hy
heesueo Se eno-s in ton low a tone to be understood, byt they
brad ATOR rh mrs 0 “~ mae
S20: TA 4.1 be OSPI
bd
a
<
er
al
=)
9 3
{-* St
thet he wae tateint eeneibly and eetine normally, It wae anniv
he Neont the reyes unloerine the suten door thet ‘ie won?
mont +" nev celled his ect. They felt thet there was to
Ss smerpinu “oF feces, beceuse ye mece gure
Joilne it. On one Oeceacion he nut the
Nis mouth, but he had an Gucsiscnee, te
ne wee alone They were not tan nNuUe >
rr ebout 7:30. On the mornin» of 2 Jenusry
he wae mec. OF mrevending, Ye agked then rO genc
pecauce he wented to 20 back to foil and Tece tricl,
acqut L020) Aw. tie welked inta
alert exyorescion iv nhe eye
Wwe werps 49 « t Por hiv and would
to fool ug, bus
ete week to feil., Ye reminces :
7 a few yiicar words, but nme never curses Ones, reas: “e naw
te Lore to devend UpIN and “Ve is soins te ev on the
i e of the Lord from now on. No gia he Grenk hie own urine
Peceuse He thouct thet would convinee anyone he Wee ecrezy,
es for es tle feces wen ecnneernec, he couldn't ent thats
bea enouel to enear if on his face.
“s
Te
+
u
%
POWELL, Charles, black, hanged St. Augustine, Fla., 2-28-1908.
ST. AUGUSTINE
RECORD, St.
Augustine, Fla.
2-28-1908, page l.
Al CASINU LASI Nich!
um Was Rendered| POWELL PAID THE
By Art Artists~
TY ORCHESTRA
st meeting of the State
Convention closed last night
lendid concert at the Casino
im being contributed by Mr.
Eaton aod Mr. Haycock,
-ctions for the violin and pia-
vell received, but it was the
work which created the en-
applause.
veock sang Walentine’s Aria
ist”; Cansone from “Ii Guar
i “ll Balen’ from musica!.
“I) Trovatore,” together
cted encores. The vocai
he program was greatly in
a the audience who evinced
asure at hearing Mr. Hay-
asing :
iis Eaton must surely epter-
liveliest satisfaction at the
granted him by last night's
of musictans which seeme
eavoring to assure the clev-
st that of the many exce™
ts who visit our city from
) season, none could excel
performance. Mr. Eaton's
were peculiarly happy ones
id Zigeunerweisen to - ri!
cato and from his first notes
attention of his hearers.
arly it was Mra. who
star of the evening. »Her
appearance captivated the
lence at once and she was
- much applause. Mra. Ea-
adid technique was best seen
ywski’s Etincelles, pethaps
vuitless exerstion thecughout
tablished a simeere’ atmira-
those who understood and
and beauty of the entire
ticn of the program pleased
rhereday’s Concert.
iy afternoon’s coneert by
wehestra under the direction
fenness still maintained. the
lard of the entire series of
which have proven such &
s mamhee unom the program
EXTREME PENALTY
WAS HANGED AT JAIL YARO THIS
MORNING.
| Cotlapeed Before Execution and Wat
Faetened To a Board to Moid Him
Erect.
Limp and apparently unconscious
Charles Powell was carried to the ecaf-
fold at the jafl yard this morning aad
legally executed for the murder of
Jobn Rogers, another negro at Bun
nell last summer.
About a half hour before the. bour
set for the execution Powell collapsed
complete!y and it was impossible to
restore him Hypodermic injections
were administered by the physicians,
yut without result. The man’s pulse
beat normally and this at frst lead to
the belief that he was shamming
When all possible means for reviving
bim had been exhausted the sheriff
ordered him carried down from. bis
cell to the jail yard and then up to the
top of the scaffold. Powell lay limp
on the floor of the scaffold. while the
ficers prepared a board'to fasten him
to In order that the execution might}
rroceed. ft was rather a gruesome
scene for the large crowd. Finally
Ufted and fastened to the board, which
answered the purpose for which it was
intended, viz; to hold the bedy of the
doomed man erect until the trap could
be sprung. Supported by an éfffcér the
Mank was placed on. the scaffold trap
and-.the- noose: was. adjusted to the
neck: of the unconscious fan. The
diack cap was pulleg over the head
and when the signal was given to. the
sheriff that .all was Mm. readiness: for]
the:crucial moment. be sharply jerked
the ‘ope conzected, with the spring
and. the: trap doer: flew open.
