The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-03-21
Woman Gets Two Years
Man One Year
Only Two Gases Tried Against Each.
Husband Acquitted in One Case.
Defense Brings in Question of the
Sanity of Mrs. Campbell.

During. this week, the charges
against the Campbe1ls, who kept the
DETERMINATIONS Orphans Home,
were taken up in the Cobb Superior
Court and two cases against each,
husband and wife, were disposed Of.
On account of the sensational charges
and wide publicity given them by
the Atlanta papers, great interest was
manifested in these cases and the
court room was filled during most of
the time evidence was being taken.
The Atlanta papers continued to
E'cover" the cases with much the same
manner and spirit shown when the
cases were being developed, each one
having special reporter in attend
ance every day. AS the trials pro-
gressed, however, it was apparent
that the excitement was waning, and
the evidence did not sustain all the
sensational rumors circulated so free
ly at the time Of the arrests.
Many people who were in close
touch with the cases since the first,
expressed to us modification of their
views as to the cruel intent of Mrs.
Campbell, and a great many who ac-
cepted the evidence against her ex-
pressed doubt as to her sanity.
The fact that her half-brother mot
her step-brother as some Of the pa
pers reported it) was in the asylum
at Milledgville, was not permitted in
the evidence to the jury. To the lay
mind, this would cause closer study
into her sanity. The court held, how
ever, that the question of her sanity
could be determined independently by
a lunacy commission, if the plea was
made later.
The evidence which probably most
affected the jury and spectators, was
the exhibition of the scars caused
by the burns on the body of little
Marjorie Florence, which Mrs. Camp
bell claimed was accidentally The
fact that she did not call physician
to attend these burns weighed against
her, although many people neglect to
call one for treatment of burns even
more severe.
Attorneys C. M. Dobbs and Herbert
Clay represented the defense, while
Solicitor Dorsey was assisted by Hon.
VIM. Butt, of Blue Ridge. Judge N.
A. Morris presided, and good order
prevailed, only once was the slightest
demonstration made. The crowd the
first day had probably 20 per cent of
women, but at each session this num-
Der was reduced until less than twenty
attended the last session.
The first case called was that of
Mrs. Campbell, charged with cruelty
to little Marjorie Florence, it being
the strongest case against her.
The first witness was May Hozey,
who stated her age at 13 years. She
had iaunty Overseas" cap and soon
gave evidence of her knowledge and
''smartness" beyond her reputed age.
She testified that she and another
child had been forced by Mrs. Camp
bell to swing little Marjorie Florence
against hot CRATE, causing the burns,
and insisted that Mrs. Campbell ord
cred them to burn her. She also tes-
titled to other cruelties; such as severe
whipping and rubbing salt and pep
per on child's back.
She was followed by Carrie Bell
Bateman, aged II, who sustained the
evidence of the first witness, although
not so free in her testimony.
Mrs. Annie Meredith followed and
testified as to a number of crueltles
inflicted by whipping severely. Mr..
Florence then exhibited a part of the
body of little Marjorie, showing the
scars caused by the burns.
The state introduced no other wit
nesses in this case, and the defense
introduced a number of character
witnesses, two being prominent cltl-
zens of Griffin, who had known Mrs
Campbell since childhood, and who
gave her a good name, and told OF
her church and Sunday School work
there. Doctor Redd, who stated that
he had practiced in the home; Mr.. j.
T. Carmichael, who keeps store IN
the neighborhood, and Bolton groc-
err. all gave her a good character, UP
to the time the charges were made
DIR. Redd stated that the home had
appeared clean, and the children all
seemed well cared for, no evidences
of cruelty having been apparent to
him in the home on his visits there.
Mrs. Campbell neglected in her
statements to make specific denlals OF
most of the charges, contenting her,
self with a swee, ling denial Of al
charges of cruelty with intent, and
devoting much of her time to rather
disconnected statements of her limo.
cense, her religious principles, and hel
reliance upon the judgment bar OF
God for justice and vindication Of
her life and character. At one time
during a statement she became ex'
cited and called upon God to punish
her "persecutors," the solicitor anc
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