The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-11

HILLSVILLE. CARROLL COUNTY.
VA-Speoial.-T That Sidna Allen and
Wesley Edwards were forced to throw
away blankets and food owing to the
close proximity or the Baldwin de-
tectives. IL the story that reached here
1roi the mountains.
The men are believed to be at their
last resources and a capture, either
dead or alive. IL said to be only q
matter OF hours. The detectives hope
that a short delay will still further
weaken the outlaws, who are not sup
posed TO have even water convenient.
Both or tho fugitives are heavily
armed, and IL 10 this that adds to the
belief that Hght to the finish can
cut.
Freel Alien Talks Freely.
When taken to the Texas Hotel and
questioned by Detective Felts, the
seventeen-year-old lad told OF his If
teen days wandering in the mountains.
He said that his father had advised
MIN not to talk OF the part no took
In the shooting in the court house.
After the shooting 1 left Hillsville
At once" the boy said II don't care
to say where / spent that night. The
Eext day I met Uncle Sidna and Wes-
ley Edwards The next day we went
11to the mountains near Fancy Gan
Uncle Sidna had Smith and Wesson
had Colts automatic and a 80 Smith
and WesSon special, and they have a
lot or ammunition.
"On Saturday night after dark the
three OF us with rations for several
days crossed into the southside of the
Blue Ridge. Wesley Edwards found
q shelf rock and We slept under II on
bed OF leaves. We had two blankets
and Uncle Sidna had on an overcoat
and Wesley and i had sIickers
We STAYED fhAra ~,
we moved to another shelf rock, half
q mile away in the thick laureIs above
Wesley Edwards mothers home.
watched the Posse Search.
We were there when the posse
searched the Edwards home and the
hillside near il. The posse passed
within a hundred and fifty yards of
us. We saw them ali.
Uncle said, stay close IL they
come near us and see us 1 viii open
up on them with my gun
lie thought he could kill enough
10 prevent our capture and he said
ne would kill all he could or die"
Resuming the story Of his wander
ings. the boy said that Wesley Ed
wards went of on a foraging expedi-
ten sunday and returned with a sup
ply OF food.
we left the shelf rock Sunday
night and went about twelve miles
into No Mans Land.
We got there early Monday morn
ing. Our food gave out and Uncle
Slona went off and returned with
crackers. butter and sugar. We lived
on that until two nights ago, when L
left them.
Uncle Sidna told me ] was maxi
Ing mistake to leave them"
Did you receive any information
that reward had been offered for your
arrest?" asked Mr.. Felts.
Yes"
How many times did your Uncle
Sidna tell you he shot while in the
cOurthouse?"
times"
Then it was his intention to kill
the Judge. jury and everyone he
That seemed to be the way he
What grievance did your Uncle
Sldna have against Judge Massie?
was IL because OF the conviction of
your Uncle Floyd, and did he blame
Judge Massie for his conviction in
the Federal court?"
Il don't know his exact words but
he had it in for the judge. He in
tended TO get as many as he could -"
What did he tell you about shoot
ing up the men on the courthouse
LAWN" asked Mr.. Felts.
lie said he saw them running and
he thought they needed shooting at.
as possible"
what did Wesley Edwards tell
you about the shOoting?"
\ He told me he shot at viii Eos
Why did he have it in for Eos
II suppose because he prosecuted
Uncle Floyd
Why did they want to kill Dexter
81 don,t Inouy hut $780, ~,
thought they better kill him if any
shooting started They knew he
knew how to shoot"
You don't know where your Uncle
Sidna and Wesley Edwards are now;
do your"
You don't believe they will sur
render II they are surrounded. but
that both men will die with their
boots on?"
They said they would not give
up"
Have you seen Claude Allen since
the shooting? Have you seen Victor
Allen and did he take any part in the
shooting?"
Uncle Floyd said he didn't"
Answering other more particular
questions. Friel said:
''The day 1 decided to leave 1 was
just starved out. I left them on the
mountain top about three miles from
Piper's Gap Road.
Near where we were in the laurel
there was log we had planned 10
use as a breastwork In case of at
tack"
Friel dlsciaimed knowledge of the
part Claude Allen took in the shoot
ing and denied knowledge of the &c
ttvities Of Sidney Edwards. Victor
Allen and Byrd Marion. now in Jail
at Roanoke.
Hires Husband From Jail.
Placing a much higher value on his
services than anyone else, Mrs z. H
Thrash hired her husband from the
I'd ~ Nrnnrr L.