The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-30
BIRMINGHAM MAN SEES HIM

mingham man paid a visit to Overton in
the Businesses of the Tennessee noun
tains about month ago. An all-night
conference followed and at o'clock IN
the morning the Birmingham man left
for home. He gathered from his con-
versation with the fugitive that he was
innocent.
II really do not believe that Dave Over
ton killed Judge Lawler, or had any
thing to do with it, he said "In fact.
it is my firm conviction that certain pow
ers that be in Huntsville ordered the as
sassination of both Judge Lawler and
Dave Overton. I don't quite know the
details, but there was a frame-up some
where and Lawler was killed, while Over
ton was cut to strips and nearly bled TO
death. Just what prevented the finishing
of Overton l have no knowledge, except
perhaps to shove the blame for the kill
ing of the probate judge on him. In my
talks with Overton it appeared to me that
he was as much in the dark as to the
truth of the killing of Judge Lawler
as you or I. He admitted to me that he
was unconscious at the time the actual
killing took place, from the wounds he
had suffered at the hands of Lawler.
STILL AT LARGE
There are men walking safely the
streets of Huntsville today who know the
truth OIL the lLdWlGT dlIdlT. AIu IL the
truth was printed it would shake the
state from top to bottom. But the truth
will come out in accord with the old
saying, murder will out -
Part of the statements of this man
are verified by the known plans OF
the prosecution in that it is admitted
that there are others implicated Just
as deeply as Overton still walking the
streets of Huntsville
of inc
ham man who talked with Overton 1t
would appear that what he called the
whisky" interests decided to do away
with Judge Lawler and either kill
Overton or place the blame for the
killing on him in order to further
their own interests. Judge Lawler was
the prohibition boss of Madison
county and David D. Overton the 30
cal option" boss. Between the two they
owned and controlled every right and
privilege given out in Madison coun-
ty. AS both Lawler and Overton were
fighting continuously for the upper
hand and the expenses of these dra-
matte political battles were paid by
a third" party, this alleged "third''
party it is thought, decided to get
| rid of both his puppets at one stroke
and get some new ones who would
work for less money.
TO UNCOVER THIRD" PARTY
The plans of the prosecution, it is
understood. will seek to uncover this
alleged third party, but at the same
time it is stated on excellent author
| ity that every effort will be made to
| hang Overton. The prosecution is con-
wheel that the ex-circuit court clerk
of Madison county did not actually
kill Judge Lawler, but that he was a
prime mover in the conspiracy that
/ led to the killing.
| 1t is now known that Judge Lawler
was assaulted or forcibly held the mo-
ment he stepped from his automobile
| at the Madison county courthouse in
Huntsville on the night of June IA
| At least four men awaited Judge Law
| Ter and as he alighted from his auto
| mobile they seized him and a moment
| later another automobile came UP and
| Judge Lawler was bundled in in a
shapeless mass. The theory of the state
| is that Judge Lawler was knock ed
in the head" in order that he might be
robbed of a list of witnesses he had
prepared for the grand jury.
| On the ride to Whitesburg ferry II
| is thought that Judge Lawler revived
| from the blow on the head and thai
| the moment the automobile stopped he
started the rough house" by cutting
| Overton with his pocketknife. 1t is
understood that Overton was cut In
the cheek, near the jugular vein. over
1 the heart and through the hand. Only
| the small size of Judge LAWYERS knife
| prevented him from killing Overton
| 1t is also thought that while Lawlei
was working on Overton others were
1 shooting him and hitting him on the
head with iron bars and everything
| they could get hold of. Judge Lawler
| it is stated. was powerfully built
l 4,L y
| is thought that he fought until he was
| shot to pieces and his skull crushed
| by innumerable blows. The theory OF
the prosecution also is that Judge Law