The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
ROBBERY MOTIVE OF DOUBLE MURDER, IS OF OFFICERS Kimberly Tragedy Caused Much Excitement-Citi- zens Aid in Search for
 Guilty Parties MEN UNDER ARREST PROCLAIM INNOCENCE Remains of Mrs. Lankster and Mrs. Price Sent to Decatur for Inter-
 ment-Inquest Will Be Held
 Wednesday

An inquest into the brutal murder of Mrs. Anna Price and Mrs. Mary Lankster. at their home at Kimberly early Friday afternoon will be held Wednesday, Assistant Coroner J. R. T. Rives announced last night There were few new developments in the case yesterday, and 1t is reported that the situation at the little mining town Is again normal after a night of turmoil and excitement.
 Sheriff Batson and score of his men were working on the case yester- day. The cold-blooded manner in which the two women were attacked at their home aroused much feeling, and the entire population of the little town aided the authorities. in their search for the party or parties who commit ted the crime.
 Rigid examination of the three ne- groes under arrest failed to cast any new light on the situation, and all pro- claim their innocence of the crime. Joe Barnes was arrested Friday afternoon on the advice of l.. P. Price. husband of one of the women murdered. Barnes was formerly employed by Price.
 Late last night the city's bloodhounds struck a trail al the scene of the crime. and trailed for over mile to the home of Will Dixon. Officers placed Dixon and Cornelius Elliott, negro who had been to Dixon's house, under arrest and brought them to Birming- ham for safe keeping.
 CRIME PUZZLES OFFICIALS
 Officials are puzzled over the crime. They are unanimous in the belief that the double murder was committed for the purpose of robbery. Mrs. Price was hit four times across the head with some blunt instrument, probably a pick handle. A pool of blood was found in the front room of the house. where g large supply of groceries is kept Mrs Prices body was found in her bed room, lying on the top of dresser. Mrs. Lankster's body was found in the same room. She was struck twice with hatchet, which was found on the floor covered with blood.
 Mrs. Lankster who was Mrs. Price S mother, was 63 years of age. She was a cripple and was murdered in her rolling chair. Mrs. Price was 35 years of age.
 In the attempt to destroy evidences of the cr/ie the perpetrator shoveled burn- ing coal from the grate on the floor and covering it with empty flour sacks, left his victoms to their fate Mrs. Lankster remained In her chair until the rockers were burned off. She then crunpled to the floor when her clothing caught fire and her body was badly burned. Mrs Price was not burned, but her skull was seriously fractured.
 CORONER RIVES' STATEMENT
 Coroner Rives stated last night tha, he believed the guilty party can be To- cated. We will have number of wit nesses here to testify he said "and some of them are supposed to have seen the assailant leave the house. Whether they will identify any of the negroes under arrest remains to be seen. The crime vas one of the poldest and blood lest ever committed in the state, and ever yofficer should do his utmost tc bring the guilty parties to capture.''
 The house in which the crime was committed was used by Price and his wife as commissary, in addition to their home. A large supply of groceries for the men who worked under Price, who is section foreman for the Louis vile and Nashville railroad, were stored in the structure. A considerable sum of money was also supposed to be at the house, and the crime was committed, it is thought. with the prospect of securing these funds
 The remains of Mrs. Price and Mrs. , Lanlster were sent to Decatur for inter- ment yesterday by the Johns Undertak- ing company.