Atlanta Georgian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, May 30, 1913, Image 8

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

tT EK YOUTH W ADE STEVFNS, youth who was arrested following the dis covery of the bodies of his irot'’'’ a d sis'er in the fire ruins of the family home on theoa ’ J.o surpi cion is now attached to the boy, v,ho a ding to clear the mys tery in every way. Son Is Freed of All Suspicion. Men Sought Were Feared by Slain Women. As a result of his straightforward •tory and the proof he has brought forward to sustain it, the police vir tually have eliminated Wade Stevens as a suspect in the murder of his mother, Mrs. Sarah C. Stevens, and his sister, Miss Nellie Stevens^ and the burning of their home on the McDonough road. The activities of the police and Sheriff McCurdy are now being di rected toward Walter Wilkes, and Ernest Maynard, former employees of Mrs. Stevens. A country-wide search has been instituted for them. Descriptions of the negro and the half-breed have been sent out to all parts of the South by telegraph, and the officers are confident that it la only a matter of hours before they are arrested. The theory that Wilkes and May nard committed the crime, formulated by statements made by neighbors of the Stevens family, and statements made by William Stevens, has been strengthened, the police say, by the statements of Wade Stevens, waw Wilkes Near Home. Young Stevens, brought to Atlanta from Chattanooga by Detective John Black at 2 o’clock Friday morning, told the police that twice within the past week he has seen Wilkes, the last time being only a few hours be fore the murder. “1 met Wilkes in town Tuesday night shortly before 8 o’clock,” said young Stevens. "He stopped me and asked me where I was going. I told him that I was going to Chattanooga. He asked me if father had not already gone, and I told him yes. Then he remarked that he supposed mother i and sister would be alone at the house | during the night, and I told him I 1 supposed so. Then he asked me if W’e needed a hired man, and said e guessed he would go out and ask mother if he could get another job.” Young Stevens said he also saw Wilkes within a mile of his. home last Sunday morning. "I was driving to town,” the boy declared. ‘And I met Wilkes just beyond the bridge over the South ern railroad. He asked me where 1 was going, and I told him to town. Then he wanted to know if mother wanted any work done, and 1 told him 1 didn’t know. He then asked me if father was at home, and when 1 told him he was, he asked if he could go back to town with me. He got in the buggy then and we came to town. He said he was going down | on Decatur Street, and that was the last time I saw him until Tuesday night, just before I left i^r Chatta nooga. ’ Both Insulted the Women. Young Stevens is positive that Wilkes and Maynard committed the crime, and declares that both the men have several times insulted his mother and sister and tried to get them to give them money. "The negroes thought mamma kept a large sum of money In the house,” said the Stevens boy, "and they were always asking her for a quarter or a dollar, and getting mad when she wouldn’t give It to them. Mamma and sister often talked of the ne groes, and said they were afraid of them. Three times that I can re member. while Wilkes was working for us. he tried to insult sister, and that Is why we discharged him. Twice sister saw him peeking in the window when she was dressing or bathing, and both times he grinned and cursed and ran. “Mamma and sister were just as much afraid of Maynard as they were of Wilkes. He tried to insult Nellie one day and mamma drove Save money NOW on Furniture at High’s. •Yes, It’s Hot, 1 But Don't Worry The Market Basket solves the vexed # marketing question. It appears to-day. Cut it out Saturday and use it as a guide. j; It will save you money, time, worry. z&xx)xraotoiAP .< i,i „. Wil! Bible Solve Stevens Slay n ? . »v •!••+ +••!• .••H* +•+ +••!• Clews in Holy Book Negri Read + • + + • + + • + Verses About Murder Marked him away with, a gun. He had threatened the whole family several times, and we were all afraid of him. Maynard was a half-breed In dian and negro, and was always in a bad humor and talking about money.’ Young Stevens also threw light on a phase of Wilkes’ character that up holds the theory that Mrs. Stevens’ Bible, found in Wilkes’ cabin, may prove valuable evidence. "Wilkes always was saying he wanted to be a preacher, and in March he borrowed mamma’s Bible. He drank lots of wlilsky, and would sit with the Bible in one hand .and a glass of whisky in the other, laughing at the Bible. He used to point out places in the Bihle where it said not to kill anybody, and then he’d say It was all bosh and make fun of it. He would say that he’d bet he could do all those things and not get punished. He and Maynard were together when ever they got m chance, and they drank a lot of whisky.” In young Stevens’ story of how he spent fhe day on Tuesday, he de clared that he knows nothing of his sister taking his clothing to a neigh bor’s. and says he was not at home all day His statement, in which he is corroborated by •Red" Merchant, arrested with him in Chattanooga, follows: "I left home at 8 o’clock Tuesday morning, after a quarrel with mamma. 