A as doris meenteet
low.. For a second. perhape, the rape
Guests ¢
The spirit of goodfellow
the preeminent feature al t
given in the Alcazar grill las
Commodore Albert Lewis in
the visiting motor boat ¢e
from Daytona. The host hi
a few members of the Power
to meet the visitors so that
was indeed a very happy on
At the right of the host sa
dore Allen, and at his lef
adore Foster, prominent offic:
Halifax Rivef Yacht C'ub
fresent were Messrs. Hil.
meer, Stickney and Smith of
Commodore Laimbeer of Ni
City and the following local ;
Mayor Masters, A. W. Cork
Kettle, C. M, Fuller, G. B. 1]
@
nastained the steal upon Taud-thel - Work on the new Jeffers
plank-eni-body were sharply checked
tm their downward flight. bat onty for
@ moment.and. then the roz¢ broke and
will commence on March 14
the bullding will be complet}
months. The contract fori
the body: with ‘the adhering - plank ture wes given last fall bu(
plunged to the ground. A groan
was held up as the condi
parst from some of the spectators az} rot favorable for commen
the body rolled to the ground
‘The officers were beside the pros-
trate form in a moment and. the
doctors who were im attendance made
sn examination. - Life was still puls
that time. J. Lewman and C
isville, were the successfi
and they will build the the
——— Es
HEVIVAL SERVICE
tng ia the man’s body but the doctors
on ufter another »* thou’, plank and body shot into the apace be-
‘ished #« «incere «tmir. |’ow. For a second perhaps, the rope] | —
hose who ungers’ sf an: sustained the strain upon it and the “Work on the new Jefferson |
and beauty of the entire | (-ank and body were sharply checked | will commence on March 17 ne
n of the program please in their downward flixht, but only fo: |the dullding will be completed 1: |
4 moment and then the rc.« broke and|months. The contract for this |
(the body with the adhering plank|ture was given last fall but the
ureday’s Concert. | plunged to the ground. A_ groan|was held up as the conditions
° afternoon's concert dv} urst from some of the spectators as\rot favorable for commencing
“hestra under the direction | the body rolled to the ground. that time. J. Lewman and Co., « |
« nness still maintataed the} The officers were beside the pros- iaville, were the successful i |
doof the entire series of {trate form in a moment and. the and they will build the theate: |
neh ha ' wet ; ‘octors who were im attendance made | —————————__-____--_,-_.
jon examination. Life was still puls
an vanes vi} ing ja the man’s body but the doctors
HEVIVAL SERVICES.
+9)
'
«xpressed the opinion that his neck], -
Large Attendance Last Night
‘ ».-}had been broken by the drop. They Baptist Church °
;ortu? ~: | Closely watched the pulse of the man, istiiteieame
towns A ae tian adses
from Donlzeuis Lucia
om Wagner's Flying Dutch
J. Cecil Prouty is a noted
the East as well as in the
his exquisite playing of Da-
ut Tambour was marvelous
ty.
1e instrumental numbers of
on, Mr. Fred Padley’s fiute
‘s of the Alps by Rucgnoy
u success. Aside from his
his instrument apparent tu
asual hearer, the melody of
n all hearts.
ilotte Wilkinson jis the so-
st at the Memertal church
1, and as such her wonder-
has bees heard and appre-
ty on Cash Basis.
siks and vosterday the city’s
fairly screaming, the
paying ont $9.894 44 The
a Cask basis nOW and scripts
of the past. Warrants now-
taken up with the cash as
:, but the sherif@? dispatched a messen-
cer for another rope, fearing that a
second drop would be neceasary. In
eleven minutes Powell's pulse ceased
énd he was dead, but the announce-
ment was not officially made for some
2@ minutes, no chances being taken.
Before life was pronounced extinct the
messenger arrived with a new rope
and it was adjusted im place on the
needed,
_ Fully an hour before the time an-
noumeed for the execution crowds be-
gan.to: flock to San Marco avenne,
leading to the jaii. They streamed
out the entire length of the avenue
and not-uptil the execution was ove-
The noion revival services ox
with unebated interest, the serv
the Baptist church yesterday
noon and last night being amo
best of the whole series.
