The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-21
MURDER OF CAPT. }. B. ADAMS.
nosrA PRISONER CHARGES 1T
TO THE MOBLEYs.

r.oIthy Land Owners Said TO have
xuad Adams Because of Trouble
n.r Timber-J. II. Harreu Makes
.ational Confession, Charging
Nurder to William and John
wobIey. on Whose Place He Was
r,opt-The MObIeys Are Under
,.rest Mt Statewide.
,,o1aosta. Ca, July 2O.-The deputy
.berjff of Echols county came here this
wing after 7. R. Harrel, who is
1a6,ad here under a charge implicat-
- hin, in the murder of Capt. j. B.
,sor,s in Echols county several weeks
The deputy returned to his home
,,itnout his prisoner, and thereby
hangs a sensational story.
tba time Harrell was arrested, two
wealthy land owners, William and
1,h, NIobley, were also arrested, all
81 them being implicated in the killing.
The Mobeys were sent to Statewide
Cor confinement and Harren was
,,rouobt TO this city, the object being
20 keep the men separated with the
hone of getting something in the way
Of evidence out of one of them. The
-la, has worked well, for the solicitor
General of the circuit is now in pos
session of a signed statement from
1Iorrol duplicating both of the Mob
Ievs in the killing, and furnishing
very strong chain of evidence against
them. Harrell was a half cropper for
william Mobley and lived near him.
In Harrells statement. he discloses
threats which he alleges the Mobleys
have made against him if he should
omen his mouth in regard to the crime,
those threats having been made prior
IN the crime. He also discloses sensa-
tional measures which he alleges the
Moblevs and those who are working
for them have resorted to to close his
month. His statement, together with
other discriminating evidence in the
hands of the solicitor general, makes
a very strong network of evidence
against the men.
The sheriff of Echols county attempt
ed to move Harrell to Statewide sew
eral days ago, but he protested and
appealed to the solicitor general to
prevent his removal, declaring that he
had fears for his personal safety If he
should be moved from here, in view of
what he alleges the Mobleys told him
in the event he should say nothing.
The killing of Capt. Adams created
a great sensation in that section of the
country. He was a tie inspector for
the Baxter Company, which had been
at law over lands with the Mobleys
and had won their suit. He had some
ties cut on this land, and hauled to
the railroad to be moved by the train.
He learned of threats of burning the
ties, and went to the place to guard
them during the night. While
on guard, he was fired upon
from ambush and was killed. In
view of the trouble which had existed
between the Baxter Company and the
Mobleys, suspicion pointed to them and
all three of the men were arrested.
1t is understood that the Mobleys have
made application for bail, and the case
will be heard in Savannah next Sat-
urday.
News reached here to-day of a rather
serious wreck on a tram road at In
verness, Fla. the road running to a
mill owned by Mr.. T. G.. Crawford and
other parties of this city. 1t seems
that the engineer left his engine and
three cars standing on the track, while
he went off a short distance. While
he was absent some one crawled UP in
the cab and turned on the steam. The
train ran wild for some distance, run
ming on to the main line of the Plant
System, and smashing into cars there,
making a bad wreck, though no one
sustained any injury.
In the ball game here yesterday even
ing, between the Fats and Leans, the
latter won by a score of to 6. The
contest was a lively one between old
time ball players, and it was witnessed
by large and enthusiastic crowd.