Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-26
BODY Of SPRATL|NG
IS IN ATLANTA HOME
Military Escort for Georgia
Militia Captain Slain
by Woman.

MACON, Ga. August 2s.-Accom-
panied by u military escort the body Of
Capt. Edgar J. spratling. Company.
5th Regiment. National Guard Of
Georgia, shot and killed at the state
mobilization camp here yesterday by
Mrs. H. C. Adams of Atlanta. was taken
early today to his home in Atlanta.
Burial will be at Opelika, Ala.
Mrs. Adams. formerly a patient of
Capt. Spratling who in civil life was u
physician, last night was held by a
coroner's jury for the killing. In the
Bibb county Jail here she asserted that
she shot Capt. Spratling because of at
tentions paid her while she was In his
Office lin Atlanta
Woman Justi1es Herself.
After several hours in jail Mrs Adams
became hysterical. but frequently
declared that when she goes to trial
her course Will be shown to have been
justified.
Mrs. Maud Monk. trained nurse.
questioned by officers of the National
Guard at Camp Harris last night is
said to have declared that she saw a
letter to Capt. Spratling from Mrs
Adams threatening to kill him If he
did not see her. Officers at the camp
indicated belief that illness due to
nervous disorders caused Mrs Adams
to- think Capt. Spratling had acted i'm
properly to her.
Did Not Recognize Him.
Mrs. Adams came from her home in
Atlanta yesterday. and going to the
state camp inquired the way to Capt
spratlings tent. Reaching the tent
she asked the officer. according to
other officers. II he were Capt. sprat-
ling. On being answered In the affirm
ative. she fired twice from small cali
Der pistol, both shots taking effect
Mrs. Adams, according to Lieut.. sam
uel A Kysor of F Company, who seized
her moment later, cried out as she
shot the officer. You have ruined my
home"
After the shooting she seemed hvs-
terical, the lieutenant said, and begged
to be taken from the camp. She said
afterward she had never before seen
Capt. Spratling in his uniform, but that
he had treated her at his Office in At
lanta for nervous trouble.
zone Thing for Me to Do"
Referring again to the shooting, she
declared:
II decided that there was but one
thing for me to do. and 1 did it. When
the testimony comes out I feel sure
the public will be with me. 1 am con-
fident 1 will go free"
Mrs. Adams. according to information
received here, left home in Atlanta
shortly after her husband had gone to
work, leaving her and the couples
three small children at home. Late
yesterday she sent Adams the follow
ing telegram:
Daddy, I am in jail. Do what you
can"
She said last night she had previously
told her husband Of alleged simproper
relations between her and the physi-
clan. and added:
MY only regret is that did not tell
him sooner"
Capt. Spratling. about forty-seven
years old and married. was one of the
most popular officers in the regiment,
with which he had been connected for
several years. and was well known in
medical and social circles in Atlanta.
He was interested in iron mines in
Alabama and was medical adviser to an
Insurance company In Atlanta.
The Husbands Statement.
H. C. Adams. husband of the accused
woman. issued a long statement when
told OF the killing. Adams said that
his wife had been troubled with nerv-
ousness and had been treated by Capt.
spratling. Mrs. Adams told her hus-