Mr. Phillips’ sermon in the
neon was the last of the se.Aes
churches in Asia mentioned. -/
first three chapters of Revelatt
These sermions have been at
Soe Se ee ee PO scat bir Wenaainaction,
to the churches. The discour
night was on “Christ the Pri
Peace,” the last of the series
mons on the names of Jesus, fc
the sixth verse of the ninth ¢
of Isaiah.
itis diffieult-te see how
painlessly, as if the MAXKXKHAXHAXKXHRBRKKXXXTKK XKAKK rope had not broken,
The rope used was of the size and strength usually used for this pur-
pose, It was defective and weak in the place where it parted. It
had, however, withstood two tests of its strength with a 300 pound
welight.
"POWELL'S CRIME,
"Last summer Powell shot and killed John Rogers, also colored, at
at Bunnell, without vrovocation. He started in search of Rogers
carrying s shot gun. He met his victim and accused him of slandering
his (Powell's) wife. Rogers denied the charge whereupon Powell
poured the contents of the’ gun into him. Powell, it is believed, had
other crimes to his credit, his colored acquaintences alleging that
he had killed his father-in-law in Georgia and had shot a necro near
Ocala. After killing Rogers he escaped, but wasktrailed to Alabama
by Sheriff Perry and captured by him in the wildest part of the State."
RECORD, St. Augustine, Plorida,. February 28, ie page l.
e Sea wes ww ew weeew
FIMEST QUALITY
large cans
21c
POCAHONTAS
—_—_—_—
(Continued “rom “age One.)
ey eer eer et terry
Try That New Perfume): ;= ss
U. 8. Senate ts in the
fending his acquainta
FOR SALE people of this city.
ov Si. GEORGE PHARWACY | “ne. nev. rawin Gardn
op of Florida, will arri
tonight and will be a gu:
{otel Supply
Company
atest |
tationery.
tyles
Stylish stationery for
every purpose; all the
best grades, shades
and weights.
It costs very little to
keep in style with your
stationery and you are
sure of the newest if
you buy it here.
itephens & Speer,
DRU GaisTs. —
POWELL PAID THE a
turned over to the undertaker.
rope had not broken.
where it parted.
with a 300 pound weight.
Powell’s Crime.
resh Meats peat Ao
plete line Home-Made Sau-|
3 our specialty.
rompt delivery.
ie the Genovar theater, gc ssa he
The rope used was of the size aad
strength usually used for this purpose.
It was defective and weak in the place
it had, however.
withstood two tests of its strength ling alleya the Toledoe 4
tory until Monday. Bie
preach im Trinity chure
EXTREME PENALTY alao hold a confirmation
Mr. Wm. P. Kenney, r
Pocono Pines Assembly
4
Powell was dead. The body was then | ono Pines, Pa., with h
epending the winter at
The attending physicians stated tO|/rada Mr. Kenney is we
the press that the man’s neck was baying formerly been n
broken by the drop and that«he died Buckingham Hotel.
ag quickly and painiessly, as if the
Played a Ti
Last night in the Y. .
c:era played a tle mat
having 2080 pins to its e:
Last summer Powell shot and kitted off of one frame result
John Rogers, also colored. at Bunnell, | ledos winning out by 10 ;
without provocation. He. started jn
search of Rogers carrying & shot gun
He met his victim and accused him of
Sinandering his (Powell's) wife. Ro
ers denied the charge whereupon Pow-
€H poured the contents of the gun into
|him. Powell, it is believe, bad other:
- forimes to his eredit, hie colere@ ac-
’ }quatatances alleging that he hat killed
his fatherin-law in Georgia‘and had
shot a negro near Ocala. After killing
Rogers he eseaped.-but was frafled to
| Alabama by Sheriff Perry and eaptar
tied by him is the wildest pat. of the.
The following is the x
Totedes.
ist. 4
night only ‘Monday Mare 2a. Prices Siti.
