Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-16
ATLANTA EXPERTS
SEVERELY CHILLED
IN SHEPARD CASE
State Plans to Call AZ Wit
Observation-Disclosures, Hav-
ing Scored Point Tuesday,
Appear in Cheerful Humor
By ED II. BRADLEY


of the most sensational cases in the
history OF the state, came to his
death from natural causes, and not
by poison administered with criminal
intent, is the contention of the four
defendants now under arrest charged
with Shepard's murder.
This was developed today at the
preliminary hearing before Judge H.
A. Mathews on the applications for
bail Of Mrs. Elmer, former wife of
Shepard; her sister, Mrs. Iona Henry;
her son, Ernest Hopson, and Mrs.
Annie Cults.
DIR. Edgar Everhart, an expert
chemist, of Atlanta, under cross-ex-
animation by Judge John P. Ross
for the defense, stated that some au-
thorities claim that calomel when ex-~,
posed to sunlight turns to corrosive
sublimate, or bichloride of mercury.
The chemist had previously testified
that he found traces Of bichloride
of mercury in Shepard's viscera.
which were taken from his exhumed
body November II for chemical an
alysis. Dr.. Everhart declared, how
ever, that the conversion of calomel
into bichloride of mercury by action
Of the human digestive organs has
not been positively demonstrated.
This phase of the defendants case
was developed rather eXhaustively by
Judge Ross and General Walter A.
Harris, counsel for Mrs. Elmer, who
Everhart in support of their theory.
The defense also emphasized the fact
testified to by DR.. Everhart that
Shepard's body was first exhumed
November and a chemical analysis
showed no traces of poison.
When court was recessed to
o'clock. DR. John Funke, Atlanta
pathologist, had testified only briefly =
concerning his examination OF Shep'
ards vital organs at the time the
body was exhumed second time.
He declared that the viscera was
wen preserved. He said that the
inner lining of the alimentary Gang
was badly corroded. indicating tho
action Of corrosive poisoning.
Solicitor General Charles Fl. Gar
rett, in charge of the prosecution
indicated before the opening or court
that he would depend almost entirely
upon oral testimony instead OF affl-
davits, Judge Mathews having ruled
Yesterday that affidavits could NOT
be substituted for oral testimony IN
the preliminary hearing of this case
The courts ruling threatened to
cause a postponement of the hear
ing, but by agreement of counsei on
both sides, it was decided to go aheao
this morning at II o'clock summon
ing the states witnesses, who had
been expected to appear only through
the affidavits.
The four prisoners. their attorneys
and their friends, Of whom they had
many in the audience Tuesday. were
plainly pleased with Judge Matthew's
decision. 1t was conceded generally
that the defense had scored in the
first skirmish of legal wits. Attor-
news Tor the defense asserted conf
IDENTIFY that their clients would WIN
the right to bail.
state Has Eorty-tWo WItnessoS
Before announcing ready, the So
licitor general called the names OF
forty-two witnesses for the state
including more than fifteen from
Abt4ville and several from Perry
and Fort Valley. Most of the VIII
nesses were present, although II
was explained that some could mot
their
subpoenas were not issued until
last night. The witnesses answer
ing to their names were sworn ana
ordered sequesterad.
All four of the defendants ap-
peared in the courtroom several
minutes before the opening or the
hearing. They were apparently In
excellent spirits. Mrs. Horny wore
a. new red velvet hat, adorned with
a pearl buckle. while Mrs. Elmer
had on fancy black veil, which did
not hide her features.
The courtroom was packed to ca
pacity, the crowd being even larg-
err than yesterday.
After the preliminary details had
been completed the state proceeded
with the Introduction of testimony.
calling as the first witness DR..
Edgar eEyerhardt. connected with
the state CHEMISTS office in Atlanta.
DR.. Everhart was the expert MAX
ing the chemical analysis of the
viscera from the body of Fred y.
Shepard. He testified at the coron
Der 81, Immediately after which the
four defendants were arrested on
warrants charging murder
DR., Everhardt described his opera
Of the Shepard viscera,, testifying
that early in November. he received
from the authorities the kidneys.
spleen and liver taken from Sfep-
ards body on its first exhumatiop
Making IA fenG no an noson P be t sad
but on November II. when the body
was exhumed for the second time.
he made an analysis of the esoph-
agus, intestines and bowles, find,
copper. He declared that his an
alysis showed that the mercuric
salts had been administered to
Shepard in solution, while the pres
ence of hydrochloric acid indicated
that the mercury had been in hi
chloride form.
scouts Ca1omel Theory 49,
DR.. Everhart, answering questions
by the solicitor general, said that
he had never found a case in which
mercury, has changed into bichloride
by chemical action in the human
body. Some authorities, he said, held
that such a change could occur. If
such a change should be brought
about, declared DR.. Everhart, even n
large dose of calomel would produce
only an infinitesimal quantity of BIZ