The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-27
JULIA FORCE ON TRIAL.
MAY NE ACQUITTED OF THE MUIR
DER or HER 1WO SISTERS.
All the Evidence In and the Arguments oil
Counsel to Take Place To-Day-Dr.
Olmstead's Testimony.

ATLANTA, GA, June 26.-Miss Julia
Force was put on trial to-day for the
murder Of her two sisters last February.
The family is OF fine connections and
social standing. Miss Force planned
the double murder carefully. and after
having committed it walked to police
headquarters and surrendered herself.
She had IA diary tor year or more, and
all through 1t appears her intention of
some time killing her sisters.
Comparatively little trouble WAS ex-
periencsd in getting a jury. The pris-
oner entered the courtroom with me
WIDOW Of Ex-Governor Coniey. she IS
defended by Smith, Glenn & Smith, Sec
retary hoke Smitns law firm, ana John
iaroeman, a cousin. secretary smith
partners are associate counsel. Sollci-
tor Charles HSl represented the State.
Miss Forces mother and two brothers
were I'm court, sitting near the prosecut-
ing attorney. Bishop kinloch Neison.
of the Episcopal diocese OF Georgia, was
n spectator and subsequently witness.
The most important witness called by
the prosecution, and the most interesting
WAS Dr. John {. Oimstead. lie was ac-
ouainted with the two sisters who were
killed and with Miss Julia Force. lie
was called 10 the house soon aiter the
murder and made examinations or the
bodies. He has frequently Nisiteu M'Ss
Force since she was arrested ana talked
Win her as TO the motloves and causes
OF the crime. He testified TO cohNeIs"-
lions with the prisoner. and said.
"Ny first interview with her after Inc
killing was on the following morning al
police Headquarters Nobody was pres
ent but Miss Force and myself She
told me she had done the shooting.
and gave two accounts OF the kiIllhs VI
MICS Minnie. one that the shot was
fired tust as Miss Minnie turned her nedu
after being spoken 70 by herself MISS
Iulla and the other that she. Miss Julia'
wa. in front Of Miss Minnie wheh inc
shot was fired. The first account IL
the one consistent with the location Oh
the wound. ~, o.,
"she had to remove them. she SAID on
account Of the unhappiness AZ nome
that her brothers had not trea'eu ner
rirht." ,. 49,.
sistersT'
"she said her brothers had been un-
hind n her and she thought her sisters
were the cause Of IT,"
'Nyhat special unklndnessT
"She talked about II in a general way
mentioning one grievance specifically
that affair at the dry goods store.
This referred 10 an order given by one
Of her brothers 10 a merchant not to let
Julia buy anything there on credit as she
was not responsible.
"But what motive had she had for muir
dering her sisters
"She thought they inspired her brothers
10 treat her unkndly."
"She told me-" continued DR.. Olmstead,
chat she had prayed that It might not
be. but she had TO Kill them.
"Why that day?'
"Weu. the order given High & Co, not
TO allow her any more credit was 10 her
mind the elimination of a long series of
prosecutions. She thought it disgraced
her"
"She said her purpose In killing her
sisters was to be hung for murder, and
thus disgrace her family That was the
reason she did not kill her brother Allie.
She had reserved for him punishment
more terrible than GNath. that Of having
him see her hung for the murder OF the
two sisters She had fully expected to be
hung, and gioried in the thought that
such a death would disgrace her brother
Allie"
The defense was insanity, and such
strong case was made out that before
the evidence was half In. acquttal was
predicted The State was not able 10
successfully combat the defense with
testimony. Bishop Nelson testified she
was insane. The State insisted that the
Insults were real. not decisions. and that
she was sane when She shot her two
sisters Minnie first. downstairs, and
Florence. the invalid. upstairs.
At o'clock both sides announced they
had closed. The case will be argued. and
the Jury charged tomorrow. A verdict
Of acquittal on the ground Of insanity is
eXpected