Stent, 26, 35 and $0 conta
Her First Offence. -
matinee, children, ‘Be. Adults Be}
‘Misa Etta Merrie of the Boegar} tite - one of
Prince Opera Co., which is to appear} Ratlway ¥. MC. A.:
at ‘the Genovar theater three nights withdrawa from the pr
beginning Thersday, March Sth tells {This withdrawal! has 2
At har Rrat annenrance nenfersionally. |! making of a new-card
respects to
well con-
lespite the
tortnight’s
1 guilty of
for mercy.
h chair at
the noted
age which
Cermak of
lone away
v ‘upon his
1, that his
knew that
a marital
ing after”
orters that
that such
of murder
¢
"i i
Unravelling Florida’s most atrocious double
slaying—bringing to justice a desperate killer,
iwice before convicted of murder and pardoned
Early on the morning of March 6th, two Nassau
county fishermen, out with their nets in Lofton Creek in
a secluded part of an adjoining swampy county, saw an
object floating in the creek. They rowed closer and found
it was the body of a nude woman. They didn’t know
about the women being missing, and when they notified
authorities, a return trip revealed the second body, nude
also except for stockings and a corset.
The stomachs of each had been ripped open with a
knife, ostensibly to prevent them from coming to the
surface.
Powell at this time was being questioned by police and
attaches of the state’s attorney’s office. He had been pep-
pered with questions and then underwent a 24-hour-a-day
questioning for four days, but he never broke.
Taken to the funeral home where the two bodies lay,
he leaned over that of his wife and said softly, ““My poor
wife.” Police testified during his trial that Powell at the
bier tried to cry, but showed about “as much emotion as
if he were looking at a dead rattlesnake.”
Powell, learned in the. ways of police because of his
two previous encounters, relied on the rule that all old
criminals know—‘‘Don’t talk and don’t admit anything
and they’ll have a hard time convicting you.” But it didn’t
save him, as circumstantial evidence piled up as a corps
of investigators worked on the case.
Powell first reported the “disappearance” of the women
to the policewomen’s bureau at Jacksonville police head-
quarters. The detective division didn’t learn of it until
they saw it in the paper. Then, a day or so later, Powell
reported “details” to the detectives.
He told them that his wife Katie and mother-in-law,
Mrs. Lou E. Speer, left the Powell home at 1431 Laura
Street about 1:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, March Ist,
to attend a picture show. He said that the elder woman
had about $200 in her purse and both wore valuable dia-
monds. His theory was that they had been robbed and
murdered.
His interest in the “disappearance” was too intensified
to suit the police. He went to newspaper offices and added
further details. He next showed up at the police station
one night along with a water-soaked woman’s purse, say-
ing a friend had found it in Hogan’s Creck. He was
certain now that the women had been robbed and slain.
59
ea -
«&
92
The vest to his suit in the closet!
He remembered grabbing his wife’s
clothes from that closet. His suit had
been there. Did he make the mistake
of grabbing the vest also?
“Science doesn’t lie, Powell,” In-
spector Acosta said. “I have just re-
turned from Washington, where the
button of your vest was examined
and where some of the charred clothes
were also examined. I had the coat
to your suit—I got it from your home
when you were out just before I flew
to Washington, and the laboratory
tests show that the wool count of some
of the charred wool in that fire corre-
sponded to the wool count of your suit.
The button was found to match ex-
actly the buttons on your coat.
“That was your one mistake, Powell,
and it is going to place you at Lofton
Creek and it is going to convict you.
CRIME
DETECTIVE
boards working every week in the
year. About 20 were cashed in every
week. You do the multiplying. Van
and I did the spending.
PRACTICALLY never stubbed
my toe in that racket. It was
neat and sweet. Every few weeks
I would be given my prize money
in cash in front of a gang in a store,
and I’d proceed to treat the crowd.
I’d spend about ten bucks, but it was
a good investment until some one
recognized me and got inquisitive
about my winning twice within a few
months. After that I got my mother
or a girl friend to do the crowd act.
Then Joe came home. When I told
him I was working with Van he gave
me a sharp, angry look.
“Where’s Estelle?” he barked.
“She’s around,” I said.
Joe slammed out of the house. I
didn’t see him again before I met
Van to get my route for the next
day.
“T’ve got a surprise for you,” Van
greeted me. ‘“How’d you like to have
dinner at my place? I’ve got a—
well, it’s quite a place. Uptown.”
I wanted to go, but I didn’t dare.
What about Estelle? And what about
my brother?
