The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-20
Charles R. Smith Tells Why He Killed Laurent Last
 Friday
SMITH IS REARRESTED
 AFTER FURNISHING BAIL
The Slayer of Laurent Tells of the Bit ter Family Secret That Led to the killing-He Is Again Com
 mitted to Jail.

Columbus, Miss, January 9.-(Special D. Two sensational developments in the case of Charles Smith, the wealthy Lowudes county planter. who killed Eugene A. Laurent, the representative of the Sim mons Hardware company of St. Louis, last Friday afternoon at Artesia, wero sprung upon the already excited public today and interest in the case is now at fever heat. The first chapter of history to be added today came this morning early, when it became known that sev- eral of MT. Smiths friends held a meet ing at zaek P. Landrums offices last night and Mr Smith for the first time since the killing made known his reasons for the act.
 Your representative called on MT Lam drum. MT. Smiths attorney, who gave out d statement to the effect that it was MT. Smiths desire to give his friends the first statement and through his friends to havo this statement communicated to public. that My. Smith has stated positively, without concealment of any humiliating detail that the ruin of his daughter, his only child, by the deceased CLaurenD, was the sole motive of the killing"
 Second Chapter Added.
 The second chapter was added this aft ernoon about o'clock, when Sheriff Prowen, armed with an affidavit signed by J. s. Laurent. brother of the dead man, arrived in Columbus just exactly an hour before the affidavit which charges MT. Smith with murder was signed, ar rested MT. Smith and carried him to the courthouse.
  the deceased and he was accompanied to Columbus by K. T. McConnico, one of the prominent lawyers of Nashville. Upon their arrival in Columbus they imme- diately held consultation with Betts ts Sturdivant, the local firm of lawyers that represented the prosecution at the preliminary trial last Saturday afternoon, held at Artesian before Justice Mitchell.
 Preliminary Trial.
 The facts of the preliminary trial of Saturday are still fresh in the minds of the people. The state introduced two witt resses who testified to the details of the shooting, the action of Laurent rl hiding behind Mir. Rogers, one of the witnesses, and other unimportant facts. Mir Smith was the only witness in his defense. His plea that about four months ago he and the deceased had an irreconclable difference or misunderstand- ing and that the sight of MT. Laurent. whom he saw Friday afternoon for the first time since the difference arose, caused this brainstorm and such violent passion that he struck him with his unl- brella. Laurent's hiding behind Rogers and then running toward the baggage room and his actions just he (Smith) reached the baggage room door, possessed him with the Idea that Laurent desired to make the encounter a death struggle. and then he killed him in self-defense. Justice Mitchell released Mr. Smith upon sS00o bail for his appearance before the Lowndes county grand jury next Monday morning.
 Community Aroused.
 Mr Smiths statement this morning and the arrest this afternoon have intensely aroused the entire community. Charles R. Smith, the defendant, was one of the richest men in Lowndes county. His country home. three miles from Artesa. is nothing less than a palace. He is known in Columbus high-minded citizen and his business sagacity is of the keenest order. He is a widower with only one daughter. the one whom all eyes are turned in this tragedy, Miss Estells Smith.
 z. P. Landrum was seen this morning and he declared that he regarded Mr Smiths second arr IHN gF Nsz than persecution al ar said that Mir. smith SHlrrcs afternoon and his sl slasegpla taa were abundantly sI -tDnr every fair-minded citi; ing. He said he hao rara defense and regarded t fectly justifable under the unwritten law as we'll as in sef-defense.
 Lawful Action.
 MT Sturdivant of the prosecution was found at the Stone hotel in conference with Mr McConnico, the Nashville law yer; MT. Laurent brother of the dead man, and his partner, MT. Betts. MT. Sturdivant said that the prosecution did rot consider the evidence as introduced last Saturday sufficient to allow MT. smith ball in any sum. He said the ac- tion of today in having MT. Smith re- arrested was perfectly lawful and they desired to have every detail of the kill- ing and it's cause which inspired 1t aired in open court.
 Today's affidavit was sworn before Justice Beverly Matthews of Columbus. Deputies were sent to Artesa this aft ernoon to summons witnesses for tho second preliminary hearing tomorrow morning.
 It is thought the witnesses can be sa- cured in time to have the hearing at 10 o'clock Mr Smith is in jail tonight and will remain there until the matter comes before the courts again. This afternoon many of his friends, the most substantial business men of the town and county, called on him.
 Gift of Rockefeller.
 Chicago, January 19.-John D. Rocke-