The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-10-25
Local Lawyer to Appear
Against Union Co. Man
Before Ky. Governor.
ECHO OF TERRY CASE
Todd, Prosecuting Witness
Against Young Man, Re-
Gently Tried in Richmond.

Frank T. Strayer, an attorney Of
this city. as a result of information Sc
cured when collecting evidence for the
defense Of Owen Terry tried in Rich
mond as an accessory in the murder
mona as an accessory in the murder
county, Indiana, believes he will be
warranted in appearing before the gov
ernor Of Kentucky next week and
making charges that Budd Todd, who
lives near Cottage Grove, Ind, and
who was the prosecuting witness
against young Terry, was the murderer
of Mrs. Mollie Abbott, an aged wOm-
an who was slain at her home at Win
chester, KY, five years ago. Two broth
ers named Curtiss were convicted of
this crime and sentenced to life i'm
prisonment. The evidence against
them was purely circumstantial.
VIII Ask Todd's Arrest.
Strayer will ask that Todd be ar
rested on the charge of numbering
Mrs. Abbott and that the case be in
vestigated by the Winchester grand
jury. ~~E
Today Strayer received the follow
ing anonymous letter. mailed at Liber-
ty, Ind:
Mr.. Straylor attorney at law
Dear sir | seen in the Palladium
that Budd Todd was wanted for mur-
der and did not know where he was
he is living about one mile northeast
of cottage Grove ind and has lived
there for 2 yr with his family and
works round in the country will not
signe my name to this letter fore if he
knew who told ON him | would be
fraid he would kill me
You can come to Cottage Grove
70 nd
that he is living so close to Cottage
Grove Ind
Respectfully
Does Not Know Writer.
Mr.. Strayer has no idea of the iden-
tity of the writer but believes he is a
friend of Owen Terry, who was
cleared of charge of being an acces-
sorry before the fact in the murder of
Marshal Richardson of Union county.
owen Terry was at first convicted
of aiding his father in killing the mar
shall. Budd Todd, who is a brother-in-
law of Owen Terry, was Influential in
bringing him to trial and was the pros
ecuting witness.
Before the trial Attorney Strayer
charges Todd said, "Ill have that boy
sent to jail if I have to swear to a
d-n lie."
he saw young Terry hand to his father
the gun which was used to kill Rich
ardson. The elder Terry is now serv-
ing life sentence for the crime.
Turns Up New Evidence.
The Liberty attorney who was de-
Tending Terry did net have the COM
plete evidence in the case and Strayer
became interested in it. He discov-
cred that Todd was not near the place
at the time he swore he 1aw the trans
fer of the gun from Owen Terry to
his father.
In order to disprove the testimony
Of Todd, Strayer secured history of
his life from his sisters. Strayer says
they admitted that Todd often spoke
to them Of the murder of Mrs. Mollie
Abbott, and admitting to them he COM
mltted the crime, and that he knew
two innocent young men were serving
life terms for the murder.
Secures Release of Terry.
Strayer secured a new trial for Ter
ry and the young man was released af-
ter the second hearing, returning to
his home, October 3, without a jury
trial. His case had been set for Octo-
Der IS, but Judge Fox ruled that the
evidence showing his innocence of
completely in the killing of Richard
son was strong enough to warrant
his release.
Strayer expects Todd will be indict-
ed by the grand jury of Winchester,
Ky. on the strength of the statements
to his sisters that he killed Mrs. Alb
bott
Strayer believes he can secure a par
don for the Curtiss boys who still de-
ny their guilt. He has written the gov
ernor of Kentucky and asked for a
hearing next week. 1t is probable that
the Curtiss boys will be present when
the governor considers the case