davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
(RY HAYS cLARk.A


Dramatic testimony by Mrs. Caro-
limo Crawford, mother Of Willie Crsw-
ford. Ruth Crawford, younger sister
Of the dead girl, and Miss Coulter.
girl friend Of the Crawford family
featured the opening session Of ths
case Of Walter G. Tucker and Lieut.
Sheriff. M. Gray placed on tria
Tuesday morning charged with boin0
implicated In tho death Of Willis
Crawford. Tho Two men are charged
with murder, abortion and lewdness
and both through their counsel
pleaded not guilty.
The most dramatic Incident during
the morning was tho detailing of tho
dying statement Of Willie Crawford
by her mother, In which Walter @.
Tucker 10 accused of attempting TO
perform tho abortion which, IL 10
charged, led directly to tho death Of
the pretty bank eIerk.
Mama, Jack Tucker killed ms,"
was tho end Of tho dying declaration,
this point in her testimony she be-
eame so oVerwrought that she was
forced to stop for a moment.
Breathless Silence.
During tho recital of tho last words
OF Miss Crawford tho largo crowd
present remained almost breathless,
hanging on every word uttered by
tho beroaved mother. Tucker, during
the recital Of tho last statement OF
Miss Crawford, became excited and
appeared nervous and leaned back
ward and forward several times over
his counsels shoulder, as If he was
silently pleading with them for help.
Tho evidence during tho morning
was decidedly damaging to Tucker
and while some unexplained lne''
dents werc brought out against Gray
he was not so hurt by the testimony
Of tho morning as was Tucker.
Gray's worst part so far in the at.
fair is his unexplained close friend
ship with the entire family on such
short notice, il being stated that de-
spite the fact that the lieutenant had
known the family but short time
and the mother hardly at all, he was
invited by the latter to be present at
tho hospital and witness the serious
operation on WHO NFa"IoTuI HOSt
unusual thing. Mrs. Crawford stated
that in no way did her dauahter con.
meet Gray with her condition. and
when she was asked If she herself Z
did not want Gray freed she replied: |
"If Lieut.. Gray is guilty | want. him
punished, like any one else, for
want the guilty party punished for
the dasth Of my dauahter,"
Courtroom Thronged.
The largest crowd ever gathered !
together to hear a legal proceeding
in Hamilton county was present In
the criminal court room Tuesday
at o'clock. People were in every
seat in every window and in every
standing place. The cor
ridors of the courthouse, the lawn
and the walks leading to the court
house were alive with people. Many,
in not getting into the
stood on the outside,
waiting, II they could do nothing
Use, TO get a glimpse OF the defend
lnts.
Many Women Present.
Perceptibly noticeable was the
arge number of women who had
through curiosity and other reasons
'een attracted to the scene of the
rial. and Of the L5Oo or 1000 people
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
Stenographic Report of Crawford Case

Proceedings had before Judge Mar
tin A Fleming, oity judge. at the
criminal court rooms in the court
house at Chattanooga Tenn, on
Tuesday, Aug. 26. 1919, at 9 O'clock
am. The state announced ready.
Mr.. wiiliams-I would like to know
what we are charged with. have
not seen the warrant.
The Court--Gray 10 charged with
murder, abortion and lewdness,
Mr.. We are ready.
Mr.. Chanlee--I might try both to-
gether.
The Court--what do you say to
that?
Mr.. Tatum-They might both be
tried together. The charges are very
separate and very distinct and proof
that would be competent under the
one charge might be thoroughly in
competent under the other. As a
matter of fact, 1t would seem better
to try them separately, although l
interpose no objection to trying them
both together IL they are the same
charge.
The Court-The objection is we'll
taken.
Mr.. Tatum-We will not object to
trying our client along with the other
defendant if they are being put to
trial under the same charge.
The Court-They both are charged
with the same.
Mr.. Tatum-Under the charge of
murder at least that includes a sep
arate crime
Suggest Separate Trials.
The Court-If for murder l suggest
try them separately.
Mr.. Tatum-It was announced here
that the charge against the lieuten-
ant was for murder, lewdness and
abortion. While now the crime of
abortion Is not included under the
warrant charging murder, your honor
also is familiar with the fact that
the rules of evidence are very differ
cnt both as to murder and abortion,
and as you know this case has been
practically tried in the newspapers.
II you tried our man for abortion and
murder at the same time you would
have to admit under the
one incompetent proof as to the
other. and We certainly object to any
thing like that.
The Court-Suppose the state pro-
ceeds with the testimony and have
them put on all of 1t, and If any OBJ
iections are raised.
Mr.. Tatum-We want to facilitate
the hearing, IL possible, and we GER
1iting the fullest, frankest and most
thorough investigation that can be
made. At the same time we want
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
Excited Throng Overflo,us
Auditorium of Courthouse
Mother, Sister and Family Friend,
Miss Madge Coulter, on Stand
Mother Repeats Dying Confession of Her
Daughter AS Listeners Strain Ears
In A,Ued But Eager Silence
BILLIE CRAWFORD'S
DYING DECLARATION

