Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-06-16
A HUSBANDS REyrNaE..

Especial Telegram to the Globe.]
ATLANTA. Ga, June l5.-Hill who is being
| tried for the murder of one Simmons, in this
city, made sensational statement in court
yesterday. It was very effective, almost every
one in the court room being affected to tears.
The prisoner opened by saying that he hoped
God, into Whole prese he must soon be
ushered, would strike him dead in his shoes If
he spoke one word that was not strict and alb
solute truth. He then recited Simmons course
with his wife, saying that Simmons had loved
her ever since she was q girl, and had persist
emily tried to seduce her, and at length, as a
pretended friend of her husband, he decoyed
her into house of ill-fame, and there, after
drugging her with beer, forcibly outraged her,
she crying and begging to be let out. This
hold upon the girl put her in Sim
mons power, and he at last persuaded
or frightened her into leaving her home.
When she came back to him she confessed
everything: Hill then took her out of town.
Simmons then followed her and threatened her
in note if she did not return to his embraces.
after Simmons. He wrote him letter beg
ging him, if he had any manhood in him, to
meet him and give him chance to avenge his
wife. He saw Simmons shortly after, and
Went up to him and shot him. He says Sim
mons was trying to get out pistol to shoot
regret what he had done, but would do it again
under the same circumstances. that he loved
his wife and fought to protect her. He said
he would not beg for his life, but if he was to
be hung he would die like a man. His state
ment had powerful effect. and it is thought
will entirely clear him.
THE OTHER SIDE.
simmons friends claim that there was no
seduction at all. They say that under the name
of Efhe Etheridge the young wife had been
known as fast girl long before Simmons met
her, and that he met her by accident. They
say that he was in restaurant one night,
when friend approached him and told him he
and another fellow had three girls in the hack
room, and proposed to Simmons to go and gal
liant the third girl, describing her rs a great
beauty. He went and was introduced to Mrs.
Hill as Efie Etheridge. Simmons friends say
that she asked him to go home with her, and
forward as he, and that she went willingly with
him to various places Of public resort. They
claim there was seduction abduction, and
that Cora Spence was seduced Eef.re he ever
knew her. Agreat number of witnesses were
introduced to break down the girls character.
The defense stands upon the broad ground
infallible before Southern ju.ies-that man
eau kill another in avenging or protecting the
virtue or honor Of his wife. While the law
does not technically protect such killing ex-
cept when done in the sudden discovery of
the injury. the jury will not convict Hill if it
can be proved that Simmons did first lead his
wife astray. The whole fight is being made on
the character of the woman. She is very beau
tiful, and has good deal of sympathy. Her
father is q most worthy man, and the girl had
a most excellent training. She was regular
Sunday-school scholar, and her young life was
without reproach. Her father stands by
her with love and confidence, and she
stands by her husband. She is with him con
stuntly. The most sensational Developments
are looked for when the attempt will be made
to b,eak down her character. Over one hum
dred and fifty witnesses have been summoned.
The case excites the most intense in
teresr, and public opinion is divided. If the
girls character is sustained, the sympathy will
be with Hill. Simmons was very popular and
had host of friends, who mourn his DEATH
His family is one of the best in Georgia. Mayor
Hill, of Chattanooga, is brother of the priso-
ner, who also has fine connections. One Of the
sensational points is letter written by Mrs.
Hill to her husband, in which she confesses her
ruin, and gives her story as to how it was
brought about, telling of the alleged use of
drugs, etc.
One Of the most encouraging things about
the defense is that Simmons had been repeat
eddy warned about Hill, and that he always
said he proposed to run Mrs. Hill as long as he
wanted to, ard that he would be heeled for
Hill whenever he wanted to shoot. The girl 8
father described piteously his and Hills search
for the wife all night after she had left her hus-
bands house.