Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-08
WIDOW
HELPS DEFENSE
| Of RENFROE
Alleged Slayer of Engineer
Killed in Southern Wreck to
Go on Trial Tuesday.

heath in a train wreck at Kitchens sid
M near Cornelia, on October 4, 1912.
huHl take the stand in Renfroe's de-
hens In the Clarksville court room next
kuesday morning. She is confident that
H. will break down any theory Of con-
kpiracy the prosecution may hatch
Ms Costner declared positively to-
aav that she would clear her name of
ktzna fastened upon 1t by the accusa-
tons of railroad officials by lending her
testimony to free Renfroe of a charge
III murder brought against him in con-
|nsaton with the wreck.
Ed Renfroe, former railroad fireman
Ind close personal friend OF Jake Cost
he. who lived with the Costners in
haeir Atlanta home until the day South
|ern train No. 43 left the rails at Kitch-
lens and Costner was killed, will be put
|or trial for his life in Clarksville Tues
|dav Indicted with him is Tom Tanks
Eey, a Murray county youth who is all
Eeged to have made a full confession to
railroad detectives duplicating Renfroe.
|Tauksloy while a prisoner in the Full
ton county Jail denied any knowledge
|or the cause of the wreck.
Must Clear Her Name.
Mrs. Costner said today that she
|couid not sit idle in Atlanta and let the
trial take it's course, when railroad de-
tectives had linked her name with that
of Rentroe's in the hope of proving a
conspiracy to accomplish her husbands
death.
II have heard it said that railroad de-
|tectives have circulated the report in
.Habersham county that Renfroe was
lny husbands chauffeur and while my
husband was out of town l was driving
with him continually.
There isn't word of truth in that.
bid Renfroe never drove an automobile
n his life. He lived with us, it is true,
but then only because my husband
booked after him. He had been injured
iu train wreck when he worked for
the Southern as fireman and was un-
abe TO fire an engine. My husband
gave him some carpenter work on a
garage we were building"
Indications are that both the prose-
cHiou conducted by Solicitor Robert
UcAIii.an. assisted by attorneys for the
Southern railroad. and the defense OF
E.nfroe conducted by Edgar Lathum.
Of Atlanta, and Edwards & Edwards, !
o. C.arhsville. are preparing for des-
na.ato struggle.
While the case of the railroad has
rot been outlined for publication, the
of officials indicate that
'anhsleys confession viii play the most
Important part. Some sort of an at
Tempt will be made to show that Rem
'roe and Mrs. Costner entered into a |
onspiracy.
Strangely enough, the indictments re-
irned by the Habersham grand jury
gainst Renfroe and Tanksley charge
1em with the staying of Costnee. The
barge Of murder is made directly and
The indictments were not returned un-
.ot the special statute providing pun
,dment for train wrecking.
The name Of the negro fireman who |
was killed in the wreck. or the names
IF any Of the persons injured appear
nowhere in the bills.
Conspiracy Theory.
At east the defense is confident that
a@ conspiracy theory will be played |
ominently by the prosecution, for
Mrs. Costner has consented TO so TO |
aiHsville on that supposition.
The theories and cross theories which
ave been advanced as to the exact |
3uso Of the Southern wreck at Kitch- |
rs siding have given the Whole case an !
'' Of mystery.
on October (, at 4:30 o'clock in the |
doFning, Southern passenger No. As, |
.Q2 in Atlanta at 500 o'clock. jumped |
ne track at Kitchens siding, a mile !
outh of Cornelia. Jake Costner, engi- !
'eer, and negro fireman were killed |
'utright. The forward coaches of the |
rain were demolished and several per
ons injured.
since the wreck damage suits aggre- |
aung $4,000 have been filed in the |
iabersham courts against the South
IN railroad. Mrs. Costner sued for |
'09oo damages for the death of her |
usband
Fehfloe who is said 10 have been in |
o'nelia the day before the wreck. was |
'osnoned by railroad detectives two !
'f allef the accident occurred. but |
@t not arrested until two weeks later |
Vt the meantime Tom Tankslcy. q !
W ray county boy who bad stolen q !
oTSs at Spring Place and sold ii in !
IN g..-f