The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-12-21
SAYS WOMAN KILLED
WADE IN AMERICUS
CHAPMAN WAS NOT PRESENT
IS CLAIM MADE BEFORE THE
PRISON COMMISSION.

| Attorneys for DR.. {. K. Chapman,
former prominent Americas dentist,
who is serving life sentence in con-
nection with the murder of Walter
Wade in 1916 Thursday and Friday
contended before the Georgia prison
commission that DR.. Chapman was
not even present at the time of the
| killing.
They introduced affidavits from
four persons who claimed to be eye
witnesses to the killing of Wade in
1916 in the house of Lois Reeves in
Americas, all declaring that they saw
Wade killed by a woman inmate of
the resort named Billie Brown; saw
the body removed from the house;
also that Dr. Chapman was not pres
ent at the time of the killing.
The attorneys further declared that
F. F. Sims, a detective appointed to
guard Mrs. Yeartie Howell, the prin-
cipal witness against DR.. Chapman,
had told Attorney w. P. Wallis and
others just prior to the third trial
that Mrs. Howell would change her
testimony in favor of DR.. Chapman
for the sum Of $4,000.
Applies to Johnson, Too,
The same testimony in favor of DR..
Chapman will, according to attorneys,
apply in the case of w. |. Johnson,
who was jointly indicted with DIR.
Chapman and also is now serving a
life sentence in connection with the
Wade murder.
Wade was killed in 1916 in Ameri-
Gus in the house of Lois Reeves In
dictments against Dr. Chapman and
six or seven others followed. The
first two trials of Dr. Chapman re-
suited in mistrials. He was convicted
on the third trial and sentenced to
life imprisonment.
Dr.. Chapman was convicted large
ly on the testimony of Mrs. Yeartie
Howell. 1t was just before the third
trial, according to Attorney w. P.
Wallis, that Sims, the detective en-
ployed by the prosecution to guard
Mrs. Howell, approached him, Attor-
ney L. ]. B1alock and a relative of
DR.. Chapman with the statement that
the witness would change her testi-
mony for $4,000. 1t also was claimed
that improper pictures of Mrs. Howell
were offered for sale by Sims, the
price placed upon them, according to
Mr.. Wallis, being $780,
Mr.. Wallis said that he was unable
to get the alleged offer of Mrs. How
ell before the court at the third trial,
and consequently had been unable to
present it until this time.
Afidavits Produced
Affidavits to the effect that Wade
was killed by Billie Brown and that
DR.. Chapman was not present were
introduced from Thelma Strickland,
Ike Fleischer, of Albany, and two ne
groes, Andrew Dudley and Shellman
Johnson, all of whom claimed to have
been eye-witnesses. The Strickland
woman is said to have made her state
ment just before she underwent an
operation and at a time she believed
her condition to be critical Her affi-
1avit also states that Immediately after
the killing she left for Columbus in
an automobile with former Dawson
man. The names OF another former
Dawson citizen and former Dawson
woman were brought into the hearing,
it being stated that they were at the
Reeves woman's house on the night
Of the killing.
A petition containing the names OF
!, 800 citizens Of Sumter county ask
ing for the pardon OF Dr. Chapman
was also presented to the commission.
The hearing before the prison com
mission consumed all of Thursday and
Friday. There were dramatic scenes
at the conclusion of the Thursday
morning session when Miss Emma
Chapman, a sister OF DR.. Chapman
cried out that all charges against her
brother were false. She and DIR. Chap
mans aged father and mother, Mr..
and Mrs. J. P. Chapman, his wife and
other relatives were present.
The clemency plea OF DIR. Chap
man was presented by Attorneys W.
P. Wallis, of Americas, and Frank
A. Hooper, of Atlanta, and was Wig
orously opposed by Judge ]. A.
Hixon, of Americus, and Solicitor Cen
eral julie FELTON,, who contended that
the evidence clearly established the
guilt of the convicted men. Johnson
was represented by Attorney B. J.
Fowler of Macon.
The hearing before the commission
lasted two days.
DrxTTcEn HrhTCJIc ETGJTPEC