Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-04
ABBEVILLE BUZZES
WITH RUMORS ABOUT
SHEPARD MYSTERY
(Continud from Page -

Shepard murder case will be given
by residents of this city and Of Will
cox county has become known here,
particularly since the arrest of Mrs.
T. E. Elmer, former wife of Mr.. Fred
D. Shepard, her sister, Mrs. lone
Henry, of Perry; Mrs. Annie Cults,
formerly of this city, but now of
Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hopson, son
of Mrs. Elmer by her first marriage.
Statements made by several we'll
known citizens or Abbeville, prior
to and since Mr.. Shepards mystic
rious death June l, 1920, have been
made the basis of exhaustive investi-
cations by the authorities working
under the direction of Solicitor Gen
eral Charles Fl. Garrett, of the Bibh
superior court. The result of these
Investigations has been to material
ly strengthen the case of the state.
according to the officials.
Particular Importance is attached
to the statements made by Mr.. and
Mrs. J. A. Turner, who were tenants
on the farm where Mrs. Cults spent
most of her time up to three weeks
ago. 1t has also been indicated that
John Turner, their son, will give
vital testimony when the case comes
up for preliminary hearing Deem
Der before Judge H. A. Matthews.
in Macon. That J. J. Peterson, who
was also employed at the Cults farm
witness at he hearing and at the
trial of the case in the superior
court, is also generally believed here.
Mrs. Cults was born and reared in
this, county. The Cults farm on the
western outskirts of Abbeville is
and there Mrs. Cults has resided al
most continually, although. her hus-
band, F1oridge Cults. well-known at
torney of Fitzgerald, made his resi-
dence in Ben Hill county spending
the weel-ends with his wife on the
farm here.
Turner's Evicted
The Turner's were tenants on the
Cults farm until few months ago
when they were evicted by Mrs. Cults
following a shooting affair in which
Turner wounded John s. Hopson,
tween Hopson and Mrs. Turner.
John Turner. son Of the overseer,
declared today-and he has previous
ly made the same statements-that
Mrs. Cults about three months be-
fore Mr.. shepard,s death had a mis- mis-
ner. He says that Mrs. Cults talked
about the affair to him, that he went
and told his father what she said,
and that they agreed-he and his
father-that it would be best for
the youth to get out of the commu-
nifty for fear he might be made the
scapegoat in case any unseemly in
cidents occurred on the farm, and the
young man was sent Immediately to
the home of his uncle in Wayne
county.
There he stayed for about three
returning tO AhhnUilIa tn
find both his father and his mother
locked up in the Wilcox county jail
as the result Of the shooting of
John Hopson. He says that he
occurring in the Shepard case after
his departure for Wayne county, his
of events being based up
on statements made to him by Mrs.
Cults before his departure. He in
tlmated that his testimony concern
ing these statements will be of a
nature.
Sensations Knitted
l The Turner's talk freely of the
case, especially about Mrs.
Cults connection with the mystery
that has kept the people of this sec
ton in a high state of excitement for
weeks past. They seem to have en-
Cults prior to the shooting affair
May II. Turner was overseer Oil
the Cults farm then and Mrs. Turner
says that she was on intimate terms
with Mrs. Cults. often going into the
home. Both strongly intimate that
they will give testimony of a sensa-
tional nature when put on the stand.
1t is generally believed that the Tur.
ners Will be the star witnesses for
the prosecution in the case.
Street corner talk in Abbeville has
been Of little but the Shepard case
rumors fly hither and yon almost
with the speed of the wind.
Young Turner Feared Trouble
When closely questioned today
about his knowledge of the circum-
stances surrounding the death of Mr..
conspiracy to poison the wealthy
Fort Valley peach grower. Young
Turner declined to make full dis
closure, saying that he had promised
the authorities not to divulge GER
tain facts in his possession. He did
not hesitate to. say, however, that
mo before Mr.. shepard's death
was taken advisely and in the full
belief that a conspiracy against Mr..
was being concocted, and
that he. Turner, feared he would be
made the scapegoat.
Some comment was caused about
town by alleged happenings at the
Cults farm for several months prior
to the development of the Shepard
case, according to citizens here. In
fact. 1t is stated, that city officials
made protest to relatives of Mrs.
Cults, asking that they do their ut
most to put a stop to the parties"
at the farm. It is said that Ernest
Hopson was a frequent visitor at
the Cults farm and that John Hop
son, his elder brother, spent much
Of his time there.