Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-05
MRS. BALLUE
DENIES SHE
TOUCHED
PISTOL
Captain Thompson, Shot at Owls
Club, Declares Revolver Fell
From Piano.

The mystery surrounding the
shooting of Captain A. C. Thomp-
son, County Warden, in the Owls
Club Friday night, for which
Mrs. Lucy Ballue is held by the
police, was deepened Saturday
morning, when fresh statements
of the affair were made public to
the police by the two principals.
The new statements differ even
in the minor details.
Captain Thompson told this story
Of the shooting He said he met Mrs.
Ballus down town late in the after
noon and that they went to the Owls
Club for refreshments. Thomson
denied that they had been drinking
but said they had just ordered some
drinks when the shot was fired.
He said that during the wait fo,
the drinks. Mrs. Ballue volunteered
to play the piano and seated herself
at the instrument. He said he became
not and removed his coat and holster
containing his revolver.
Accident Says Thompson.
The coat and gun he placed on ,h.
piano he said, after which he resumed
his seat at the table. Mr.. BaIIus
finished playing and whirled around
on the piano stool and said some
thing to him, Captain Thompson said
and at that instant the revolver fell
from the piano and was DISCHARGED
The bullet penetrated Captain Thomn-
sons right thigh near the hin ana
ranged downward The wound is not
serious.
according to Mrs BaIlue's new
statement, she met Thompson about
o'clock at Whitehall and Hunter
streets, and then went to the owIg
Club. wis
Mrs. 5aIlus's Story.
Mrs. Ballue said they had b..,
drinking before the shooting sbo
SAID that she had not quarreled with
her escort and insists that the shoot.
ing was accidental. She told the ~
lice she had been playing the piano
Tor Captain Thompson and had tber
returned to their table. WHEN ~.
shooting occurred, they were sitting
close together chatting, she saws
Mrs. Ballue declares she did NOT 40.
Captain Thompson's revolver and d,a
not know he had a weapon until shA
heard the report and heard the CAP
tain say he was shot.
Mrs. Ballue is the wife Of John RsI
lue, structural iron worker. from
whom she has been separated for
about two years. She claims ahs has
known Captain Thompson for nearly
a year
Arrested on Street.
Detectives Doyal and Wagsoner.
attached to headquarters. arrested
Mrs. Ballue at Garnett and Pryor
Streets after what they asserted was
an attempt to spirit her away by L.
c. Raoul, secretary Of the Owls Club.
The detectives unable to find either
the girl or Mr. Raoul at the club
rooms. started search. They learned
the girl and the secretary had slipped
quietly down the back stairs half an
hour after the shooting of Captain
Thompson They hurried down Pryor
Street, hoping to intercept them be-
fore the girl was taken away.
AS they neared Pryor and Garnett
Streets the detectives saw a man and
"a woman lurking in the shadows Of
the building. Not knowing whether
tehy were Mrs. Ballue and Mr.. Raoul
or strangers. Doyal and Waggoner Sc
GREETED themselves across the street
and awaited developments. In few
minutes a cab drove rapidly up 10
the curbing and the door was flung
open. A voice from within the cab
commanded the man and woman to
enter, and to hurry up"
AS Raoul and Mrs. Ballue rushed