The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-06
TWO FUNDS RAISED
TO CLEAR FAMOUS
MURDER MYSTERY
Killing of Kentucky Girl and
Arrest of Doctor Caused
/; Drastic Steps to Help Clear
/ Up Crime.

ESPECIAL to The News SeimitarO
LEXINGTON, Ky, Dec. 6.-Two
finds are being raised in Kentucky
fAr the purpose of throwing light on
q murder. It is the first time in this
state when it has been thought neces-
sary to take such action. Newspa-
ners and clubwomen are appealing 10
the public for money to be used III
running down the murderer OF MISS
LAURA Parsons, teacher at PINE NOUN
tain settlement school, Harlan couh-
ty, last Sept. 7.
Or, II. c. WINES, q member OF the
state veterinarians staff, is accuseu
OF the murder. A negro convict is
also accused, but his possible partl-
cipation in the murder has practical
ly been lost sight of in the larger
Importance of the WINES case
WINES friends in Letcher county
where he has lived seven years, nave
raised $500 and appealed to the pup
lie for more to be used in ms ae-
Tense, declaring their belief in ms
innocence, and that they expect 10
stick to him.
The Parsons murder Is the most
sensational case involving Killing
in Kentucky in many years. MISS
Parsons had started to the schooi
after having spent a brief vacation
with her parents who live IN Ihe
Bluegrass section of the state. Be
fore she left for the mountains OF
Harlan county, she told friend she
had presentment she was TO meet
with harm, and that she would not
hn iF aha hud not
promised the board TO return.
Thrown Over Cliff.
She left the train at Dillon station.
WINES had also been a passenger.
WINES was on his way to the school
to inspect the dairy herd. He in
quired from bystander the number
Of cattle at the school; Miss Parsons
overheard his query and tellins
WINES she was a teacher at the
school, said there were about dozen
cows at the place, WINES admits
asking Miss Parsons if she were GO
ing to the school, and when she re-
piled that she was, offered to get her
a mule to ride, as the walk from the
station is over a lonely mountain
road. She declined the offer.
DR.. WINES says he later started
for the school, arriving there after
such delay that suspicion was first
directed at him. He has offered an
alibi covering the time and his al
legged expenditure of that time. He
says he never saw Miss Parsons
again. When Wennes arrived at the
school, he told of having seen Miss
Parsons at the station. She had not
arrived, and uneasiness developed, es
s~n, x1yaN Low n1nnu q FnIltn
not far from q camp occupied by
convicts sent to Harlan county to
work on roads.
A search was begun which took in
most of the mountain country around
the school. After two days Miss
Parsons mutilated body was found at
the foot of a precipice, She had been
outraged. murdered by being beaten
with a fence rail, which was found on
the hill. and her body hurled over
the cliff.
WINES Gives Up.
WINES had gone to Frankfort in
the meantime, and as he was the last
person known to have seen Miss Par
sons, suspicion pointed to him.
WINES read of his being suspected
and went to the chief of police at
Frankfort, told him he was the man
mentioned in the story and asked If
he should telegraph to Harlan and
offer to, surrender. The Frankfort
chief agreed and WINES telegraphed
to Chief of Police Mcfarland at
Hazard, offering to return and help
clear up the mystery. A Harlan
deputy sheriff was in Frankfort and
WINES returned with him.
WINES was given a hearing and
promptly dismissed.
Nearly two months later, a large
number of cluhwomen, in n move
ment started at Paducah, issued a
statement calling on Gov. Morrow to
have the case reopened and thor
oughly investigated. A detective had
been employed by the school and au-
thorities, but, claiming he could not
secure proper cooperation in his
search, had given up the case.
State Senator Hiram Brock. a po-
iitieal leader of the mountain coun-
try. interested himself in the case
and WINES was rearrested. After a
long trial. he was ordered held for
hearing, which will probably take
place in January. A negro convict
was also held for trial Other negro
conyicts are to be examined