"Mamma, realize am going to die and want to tell
you the truth You remember the afternoon that and
sitting the front porch and the telephone and
answered it, and it Guy Springer and he said for to
get another girls he had friend from New York who wanted
to go riding with
~ then told Guy to call later, and in the meantime
called Madge Coulter and she and went with Springer
and his friend who introduced under the of
Jack Johnson Well, that turned out to be Walter
Tucker
~ went with him several times and he nice
he could be- One night however, he called and asked
the show with him. and told him would He
little early and suggested drive out Dodds avenue
and when got that far he kept the Cleveland pike
and stopped and the punishment that went through with
terrible Mamma, my whole thoughts of you, and
while he orturing me begged that he kill do
thing with but just stop what he forcing to do
On the back he stopped and told that breathed
a word of what he had done he would ldll
"After that begged and pleaded with him to do
thing for and finally he called up and went out with
him and he forced with threat to kill to sign state
connecting other boys with my condition He then put
through two hours and half of the terrible agony
went through with. Mamma Jack Tucker has killed
me-"
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

Q. About what time Of tho day. or
night, did she start with him ON that
| ocasion7
A. About 8 or $50.
O. Morning or nightf
A. At night.
q. You all lived on Oak street
here on that occasion?
A. Yes sir.
Found Blood.
Q. What time did they return
homo that night, did she7
A. Along about II, somewhere
along there, don't know exactly,
somewhere about midnight.
O. When she came In did she say
anything to you about anything hap
pening to her?
Mr.. Tatum-We object TO anything
she might have said to this young
lady.
Mr., Chamlee-I asked II she said
anything.
Q. will ask you to tell us whether
or not you helped her 10 undress on
that occasion2
A. Yes sir.
Q. When undressing her did you
discover anything on her clothing7
A. Yes sir.
Q. What?
A. Blood.
Q. Much or little bloodP
A Quite a bit.
Q. What part Of her clothing7
A. Underclothes.
The Court--What time was this,
what season Of the year?
A. In July.
Mr.. Chamlee-How long you say
that was before she went to the hos
iptal to have her tonsils taken out?
A. Just few days
Q. Before she made trip to Ken
tucky2
A. Yes sir.
Q. win ask you to tell us whether
or not she complained Of suffering
pain when she left homer
A. Yes sir.
@. Could you tell whether or not
she was suffering?
A Yes sir. knew she was.
Q. You knew she was?
A. Yes sir.
@. will ask you. in your own way.
to describe to the court her conduct
when she came homer
A. She came in and woke me up
and told me not to tell anything she |
told me. l got up and helped her |
because she was too sick |
to do II herself.
Q. Too sick to undress herself1
A. Yes sir.
Q. Did you help her get In bedI
CONTINUED on Page Two.)
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

the court can consider the competent
evidence in one case and not con-
slider it In the other and don't know
our defendant tried under the rules
of law and evidence. Ihasmuch as
this court is court and not q jury,
any great harm would bs done to
try them together.
The oourt--we viii try them TO-
gcther aud---
Three Charges.
Mr.. Tatusn--What arc the cna,asx
against Tuckerf There are three,
lewdness, abortion and murder.
Mr.. Chamloc--sarne in the case Of
all Of them.
Mr.. Chanlee-I suppose you want
the witnesses out, under the rule?
The Court-Does the defendant ask
for the rule?
Mr.. Wiiliams-Yes. cir; NO want
the rule.
The Court--Let all the witnesses
stand up and be sworn. All witnesses
under summons stand up,
Mr.. Williams--I have one witness,
young lady in my Office, wanting,
to be called so she can be sworn then,
The Court-Yes, sir,
Mr., Tatum-We have large num-
Der OF doctors 5ubpoenaed here, none
of whom l see at this time.
The Court-f you need them we
will get them.
Mr., Chamlee--I have some wit
nesses outside in the Office who are
not here.
The Court-Then let all witnesses
except officers Of the court or doctors
step outside.
Victims Sister.
Miss Ruth Crawford, the first wit
ness. being first duly sworn, testified
as follows:
(Direct examination by Mr.. Cham
lee)
@; Is your name Miss Ruth craw-
A. Yes. sir.
Q. Talk out so these gentlemen
over there can hear you.
Q. Were you sister to Miss Will
lie Crawford?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Where did you live in the
months OF March and April, 1919?
A. On Oak street.
Q. In Chattanooga, this county7
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you know the defendant
W. G. Tucker?
4. ! did not know him personally.
@. BY sight.
A. Yes, sir.
O. Did you know the defendant |
Sheriff. Gray?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How long had you known Mr.l
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
TWO VACANCIES TO FILL

