"Alexander City, Alas, Aorhl 17, 1926-Two youthful country boys, twins
are being held here on a charge of murder which they thought they coulc
escape with a fine, They are said to have confessed to Sheriff J. M,
Gaunt that they killed George Kembrell, 19, to obtain $16.03, The
twins are Julian and Ed Akston, 22, They confessed to Sheriff Gaunnt,
he said, that they enticed Kembrell to.a point a mile from the Dixie
Construction Camp at Cherokee Bluffs, where all three were employed, o
the pretext of a hunting trip, When they came to a secluded spot they
fired their shotgun at him, blowing off the top of ‘his head, they re-
lated. Rifling the pockets, they placed Kembrell's body in a spring,
the sheriff said,. Returning to the camp, fellow workers questioned
them, concerning Kembrell. They at first said they did not know, but,
questioned separately, told conflicting stories concerning what had
happened. Suspecting foul play, employees held them prisoners until
#heiff,Gaunnt was summoned, He questioned them and they confessed,
agreeing to pilot the sheriff to where Kembrell's body lay, One of
them is reported to have asked the sheriff: "How much will our fine be
When they were told murder is a capital offense, they appeared greatly
surprised,. the sheriff said, Further inquiries at the cam revealed
that the twins had plotted to hold up the Dixie Company's payroll,
Sheriff Gaunnt said and had asked a negro to help them in the job, ~~
This, had they been successful, would have netted approximately $),500
Bhan Verve YC TAFPFZGS
"Alexander City, Ala., Aorhl 17, 1926-Two youthful country boys, twing
are being held here on a charge of murder which they thought they coul
escape with a fine, They are said to have confessed to Sheriff J. M,
Gaunt that they killed George Kembrell, 19, to obtain $16.03, The
twins are Julian and Ed Akston, 22, Tiyey confessed to Sheriff Gaunnt,
he said, that they enticed Kembrell to:a point a mile from the Dixie
Construction Camp at Cherokee Bluffs, where all three were employed, o
the pretext of a hunting trip, When they came to a secluded spot they
fired their shotgun at hin, blowing off the top of ‘his head, they re-
lated. Rifling the pockets, they placed Kembrell's body in a spring,
the sheriff said, Returning to the camp, fellow workers questioned
them, concerning Kembrell., They at first said they did not know, but,
questioned separately, told conflicting stories concerning what had
happened. Suspecting foul play, employees held them prisoners until
$heiff,Gaunnt was summoned, He questioned them and they confessed,
agreeing to pilot the sheriff to where Kembrell's body lay. One of
them is reported to have asked the sheriffs: "How much will our fine be4
When they were told mrder is a capital offense, they appeared greatly
surprised,.the sheriff said, Further inouiries at the camp revealed
that the twins had plotted to hold up the Dixie Company's payroll,
| Sheriff Gaunnt said and had asked a negro to help them in the job.
This, had they been ney would have netted approximately $,500
Bhan ltr (7?z26
"Alexander City, Se eae me 1926-Two youthful country boys, twing
ge of mirder whi
Gaunt that they killed George Kembrell, 19, to obtain $16.03.
twins are Julian and Ed Akston, 22, Thy confessed to Sheriff Gaunt,
he said, that they enticed Kembrell to.a point a mile from the Dixie
Construction Camp at Cherokee Bluffs, where all three were employed, 01
the pretext of a hunting trip, When they came to a secluded spot they
fired their shotgun at him, blowing off the top of ‘his head, they re-
lated, Rifling the pockets, they placed Kembrell's body in a spring,
the sheriff said, Returning to the camp, fellow workers questioned
Ghleeph cacetring Keen nt ls ya any ne Coat ee aeray eluate nen it,
questioned separately, told conflicting stories concerning what ha‘
happened, Suspecting foul play, employees held them reine until
eiff,Gaunnt was summoned, He questioned them and they confessed,
agreeing to pilot the sheriff to where Kembrell's body lay, One of
them is reported to have asked the sheriff: "How mch will our fine be'
When they were told mrder is a capital offense, they appeared greatly
surprised,. the sheriff said. Further inouiries at the cam revealed
that the twins had plotted to hold up the Dixie Company's payroll,
Sheriff Gaunnt said and tad asked a negro to help them in tne job.
