The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-15
4TECK' DUNCAN IS ISMYSTER|OUSLY
 TAKEN FROM IA|L Order From Oakley Pre- scented by Solicitor Heflin
 and Agent Irwin
REFUSE TO SAY WHERE THEY ARE TAKING HIM
Solicitor Heflin States Transfer Agent Irwin Appeared Late Last Night With Order for Dun
 can--Attorneys Called

Thomas A. Duncan. commonly known az "Teck" Duncan. under sentence of life Imprisonment for the murder of Felix J. Ellard at Lewisburg was mysteriously removed from the Jeffer- son county jail this morning at 12.so o'clock. He left in charge of State Criminal Transfer Agent J. F. Irwin, County Solicitor H P. Heflin and De- tective Paul Cole They refused to give any statement as to where they were taking Duncan. only saying that this would be found out later"
 About 11.so last night Solicitor lief lin and State Transfer Agent J. F. Irwin, came to the county jail and pre- sented to the warden in charge an or der for the transfer of Thomas A. Duncan to the penitentlary. It was hot stated in the order to which peniten- tiary he was to be taken. Warden Gil bert turned the matter over to Deputy oiitfAtAo A9ttCiO anu lNFfAoNt NlV were III the sheriff's office at the time. Sheriff McAdory was called at his home and he came down to his office at once. Duncan's lawyer. Mir Howard. was called and also appeared upon the scene. together with Sheriff MeAdory's s prviate secretary and Detective Cole
 
 Deputies Refused
 Before the arrival of the sheriff hls deputies had refused to turn Duncan over to the state officials. alleging that the procedure was not legal. because of the appeal of the case to the supreme court Upon MT. McAdory's arrival he objected strenuously to turning the prisoner over but after long consultation was held by the sheriff and hls attorney, Ben Davis, Duncan was turned over to Irwin and Cole and the three left the jail in an automobile. Their destination was nn- known, and up Ill galrg to press this morning no Information has been received Us to where Duncan was taken. Several attempts were made to ascertain where the prisoner was being transferred to. but the only answer was the sheriffs state- ment that he would probably be taken to
 
 leaving on morning train.
 As Duncan was taken from the jail ont Into the office of the jail Mir Howard, his attorney. stood in front of him. be- fore Deputy Sheriff Chew. Warden Gilbert, Detective Cole. Mir. Hefiin MT Irwin and eaid "Now, Duncan, these men have come to take you away from here tonight. Where. do not know; they will not Jay. They have no right to do this, and the ...f1f tso .l.. party in the morning. and I am going to straighten 1t out for you. Wherever they take you. I am going to protect you. Now, if you have anything to say in regard 10 the killing of Ellard say 1t now, before all of these men,.
 Duncan. smiling, looked around the cir cle, and said: q have no statement to make. Let's get out of here.''
 MT. Heflin's Statement
 About 1:so o'clock this morning Mr Hefiin, when asked upon what authority they had taken Duncan, said:
 Late tonight l was called up over the telephone by MT. Irwin. who told me he had come after Teck Duncan and asked me to go along to the iail with him. He had an order from James G. Oakley, chairman of me state convict board. for Duncans removal When I saw that came dOWHlONn ana went to the jail with him.
 Although it is not generally known. Duncan did not want his case appealed. but was made to make one by his coun- sel. Duncan was taken out tonight be- cause 1t was thought best to have him removed from the influence of Henry Cole and the sheriffs office There is law that provides that in a case like this a man can be removed to another jail, if thought best. We will have Duncan now where he will be away from Cole. and if he has anything to tell on Cole he ran tell fl.
 We met with strenuous opposition from the sheriff but nevertheless secured Dun can.
 "No. I don't know myself where they have taken him
 Sheriff McAdory refused to make any statement last night.
 Teck Duncan is probably the most con- spicuous figure connected with the recent sensational series of assassinations in tho Lewisburg. vicinity. It is generally ad- mitted that through his confessions the other arrests in the Lewisburg cases were made and the convictions obtained.
 Some time ago Duncan was himself ar- rested on the charge of killing Felix !. Ellard and was acquitted and sentenced to life imprisonment Deputy Sheriff Henry Cole is charged with the same crime and his trial will probably come ID Monday.