Primaries In TWO South Carolina Con-
qresslonal Districts Held Today.
Columbia, S. c., Aug. 26.-Primaries
In two congressional districts in South
Carolina are being held today to nomi-
nate successors to Representative w.
IT, Ragsdale. of Florence. who died sud-
denly several weeks ago in Washing
ton. and Representative A. F. Lever
OF Lexington, who resigned on Aug. I.
Ito accept an appointment from Presi-
ident Wilson as a member OF the farm
loan board. In Mr.. Levers district the
laspirants are John Hughes Cooper
John T. Duncan. Coin s. Montieth all
of Columbia; F.. c. Mann, of st. Mat
thaws John Zimmerman. of Lexing.
ton, and II. P. Fulmer. Of North.
In the Sixth district the candidates
are J. J. Evans and 7. w LeGrande,
of Bennettsville; julius s. McTnnes,
Darlington: r. ]. Sherwood, Conway;
w. F. Stackhouse. of Marion, and P. H,
.Stou of KinkStree
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

Tucker?
A. Since when hs first started
coping to the house.
@. Some time in the carly part OF
thss year?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When he started TO call on
your sister,
A. Yes, sty.
q. Did you ever sec him take her
riding IN hts cart
4. Ees, cir.
Q. What kind OF automobile d4d he
hs$e3
A. Roadster.
o. What colors
A. Buick roadster with whits wire
wheels.
@. You say It was n Buick roads
l. Yes. cir.
Q. What cotor did you say the
wheels were?
A. White.
q. Had you seen that on more than
one occesion7
A Yes, sir, have seen II often.
Q. Did you know Mr.. Tucker when
you saw him. whether in that car that
night?
a. No, don't believe I would.
@. Do you know him now?
A. IL l would see him, yes sir
@. Is he in the courtroom hereH
A. 1 don't see him.
.. Anyway, you don't know
whether he Is here or not?
A. No sir.
q. ! will ask you to tell us whether
or not you knew about the time he
was introduced to your sister7
A. l don't know the exact date,
Mr.. Chamlee.
Q. Now, when he would come TO
your house did you live on Oak street
at that time?
A Yes sir.
Q. How did he come to the house,
that Is, would he get out of his car
and come In, or wait on the outside
for your sister to come to him?
A. He would drive to the front of
the house, blow the horn and that is
all l would see Of him and she would
go out.
Q. How many times have you seen
him in that way?
A Several times.
Q. l will ask you to tell us when,
to your knowledge, was the last time
she went with him?
Operated for Adenoids.
A A few days before she went to |
the hospital to have her tonsils and |
adenoids taken out, some time in
July.
Q. Last time in Juiyf
A. Yes sir.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
1000 EXTRA
POLICE CALLED
Pittsburgh Takes Emergency
Measures to Prevent Fur
ther Street Car Riots.
CAROLINA GUARDS OUT
Rail Transportation Southern
California Completely
ParalyZed.
CAROLINA GUARDS OUT