This, had they been successful, would have netted approximately $),500
Bhan Hive fOTHPS
"AlgeineChyy kay Aaral 1, 9Wne onthe coy Ney Hot
ALSTON, William Edgar’
Alston, a hl-year-old white man, lived at Dora, Walker Co,, Ala, In
1926, he and his twin brother, Julian, killed a man named Melvin Kim-
ball, They were granted a change of venue to Tallapoosa Co, and were
there convicted and on BE Oct, 1, 1926, they were sentenced to life
imprisonment. When they were paroled, William returned to Dora and
married Christine Freeman. In time she left him and returned to the
home of her father, On August 6, 1945 Alston went there and hid un-
til all of the family except Christine, her younger sisters and -some
babies had left and bken he forced his wife to go into the woods with
him. Shortly afterwards her sister heard her scream and when the
other members of the family returned home, a search was started, Her
body was found about eight hours later with three deep stab wounds in
her back, two deep knife cuts on her neck and cuts on her hands, Al-
ston, who had been drinking was promptly arrested and charged with the
crime. Convicted and sentenced to die, his case was automatically
appealed to the State Supreme Court which found no errors and he was
electrocuted at the Alabama State Prison on August 16, 196,
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham , Alabama August pels 19,6 ye
\OUTHERN REPORTER SERIES 87 iva ety) lf, A
26 SOUTHERN REPORTER 2nd SERIES 877 te in (Oo
,
ALSTON, William Edgar’
Alston, a ljl-year-old white man, lived at Dora, Walker Co,, Ala, In
1926, he and his twin brother, Julian, killed a man named Melvin Kim
ball, They were granted a change of venue to Tallapoosa Co. and were
there convicted and on KEE Oct, 1, 1926, they were sentenced to life
imprisonment. “hen they were paroled, William returned to Dora and
married Christine Freeman, In time she left him and returned to the
home of her father, On August 6, 1945, Alston went there and hid un-
til all of the family except Christine, her younger sisters and some
babies had left and bhken he forced his wife to go into the woods with
him, Shortly afterwazds her sister heard her scream and when the
other members of the family returned home, a search was started. Her
body was found about eight hours later with three deep stab wounds in
her back, two deep knife cuts on her neck and cuts on her hands, Al-
ston, who had been drinking was promptly arrested and charged with the
crime, Convicted and sentenced to die, his case was automatically
appealed to the State Supreme Court which found no errors and he was
electrocuted at the Alabama State Prison on August 16, 19116,
en
yg)
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham , Alabama August 16) 194.6
Pa cab a Ee as aay, VLA
26 SOUTHERN RSE ORTER 2nd SERIES 877 of oY KA Un At /O oa:
ALSTON, Willian Edgar
In
ny lived at Dora, Walker Co,, Ala,
Mason, a lil-year-old white mai
win brother, Julian, killed a man named Melvin Kin-
a change of venue to Tallapoosa Co, and ie
6 they
1926, he and his twit
ball, They were granted
there convicted and on MAE Oct, 1, 192
Wil: an returned to Dora a
imprisoment, ‘hen they were paroled,
married Christine Freeman, In tine she left him and rotumed to the
home of her father. Cn August 6, 19)5,
en the
returned nae! i feceeoieee eveeted
nd about gee hours later with three deep stab wounds in
the State Supreme Court which found no errors and he
ama State Prison on August 16, 196,
THE brie ee Birmingham , Alabama August, 165 19h6
THARN aR eRiss 877
te WU ZO A
2.
appealed to
electrocuted at the Alat
