Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-12
STRANGE CASE.
Of ORVAL
HEAD
AGED MAN is CHARGED WITH
KIDNAPPING BOY CHANGED
HIS NAME AND WAS BAPTIZ-
ED AS JOHNNY BROWN.

In a maze Of conflicting testimony evil
dence in the case Of c. NJ. Hammond
charged with the kidnapping OF 12-year-old
Orvai Head was concluded Monday after
noon before Judge John s. Gambler, just
before the court took recess for dinner.
Hammond is charged with the kidnap-
ing of this boy July 81, 1901. According
to the child's story, the old man put him
in a wagon driven by his son, Hugh
Hammond, and told him If he did not
submit to be taken at that time he
would be caught and carried where he
would never see his mother again. he
was then carried in the wagon by Ham
mond's son 10 the home OF James Prtf-
chett in Douglas county, where ne re-
NAMED for I'VE months under the name or
Johnny Brown.
Hammond and the Pritchetts tell entire.
" another story. The boy, Hammond
saws Orval told him he was running away
because. his mother beat him so. The
Pritchetts say they knew him only as
Johnny Brown, and that he worked on
their farm and had perfect liberty. he
was even baptized into the church In
Douglas county under. the name of john
nv Brown. Mr.. Pritchett testified that
when he at last discovered the boys
identity and sought to bring him homes
the child did not want to come.
As a motive for the alleged kidnapping
the prosecution sets UP the theory that
old man Hammond wanted Mrs. Lula
Head. the boys mother, to offer a reward
for his return she having lately received
some money from a street car company
on account of her husbands DEATH One
witness testified that some time after the
boy disappeared, he asked Hammond II
he supposed he was dead and he replied
that If the mother would offer a reward
The boy would come to light soon enough.
&C. 1g~rsr h.nfr q
and the Heads, both of whom live near
each other about four miles west OF At
Ianta. seems to have had its beginning
some time before the boys disappearance.
Hammond kept g little store and there
was some trouble about trade.
The evidence showed without question
that the Hammonds, father and son. were
well enough aware OF the lads where
abouts. as the son took the boy TO Pritch-
ett's and the father visited there at least
twice while the boy made their place his
home Neither OF them, however, accord
ing to Pritchett's testimony, ever told
him Of the boys identity. Pritchett fur
Their testified that the lad was under no
confinement. but went to church and pro-
tracted meeting and about the country at
viii.
In telling Of his alleged kidnapping. the
Head child said old man Hammond told
his boy to drive away with him and added:
''They can't do anything to you, anyway,
for KIDNAPPING, because you are not or
age"
Hammond is an old man OF venerable
mien. His face is forid. his hair is iron
gray and curls over his neck and temples.
His hands and fingers were tremulous as
he listened to the evidence, especially to
the statement Of Mrs Head. accusing him
OF decoying away her SON. When he took
the stand to make his statement he was
evidently much affected and spoke dra-
maticalIy Of the way he understood Mrs.
Head abused the boy.
''I have heard It said" he declared.
that she beat this same boy until the
floor was two inches deep in blood!'
Attorney T. J. Ripley, who represented
Hammond, insisted that the boy had run
away to escape his mother.
Look at her, gentlemen" he cried.
pointing at Mrs. Head. You can tell she
is a regular spitfire! She beat the boy.
He was afraid of her, and he ran awayf'
ct didn't" calculated Mrs Head.