1 had cut the outs on Monday and on Tuesday she wanted me to put them in the barn. It had rained dur ing the night and I told her it was too wet. She was mad and said If I didn't put the oats in the barn T could leave. 1 told her I would if she would give me my clothes, and she wouldn’t do it. "Bo i came to town in the overalls that I have on now. 1 met ‘Red’ Merchant on Pryor Street near the Union Depot, and we were together about town until about 1 o’clock, when Red’ went home, to East Atlanta. I hung around tbwn until 3 o’clock and met ‘Red’ again. We stayed down town and about 6 o’clock we met four boys, one of them the McWilliams boy, and stayed with them until about time for the train to leave. We caught the 8:55 W. and A. train and got into Chattanooga about 1:^8 o’clock. At 1:30 we saw a man named Parker who runs a newsstand near the Chattanooga depot, and talked with him for some time. Then we hung around town. I wasn’t ar rested by the Chattanooga police. When I read in the paper Wednes- I day morning that mother and sister j had been murdered and that I was wanted, I went to the chief of detec tives and gave myself up.” Young Stevens and young Merchant were taken to the Decatur County jail by Sheriff McCurdy Friday. They probably will be held a few days un til the Chattanooga end of their story is proved. Young Stevens says the man Parker, owner of the newsstand, will come to Atlanta if necessary and | prove that he was there about the time the murder is supposed to have been committed. FREE, NEXT SUNDAY. The American Sunday Monthly Magazine, contain ing the first chapters of Jack London’s new story, is GIVEN FREE with every copy of the next Sunday American. Testament Given by Slain Wom an to Suspected Hand Found in His Cabin. Is the Holy Bible to play a part In solving the mystery of the murder of Mrs. Sarah C. Stevens and her daugh ter and the burning of their lonely farm house? Was the murderer a type of hu manity who combined a passion, or a contempt, for the Bible with an in satiable craving to kill, rob and de stroy? Was this fanatic Walter Wilkes, a negro, who up to three weeks ago worked for Mrs. Stevens—known to be a close student of the Bible? Was he aided in his fiendish work by Ernest Maynard (or Mannard), a half-breed Mexican, who worked at the Stevens farm before Wilkes came —known to be a friend and follower of Wilkes, and as deceitful and as treacherous? The finding of Mrs. Stevens' Bible on a shelf In a log cabin formerly oc cupied by the negro and the Mexi can. with many passages having ref erence to violent deaths and actions marked with a cross in lead pencil, has brought these questions strongly to the fore, and has caused the in vestigations of Sheriff McCurdy and Detective Rosser to point toward the negro and the half-breed as possible perpetrators of the crime. Officers consider the Bible, with its marked passages, one of the most re markable and important bit# of evi dence unearthed since the investiga tion of the murder began. The Bible has been positively Iden tified by Mr. Stevens and two of Mrs. Stevens' brothers as the property of Mrs. Stevens. The Inscription on the ly-leaf—"Mrs. Stevens' Book"—has been Identified as her handwriting. Mr. Stevens made the further Im portant statement that the Bible has been in Wilkes' possession since the last of March, when Mrs. Stevens loaned him the book at his request. The negro had told her that he was studying for the ministry and did not have a Bible of his own. Striking Passages Marked. Practically every passage that is marked with the crude cross has ref erence to some form of violent sin that is punishable by eternal damna tion. The passages refer to killing destroying, lust and adultery, the greatest crimes in the spiritual and (temporal calendar. These questions are being raised: Why did Wilkes mark only passages dealing with violent sin and its pun ishment? Did the marking of the Bible within a month of the murder have any bearing on the crime? Does it show that Wilkes’ mind was constantly filled with thoughts of murder and robbing? Did the marking of Exodus xix:13 “And it came to pass that on the third day in the morning that there were thunders and lightning, and a thick cloud upon the mount,” have any bearing on the burning of the house, the crackle and roar of the (lames and the thick clouds of smoke? Did the marking of James 1:14, "But