Pittsburgh. Aug. 26.--A call for
1000 emergency policemen to aid the
local police force in handling the troll :
ley situation here was issued this
morning by Mayor E. V. Babcock
This action followed conference
last night between city officials who
gathered to consider ways and means
to prevent recurrence of rioting
yesterday when the receivers of the
Pittsburgh Street Railway company
attempted to break the strike of 5000
motormen and conductors which has
tied up trolley transportation for
twelve days.
More than a score OF persons were
more or less seriously injured yes
terday in riots when an attempt was
made to run the cars through the
downtown districts of the city and
thirteen were arrested. Seven OF
those injured were struck by stray
bullets when truck crowded with
men dashed through the streets fr-
ing as they went. Seven other per-
Isons were trampled in a panic as
mounted police charged rioters in
Fifth avenue in the business district
when a trolley car was stoned.
Proceed to Charlotte.
Raleigh, N. c., Aug. 26.-Four COM
panies Of state troops were ordered
today by Adjt.- Gen. Royster to pro-
coed Immediately to Charlotte where
disorders In connection with a strike
OF street railway motormen and con-
ductors resulted last night in the
death Of at least two persons and the
injury of a dozen others.
The troops were ordered to Char
lotte at the request of the mayor of
that city. Companies ordered on duty
are stationed at Winston Salem,
Statesville, Lexington and Lincoln
ton.
California Service ParaIyzed.
Los Angeles, Cal, Aug. 26.-Rail
transportation throughout southern
California as far as Fresno on the
north, and as far east as Yuma,
Ariz, was paralyzed today. A strike
which began Thursday night when
switchmen and brakemen quit their
posts in symapthy with a strike of
trainmen of the Pacific Electric COM
pany, operating an interurban sys-
tenn, and which rapidly extended to
include other trainmen, yardmen and
shopmen, spread last night northward
to Bakersfield, Cal, and eastward to
Yuma.
Charlotte. N. c., Aug. 26.-State
troops and deputies patrolled the prin-
cipal streets Of this city today In an
effort to prevent a renewal of rioting
in connection with the street car
strike here which resulted last night
in the death of four men and the in
jury OF thirteen others. Additional
troops have been ordered to Charlotte
and should arrive during the day.
Strong guards have been thrown
around the car barns OF the Southern
Utilities company. where the rioting
last night took place. The city hall
also was guarded by soldiers.
No effort was made to operate street |
cars today. The service had been |
abandoned for two weeks and last !
nights r!oting followed efforts to
operate cars on some OF the more i'm
portant routes.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

who finally were successful in hear
ing the beginning Of the case 200
were women of all ages. Outside the
Jail and between the courthouse and
the jail photographers, newspaper
men, lawyers and other gathered.
Defendants Brought Into Court.
At 10 o'clock Tucker and Gray. in
charge of chief Deputy Billy Smith
and city detectives, walked out OF the
Jail. Upon /, ching the courtroom.
Gen. George W. Chamlee saw that
the crowd was inconveniently large
to try the case in the criminal court
room and he adjourned to the au-
ditorium on the third floor. In but
few minutes the courthouse audi
toriun, which will hold 1900 or 1900
people, was filled to overfiowing.
Chairs were placed upon the stage,
and lawyers newspaper men and
court reporters were made comforta-
BILE.
Judge Opens Court.
At 1890 o'clock City Judge Martin
Fleming found his way through the
crowd and to the platform, and the
trial was begun by the calling to the
stand Of Miss Ruth Crawford, sister
Of the dead girl. Tucker and Gray
sat with their counsel, Eugene Will
liams appearing for Gray, and Ia
tum, Thach & Lynch for Tucker. Be-
hind the states table sat Atty Gen.
George w. Chamlee, Sam j. McAlles-
ter. who was retained by the Cum
berland Presbyterian church, of
which the victim was a member; Car
lyle Littleton, Assistant Atty Gen.
w. F. McGauchy and c. c. Milligan.
Miss Ruth Crawford stated that she
was 16 years Of age and was the sis
ter OF Miss Willie Crawford She said
she did not know Tucker by sight,
but had frequently seen his car drive
up to the house and her sister go out
with him. She told about her sister
going on a ride with Tucker and COM
ing back in a prostrated condition.
At this point counsel for the defense
interposed an objection and Miss
Crawford was not allowed to repeat
the statement made by her sister to
her about Tucker being responsible
for her unhappiness and serious con.
dition. She was then excused after
a brief cross examination by Byron
Tatum.
Mother Testifies.
The mother was then called to the
stand and told OF how she had first
known of her daughter's condition.
Sne stated LnaL Sne was on case
when Lieut.. Gray and her daughter
came for her and took her driving.
She said that on the ride the lieu.
tenant told her that her daugh-
ter was in a delicate condition and
told her Tucker was responsible. The
latter part OF the statement was OBJ
lected to this and ruled out. However
later it was gotten into the record
under a dying declaration. The
mother then told OF consulting DR..
Horton, and later having her daugh-
ter removed to the hospital and an
operation performed on her. She
stated that DR.. Horton. two nurses,
Lieut.. Gray and herself witnessed the
operation. Later, the mother said,
hat her daughter. realizing that she
vas going to die, called her and.
placing her arms about her neck. told
Ter Tucker was responsible for her
'uin and later her death. The dying
and a stenographic re-
'ort Of the evidence is printed here
With.
At the afternoon session DR.. j.
Webster Horton took the witness
(contlnHsd on. Pace IN.,uA1lu
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
LIGHTNING'S FREAK
Enters House Through Telephone and
TearS Gun 10 Pieces.

