The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1915-02-16
WHICH NEGRO MURDERED
LITTLE ZELMA YOUNG?
Unusual Problem Presented To Court
When Examining Trials Were
Held at Danville Friday

negroes In jail at Danvlile, Killed HI
tie Zelma Young there last May,
hinges on a question of veracity of
await the action of the grand jury by
County Judge G. W. Coulter at their
examining trial last week. Walker,
who first told the Officers that he
did the killing, changed his story
when he was arrested, said that
Price did it. On the ether hand, Price
protests his innocence. The case pre-
Sents very interesting problem for
justice to solve.
A large crowd filled the court
room at Danville, when the cases
were called. Detective Morris, who
made the arrests was the first wit
ness called. He said that he was
native of Jackson, KY, but that he
had resided in Logan, West Virginia,
for several years where he was en-
gagged as a private detective by the
Consolidated Coal Company He told
of meeting John Walker and of their
conversations. Thinking that he
might gain some information if he
could win Walkers confidence, he
made him the following proposal: 81
know of a man we can hold up and
rob and secure some money if you
will go in with me-" The negro
agreed. Morris then said, mo, / am
afraid you will turn states evidence
and sendi me to the penitentiary. If
/ knew ; something on you then |
would not be afraid" Walker then
told hin3 in substance. the following:
Last spring | was hoboing and at
Danvllles, KY, / entered a house to
get something to eat or anything of
value. u had had nothing to eat for
long time. After entering a room
little girl started to give the alarm
and cut her throat with a white
handle razor. In escaping | lost my
hat. l then made my way to Tug
River, West Virginia" Morris then
got into communication with Sheriff
Harberspn, of Boyle, cad after learn
ing of the murder arrested Walker.
He was, placed in the Logan Jail on
Sunday of last week, until the ar
rival of Sheriff Harberson. AS Har-
berson and Morris were bringing him
to Kentucky the Walker negro told
them different story. This was that
he was not the man but that another
negro, John Price, had committed the
deed and told him about it. In tell
ing Morris of it in the first place he
had placed himself in Prices place
and told the story that Price told
him. Morris and Harberson then tele-
graphed to the authorities to hold the
other negro. His second story was
told in the presence of Harberson.
Sheriff Harberson corroborated
N.z Norris Testimony as to Walkers
second statement made on the train
near Ashland, Ky. He then recounted
briefly the facts as known in the case
as to the location of the house, the
finding of the razor and hat and the
date. He also told of the finding of
the table cloth
Jailer Timoney, of Boyle county.
said that on the night of the killing
he was called by Deputy Sheriff
Dave Logan and accompanied him to
the Young residence. When they
reached the house the girl was dead.
She was seated on a chair on the
porch with blanket around her. He
had been informed she was moved in
order to get more air. He described
the bed and the condition of the
room. He identified the razor and
hat which were found. He described
the wound which caused her death.
on the back door about a foot above
the knob.
John Walker, colored, was then
put on the stand.
He said that last August he met
another negro, John Price, on Tug
River, West Virginia Price was hun
CRY, dirty and ragged. He gave him
some script and found him a place
to spend the night. Price then want
ed him to go in with him and commit
burglaries and such work. He said 81
have made my living without work
and don't intend to start now" Wal
ker continued: "To show me that he
had the nerve and ability he told me
of killing girl in Danville, XIV. He
said that it happened about as fol-
lows:
'"For three or four days | had been
hoboing and had nothing to eat.
went into a house to get something
to eat or anything of value. In the
room was a girl who awoke and
started to give the alarm. / cut her
throat with white handle razor and
placed table cloth over her head. /
then escaped but lost my hat in get
ting away. | had gotten the hat in
Texas, or IL came from Texas
Walker continued: 81 told Mr..
Morris that | did the killing but later
when they were bringing me to Dan
vile | told him what he and Mr.. Har-
berson stated. have lived in West
Virginia for the last five years and
was never in Kentucky but once
when / came to Catlettsburg on one
occasion for about half an hour for
quart of whisky"
At the conclusion of his testimony
he was held over by Judge Coulter to
await the action of the grand jury
without bond.
The case against John Price was
then taken up. The same witnesses
were introduced. The testimony was
about the same as in the first case.
Walker repeated his story and Off
Ger Timoney testified. Price was
present and at the conclusion of his
testimony questioned Walker. He de-
manded him to tell where he had ever
met him before. Walker held to his
story and Price took the stand.
He gave a marvellous account OF
A scald burn, or severe cut heals
of The foxx.slxy hot