every man is tempted, tvhen he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed," have any reference to his +<T" Your Suit $15 desire and efforts—alleged by th. girl's relatives to have occurred—to attack little Nellie Stevens? Did the marking of James li:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all," mean that he woul . be equally guilty whether he commit ted assault, murder, robbery, grson, or all? The portions of the Bible that were marked, presumably by Wilkes, are us follows: Exodus xlx:13—There shall not an band touch It, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live’ when the trumpet soundeth long, the> shall come up to the mount. Violent Passages Indicated. Exodus xix:16—And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and light nings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that ail the people that was in the camp trembled. Exodus xx:13—Thou shalt not kill. Exodus xx:14—Thou shalt not com mit adultery. Exodus xx:17—Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbors. Exodus xxi: 15—And he that smitetf. his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. Exodus xxi:17—And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. Exodus xxi: 19—If he rise again and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall be that smote him be quit; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall excuse him to be thorough ly healed. Exodus xxi:22—If men strive ana hurt a woman with child, so that hei fruit departeth from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband lay upon him; and he shall pay as the Judges determine. Exodus xxi:23—And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. Exodus xxi: 16—And he that steal- eth a man and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall be surely put to death. Exodus xxii:16—And if a man en tice a maid that is not betrothed * * * he shall surely endow her to be his wife. Matthew v:36—Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou cans 1 , not make one hair white or black. Matthew vii; 23—But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee is darkness, how great is that darkness. Hebrews xiii:17—Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give ac count, that they may do it with Joy, and not with grief; for that is un profitable for you. James 1:14—But every man Is tempted, when he is drawn away ol his own lust and jnticed. James i:16—Then when lust hath Made “The Dundee Way” To Your Individual Measure for Would Cost You Elsewhere $25 00 to $30.00 Order your Suit to-mor row! W e v ■ just received a V> i sr shipment o f v mohairs- EVERY pure-wool suiu- r t’i:hrie of the season is here. We guarantee a perfect fit. Open Saturdays Until 10:30 P. M. oncelved. It brngeth forth sin; and ■‘In. when it is finished, brlngeth forth death. James 11:19—For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend In one point, he Is gulity of all. Colosslans 111 10—Children, obey your parents In all things; for this is well pleasing with the Lord. Ephesians xxxiv:25 — Wherefore putting away ly! ig, speak every man with his neighbor; for we are mem bers one of another. Ephesians vi; 6—Servants, be obe dient to those that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, is unto Christ. Stevens Aids Officers. Several points that had nuzzled the officers investigating the case were cleared up with the arrival of Mr. Stevens from Chattanooga and his visit to his burned home Thursday afternoon. His identification of vari ous objects and his statements that none of them were in their usual places have completed and upheld the murder theory. The ax and the hoe found in the bed room, where the bodies were found, Mr. Stevens identified as be longing to the house. The hoe, he said. Is usually kept on me back porch, and the ax is kept at the wood- pile in the rear of the house. Sheriff McCurdy and Detective Rosser are positive that the ax and the hoe were the weapons used by the murderer; and they are positive also that there were at least two j? the fiends. Though Sheriff McCurdy declared that young Wade Stevens and "Red” Merchant win be held until their ac tions on the night of the murder can be thoroughly investigated, he inti mated that all clews now point to the negro and the Mexican, Walter Wilkes and Ernest Maynard, or Mannard, and intimated that a country-wide search will be institued for the two men. Both Were Discharged. Maynard, or Mannard, had been discharged from the employ of Mrs. Stevens because he had insulted the young girl and once had attempted to attack her. Wilkes was discharged because he became a “peeping Tom," and was surly a ,d threatening on the day he was ordered off the place. Wilkes knew Mr. Stevens would be away from home on the night of the murder. When working in the fields with the negro a month ago Mr. Ste