Americus times-recorder., 1919-11-18
DUCKWORTH, ON
WITNESSSTAND,
ADMITSSLAYINC
Readily Confesses AT
Commitment Hearing
Negro Woman Freed

Sam Duckworth today. reiterated
his statement that he killed his wife
when he testified at the commitment
hearing of Liza Ware, the negro wo-
man held in the case, held before JUS
tice of the Peace EcMath. Told that
he was privileged to decline to answer
If he saw fit, he readily consented to
answer any questions, and then said
that he slew his wife and that Sidney
Ware, Liza's husband, helped him put
her body in the well when he re-
quested him to do so. Sidney Ware
was not witness. His wife was dis
charged, it being shown that she was
IN Americus at the time of the kill
ing and could have had no part in it.
That Sam Duckworth did not kill
his wife, as he confessed yesterday,
was the opinion expressed today by
Green Perry, on whose farm Duck
worth is tenant, and one whose
place the tragedy was enacted last
Wednesday. He expressed credence,
however, in the statment of Sidney
! Ware, the negro, also a cropper on
his place, that he has present when
the crime was committed, and be-
lief that he might have had hand
in it. The time element, according
to Mr., Perry, precluded the possibili-
| ty of Duckworth' statement being
true. Duckworth told Sheriff Har-
vey and the other officers yesterday
that he killed his wife by cutting her
throat before he came to Americas.
He was in Americas shortly after a
O. clock. Jimmy Lee Perry, Mr.. Per-
ry's son, declares positively that he
saw the woman who was murdered
and her mother-in-law, who is still
in Jail in connection with the crime,
III the yard of their home about a
half hour before dark. Five negroes
who work for B. A. Bradley, who
lives four miles beyond the Perry
place, say that they passed the Duck
work home on their way from Ameri-
Gus between sundown and dark and
are positive they saw the two women
in the yard near the well. They say
the woman who was killed was sit
ting down and the elder was stand
ing near her with stick in her hand.
These negroes formerly lived in the
18th district near where the Duck
worths formerly lived and know the
women we'll.
Trying to Shield Mother.
It is Mr.. Perry's theory that posi-
bly, Duckworth, knowing that his
aged mother was in Jail charged with
tie offense, and fearing she is real
ly guilty, had acknowledged the crime
himself to shield her. He stated that
Immediately after the murder it was
known that Duckworth had started
fer the home Of relative near Lilly,
at whose home he was captured the
next day. This would indicate, ac-
cording to Mr.. Perry, that he was not
trying to get away.
Sheriff Harvey today expressed the
utmost assurance that Duckworth
was telling the truth in his confes-
sion.
"There is not the slightest doubt
about it," he said. "When he told
us about it there seemed to be a
great load lifted off his mind. This
morning he seemed much brighter
and more cheerful, and had an appe-
tite for his breakfast.
! E. L. Foster, the Macon investiga-
] tor who was present when Duckworth
told his story, declared that Duck
worth was telling the complete truth.
zone can tell by a mans demeanor,"
said he, "when he is telling the truth.
! 1t was easy to see that Duckworth
was unburdening himself, and when
he had finished he appeared greatly
relieved.
! Probably Saw Women.
"Of course. we don't dispute these
witnesses. All of them probably saw
both women, just as they say. But
it is very difficult to remember time
accurately, especially when there is
nothing by which to fix the time def
nitely in mind. Duckworth says he
killed his wife before he left for town,
and he knows he has told the truth.
In btedl 'l'o will tell the same
story n courtl As for the suggestion
=