The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-20
MURDER WILL OUT.
An Interesting Story Of the Pursuit
of a Murderer.

An Interesting Story Of the Pursuit
of a Murderer.
BAISBRIpGE. GA, Jan. 19.-On accocnt
of the illness of Judge B. B. Bower the
superior court of Decatur county has ad-
journed until next Wednesday, at which
time Judge J. a Query OF the Pstaula cir
cult will hold court in order to dispose of
GASES in which Judge Bower is disqualified.
Among the numerous cases 90 be disposed
of is that of Walter Williams. charged with
ahe crime of murder. A brief resume Of
the case will be Of interest Some time
during the early part of ths year leS the
house Of John Donelson was entered dur
ing the night and a trunk containing
large sum Of money was stolen. Only one
party outside the guilty one knew who com
mitted the crime, a Mrs Brockett, wEo
lived near by, she having seen the parties
pass her house the night the crime was
committed. lima passed OF, and BY mis-
take Mrs Brockett killed a COW belonging
60 Mrs. Doneson. the vile OF the party
whose money was stolen. Mrs. Donelson,
after ascer aiming who had the COW Killed,
insisted upon a prosecution. i bis duty de-
volved upon Walter Williams, who was a
son-in-law of Mrs Donels0n, and through
fear he had warrant sworn out aga nst
Mrs. Brockett; she was arrested aud gave
bond for her appearance. She then sent
abe suit was Withdrawn she would tell on
him. She left the house and few days
sfterward she was found dead IN bed with
bullet holes in her back and baby by her
side. The child, who Is now about IA years
Of age, bears a mark on her face where one
Of the bullets grazsd.
Suspicion rested upon Walter Williams,
and after sitting the matter thoroughly, be
was arrested, as also John Williams aud
Robert Durham. During their stay IN Jail
the latter party decided 10 turn states evi-
deace, and when the trial took place be
related the entire history Of the crime.
From his story It appears that the Williams
brothers were ANXIOUS 70 get rid OF Mrs.
Brockett on account Of her knowledge OF
their crime 10 stealing the money from John
DoaeAson They made arrangements with
Bob Durham that he should kill her. for
which be wAx 70 receive $50. On the night
when tie mGrier was committed, John
Williams accompanied Durham to see that
tee wo-k was well DONE" and Walter
a sliha II the worst should
come TO TIE worst, visited the house Of
neighoo- very early on the eVentful even
lag and remained there until late the next
day. Durham was sentenced to the peni-
Tertiary for life as was also John Williams
The former was taken to the mines, but the
latter remained in Decatur couuty's Jail
UcUQlUR an hODSai 10 EDe supreme COURT,
and Walter Williams was released on
heavy bond, his case not having been
reached. When the news was received that
the supreme court had affirmed the decision
ct this court John Williams by some means
broke out OF jail during the night and d lis
appeared, accompanied by Walter. All this
occurred during the year 1881, ana since
hat time Sheriff L. +. Patterson has bsen
on the look out for the escaped prisoners
Ha mazda GavaFal hlE hafOra
lie reached the town where they we're
they bad disappeared sgaip. They were
traced TO Mexico, Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana. AT last, through some fine
detective work, the sheriff located them In
August, 1892, at Warren, Ark, where
they had been living for six years under
assumed names. They were respected in
the community. and one of the daughters
of Walter Williams had married well-to-
do farmer in that county.
There was great surprise when the sheriff
visited the town aud arrested the two broth
ers, though no one knew the two were re-
lated, one going under the name of Ehrlich
and the other Hays With some little
trouble they were brought back here and
placed In Jail. John Williams hos been
taken to the mines, and Walter Williams
IS in the Townsville jail awaiting his trial,
which will take place next week. Durham
win be brought back from the coal mines
20 testify in the case, aud the probability is
that Walter Will also receive life sentence,
thus ending the history Of one of the most
infamous crimes ever perpetrated.
E. q. Harrell, former resident of this
city, but now living in Adel, on Tuesday
afternoon married one OF Georgia's fairest
daughters, Miss Eva Hodges.
DIR. L. II. Peacock, one OF the most emf.
nent physicians in Georgia, will on next
Wednesday wed one who is the personifica-
ton of loveliness-Miss Minnie Thomas.
formerly OF this county, but now living in
Tallahassee, Fla. The happy couple will
take an extended wedding tour, visiting
various places of interest in Florida and
Cuba
Capt. J. d. Hsrrell of this county will be
a candidate for the position of United States
marshal for the Southern district under
Cievelaud's administration. / know Of no
man who is better fitted for the position.
There are ten applicants for the postmas-
tership at cambridge. Nine of them will
be disappointed, and the tenth will not
mind being left alone In his glory.
The Sweets" of a congresaman-elect is
tempered to great extent by worry, espe-
cially IL it occurs when a new administra-
ton Is about to take charge No doubt
Hon. B. E. Russell experiences this at the
present time, judging from the tremendous
mail he receives. Our congressman will
leave shortly for Washington TO meet his
old-time friends.