The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-08-02
GUILTY" is VERDICT
IN THE ALLEN CASE.
Found Guilty of Murder in
First Degree as Charged
In the Indictment.
FRIEL TO BE TRIED NEXT.
Fiancee and Mother of Prisoner
Wept-Sentence Deferred.
(Roanoke Times).

oIllllR anu Will dIl diI VI COull-
dence that long Imprisonment appa-
rently can not blight, Claude Allen,
who yesterday evening heard jury
pronounce him guilty of murder in
the first degree, stepped from the
train at the Norfolk & Western sta
tion at 10:45 o'clock last night, to-
gether with the other prisoners who
are held for their part in the muir
der of court officials at Hillsville.
If the verdict of the jury, with all
the dismal prospects it might con-
vey, made any impression on the
young member of the Allen clan, who
three times was tried for his con-
nection with the Hillsville tragedy,
it was not marked on his features
He spoke pleasatly to several of the
detectives whom he knew and who
were at the station to accompany the
prisoners to the Jail The other
members of the Allen family, includ-
ing Floyd, Victor and Friel Allen and
Sidney Edwards, manifested much
the same attitude.
The change in the appearance Of
all the Aliens since their first trip to
this city has been great. With the
exception of Floyd, the father and
uncle of the others, the change has
been for the better. The swarthy tan
a product of the mountain winds, has
disappeared. They dress neatly and
with care.
In the case of Floyd Allen, how
ever, the prison air and the suffering
which he has undergone has caused a
pallor. He has lost weight and walks
on his crutches with some difficulty.
He was taken to the Jail last night in
an automobile, the other prisoners
being able to walk.
The Aliens were guarded by De-
tectives w. G. Baldwin, E. G.. Bald
win, R. A. Horgan and Arthur Brim.
From the station they were taken to
the Jail by way of Shenandoah ave-
nue. to avoid the Saturday night
crowds. A few persons, doubtless
suspecting that the Aliens would re-
turn to this city with the close of
the trial yesterday, gathered at the
depot and in front of the jail
Wytheville, Va, July 27.-The jury
in the case of the Commonwealth VS..
Claude Allen for the murder of w. M.
Foster were sent to their room at
2:30 p. m. and at o'clock returned
with the verdict of murder in the first
degree.
At the former trial Claude Allen
was found guilty of murder in the
second degree for killing Judge T.
L. Massie.
This gives the extreme penalty of
the law to the only two of the Allen
clan thus far tried for the shooting
up Of the court in Carroll on the
14th of March.
The court adjourned until August
18th, when the others of the clan now
in custody will be tried.
Court House Packed.
The court house was packed and
the stiffness was tense when the jury
was brought in. The verdict was an
nounced by Foreman Keys. Miss
Wisler, Claude Aliens sweetheart,
who sat by him, began to weep softly
as the verdict was given. Claude
seemed to be distressed more by the
girls distress than by his own fearful
position and tears came into his eyes,
a few rolling down his cheeks.
Several of the jurors were deeply
moved and wept visibly. Foreman
Keys cheeks being wet and his voice
tremulous as he answered the formal
question. There was no demonstra-
tion of any kind in the court room.
Claude Breaks Down.
When Claude Allen was taken back
to Jail he recovered his composure.
His father, Floyd Allen, seemed to be
shaken and startled when told of the
result, but remarked in a formal kind
of way that he could hardly believe
it. Mrs. Allen, the mother of the
man just convicted first inquired of
the detectives what they thought of
the chances for new trial. Told
as considerably as possible that
probably there was no chance on earth
she broke down absolutely, threw her
arms around Claude's neck and wept
pitifully.
To Try Friel Next.
Friel Allen, first cousin of Claude,
will be put on trial August ID, ac-
cused of the murder of Mr.. Foster.
The allegations are that this killing
was particuary cold blooded, as Friel
is said by witnesses for the prosecu-