The courier-index., 1917-11-02
TABLES TURNED ON
ALLEGED DETECTIVE
STRANGER WHO FERRETTED OUT
MURDER" MYSTERY LANDED
IN JAIL ON CHARGE or SLAM
pER-HELD TO GRAND JURY.

J. M. Carter, VINO claims to be q
representative CT the Progressive
Farmer, practicing the Sherlock
Holmes art as side line to give his
keenly developed talents legitimate
outlet, is occupying a cell in the
county Jail meditating over the trials
and vicissitudes of life in general
and the ingratitude of Lee county
people in particular. At least, he
doubtless has come to the conclusion
that playing the detective in a
strange community isn't any soft
snap
Carter's dilemma is the result of
his activity in ferretting out an al
legged murder mystery and his sub.
seouent action in having George
John and Chas. Roenhild and Henry
Mayes landed in Jail on the charge
of having killed an old man named
Gilbert who died more than three
weeks ago.
Gilbert was living on a shanty
boat on the LAnguille river near
Canaan. He is supposed to have
been pearl fisher He came up the
river about six weeks ago and tied
his boat up for a rest. He became
acquainted with John Roenhild, a
sturdy, inoffensive farmer living at
Canaan, and upon invitation of Roen-
hild spent portion of his spare
time at the latter's home. More than
three weeks ago he became ill. A
negro told Roenhild he had better
60 to the river and look after the
old man, as he believed his condition
was serious. Roenhild did go and
found the old man unconscious. He
went to Haynes and got a doctor.
The latter said the man was in a
dying condition and suggested Roen-
hild had better take him to his home.
Roenhild said he had only three
rooms to his house, and that his
family was large; that he would be
glad to give him shelter but could
not take him home. The physician
suggested he take the man to his
barn and look after him there. This
was done. That night about eight
o'clock the old man died.
Ronehild Immediately notified ESQ
G. B. Britain at Haynes and wanted
to know what disposition to make
OF the body, The magistrate told
Roenhild the county had no burying
ground and that Roenhild had better
bury him on his own land. Roenhild
sat up with the corpse all that night
and early next morning came to Ma
srlanna to get coffin. The undertak-
ing establishment was not open, so
ne went to Roane & Atkins barn.
the only place he found open, to
ascertain where the undertaken lived.
mere ne met Mr.. Carter, alleged de-
tectlve. The innocent farmer told
carter about the old man, some of
the stories the latter had related
ABOUT having found valuable pearls,
ABOUT his illness and death. Carter
Immediately came to the conclusion
hoenhild and his sons had murdered
tne old man. He took the trail.
made numerous visits to the scene
VI tne crime" induced Constable
yohes 70 go with him and disinter
.ne remains upon which some marks
resembling bruises were found. The
'ocai olflcers, after learning the facts,
leiused to have anything to do with
'ne case Carter continued his activ-
e'cs, iihaiiy going before Esq. Hays
u .hls city and swearing out war
ants Tor all the parties whom he
inspected. Constable Jones would
not make the arrests, but told Carter
II ne wanted to get the men he could
uo SO Carter went to Canaan, ar
,es.ed the four men, brought them
70 Marlanna, lodged them in Jail and
naa them kept there three DAYS
until the preliminary trial on Friday
s,ternoon of last week, when all were
,aischarged because there was abso-
.a.eiy no discriminating evidence
against them.
me Roenhilds, Immediately upon
,aeir sns release, had a warrant issued
M carter charging him with Grim
,aai h SANDER, and within less than
~ nour after the conclusion of the trial
,he ,se uetective was behind the bars at
s;, sde county Jail. Tuesday he was
s'en a preliminary trial before Eso.
~ .. nodgers and was bound over to
~ e grand jury and renanded to jail
ueiauit OF a bond of $500
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