“J don’t think I will,” I said miser-
ably. “You might not—what about
Estelle?”
Van grinned. “And Joe, huh? It’s
all right with Joe. I been waiting for
him to come back. Just so there
wouldn’t be any misunderstanding,
you being so young. Come on, hop
in and let’s go to my place.”
His “place” was a luxuriously fur-
nished apartment. Estelle’s person-
ality. showed in the furnishings, the
bedroom smothered in quilted satin
and ankle-deep rugs, the bathroom
walls decorated with exotic pictures
of tropical fish. I felt like an in-
truder.
The dinner was served from a res-
taurant nearby. But I couldn’t eat.
Was he doing this just because Joe
had spoken to him? Where was
Estelle?
After dinner we curled up on the
sofa and drank some rare imported
CRIME DETECTIVE
You killed your wife and her mother
in your home. Your wife was in the
bath tub. You had to have some of
her clothes to make your story stand
up and you grabbed them from the
closet and you grabbed your vest by
mistake.”
Powell didn’t answer. His face was
pale and his lower lips was twitching.
“When I saw that suit without a
vest, I was puzzled,” Inspector Acosta
added. “But I didn’t get the idea
where the vest was until after I saw
that button among the charred re-
mains. And then I played a hunch
and I was right.”
Powell was locked up and a murder
charge was made against him. Three
months later, he was brought to trial.
In that month, the state had woven a
correct case against him.
They had found that the blood stains
brandy. And then Van said what
I’d been hoping he’d say. He was
through with Estelle. The whole
thing had been a mistake—just one
of those things.
The next day Van told me I could
throw away all of Estelle’s fancy
trimmings for the apartment and
order new stuff. But I kept the
quilted satin headboard of the bed
and the deep white bedroom rugs
she’d walked on. I liked knowing
she no longer counted.
After that it seemed that business
was better than ever. Our boards
kept ringing in the cash every week.
There was no end to the suckers.
Every one who saw a man or a wo-
man actually being paid the win-
nings fell for it. Those players would
hang around waiting for their favor-
ite store to acquire a new punch-
board so they could buy a dozen
picks the next time. Hadn’t they
seen some one get paid off in good
U. S. folding money?
A few times I slipped and didn’t
make my rounds in time, and a suck-
er picked the winning punch. The
first time it happened was the first
time Van ever got sore at me. But
he got over it when the store owner
told him it had worked like a charm.
The woman who had to be paid was
a little old widow on relief. The
whole neighborhood remembered it
for a long time and that store was
one of our best spots.
No, there was nothing wrong with
that racket. We'd still be in it and
we’d never have worked out our
system to clip the bookmakers if Van
hadn’t suddenly become a_ horse
player.
Everything was running our way,
I had a fox jacket longer and thicker
than the one Van had given Estelle,
we had a new car, a load of glass
and chromium furniture in the
apartment. My brother was back on
his old night shift, so he took care
of my mother. Then Van got that
galloping fever.
I didn’t mind his laying out money
to the boys in the auto renting office.
He always got back a nice cut on
that so if he lost out once in a while
BOOKIES WERE OUR SUCKERS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41
in the bathroom and kitchen were
human stains. They had discovered
the hammer Powell used to commit
the murders and in Washington stains
of human blood were found on it.
But the one damaging bit of evi-
dence, the one bit that neither Powell
nor his attorney could explain, was
how his vest happened to be in the
charred remains of the women's
clothes.
It was this one little flaw in his
murder plan that caused the jury to
return a verdict of guilty of murder in
the first degree on their first ballot.
And it was this one flaw that caused
Marcus Powell, three times convicted
of murder, to walk down that narrow
corridor of the death house at Raiford
Prison on the night of February 15,
1937, and pay with his life for slay-
ing his wife and mother-in-law.
it didn’t matter, because he was al-
ways ahead.
But Van was sure he could beat
the horse game. Sure. He had a
system. But the big bookmakers and
horse owners, the promoters and
track operators have a better system.
There’s where the experts are right.
Horse players always die broke.
It cost Van about five grand to get
wise to that, and then he was sore.
He decided the only thing to:do to
get back what he’d lost at the clean-
ers was to beat the bookies and let
the horses take care of themselves.
