Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-14
SEVEN TO FACE TRIAL
FOR STRANGE DEATH
Of MYRTLE HAWKINS
Story From Atlanta That Girl
Was Recently Seen in Jack
SonYiIIe, Fla, Is Now Given
Little CredenCe


FIENDERSONVILLE. y. c.. May IS.
The trial OF A. b Mccall. Beatrice
Mccall. his wife. George Bradley. Bon
ey'' Bradley and Dan Mccall. all charged
with being connected with the death OF
Myrtle Hawkins. whose body is said to
have been found in Lake osceola last
September, viii be called in the Hender-
son county superior court here tOmor-
row or Wednesday.
All cases Of minor Importance on the
docket win be disposed OF before en-
tering upon the Hawkins case. which it
is expected will consume the greater
part OF the three weeks term. Judge
Howard 4. Foushee. OF Durham, is pre-
siding
W. .. SheIlnutt. OF Atlanta. Ca, who
ssays that Myrtle Hawkins is living. is
here as a witness. He says he met her
in Hendersonville in 1910 and 1911. and
talked with her in Jacksonville. Fla.
since her supposed death
The prosecution places little credence
IN the theory that she is still living.
she is reported 10 be in Seattle Wash,
at present -
The trial OF A. B. Mccall. Beatrice Nc
Can. his wife. George Bradley. "Boney''
bradley and Dan Mccall on charges con-
nected with the oath Of Myrtle Hawkins.
whose body is said 10 have been found I'm
Lake Oceola last September. opens here
today The statement OF an Atlanta
travelling man. W. o. SheIlnut. that he
had seen Myrtle Hawkins at Jackson
willie. has added a new elemtn TO the
case. and his presence in Hendersonville
10 testify in. the trials has given rise TO
speculation II the body found in the
lake were really that Of Myrtle Hawkins.
A. B. Mccall, Beatrice Mccall and
George Bradley are charged with muir
der. 'Boney" Bradley is charged with
being an accessory before the fact, and
Dan Mccall with being an accessory
after the fact
The story sent out from Atlanta TO the
erect that an Albanian was alleged to
have reported seeing Myrtle Hawkins in
Jacksonville has caused considerable
comment throughout North Carolina
ATLANTA STORY QUESTIONED
The opinion seems TO prevail that the
girl whose body was recovered from
Lake ,Osceola. near Hendersonville. sew
eral months ago was that Of the Haw-
kins girl. the Atlanta story to the con-
tray There are TOO many things to be
explained away before the public would
credit the report that the girl stin lives
The body found in the lake was identi-
fed by friends and the family as that
OF Myrtle Hawkins: the clothes worn
were those which she had worn on leav-
ing her home when last seen
Ii is charged that parties who aided
in the crime first had a criminal opera
ton performed. Whether the victim died
as a result OF the operation, or from
an overdose OF chlOrOfOrm. Is problem
atical
one OF the greatest legal battles in the
history OF the state viii begin today.
seven persons are held charged with be-
ing either directly or indirectly connect
ed with the case
Suspicion IS said to point strongest to
Young Mccall and young Bradley
Hon. J. F. SpainhOur. OF MOrganton,
\. G. for Il years solicitor OF the Hen
dersonviTIe district. has been called In TO
assist Solicitor Johnson in the prOsecu-
ton. Mr.. Spainhour is one OF the aolest
criminal lawyers in North Carolina- he
recently said that he expected 10 con-
vict at least four or Eve Of the parties
now held
The first preliminary hearing resulted
In a fiasco. and so strong was criticism
over the failure to bring any indictments
that the newspapers and the public took
ND the fight for a reopening OF the case
the governor increased rewards aool-
fional counsel and detectives were called
in. and as sequence seven persons now
await trial
IL is generally believed that there is
nothing 10 the story about the appear
afce of Myrtle Hawkins in Jacksonville
Who killed Myrtle X Hawkins2 Who
concealed the body for several days and
then carried il TO the lake 10 cover sus-
piCion?
Important witnesses for the state nave
been found who viii make sensational
statements. and IL Is believed that the
death Of this beautiful girl will soon be
nrrr.fshai-