Enters House Through Telephone and
Tears Gun to Pieces.
Sequatchie. Aug. 26. Especially -
Lightning played a queer freak at the
home of W. F. Shelton in the Fifth dis
trict last week. 1t struck a telephone
line near his house, ripped three poles
to pieces, dashed into his house, jumped
from the telephone box to a gun lean
ing against the wall beneath It, tearing
1t to pieces, then raced across the floor
to a doorway, going out through a
screen door, and passing beneath a
chair on which Mrs. Smith. mother-in-
law OF Mr.. Shelton. an aged lady. was
sitting. She was not hurt in the least,
but the woodwork of the gun was
ruined, as we'll as the woodwork Of the
house torn and scorched.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
Wins Claims That He Fired
Fatal Shot in Self-Defense
Revenue Agent Forced to Kill
Moonshiner Who Attacked
Him With Knife.

Knoxville Aug. 26.-Cal Chastani
alias Burrell, was shot and almost in
stantly killed Monday by T. B. WINS.
deputy collector OF internal revenue,
when the man sprang upon him with a
knife during a raid on a moonshine
still in the Star mountain district OF
Polk county, near the Monroe county
line.
Reports reaching Knoxville were TO
the effect that Mr.. WINS had placed
Chastani under arrest following a raid
upon his still, and when he turned his
back upon his prisoner he sprang upon
him with a knife, causing him to fire
in self-defense. According to United
States District Attorney w. r. Ken
nerly. Chastani was a fugitive from
justice in North Carolina, where he was
wanted on two murder charges.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
MADE BIG HAUL

Thieves Carry Away Large Part Of
Merchants store.
Huntsville. Ala. Aug. 26.-(Special)
Thieves entered the store of Robin
son, Ford e. Foster at Normal last night
and hauled away $500 worth OF goods
The sheriff's force Is working on the
ease and believe that they will be able
to .un down such daring burglars. One
Of the robbers. II Is claimed. was locked
inside the store for half the night, but
made his getaway before daylight.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
|Vother Bares Girls Death Tale
Wanna JACK Tucker Killed Me- Dying Statement Of billie
SNOW IN NEW YORK

Hornell, N. r, Aug. ae.--(A.
P)--Although the sun was
shining, snow fell for Ave min
utes today. melting as rapidly
as 1t struck the ground.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26
MESSENGER ROBBED

Bandits Get Away With $4,000 Of Bank
Funds.
Boston, Aug 26.-Ray Scott Guer-
ney. bank messenger employed by the
Fidelity Trust company, was held up
yesterday by four men, who stole S12,-
900 which he was taking to the bank
from the ONCE OF the Grocers' Banking
company. in the Roxbury district.
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

Continued on Page Two.)
The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-26

tc0ntIr".d o. Pays w
Evening journal., 1919-10-25

we arranged ourselves side by side I'm
| long rows on the top Of tho leaf. with
out heads at the edges"
what did you look llke?" Peggy
inquired.
I'VE were velvety black, covered with
small white dots. Along The middle
Of the back we had eight red dots
our tiny legs were red also. You see, 4"
she continued, "as we lived 50 close to-
gether II was impossible for one Of us
TO be frightened without every one else
being affected In the same way"
How terrlbcv exclaimed the child.
Besides our enemies" the butterfly
explained, there was one thing which
frightened us and which we hated very
much. aud that was loud noise.
"Did you run when you heard one7
the girl asked
mo, we all rose In the air with one
accord, each lifted the front Of his body
free from the leaf and remained thus
for some time, shaking and trembling"
why did you do that2"
Because we were afraid, OF course"
you must have looked very funny"
laughed the girl-child
Mourning Cloak was silent for some
time, and then only said, 81 wish that
man would stop his terrible noise"