He made a_ connection with a
printer who did some of the work
on producing the punchboards. The
printer said he could duplicate pari-
mutuel tickets. It took a large stock
of typefaces. Everything printed uses
one style or another of type. An
expert can identify any paper or
magazine simply by looking at the
printing. He knows the style of type
used in the printing.
Of course, the mutuel machine men
know that smart boys will be looking
for ways to beat the racket, so they
deliberately mix up the type used
on the ticket. They print each line
a different kind of type, change the
type styles and the color of the
pasteboard often. In addition to that,
they use a different symbol every
day, a tiny identifying mark stuck
off in a corner of pasteboard. But
there are only just so many symbols
and they use them pretty much in
rotation.
The printer said it could be done.
Van went ahead and. lined up con-
tacts in Florida, Baltimore and sev-
eral tracks around New York. The
men were to buy tickets the minute
they went on sale every day. The
printer, with everything set up on
a truck, was to duplicate each day's
tickets, and we would cash _ tickets
on wee’ horses. The truck could
be rolled from one track to another
as the season ran on.
Van was so busy with his new
racket that he almost forgot our nice
clean punchboard business. He didn't
have time to distribute the boards
I hired my brother, but the business
little 5
under ;
wouldn’;
The fi
posted o
fellow \
was att
three rac
twice, w
Van gay
way mar
at beauti
ond. Th
to play tl
won. Bu
for me t
three rac
In the
wrong ar
horse, 1
horse Va
horse carn
amounted
Van got |}
through 1
pocket,
“Tt’s a P
haven't g
but we wu
anything.’
“How cc
hardly he:
most unde
thought I
I couldn’t
last minut:
Ing the y
street, he
couple of
over. He
cast, Clem
For the
Se ee,
p 2
NEF
¥ ‘*. 4
o
eantie ogee agitgh® ft ox
is .
Ss id
Kis Png “Se
fee
By Sam D. Melson
and Featuring Detective Inspector E. L. Acosta and
County Detective S. H. Hurlbert
of Jacksonville, Florida
Arcus C. Powext, 50, who looks like a preacher
M and now stands convicted of four murders, is
facing Florida’s electric chair for the last two—
the hammer slayings of his wife and his mother-in-law.
And these two women had spent the major portions of
their substantial estates to gain his freedom from prison
sentences he received for, the first two killings.
Powell is from a wealthy Alabama farming and bank-
ing family. His brother is a prominent banker at Troy
in that state. The “black sheep” wore convict stripes for
nearly three years in Florida’s state prison farm for his
pistol slaying of William T. Cowles, Sr., prominent Jack-
sonville attorney before expenditure of $35,000 by the
two women he last slew obtained a pardon for him. Prior
to that he had served a year in the Alabama penitentiary
for killing a man, but was pardoned from that.
Florida is in the midst of a political campaign now to
fill its gubernatorial chair and leading candidates have
announced from the stump that Powell, who twice has
received the clemency of pardoning boards, may expect
none from them and that they will sign his black-ribboned
death warrant.
‘58
\
The latest double slaying is similar in some respects to
the Bruno Hauptmann case, inasmuch as Powell con-
tinues to maintain his innocence. And this despite the
fact that the jury, after hearing more than a fortnight’s
testimony, required but 29 minutes to find him guilty of
first-degree murder, with no recommendation for mercy.
This means that he will sit in the same death chair at
the state penitentiary at Raiford in which the noted
Zangara was placed to receive the fatal voltage which
took his life for the assassination of Mayor Cermak of
Chicago at Miami. .
Police suspicions that Powell might have done away
with the two women were aroused immediately upon his
report to authorities on Monday, March 2nd, that his
wife and mother-in-law had disappeared. ‘ They knew that
things hadn’t been going any too smoothly in a marital
way at home—due to Powell’s alleged “running after”
other women and officers confidentially told reporters that
Powell had murdered the two women and _ that such
would prove true in time.
But in Florida you can’t convict a person of murder
until the body of the slain is produced.
TM EQ(CAD Le vec TIVE.
Early on
county fishert
a secluded pa
object floating
it was the b
about the we
authorities, a
also except f
The stom:
knife, ostens:
surface.
