The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-15
SYKES TRIAL
 IS CONTINUED Could Not Proceed With
 out a Witness WALKERS SLAYER IN COURT Presence of Dr. Hill Will Be Re-
 quired at Next Term. Farmers of Crenshaw FIJI Luverne Court Room to Hear Details of Tragedy at Rusiedse--Unex-
 pecsed Result.
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WALKERS SLAYER IN COURT
By WILL IT. STEPHAN.


 against walton Sikes. charged with the murder of Virgil Walker, the court was prevented from entering upon the trial by the absence of a witness whose testimony the defense clothed with the greatest importance.
 The State refused to accept the show ing submitted at the last moment for this absent witness and Judge Richard son reluctantly granted continuance until next September.
 The two men had met in deadly fight ct Rutiedge in September or 1905. It was their second fight on that fatal day. Both men were members of lead ing families of Crenshaw county. Both had been reared in the same community but the one who fell was under age while the man who held the kinfe that took his life was above twenty-five years of age. They drank together in the morning but as they drank they fought. Out of this difficulty there came. few hours later desperate and bloody struggle which left young Virgil Walker writhing on the ground with a mortal wound. He fingered for twenty days from the desperate wound the kinfe of walton Sikes inflicted but at the end of the struggle death waited.
 Court Ready for Trial.
 The Circuit Court of Crenshaw County today was ready to pass upon
 
 Walton Slkes, when he sank the knife into the body of Virgil Walker was murder or a. blow to ward of harm from his own body. The court was baked Of it's purpose today by the abs sence of Dr. l.. l.. Hill of Montgom- cry witness called to testify as to the wounds of Virgil Walker.
 The defense, according to the show ing for the absent witness, which was rejected by the State. sought to prove that the wounds that were inflicted up- ca Virgil Walker were not necessarily fatal The showing sought to prove that IF Virgil Walker had received the teet uf r adlrat ana surgical skill he would not have daed and Walton sikes would not be on trial for murder. The State refused to accept the showing as presented by the attorneys for the defense and rather than accept it the prosecuting attorneys said they would take a continuance
 The physician had sent a telegram to the court explaining his inability to be present at the court and when the showing was offered by Attorney D. M. Powell it was refused by Solicit tor C., R. Bricken. Judge Richard son said that he would grant q eontin- uance. He said. however. that as two continuances had been granted for the same reason he would issue an att tachment for the physician for the first day of the trial of the case of Walton Sikes at the next term of court He announced further that the case against Walton Sikes would be the first criminal case put on trial at the September term of the Crenshaw County Court.
 The awkward. yet comprehensive typewritten sentence, in the indict- ments that Walton Sikes did unlaw- fully and maliciously kill Virgil Walk CT by cutting him to death with a knife, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama" epitomizes the tragedy that has saddened the homes of two of Crenshaw County,s prominent families. One household grieves that Virgil Walker. a youth of promise fills an untimely grave. The sorrow of another household is at least as keen that a son and brother, has the blood of fellow man on his hands and stands before the law with the charge of murder on his head.
 The father of the dead boy, for he was but a boy when he fell by the knife, is John Frank Walker, for six years Judge of Probate of Crenehaw County. The dead boys grand father, Beverly Allen Walker, for eighteen years was Probate Judge of the coun- ty and since this section of East Ala bama was first opened to civilization by the settlers from Virginia, the Cara linas and Georgia, the Walkers have been held in the highest esteem and consideration by their neighbors
 The sikes are among the leading families of the county They have been people of thrift and industry good farmers. successful store keep ers-people who were leaders in their community rather than followers. In business affairs. in the support of the churches and schools. which form so large a part of the life of a rural com munity, they had their part and share.
 Walton sikes. who stood at the bar today to plead to the charge of murder was not so good a manager as the other members of the family. He was a bit of a rover. He went to Texas the goal of the Alabama boy in the country when he is dissatisfied and when he sees that the hills are green far off" But he had no luck In Texas He did not do so well in Texas and he came back to his father and brothers In Crenshaw County, He had married in Texas and he brought back with him his wife and child.
 Virgil Walker who died at his hands. had not become a man, in the sight of
  clinched with Walton Sikes and the nerciless knife ripped out his life. He was a bright and attractive boy, a favorite in the community in which he lived. a boy given a place in the eaeem of hls elders rarely accorded one of his age.
 Tragedy At Rutledge.
 These were two that met in RutledEe on that September morning. and when the two were separated one lay upon the ground fatally hurt and the other when he was pulled away had blood on his hands.
 Rutledge until few years ago. was the county seat of Crsnshaw County. but the court house was moved to put if near the railroad and In the stirring town of Luverne, which had grown up at the end of the railroad. The old town of Rutledge with it's empty court house square. its shade tresA. tts gem eral stores with ths verandahag and