Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-09-14
ARGUMENTS LIKELY To
BEGIN EARLY SATURDAY
Ms. Bridges and Miss Bridges
Swear That Mrs. Howell Was
at Home on the Night Of
August 18th.

More testimony, fatty contradict1ng
the story told by Mrs. Yeartie Howell,
was given in Superio rcourt this morn
ing in the fifth day of the trial of Dr..
c K. Chapman, the first of six defend
ants to be tried on the charge of taking
the life of Walter Wade.
Miss Willie Bridges was the princi-
pal witness. She swore just as she did
at two previous trials, that Mrs. Howell
was at her home on the night of Aug
ust 18th, when Wade was killed, and
that the ride Mrs. Howell said she
took with DR.. Chapman and others
was taken several night prior to Aug
ust 18th.
Most of the time at this mornings
session of the court was spent in at
tacking the character of Mrs. Yeartie
Howell. Several witnesses from Pres
ton. the home of Mrs Howell testi-
fed.
Mrs. R. H. Bridges, the lady with
whom Mrs. Howell was boarding at the
time of the murder, took the stand and
mtated that Mrs. Howell was shown all
@6ue respect while in her presence and
she had good bit of confidence in her.
She stated that she was at home on
the night of the killing, Mrs. How
ell did not leave the house according
to her knowledge. She stated that Mrs.
Howell and Miss Willie Bridges went
fer an automobile ride with two
Americus men and returned to the
house about o'clock in the evening,
retiring for the night Immediately.
Miss Willie Bridges, daughter OF
Mrs. R. H. Bridges and friend OF
Mrs Yeartie Howell, took the stand
next and stated almost word for wore
what her mother stated. She also
claims that Mrs. Howell did not leave
their home on the night of the killing,
Sc far as she knows, Miss Bridges,
while on the stand, stated that Judge
Hixon on several occasions before the
trial began, tried to force her to make
false statements. At one time she de-
clined to see him, it is stated.
B. T. Johnson, brother of Walter
Johnson, who is involved in the con-
spiracy, took the stand and swore DR.,
Chapman was at his residence about
ten o'clock on the night of the killing,
because he telephoned him and he ask
ed him if he wanted to go squirrel
huntinr on the following morning.
Bose Johnson, another brother of Wal
ter Johnson, testified identically the
same thing.
Miss Lollie Chapman daughter of the
accused, also took the stand and testi-
fed that her father was at home when
she retired at eleven o'clock on the
night of the illing, ankd she did not
hear him leave the house. She stated
that Dr@ Chapman, and her brother
young Charley Chapman, went to their
rooms to retire before she did. Miss
Margery Chapman, another daughter OF
the accused, took the stand and testi-
fed almost identically the same thing
as her sister.
The attorneys for the defense and
the state are working hard to complete
the hearing of all the witnesses this ar
ernoon so that the case may be turn
ed over to the jury tomorrow. The
Jurors have been on the case five days
already and they seem tired and tagged
out
It is predicted that the hearing OF
witnesses will be finished at this af
ternoon's session, with one or two 9TH
ers to testify in rebuttal, which it is
not anticipated will consume much
time. Attorneys seem to agree the
case will go to the jury tomorrow.
Interest in the trial seems to be dy-
ing out and few spectators attended
the morning session today.
R. H. Bridges, an Albany man, prov
ed most interesting witness at yes