The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-17

u
His mother is ia very poor health and Al
times her mind is affected
Witness had known Jno. Rsayes
since last fall year ago. He bought
an adjoining farm. He had wife and
! five children, aged 10, 10, 10, 8 and
6 respectively. The childreu went to
school at Theta, as did also the children
of witness, and they went together.
Witness and Reases had been closely
associated in business for some time,
owning a thresher together, hauling
wood and logs and trading as partners
IN sheep and hogs Reayos came to
his house two or three times a week
and entered as one of the family. He
visited Reayes' home 10 the same way.
Witness had been 10 Nashville with
ReaVes, and had taken Reaves with him
to see his wife at the asylum. His wife
was treated for five months 10 Nashville
She was afflicted when Reavee moved to
the neighborhood. Mrs. Reayes and
witness wife were frequently together
| hey visited each Other frequently. anG
Mrs. Reaves had waited upon his wife
great deal during her illness. 1t was
true that witness had attended the com
mehcemeDt exercises at Theta with Mrs
Reaves. They sat on the front bench
and the children sat with them when it
was not their time to be in the exercises.
Reaves and witness were members of
the same lodge, and took their degree to-
gether. They hauled logs from about
two miles back of Theta. Did not Know
OF house within half mile of there
Sometime prior to Reaves death Mr..
BratGen spent the night with witness
Witne IS asked him what was the matter
with Reaves. Bratten replied that be
didn't know Why? Witness said that
he was 10 town at the show with Reaves
one day and they started across the
street. A wagon came near running over
ReaYes, but witness pulled him back
and out the way, and said Look cut
there. he replied that he didn { care
he would just as soon be dead as
alive
1t was true that he had gone to the
house on the day before the killing
to get clevis. Saw Mrs. Reaves in
the front door. Asked her where Reaves
was; she rel lied that he had gore to
Theta. she asked him if there was any
word he wanted to leave for him. He
said none unless it was that he was
thinking of going to the lodge that
night. Did not stay at the house over
five minutes.
Witness Was not at Mr.. Stanley's at
night, but was there in the morning.
Helped pnt corpse III the coffin. Then |
wen out o the porch to wash his hands. |
Severa' persons we're there. Mrs. Reay es
came ont there too Had no conversa-
ton with Mrs. Reaves then.
After witness had gone to Theta that |
afternoon he saw Reaves and they |
arranged TO go 10 Spring Hill that night
TO the lodge. Ii was their custom |
to o together.
He next saw Reaves in his (wItness') |
yard. He came in gate TO side yard |
walking and leading his horse. Witness
was up stairs and asked Maggie Lou
where his dark vest was she could |
not find it, and he said We'll, I'll just
wear this grey one.'' Witness wore a
to him in the court room
were the ores he wore and also the vest.
Odd you wear this coat? The
coat with tile alleged blood stains
Al did not. | wore the coat to
match the vest was looking for.
When he came down stairs witness
out of the buggy and htched
up tn, horse. Reaves had his blind
bride on the horse. On the way to
Spring Hill they stopped at commisary
at the mines There they saw Muller
in front of the commissary. They then
went on to Spring Hill and got there
about seven O'CLOCK and remained there
about two and one half hours Com
ing back Mr.. Stephenson rode part of
the way on the back of the buggy.
They had short conversation with
Henry Thompson at the place where
Thompson turned off. Remained there
ten or fifteen minutes. Then went home
They took out the horse in the y yard, put
The harness in the buggy, and Reaves
ed the horse on home. Tney had stop
ped at the west end of the house and
came around to the south side at the
gate.
As they passed Reaves' house on way
nome witness suggested that they stop |
It Reaves' house and he would pull
he buggy on home, but Raaves would
rot do It. After Reaves had left wit
ness went on the porch and knocked on
lie mothers room door. He knocked
md called twice before Maggie Lou
opened the door. He went through the
Dom and up the stairs and to sleep ia a
lew minutes. Did not leave the room
again that night and awoke about four
,r five clock next morning and called
he cook, then went to find the horse.
Did not find him and went to the barn
where he found Chas Blair and Lee
Jarrigan. He went to 5he we'll, and
rhiIe there the bell at the house began 4
% ring and continued to ring One OF
hem remarked that there must be some &
hing wrong. They started TO the house
md met Elmer Reaves, who said that his I
ather had been found dead at the Darn. I
Vent TO Reaves home. The body was [
) ing 10 the hall Wept into the house \
nd spoke to Mrs. Reaves and all the
hidren. AS he went out he met Boyd
dcKnight.
Witness said he did not remove Mrs. j
Seaves bonnet, though he may have d
ouched it. He went to where tho body
vas found and they found little money, |
nd few o'her articles commonly car.
led by farmers. Saw no signs of a
trugge, but good deal of blood.
Witnssa ram 4ined about the pIace |