Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-08
HrMPHKIEs' sTORY.
The Alleged Murderer's Coat Found
Besmeared with Blood.

The Alleged murdereEb N"@h NVNHN
Resmeared with Blood.
MurFpGEv1LLE, March Prank
gnmpbries. the suspected murderer OF
Misses Ella Humphries and Carrie
names, was Hinteryiewed last night in
his cell in the county jail. Humphries
denies that he did the killing, but II is be-
ueyed here that he will make a confession
soon. He saws that be lett home THURS
dsv about noon with the int nton OF
going to l.. J. Green's house, dis
lance OF about I'VE miles. tie car
ried his gun with MIN so that he might
kill birds along the road, W men be had
gone about half way he changed MS nina
and concluded TO 20 TO his brothers r.
/ Humphries' house. he says that MS
reason Tor going 10 his brothers. hou- e
was that he ed 70 joke and
have some fun with the ladies. When
he was ready to 20 home BE tOld
Miss Raines that his wife was SICK, and
no wanted her NJ lss Ralnes to 90 home
with him and keep his wife company.
Miss Raiues, knowing that Humphrl $
was not sober, but not dreaming OF the
horrible death that awaited her. refused
10 20 unless Miss Ella would accompany
them, Miss Ella granted her request,
and the three started on their march 10
horrible END. They had gone about halt
Way when, according to HUMPHREYS
abatement, they were attacked 10y four
masked men, two having breech-loading
sbotguns and the others had pistols aud
knives. HUMPHREYS, according TO his
atOry. was struck on the head with sand
bag and knocked down, while falling be
fred one barrel OF his gun at his assail-
ants. and when he struck the ground he
fred again. He knows nothing OF what
happened from that time until be aWOke,
which was near morning. When he
awoke he rambled around, lost,
in the woods until light. lie
then went home, changed his clothes,
ate breakfast and wrote f. j. HUMPHREYS
a note telling MIN of what happened the
night before. He says he did not know
then that the ladies were killed, but he
thought they had been stolen by tramps.
He did not carry the news himself be-
eause he was weak, tired and sick.
When Humphries' clothes we're found
the coat sleeves and collar were all Gov
cred with blood and there was not bruise
on his head. He says the blood came
from his ear.
1t is reported that HUMPHREYS did not
Law in the woods all night, but that he
slept at a negro mans house near the
scene OF the murA~' Humphries drinks
a great deal of H4H1i and he acknowl-
edges tDat he Gras.' pint on the day OF
the murder.
HUMPHREYS is a well-to-do farmer and
no one would have ever thought Of
charging him with such horrible
crime; but the evidence points 50
directly TO him that there is little
doubt now as to his guilt, the people in
bis neighborhood would have certainly
Iynched HIM il he had not been carried
away before the verdict was declared.
Every effort will now be made to let the
law take its course. Humphres is a tall,
slim man, with sharp face, wild eyes
weighs about 100 pounds, and is about 81
years old.
Miss Raines was about 40 years old and
was rather hOmely.
Miss HUMPHREYS was young and very
handsome.
Hon. T. G. duBignon made the fines
speech OF the season on prohibition Fri
day to an audience OF about 1920. Mr.
duBignOn was reared IN this county, ant
the ciUzens here love him like kinsman
The speech had a fine effect on his hear
ars.