The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-05-30

w
county outlaw. preliminary arrange
Tnents for whose trial for the alleged
murder Of Judge Thornton l. Massie
were begun, is the youngest son OF
FLOYD Allen, who was convicted of
murder in the firsS degree Friday, and
who is regarded as the arch conspir-
ator'' of the plot which led to the
HiIlsville shooting.
TO Judge by the evidence given in
the case of Floyd Allen, his boy
Claude is almost certain to suffer
fate similar TO that of the father. In
deed, the statements of witnesses al
ready examined indicate that Claude
had a much more active hand in the
tragedy than did his father
He admits shooting at least four
times at Clerk Dexter GOad, but de-
mics that he killed Judge Massie. The
Commonwealth is relying chiefly on
the statement of Judge Bolen, coun-
sci for Floyd Allen on the day of the
court room tragedy. Judge BOlen says
that he saw Claude fire at Judge
Massie and also observed the juriSt
finch Immediately after Claude had
exploded his revolver. Other wit
neSses have, In large measure, corro-
borated this testimony.
The accused. however, insists that
he fired in self-defense and only az
ter he observed things leading him to
believe that the court officials had de-
termined to slay his father. He pos
sibly derives hope from the ante-mor-
tenn statement Of Judge Massie, who
said that Sidna Allen shot him.
Claude Allen Is only twenty-five
years old and heretofore has lived on
his fathers farm in the Fancy Gap
section Of Carroll. He is not married,
but testified in his fathers case that
he was engaged and had expected TO
lead his sweetheart to the altar some
time this spring.
The young man, who now seeming
" stands in the shadow of the cleo
fric chair. Is far from being a des-
perado either In manners or appear
ance.
He is six feet high and weighs prob
ably It's pounds. His hair is raven
black, but his eyes are blue. Like
ali the Aliens. he has small, we'll
shaped feet, though his hands, owing
20 hard work. are above the average
size.
He dresses neatly-usually In black
and shows taste in the selection OF
his attire.
Claude Allen is. perhaps. the most
polished and wOrldly-wise of all HE
clan, unless one excerpts his fugitive
uncle, Sidna Allen, who has been to
Alaska and Honolulu and who may be
at one of these places now, for all
the detectives know. The young man
took part of a high school course in
studied shorthand and typewriting at
a business college in Raleigh.
On the witness stand Claude denied
that he had brought a pistol 20 Hills
Vile. He said that on the night be-
fore the shooting he and his brother.
Victor, stayed at the town hotel. Vic
tor had a revolver, but said he left
IT in his room just before going to
breakfast. Thinking the weapon
might SO astray his brother, Claude.
put IL in his pocket.
And, unfortunately, he took it to the
courthouse and used it. That was the
fatal mistake he made. If he goes TO
the chair it will be his brother, Vic
tors, pistol that sends him there.
Staples TO Preside.
Judge Waller r. Staples, who pre-
sided at the trial OF Floyd Allen, will
also preside at the trial of Claude
Allen anG in the other cases to follow
1t has never been supposed for g
minute that Judge A. A. Campbell, who
was named as the successor of the late
Judge Campbell Massie, would figure
in the trials. Nor is there any great
mystery about his not doing so.
The truth is that Immediately
after the tragedy of March 18th,
lac expressed himself pretty
strongly about the crime and pos
sibly also offered 10 assist the
State in the prosecution. OF
course, he did not then know that
he was TO be appointed judge of
the circuit. Under the circum-
stances Judge Campbell. of
course, realized that il would not
do for him to sit in the cases.
Governor Mann on Friday mailed
Judge Campbell his commission, anC
the latter qualified Saturday. He i'm
mediately entered an official order 70
the appointment by the Governor of
judge to sit for him. Accordingly tn
mantle of responsibility again fell o.
Judge Staples.
Expect Venire to Be Exhausted.
It is not believed that the 100 veni
remen summoned for examination to
day at Wytheville will suffice to pro
duce a jury, and the probabilities ar
that If this proves the case, anothe
venire will be summoned from an
other county.
Sentence has not yet been passed o.
Floyd Allen, as he will be allowed t.
testify in behalf Of his accused kins
men.
See Panama Now.
American genius, capacity and in
dustry have made two continent
where but one existed before The