The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-24
M'EWEN BELIEVES
FATHER MURDERED
He Advances Reasons Against
Suicide Theory
STILL AT WORK ON CASE
Divided About Affair, Many BE-
ing Inclined to Think Man
Took His Own Life

William B. McEwen, son of Frank C.
McEwen, who was found dead near
Mountain Creek Tuesday afternoon re-
turned to Birmingham yesterday from
Mountain Creek, where he has been
since the news of the killing of his
father reached Birmingham.
Mr.. McEwen states that there is no
also says that he does not believe that
his cousin, Frank Snyder, had anything
to do with the killing. In regard to the
case against young Snyder, he says that
the nephew of the dead man was able
to account for every minute of his time.
In support of the theory that his father
was murdered and did not commit sui
eide. Mr.. McEwen advances the follow
ing reasons: The wound was in such a
position that McEwen could not have in
ficted 1t himself. There were no pow
der burns on his head. The small bottle
that was found near where he was lying
was found to contain only a few drops
of gun oil
1T is a known fact that my father
purchased a revolver before he left Bir-
mingham," said Mr.. McEwen last night
but this has never been found. His
coat and pocketbook were also missing
and have never been found. All of these
point to murder and not suicide.
IT have not decided what 1 shall do
in the matter as yet. The sudden death
of my father knocked me all in heap.
The corober and the sheriff are not
working together on the case. When
have thought out the matter 1 will de-
termine what steps I shall take.
"I was very glad that my cousin,
Frank Snyder, was released. 1 do not
think that he had any connection with
the killing. Befores the coroner's jury
he was able to account for practically
every minute of his time He estab-
lished an alibi and was released on his
promise to appear before the jury Mon
day. when the hearing will be resumed
LAS to whether my father had an en-
envy in Mountain Creek I am unable to
say. l did not know anything about the
matter This was the first time that he
had been in Mountain Creek for many
years Tt seems that my father bought
a gun before he left Birmingham, and
he was not In the habit of carrying
revolver. From this I should think that
he feared for his life"
still Working on Case
Mountain Creek, September 2S.-tSpec-
iaI. )-Special Sheriff Cats Deputy Sheriff
Long and Justice of the Peace j. d. sims
worked here all day gathering evidence
and following clues in regard to the mys-
terious McEwen killing which occurred
here last Tuesday. They went to their
respective homes tonight as far from a
correct solution of the case as ever. Al
though Sheriff Cats declares that he be-
lleves the affair case of murder ana
that he will eventually bring the criminal
to Justice, the authorities admit that
they are somewhat baffled.
The body has been buried and VIII
McEwen. son of the dead man. returned
to Birmingham today The coat which
McEwen wore when he was last seen alive
has not yet been found nor has the gun,
which he is supposed to have carried and
with which he would have shot himseif
had the case been suicide, ever been 10
Gated. McEwen was shot on the left side
OF his head almost directly above the ear
and his hair was not powder burned.
His son stated here today that his father
was a right-handed man and hence would
have shot himself on the right side If
he had taken his own life.
No direct evidence can be attached TO
anv of the suspects which have been
held by the authorities. The sheriff ana
his deputies have not given up the case
by any means and will return mere To-
morrow to resume the investigation.
some of the citizens of this village claim
their belief In the suicide theory and
others that McEwen was murdered.
Postmaster ]. B. Gray said this evening;
IT myself believe that Mr.. McEwen com
mtted suicide. l have lived here for five
years and have never heard of any trou-
Bile occurring between any person mere
and Mr.. McEwen. / know almost the
entire neighborhood and II such threats
had been made 1 feel sure that | would
have known of them. There Is a posi-
bilitv that McEwen made the statement
in Birmingham about having an enemy
here as a ruse to cover up what he really
intended to do