The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1916-05-13
] CAME HERE TO KILL
HIM AND | DID; I'M THE
HAPP|EST MAN IN WORLD
Here's Leuerett's
Story of the Murde,


Tom Leyerett's story of the events
leading up to the killing of Bradley,
his description of the killing, and his
reasons for doing it, as told on his di-
Irect examination at the Court House
this afternoon. substantially is as fol-
lows
my name is Thomas III. Leverett.
I'm Al years old. hal known Ed
Bradley since 1907, whom he came to
Genesee, La. in search OF work. He
remained there almost continuously
It'll 1915. We resided near each other
and were close friends. was mar
ried in 1909 or 1910, / forget which.
Bradley was married the following
year.
Il left Genesee June 1, last year
Bradley had left the town while
before. He went to Columbia. l later
went there seeking work.
I'VE had been good friends, and he
asked me to stay around a day or two,
that he might assist me in getting a
job. accepted the invitation.
Zone afternoon ! went to our room
in the hotel. He had slept in the same
room, and in the same Deo. That
morning, Bradley had flask OF whis-
key in the room. l was looking for it.
His coat was on the wall. went to
lit and felt for the bottle. 1t wasn't
There, but felt a letter on an inside
pocket
Il casually looked at the address,
and saw that it was in my wife's hand
writing. became curious 1t was
addressed to Mrs. Bradley, but I
opened it. 1t was to Bradley. | read
at, and sat down, not knowing what
to do. Presently Bradley reached the
room and asked me if l wanted a
drink. / told him no. He asked me
what was the matter. said: What
is there between you and my wife?'
| He asked for an explanation, and
told him about finding the letter. We
wrangled bit, and / started toward
him, when he reached in his bosom
and drew out his gun.
Il told him that l was unarmed. He
said he knew it; but that the next time
we met I'd better be armed, as would
not get off as light. I left Columbia,
and went to Brookhaven to see my
wife. There heard the whole story.
She told me all.
Il decided to remain away from
Bradley. He had threatened me in
the Columbia hotel, and didn't want
to meet with him again.
Last August / went to Richton in
search of work. reached the town
ion Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday
afternoon | went to baseball game.
There saw Bradley and Mrs. Brad
Hey | then determined to leave the
park before the end of the game with
out Bradley seeing me. did this. /
went to the hotel, and the next morn
ing got up at $50 o'clock to catch an
early train from Richton.
Il was in front Of the station, read
ing a paper, when heard voices.
Bradley and a Mr.. Smith were talking
Smith left and Bradley came over
to speak to me. told him that was
sorry that could not meet him as I
had in the past told him that he
had wrecked my home, and that /
never could be friend Of his again.
He said, yes, it is too bad. And it's
all on account Of that,two-faced, lying
woman Of yours told him that my
wife was not two-faced.
''He said that he knew differently;
that she had tried to get Mrs. Brad
| ley to run away with her
Persons began passing. and he sug-
gested that we go down the railroad
track to keep them from hearing the
conversation. 1 objected. He asked
me if 7 were afraid to go with him. l
told him mo- and went along.
I'VE continued to talk over our do
nestle troubles.
4 upbraided him about his conduct
with my wife. ] told him that had
received HIS threats. and that I knew
Continued Or Page Four.)