Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-22
'CHILDERs IS ARRESTED;
JUDGE HOLDS KENNEDY
Husband of Dead Woman and
Young Boy Both Held on
Murder CHARGE


LEEsBURG. Ca. Sept. N.-Aimost at
the same time that r. c. Kennedy.
charged with the murder OF Mrs. Maude
ChiIderx was ordered held by Judge
Ions. following his preliminary trial.
Mort Childers. husband OF the dead wo-
man. was arrested upon warrant that
was applied for by J. F. Kennedy. father
or &c. kennedy. the young defendant.
The commitment trial OF young Ken
nedy was concluded late yesterday al
terncon and Judge Long stated that suf-
flcient evidence had been presented TO
cause him to order Kennedy held with
out bail 10 the grand jury, which meets
in November.
cnilderz. upon hearing OF the warrant
Ter his arrest. charging him with muir
der. Immediately surrendered. and was
placed IN jail
: Kennedy and Childers both made their
statements at the preliminary trial yes
terdey afternoon
STORY OF CHILDERS.
On the stand Childers was at times
thoroughly composed and when so his
story was even and smooth. But az
other times. and especially when he was
under cross-examination. he manifested
Nervousness and an irritable disposi-
ton though not once a sullenness or a
Teticence. Declaring that his married life
his love for his wife was that of de-
votion. he swept from his eyes a tear.
but quickly regained complete control
Of himself and went on with the re-
cstai
Chnders testified that he bought the
bottle OF Sal Hepatica on the day before
his wifes death and had given II to her:
that on the day before the purchase she
had taken two doses Of the medicine
and that quantity had brought relief.
she took a dose from the bottle on
the morning Of her death before went
away and Il was the next dose. the one
she took Just before her MONDAY meal
that brought her death" said Chfders.
Before leaving the stand Childers ad-
mfffed that after he had had breakfast
and as he was about 10 leave his home
for the train 10 Leesburg that he had
called to her not TO forget her medicine
81 the right time before dinner
He denied that he had told his wife to
keep dinner for him or that he expected
20 Dc back on that 1 o'clock train from
Leezhurg.
On eross-examination he told why he
I'D not reach home on that train. say
ing that business engagement detain-
81 him. he explained that in attending
saax business engagement he had hap
nened 10 be near the telephone booth
when he was advised by the operator that
he was wanted at the phone 1t was
then when the message came 10 him from
Smifhville that his wife was seriously
sick and asking him to come home at
once
ONCE HAD sTRYCHNINE
( Possession BY Mort Childers OF strych-
nine q long time ago was admitted by
him when his attorneys sought to show
he was not wholly unacquainted with
that poison Admitting after pressure by
attorney Fort for the defendant that
even before he was married he explain
ed the possession OF that drug by stat
ing that tie had bought Il TO kin birds
that were damaging his crops. N
what kind OF birds, Childers2' asked
Attorney Fort
Field Iarks.' was the response. and
II Was greeted BY the audience with sup
KENNEDY DENIES GUILT.
Kennedy was brief in his statement
re was on the stand not more than
three minutes He declared emphatieal-
Is. that he had nothing 20 do with pIaeing
sfrxchnlne IN the bottle OF sal hepatica.
He said he had known Ms ChiIders
since his boyhood days. and that he had
a great admiration for her, because she
HAD alrays been kind 10 him. as she
has % every YOUNG Iuall IN ClAliNAlNAtC-
He repudiated the idea that love on his
part Tor Mrs ChIldsrs. saying: Judge.
I'm nothfnE but a kid. as you all see
throughout his statement Kennedy
WAS composed Apparently he was with
ont nerves There was no twitching OF
the face. and as he moved hts hands In
rs gestures il Was without the slightest
Indication q uneasiness. All during the
morning ne sat beside his attorneys.
n4easant smile over his face
lie wax fun OF hope. as was his
friends. and when the judge announced
his conclusion that cooiness did not de-
sert him. Frequently during the trial. as
some feature Of the evidence came out.
he arose TO his feet to better see the
witness Right into the eyes OF witness
he gazed steadily.
The hrevify OF his statement was
sunrise 10 even. his friends His recital
Vas as though be had little to gay. and.
thought the best way was TO use as few
words as possible