Powell at
attaches of t!
pered with q
questioning |
Taken to
he leaned ov
wife.” Poli
bier tried to
1
if he were
Powell, kk
two previou
Co oe eee
made the discovery that the mats in
the car were new, which was in itself
something of importance. Finally,
Dyrenforth said that he believed there
were traces of blood in several cracks
of the floor of the back seat, but that
it would require a careful microscopic
examination to finally determine this
fact.
Inspector: Acosta told Detective
Hurlbert to drive the Powell car down
to Headquarters where Dyrenforth
could make his microscopic examina-
tion, and then the inspector went
‘back in the house for a more complete
search of the place.
This search took him to every room
in the house, but it didn’t net any-
thing of importance. As he was leav-
ing the house, he stopped on the first
floor to examine the closets. There
was a bedroom on this floor, just off
the bathroom, and it was obviously
that of Powell and his wife.
Inspector Acosta looked in the
closet. Several women’s dresses hung
there. A shirt lay on the floor and a
hat was under it, showing that some-
body must have grabbbed clothes out
of the closet in a hurry. One man’s
suit was there, but it was partly off
the coat hanger.
The Inspector examined this suit
closely, but didn’t take it down. Then
he walked out of the bedroom and out
of the house to return to Headquar-
ters.
While he and Detective Hurlbert
had been out to the house, other offi-
cers were conducting a rapid exam-
ination of Powell’s relations with his
wife and questioning the neighbors
living near the Powell home.
This line of investigation was far
‘more productive than what Inspector
Acosta and Hurlbert had been able to
uncover. First, these officials learned
from Elliott Adams, attorney for Mrs.
Speer, that her daughter had planned
to divorce Powell, and Powell had
balked at the idea only when she in-
sisted that all the property she owned, °
and had inherited at the time of her
marriage, revert to her. ,
Furthermore, the officials learned
that Mrs. Speer had planned to have
her will changed so that Powell would,
under no circumstances, inherit any
of her large fortune.
This clinched the motive as far as
the police were concerned, and from
the neighbors they learned that sev-
eral of them had recalled hearing a
woman scream on Sunday night, the
night Powell killed his wife and
mother-in-law.
When Inspector Acosta was told
this, he walked into the room where
Detective Mead and Under-Sheriff
Sweat were questioning Powell. The
questioning had been going on_ for
hours, but Powell appeared as fresh
as when it started. Detective Mead
and Under-Sheriff Sweat, however,
looked at the point of exhaustion.
NSPECTOR ACOSTA took over the
questioning: “Your wife was going
to divorce you, Powell, and your
mother-in-law was going to cut you
out of a new will she never lived to
make.”
Powell swung around easily in his
swivel chair. “Inspector, if you want
to go to trial with only that for evi-
dence against me, you are a bigger
fool than I think you are.”
“There is blood in the kitchen of
your home and in your car,” Acosta
countered.
“Naturally,” Powell replied. “I fed
my dog raw and bloody meat. My
CRIME DETECTIVE
neighbors will vouch for that. As for
the car, you will recall that I was
wounded by a bullet in Saint Augus-
tine several weeks ago and that can
account for the blood in the car.”
Inspector Acosta bit his lips angrily.
He remembered that Powell had been
shot by a hitchhiker—or such was the
story.
“By the way,” the Inspector changed
his line of questioning, “what clothes
were your wife and mother-in-law
wearing when they went—as you
claim—to the picture show that
night?”
Powell didn’t answer at once be-
cause this was a question that re-
quired direct information, but he
knew he had to answer it and he
said: “Kate was wearing’! a white
dress, a white hat, and white shoes.
Mother Speer was wearing a blue suit
and blue hat and carrying her white
pocketbook—the one found in Hogan’s
Creek.”
Inspector Acosta got up and said:
“That’s all for the present, Powell.”
And Marcus Powell got up, grabbed
his hat, smiled benignly at the In-
spector and walked out of the room
and Headquarters a free man.
One ‘hour later Inspector Acosta,
County Detective Hurlbert, and De-
tective Mead sat in the office of State’s
Attorney Frederick Harrell’s office.
Harrell had listened to all the evi-
dence they had against Powell and
shook his head.
“We can’t get a conviction on this
evidence,” he said. “Granting that
Powell had every reason to kill his
wife and mother-in-law, and I think
he did; yet you’ll have to get some-
thing definite, something that will
place him out on Lofton’s Creek where
the tire tracks and the footprints show
he threw the women’s bodies in the
water. Blood stains and all the other
things won’t do the trick.”
