The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-04-16
ARRESTS n
THELAkE MYSTERY
Developments Which Are Ex-
pected to Enmesh Others in
the Myrtle Hawkins Case at
HenderSOnVille
Especial to News and Observer

NopGAioi " ANS"o ~
Hendersonville, n. c.. April 12.-
Although a month has expired since
the first interesting developments in
the Myrtle Hawkins mystery and the
next term OF court will not convene
for a month yet, interest has by no
| means died out in this case, which
has attracted such wide attention and
carries with it many battling features.
According to one man who has k
| great interest in the matter since the
body Of Myrtle Hawkins was found
in Lake Osceola on the morning of
September 10, and who will follow
the proceedings closely, it would be no
surprise to him if developments more
| sensational than any OF the past in
this cas- takes place Immediately. 1t
is a known act hat Investigations
are being made along certain lines
which will tend to nme others into
| the case and clarity the mystery. Just
what developments are expected is
a matter Of which the public has no
knowledge.
Court ~convenes for Henderson
county on May Is for a term Of three
weeks, an extra week Of court having
been granted by Governor kitchin
owing TO the number OF important
cases TO be disposed Of. there being
two murder cases besides the flaw
kins case, in which sever arrests have
been made.
There is a splendid array of legal
talent lined up in the Hawkins case
and some Of the strongest legal battles
in the history Of the Henderson
county court will be fought. Judge
II. G. EWart represents Abner Mccall
and wife, Beatrice, charged with muir
der. and the latter's father, Dan w.
Mccall, charged with being accessory
to the murder after the fact, who is
out on a $4,000 bond. The firm OF
Smith, Shipman & Justice represents
the McCalls and Boney and George
Bradley. Charles French Toms OF
Asheville. represents some of the de-
PENDANTS. Mccall s. Bennett Of Ashe-
Vile, will appear for Lizzie Shaft and
Nora Britt. The local firm Of Station
< Rector will represent the private
prosecution. and it is understood that
ex-Solicitor J. +. S%painhour has beer
retained by the prosecution, in which
Solicitor A. Hall Johnston will take
ar important part.
Judge IGwart stated today that il
was highly probable tina no efort
would be made for a release under
habeas corpus Of any Of the defend.
ants now in Jail. h Shaft and Brit,
women and Dan w. Mccall were ad.
mitted to bail. The defendants hav,
maintained absolute silence as to theil
guilt or innocence. and little is be
: ing said as to just what evidence ha.
been gathered, but it is said tina
, Chief OF Police w. A. Garren has un
earthed new facts that have neve,
been published. 1t is generally un
I derstOod that evidence of a yer,
strong character will be brought on
at the trial. which will reveal fact
Of which the general public is' total,
~snorant, 1t is said hat much i'm
portant evidence was retained in tn,
preliminary hearing given the tx,
women here a few days ago simply 70
: the reason that the prosecution onl
cared to bring out enough evidence Z
warrant the holding Of the women
Ihere are others who venture tn
opinion that h State will fall fiat i
y its effort for a conviction. Hon. W
A. Smith. who appears for five OF tn
defendants. said today: There is n
shadow OF a chance of conviction a
far as l can see. and it is q matter q
injustice that our clients have to b
imprisoned. At the term of cour,
just after h death Of Myrtle Hak
klns. the solicitor did not even do 8
much as to send any bills before tn
, grand jury. and as far as I am abb
to learn. no new evidence has bee
discovered" 3
Advertising H~endersonyilIc.
The commissioners Of the town {
H~endersonviile. at d special raeetin
last night upon the request of a CON
mittee from the Greater Henderson
Wills Club. agreed To pay for 10.e 90
to be issued at an early dat,
y. A committee vas appointed to act i
conjunction with a committee frol
the club for the urpo OF decidtn
az to the nature Of the booklets
he issued. It Is said that the Iiteratu,
will be far in advance OF anythin
etEI issued by HendersonviIie.
viii be printed at once and distril
uted over the country.