The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-23
REV. TERRY GOES ON TRIAL TODAY
 AT RUSSELLV|LLE
Much Interest in Coming Trial of Minister Charged With Murder of Promi-
 nent Physician

Russellville, August 22.-(Specialo Eyes of Alabama have again centered about the courthouse of Franklin coun- ty, where tomorrow morning Rev J. T. Terry will begin his battle in the cir cult court to gain his freedom and to clear himself of the murder of Dr. Thomas Hughes. prominent physician, on the evening of October 3. 1917. The trial is set for Friday morning, more than 30 witnesses have been summoned to testify in the case, the venire mas been drawn and summoned, some oi the states ablest council are here 10 represent the defense and the prosecC tion and the trial is expected to proceed Friday morning when court con- venes.
 Rev Terry has been confined Tn the county iail since the mysterious trag- edy occurred and more than once ie was reported that he could not live a great while, that the two copper capped bullets that had lodged Tn ms body, supposed by many to have been fired by his own hand in an attempt to take his own life after he had fired the fatal shot at Dr. Hughes, were slowly poisoning his system From a strong, healthy man of 1So or 190 pounds, the minister has lost Tn weight until he now weighs but little
 
 reported in bad condition, he is much better than he was in the early spring.
 READY FOR TRIAL
 Those who have seen and known him personally state that he will be able and ready to begin his battle when the time arrives. Others are of the opinion that owing to his physical condition he will not be able to stand the strain of a long trial at this time and that his attorney will make des- perate effort to have the case again continued until the fall term of court,
 Rev Terry was arraigned in court last November, in less than two months after the tragedy. He entered plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and his trial was set for the follow ing week, but owing to his condition at that time, after hard fight by attorneys for both sides. the case was finally continued until the present term of court.
 The Terry-Hughes murder will be re- menlbered as one of the most mysteri- ous, if not horrible, murders that ever occurred in the state, and on account s>of the prominence of both parties the case attracted widespread interest during it's early history.
 TRAGEDY OCCURRED OCTOBER 3
 On the afternoon of October 5, l9l7, lpI. Hughes lelt ftuSSellNll1e lO SO tO Redwood, about six miles south, to att tend several sick patients, he being com pany physician for the Foster Creighton company, located at that place. Just be- fore starting he was approached by Rev. Terry, who asked to be allowed to go to Redwood in the doctors car, stat ing that ne wanted to go down and spend the night and go for an early squirrel hunt on the following morning. Not ex- pecting any trouble the doctor readily agreed. Stepping inside of a nearby store on the main street the minister procured his shotgun, which he had placed there a few hours before. and aft CT examining it closely according to those who saw him, went out and got in the car with the doctor, and the two left for Redwood.
 In less than 40 minutes from the time the two had left this city word was received that they had been found dead on the roadside about four miles out. The whole community was shocked and it was impossible for many to believe that one had shot the other, as they were supposed to have been the best of friends and the public was inclined to believe that the shooting was accidental until more details were received.
 Automobiles loaded with friends of both parties hurried to the scene and on arriving it was discovered that the minister was not dead, although he had been shot twice in the breast with an automatic pistol. pr. ughes was found dead on the opposite side of the road