The three officers left Harrell’s
office, feeling that Marcus Powell must
be laughing very loudly at them.
Back at Inspector Acosta’s office,
the officers discussed the-case, The
remains of charred clothes found
along the creek bank lay on Acosta’s
desk. -Dyrenforth’s report on these
hadn’t been complete because he
Jacked the necessary facilities to pro-
perly analyze them.
Inspector Acosta fumbled what
looked like a burned button as he
said: “Powell changed the tires on
his car, and his shoes. If we could
place him... .”
Suddenly the Inspector © stopped
talking and looked at the charred
button. He turned it over in his fin-
gers several times.
“It’s one chance in a hundred,” he
cried, “and I’m going to take it.”
He grabbed the telephone and put
in a long distance call for the F. B. I.
in Washington, and when he got the
office of this great organization he
asked to speak to E. R. Donaldson,
associate scientist of the Bureau of
Federal Investigation.
‘Tl be in Washington as fast as a
police plane can get me there,” In-
spector Acosta said. “Be at your
laboratory. I have an important test
I want you to make.”
And 20 minutes later Inspector
Acosta was in a specially chartered
plane, headed for Washington.
N the meantime, Marcus Powell was
_back in his home, well satisfied
with all that had happened. Of course,
it was unfortunate that the bodies had
come to the surface. A slight blunder,
91
but now Powell didn’t mind that so
much.
There would be no question. that
his wife and mother-in-law were
dead, and when the police finally gave
up trying to pin the murder on im,
nothing stood in his way legally to
prevent his inheriting the vast Speer
fortune. - .
He went to bed but his sleep was
restless. He kept going over every
detail of the murder. He would. have
felt better if they had kept him at
Headquarters rather than have Inspec-
tor Acosta dismiss hi mso abruptly.
But when morning came all these
fears of the night had fled. The day
passed and the police left him alone
and he was convinced that they had
given up all hope of convicting hint of
the murder.
The newspapers rather annoyed
him. They kept harping on his record
as a murderer, and they were rather
pointed in their advice to the police
to keep after him.
Evening came and no word from the
police, and Powell went to a picture
show ‘and enjoyed the picture im-
mensely. When he got home, he
poured himself a stiff drink so. he
could sleep.
There was a knock on the door. He
jumped a little, and then laughed at
his fears. He went to the door, but
the fears returned when he saw who
his caller was.
It was Detective Mead. “Okay,
Powell,” Mead seemed a little too
cocky and confident, “the Inspector
wants to ask you just one more ques-
tion, and if you can answer that, your
worries are over.”
Powell got his hat and coat and
Detective Mead drove him to Head-
quarters. Inspector Acosta was wait-
ing for him in his office. ,
‘Powell,” the Inspector talked very
matter-of-fact, “you say you weren't
near Lofton Creek the night your wife
and mother-in-law were thrown in
the creek.”
“T was not,” was Powell’s curt an-
swer.
“The last time you saw the two
women alive,” Inspector Acosta con-
tinued, “they were headed for the
picture show and wore exactly what
you said they did.”
“Yes,” was Powell’s cautious reply.
“And it is your theory that they
were attacked somewhere between
our home and the picture show.” The
nspector was very casual in his ques-
tioning. “And you believe the at-
tacker took the bodies to Lofton
Creek, stripped them of their clothes,
and then threw them in the river.”
“That is a logical theory,” Powell
retorted, not answering the question.
“Yes, very logical, except for one
flaw,” Inspector Acosta replied, “and
that flaw, Powell, is going to shatter
your very clever and almost perfect
murder plan.”
Powell gulped and felt weak.
Inspector Acosta stood up, facing
Powell. “You have an explanation
for everything, Powell—for the blood
stains, the divorce your wife wanted,
and all other things against you. Sup-
pose you answer this question.”
The Inspector hesitated a moment.
“If you weren’t at Lofton Creek the
night your wife and her mother’s
clothes were burned, why is it that
the vest of your suit that is hanging
in the closet of your home was burned
with their clothes?” :
“Tt’s a lie,’ Powell fairly shoute
as he felt cold sweat breaking out on
his body.
