Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-05
MRS. BALLUE
SOBS FORTH
ACCIDENT
STORY
Severe Questioning Draws Out
Explanation Which Lanford Be-
IeVes-CoupIe Out on Bond.


That the mysterious shooting OF
Captain A. c. Thompson, County
Warden. by Mrs. Lucy Ballue, his
companion in the Owls Club Friday
night was not accidental, but fol-
lowed a quarrel between the two is
the sensational testimony which it
is understood will be given by one
or more witnesses who have been
supenaed to appear at the trial of
Captain Thompson and Mrs. Barue on
the charge Of disorderly conduct
This is In direct contradiction of
Mrs Ballue's story which she sobbing-
ly related to Chief OF Detectives
Lanford Saturday, and in which she
repeatedly declared that the shooting
was accidental She asserted that
she and Captain Thompson were
drinking together in the reception
room of the Owls Club Friday night
and that Captain Thompson's revolver
was discharged while she was exam
ming 1t.
Two Said To Have QuarreIed.
One witness however, is said to
have overheard the conversation be-
tween Captain Thompson and Mrs
Ballue which preceded the shooting
He win testify, It is undertood that
the two we're quarreling over some
matter and that the woman snatched
the weapon from its holster In Cap
tain Thompsons hip pocket and that
the shot followed.
Mrs. Balue's confession came after
an examination that lasted virtually
all morning. When she was first
taken into the detectives office and
questioned, she stuck to her original
story that she knew nothing Of the
shooting
She was taken back to her cell. and
half an hour later returned to Chief
Lanford's office. After an hours
questioning she admitted her part In
the affair.
Tells How It Happened.
Captain Thompson called me I'D
by telephone yesterday" she said,
"and made an appointment for
o'clock. met him at whitehall and
Hunter streets. and after we had
stood on the corner and talked for a
few moments we went up to the owls
Club. We had two or three drinks
there, and then went out for a stroll.
and came back after an hour or so.
When we came into the club again
we went into the reception room and
had another drink I drank a glass
Of wine After we drank, I was play
ing the plano and we were talking
when Captain Thompson remarked
that It was hot. and took off his coat.
He came ever and laid the coat and
his belt containing his pistol on top
OF the piano. was stu thuuapine
the piano and he went and sat down
on my left. I kept on playing and
suddenly glanced up and saw the
revolver.
l don't know what made me do II,
but l was seized with a desire to
look at the weapon. So I drew II out
Of the holster, and began turning II
over and over in my hand.
Suddenly, l don't know how, the
revolver explonded with a loud re-
port, and l heard Captain Thompson
cry that he was shot 1 was fright
ened almost to death. and l didn't
know what to do. I dropped the gun
on the floor and covered my face
with my hands l was so scared /
didn't know what to do, and I don't
how got out Of the room"
Lanford Believes Her Story.
Chief Lanford announced he be-
lieves the woman's story, and his
opinion Is concurred in by detectives
who have been investigating the case.
They declare the nature Of the wound
is such that 1t could not have been
made save by weapon that was
pointing downward.
After Mrs Ballue's confession Chief
reduced her bond from 81, 900
to 800 and changed the charge TO
disorderly conduct. 1t was signed by
her brother law, w. H. Holbrook,
with whom she resides at IS Lynch
Street.
After the woman's release Captain
was brought 10 headquar-
tiers from Grady Hospital in a cab,
and a charge Of disorderly conduct