The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-12-15
HISTORY OF THE
REAVES KILLING
Continued from third page.
MISS MAGGIE LOU RAGSDALE

Continued from third page.
MISS MAGGIE LOU RAGSDALE
was the next witness called. and. with
the exception of the defendant himself,
her evidence was listened TO with mo, 9
interest, perhaps than that OF any
other witness She testified that she
is now 26 years of age and that she
has resided at the home of her uncle,
Mr. Chas. Rountree, since her mother
died. at which time sne was four years
of age. She testified concerning the
family sffairs of the RountIees; of Lee
KOuntIee and his fatneI, MI. Chas
Rountree, of the i'll health of her aunt,
Mrs. Chas Rountree; of tho affilctIon
OF defendants wife, ETC., ali OF which
coToborated the testimony of the de.
PENDANT. She was questioned at some
length by Mr.. Hughes, concerning tne
domestic affairs in the ROuntree nome,
and answered the questions put to her
in straightforward manner, her tes-
timony in regard to these Things osing
identical with that of other witnesses.
Witness testimony In regard to the
friendly relations bet ween the Koun
tree and Reaves families; of the
friendly relation between Mrs. Lee
Rountree and Mrs. Jonn Reaves, and
Mrs. Reaves' influence over Mrs.
Rountree when she became unruly of
the frequent visiting between Mrs
Reaves and Mrs RountTee and bet ween
John Reaves and Lee RountTee; of the
cordial and nelghboIly feeling between
the two men, and their ia miles: .of
their association in the thIesher and
logging business. ana the exchanging
of farm work, the borrowing OF eacn
other g forming tools, and in fact, the
entire evidence IN this respect fully
oroborated the testimony OF the de-
PENDANT himself and the testimony of
E. Tucker, the nearest ueighbor OF
the two families.
O DO you know of any change In
the cordial relations between Lee
Rountree and John Reaves up to the
death OF John Reaves.
A Il do NOT.
Q-Was there any time during the
su INNER or fal! before John Reavss
death that be would not speak to Lee
Rountree?
Aft there was never knew of II.
OF there had been as much as
two weeks during that time they die
not speak to each Other would you
have noticed it?
A.-Yes sir.
@ Was here time during the fall
or summer tnat as much Ms week
passed when John Reaves was not in
the RountIee home?
Aft there was, / don't remember
it
O When you went with Lee
Rountree to the Reaves home, how
did Mr. Reaves treat you and MI.
Rountree!
A.-As nice and friendly as could
be. Witness testified that at the time
of the killing of John Reaves, Lee
Rountree was sleeping up stairs in the
roo over the parlOT. The second
little gill slept with him usually. Mr..
Charlie RountIee slept up stairs in the
room across toe nall from his son.
There are no other rooms up stairs and
the only way to reach them is by the
steps in the front hall. The rear poT
tion of the house is only one story
nigh. witness slept down stairs witt
her aunt, ana they hLd the other two
children in tue room with them.
On the evening before the death of
Reaves, witness SAID Lee RountIee was
up stairs getting ready to go to the
lodge at Spring Hill, and called wiz
ness and asked her about black vest
to wear. Witness did not know wheie
it was, and went up to "Buddys'
Lee RountTee't) room to find it.
Couldn't find it and he said he would
wear q grey vest. Rountree went to his
r. raf tho nrou root Had lau1V
in one hand and black coat on his arm.
banded witness the Lamp and she pat
ii on the washstand. Saw him put !
on the grey vest but did not see min |
put on the coat. Witness did no. |
notice what kind of coat he had on
saw Rountree and Reaves when they /
left tue yard in the buggy, but did |
net notice coat.
Witness retired that night between /
eight ana nine O'Clock. Knew Roun-
tree and ReaVes were going to Spring
Hill to the Masonic lodge. They had
gone together every time they had
been; and sometimes some other party
vent with them. The next time wit
ness saw noHntree, was when he re-
,urned from the lodge. Heard him
knocking ard calling her at the door
10 his mother 8 room on the south
porch. The door was fastened frem
he inside and witness got up to let
hin in. Witness opened the uoOg AMI
struck a match to light lamp. Roam
zee went tn the mantle, asked ABOUT
aking little girl up stairs; witness old
aim the little girl was asleep and Mt
. move her, aGd Roultfss went 4t0