The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-23
ASSASSIN IS IN SHADOWOF ROPE {" SAYS GOV. O'NEAL Is Determined That Fair Name of State Shall Be
 Vindicated
 
HAS LITTLE TO SAY
 OF ACTUAL PLANS
But After the Coroners Investigation Today Definite Course of Action Will Be Deter
 mined Upon

The man who assassinated Felix El-
 lard is in the shadow of the rope. | He may be at his own fireside in the
 midst of his children; he may be hiding ! in the caves of the mountain with the
 murderous musket c1asped close to his | breast; he may be conscience-racked,
 far from the scene of his crime-but
 he is in the shadow of the rope. | That man is certain to suffer the hor-
 rible vengeance of the law.
 Governor O'Neal may not know the name of the murderer. He does not state as much, however. He is silent But he is determined that the good name of Alabama shall be vindicated 1 The honor of the state," he says, ''is
 at stake"
 | The governor does not make known
 his plans. Tt would be folly" he said last night. Ito spread the news broad cast even were l determined to em- ploy the services of William J. Burns. ! But the law must be supreme in Ala
 bama. The bloody story of Beat 22 is at an end"
 Governor O'Neal has never been more serious, more thoughtful, more determined than at the present time. Yesterday, with 1 Sheriff McAdory and other officials Of 1 Jefferson county he spent at Lewisburg | He visited the scene of the murder of El-
 lard He stood behind the ambush where the murderer stood. In his imagination he pointed gun. In his imagination he saw the old man fall headlong from his buggy, the assassin smile in satisfaction
 and snk away.
 | After making careful inspection of | this locality he visited Mrs. Ellard. He | heard the wife tell the story of the crime, or that part of the story with which she is familiar. He heard her ex- press the fear that her son would suffer l the fate of the husband. He saw the eyes of the good woman fill with tears. | When he left, he was more determined | than ever that the great state of Alabama shall make itself stronger than the strength of any man, be he one who walks in the paths of righteousness, or one who with deadly weapon, peerng from behind an ambuscade, seeks his enemy to kill.
 "The good name of Alabama is at stake" stated the governor at the Morris last night. We are determined that the name of the state shall be yindicated. Since my arrival l have discussed the sit ua ton with the sheriff, with the special attorneys, with the solicitor, and with other people in authority. Every one is l heartily in sympathy and is determined | to labor in one accord. The state is de- l termined that every man shall do his duty in this emergency. The coroner s | jury will investigate the death of MT. El- | lard Saturday at 10 o'clock Thereafter | we will probably determine on what plan l to pursue. But you may rest assured | that the government will not permit one | man, or one set of men, operating in one | little beat in one county of the state to | cause the commonwealth to suffer through the notoriety of series of atrocious crimes as Breathitt county. Kentucky. has suffered. The man who killed Felix FL
 lard is in the shadow of the rope. l As stated, Governor ONeal has not di- vulged his plans. He may employ de- | tectiye or a number of detectives. and trust to the wisdom of the legislature | t, approve his action. Already he may l be in possession of facts which will lead
 to the apprehension of the murderer. In
 this regard he says nothing.
 | But he will not increase the reward offered for the capture of Ellard's slayer | But should the board of revenue offer a reward of $5000 he will not criticise that board and should, subsequently. a state examiner report that the board had no right to take such action. he will not take cognizance of the report
 l 1t has been determined that there is no
 need of a special session of the grand jury. But the state and the county are
 working indefatgably and with strange | determination From the indications, a
 sensation may be developed. The gover-
 nor moves as if he has something up his
 sleeve and that that something may be sprung at any moment.
 | He will remain in Birmingham until 3
 o'clock this afternoon.