The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-14
MRS. HATTIE POPE
PLEADS NOT GUILTY
viii Be Tried for Murder Next
Wednesday
CHARGED WITH MATRIClDE
Though circumstantial Evidence Is
Strongly Against Her the Daugh-
ter Declares She Is Innocent.
Son Will Not Leave Her.

Clanton May 1S.-(SpeciaD Hattie
I. Pope will be tried here next Wednes-
day for the murder of her mother, Mrs
Jane King. The murder was committed
February in the northern part of this
county at the home of the defendant
Mrs. Pope was arraigned before Judge
w. w. Pearson of the circuit court yes
terday afternoon. She plead not guilty and
the case was set for trial next Wednes-
day ]. R. Middleton is attorney for Mrs.
Pope She was brought here yesterday
from Montgomery where she was kept in
Jail on account of the more suitable quar-
tiers.
She declares that she is innocent of the
crime with which she is charged but be-
yond this positively declines to discuss
the matter Her nine-year-old son, an I'M
usually bright lad for his age, occupies
the cell with his mother. She refuses to
allow him to leave her and he insists on
staying by his mother. Two other young
er children are being cared for by rela-
tives in Talladega county
Mrs. Pope is 30 years of age and though
she shows signs of worry and close con-
finement is remarkably cheerful under
the circumstances. She is very tall, stout
and has peculiarly strong face. She is
a decided brunette.
The crime with which she is charged
is one of the most sensational that was
ever perpetrated in this county. About 2
o'clock on the afternoon of February 4
the body of Mrs King was found In the
yard. The skull had been crushed with
some heavy instrument Blood on the
point of smoothing iron near the bory
indicated that that instrument had been
used
1t was found that the daughter, Mrs.
Pope. had left the house and gone to the
home of neighbor about l O'Clock. She
had on fresh dress as a witness de-
scribed it. The babys clothes had also
been changed, 1t appeared.
During the subsequent investigation a
fresh made grave was discovered near
the house and peculiar tracks identified
as those of the daughter led to It, The
baby's clothes were found stained with
blood In wash tub at the well. Mrs.
Pope's bloody clothes were found in
trunk in the house.
Other evidences purely circumstantial
but very strong pointed to the guilt of
the daughter and she was held.
There are some people here, however,
who do not believe that she is guilty.
The trial next week will attract great
attention. Circuit court is engaged this
week in the trial Of civil cases.
There are twenty-five prohibition cases
on the docket for trial next week. The dis
position of these cases will be watched
with interest from the fact that the cases
were appealed from the county court
where Judge Reynolds placed hard labor
penalty on the defendants.
Judge Samuel D. Weakley will make an
address at the court house here next Mon
day night on law enforcement. The meet
ing has been widely advertised and a
large attendance is expected Governor r.
B. Glenn of North Carolina has promised
to make an address along the same line
in the near future. He was invited for
next Monday night but other engage
ments prevented him coming at this time.