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

Mrs. Lucy Ballue, Of IS Lynch
Street confessed to CHIEF of Detao-
tives Newport Lanford Saturday
morning that she shot Captain A C
Thompson, County Warden, wHtIe
they were drinking together in the
reception room OF the Owls Clnb mt
Pryor and Mitchell streets Friday
night She declares the shooting was
accidental, and that Captain Thomn-
sons revolver was discharged while
she was examining Il
Mrs, Ballue's confession came aftsr
an examination that lasted virtually
all morning. When she was 7rxt
taken into tho detectives office and
questioned, she stuck to her original
story that she knew nothing Of N.
shooting.
She was taken back 10 her oef1 and
half an hour later returned 10 CHIEF
Lanford's Office. After an horr,s
Questioning she admitted her part IN
the affair.
Tells How Il Happened,
Captain Thompson called ma m
by telephone yesterday. she said
and made an appointments 4cr 4
o'clock I met him AZ whftehan ar0
Hunter streets. and after wa bod
stood on tho corner and talked for a
Few moments we went I'd 10 the owls
Club. We had two OF three 77-f,-a
there, and then went out for a s+r,,,
ana came back after an hour or 80
When we came INTO the chm, ar,4,,
we went into the reception room ana
had another drink. drank a g,,s.
OF wine. After We drank. was nI,v-
ing the piano and we vera +arl,in.-
when Captain Thompson remarked
mat II was hot and took Off hfs coa+
lie came over and laid the coat ana
MS belt containing his pistol on to,
OF the piano. was stfu tluIrnn;,,s
the piano and he went and sat DOWN
on my left I kept on playing and
suddenly glanced up and saw tha
revolver.
I don't know what made ma Ne, =,
but was seized with desire 70
look at tho weapon. So I drew n ON,
OF the holster, and began turning IL
over and over in my hand
Suddenly, 1 don't know how thu
revolver explonded with a loud re-
port. and I heard Captain Thomnso,
cry that he was shot. 1 was fr4pb,-
ened almost TO death, and did,,.+
know what to do. I dropped the e7r,
on the floor and covered my faos
with my hands I was 50 scaTea
dldnt know what to do, and I don't
remember how got out OF the room Sc
LanFord Believes Her Story.
Chief LAntord announced he he
heVes the woman's story, and bis
opinion Ia concurred in by detea+tvas
who have been Investigating the case
Ihey declare the nature Of the yvo,,nd
10 such that it could not have been
made save by weapon that was
pointing downward.
After Mrs. Ballue's confession Chta4
Lanford reduced her bond from 81 Ooo
to 500 and changed the charge to
disorderly conduct Il was signed nv
her brother-in-law, W, H. HoIbrooI,
with whom she resides at IS LYNCH
Street.
After the wuman's release CAPTAIN
Thompson was brought 20 headuuar-
tiers from Grady Hospital in a cab
and a charge Of dlsorderly conduct
was docketed against him. His bond
was fixed at 500. It also was signed
by Holbrook. After he was released
Mrs. Banue entered the cab and drove
away with Captain Thompson.
Members Of Mrs. BalIue's family
said Saturday morning that Captain
Thompson has been paying her atten-
lions for about year. She is the
wife Of John BaIlue, a structural iron
worker, from whom she has been sep
arated for three years. She has no
children. For the past year she has
been employed at NunnalIy's Overall
Factory at Marietta and Alexander
Streets.
Arrested on Street.
Detectives Doyal and Wasgoner.
attached TO headquarters. arrested
Mrs. BaIlue at Garrett and Pryor
Streets after what they asserted was
an attempt to spirit her away by L.
c. Raoul. secretary Of the owls Club.