vens told the negro that he would at tend the reunion, and remembered the negro had asked him the date when he would be away from home. The investigation conducted Friday by the officers developed the fact that Wilkes and Maynard were together a great deal of the time. ADDITIONAL TRAIN SERVICE. Effective Sunday, June 1st, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad will establish double daily service between Cartersville, Ga., and Etowah, Tenn. Train 36 will leave Etowah 6; 30 a. m, arrive Cartersville 9:25 a. m.; train 36 will leave Cartersville 10:30 a. m., arrive Etowah 1:30 p. m.; train 37 will leave Etowah 2:20 p. m, ar rive Cartersville 5:20 p. m.; train 38 will leave Cartersville 7:12 p. m., arrive Etowah 10:10 p. m. adv! City of Savannah Is Overhauled Entirely I fi GERMAN WARSHIP ASHORE. BERLIN, May 30.—The German cruiser Bleucher went ashore this aft ernoon during a lieuvy fog. Other « •arshli'S are standing by. Information was received Friday by W. H. Fogg, district passenger agent of the Central of Georgia Railroad, that the Savanaah Line steamship City of Savannah left New York yes terday for Savannah for the first time since it was overhauled thoroughly. Improvements consist of seven ad ditional stateroo ns, private baths In connection with large bed rooms and a barber shop similar to those on the City of St. Louis and the City of Montgomery. The City of Savannah is one of the most commodious ships plying between New York and Savan nah. Former Columbus Womsn Dosd. COLUMBUS—Mrs. Franz White, a former resident of Columbus, is dead at her home in Georgetown, S. C. Her body will be brought here for the fu neral Saturday. Save money NOW on Furniture at High’s. »DROPSY ® siort breath * soon removed, of ton entire relief in 1 ■> to 26 days. Trial treatment sent FREE. | Write Dr. H. M. Greens Sons, BoxO, Atlanta. Gi. Your Usefulness Ends When Your Eyesight Fails Your Most Valuable Possession—They Bring All the Beauties of Nature to You. .\ .*• D O YOUR EYES ache when you read? Do the words become blurred? Does the sunlight Irritate your eyes? Do you see little spots after working at something that requires close applica tion? If so, nature is warning you. She is telling you that you are ushag the strength oL your eyes faster than she can supply It. Rest glasses may be all you need. See us to-day for an examination. Delay and you may seriously impair your sight. We have made a specialty of examining eyes and fit ting them with proper glasses for many years. Isn't it worth your while to know whether or not you need glasses? L 0. SIIVIEUS, M. D., Oculist, all examinations, Invites you to call tor a thorough examination We Make All Examinations Personally SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO CHILDREN’S EYES. WE INVITE A COMPARISON OF PRICES, AS WE DO NOT PAY COMMIS SIONS TO ANYONE. L. N. HUFF OPTICAL CO., Inc. Builders of Fine Spectacles and Eyeglasses. 70 WHITEHALL two stores 52 W. MITCHELL MORE NEW SUMMER DRESSES DOWN SATURDAY—MONDAY Buy a Home--UKe Furniture On Very Easy Payments ■aw mmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmma S UPPOSING the FURNITURE DEALER asked you to pay RENT for your Furniture, for the rest of your life—and, In the end, he were to take back the furniture as HIS property! Wouldn't that be preposterous? It's just as UNREASONABLE for you to pay RENT for your HOUSE belong to your landlord! The Our Eastern buyer sent us down more of those new sum mer dresses to sell at $7.95. If you failed to come last Satur day, be sure and don’t miss this chance. Only $2 Down Just slip a $2.00 bill in vour purse, and come early. You will be sure to get just the dress you want. You can pay the balance $1.00 A WEEK. ou, at the lowest possible NT plan! We will sell you. at - _ .. you, at west possible price, a pretty HOUSE and LOT. on the same basis— DIVIDED PAYMENT plan—$100 down and as little as $21 a month. casj?s are exactly the same. The big FURNITURE STORES will sell y< pru s, FURNITURE on the DIVIDED PAYME* the lowest on the DTV till the home is paid for. No mortgage to assume. We have several brand-new bungalows and cottages. In the well-popu lated and picturesque section of Atlanta known as CAPITOL VIEW—on the street car line—only eighteen minutes from FIVp: r**INTS. You don’t RENT your FURNITURE—then WHY rent your HOME when you can BUY a home on EASY TERMS like you buy furniture? Phone us -or come to our office—and we’ll tell more about our plan for selling vou a handsome HOME, on our DIVIDED PAYMENT plan W. D BEATIE, 207 Equitable Building /3 iS & f % ; I ■ § i *1 inn HI®! , f Uhl 1 ? Men’s serge Norfolks, cassimeres and fancy worsteds. These suits are all wool, and right up to the minute. Don’t fail to get one of these suits. Bell Phone. Main 3520 Atlanta Phone, 3520 CREDIT CLOTHING COMPANY 28 West Mitchell Street