Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1916-01-29
CRIME IS
ATTRIBUTED To
H. c. EDWARDS
Local Business Man Arrest
ed After Sensational
Charges are Made Against
Him By Church. May At
tempt Suicide

II. G. Edwards. a well known bust
ness man of this city and during his
residence of several years in the CITY
an active member of the First Baptist
church, was taken into custody YES
terdaY on the most serious charge
That can be lodged against a father
Vie alleged crime is not a recent one.
but it was taken cognizance Of a
year ago by his friends, and he was
put on probation for one year. When
1t was learned recently that he had
rot kept faith, but that his disordered
double life had continued, it was de-
clded TO prosecute him. This con-
cluslon was reached Immediately after
ms recent marriage to Mrs. Edith f.
Martin, with whom it is charged tina;
! he had been living. The matter was
discussed before the board OF the
| church and tire warrant for his arrest
was sworn out by Clay Reavis, his
| law.
Edwards admitted his guilt to of
! ficiats, and told Sheriff Adams that
| he ought to ne shot. If YOU do not
want to shoot me yourself, get one OF
! your deputies to do it," he said
| The bond of Edwards was fixed.
aud one bondsman was secured. J. H
Williams, a wealthy property owne,
of Five Points.
Immediately after giving bond Ed
wards went to a local hotel. He was
| greatly disturbed, and said he would
never face the charges. He declared
| he would commit suicide. Shortly
after making this statement he
walked out the front door of the hotel
and has not been seen since. Whether
| or not he has carried out his threat
| is matter for conjecture
The sheriff's office kept up 2
search for him throughout the entire
lnight. but up to a late hour had
failed 10 locate their man.
Church Starts Action
The first step taken against Ed
wards was by the First Baptist
! church, Of which he was a member
The matter was given hearing at a
meeting OF the board of deacOns whc
were indignant over his behavior
The church has not yet taken action
nut it is understood from one of the
deacons that the mans outrageous
conduct demands his exclusion from
the church
The statutory charge against Ed
| wards was filed when his friends dis
covered the life he was leading. They
offered him a years probation az,
when they found how that yeai
had been passed they made applica
ton for his children to be withdraw
from his custody. one son is of age
and q daughter is married and il
vas her husband. Clay Reavis, who
petitioned the court for the four minol
children.
/ 1t was Only a few days ago thai
| Edwards affairs with women, Amer
/ leans and at least one Mexican, be
came known. The word reached Mrs
Edith Martin. with whom Edwards, il
il said had been living. Mrs. Mar
/ tin had been suspicious of Edwards
| sincerity for some time because he
had refused to take her to church
ana to be seen in other public places
with her. She threatened him witt
O. breach of promise suit. and the out
/ come of her threats was the mar
riage performed by Judge De Souzs
4 late Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after the ceremony Ed.
wards said he did not love the woman
he made his wife nor had he wanted
to marry her. Yet, when rumor o
the trouble came, she was prepar.
ing to leave town with him. Sh,
passed tho greater part of yesterda!
, "a 6l2 North Second avenue, wher
she conducts a rooming house.
When the matter reached tn,
streets and was common gossip Ed
wards sent for Judge J. H. Lang
ston, Reavis' attorney, and asked hin
, to withdraw the charge. He pro
tossed to be repentant. His eXplana
ton was, Temptation came and
fell"
Judge Langston, however, refuse
to withdraw the petition or charge
IN land you in the penitentiary o
III the grave was his answer. An
Edwards knew he meant it,