The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1920-12-02
MURDER CHARGED
TO MRS. SHEPARD
WOMAN ARRESTED AS SHE LEFT
COURT ROOM.
POISONING is CLAIMED.
Doctors Testify to Finding Poison in
Stomach of Dead Georgia
Peach King

Fort Valley, Ca, Nov. 27.-War-
rants charging murder in connection
with the death last June under mys-
tenious circumstances of Fred D. She
pard, known as the Georgia Peach
King" were served tonight on Mrs.
F. E. Elmer, former wife of the
peach grower. Mrs. lone Henry, sis
ter of Mrs. Elmer, and Ernest Hop
son, son of Mrs. Elmer by marriage
previous to that with Shepard.
The arrest of all three was ordered
after pathologist and chemist of
Atlanta had testified at the coroner's
Investigation here today that a post
mortem examination Of Shepard's
body had revealed the presence of poi
son in the viscera.
Mrs. Elmer, who took charge of
Shepard's property after his death on
the grounds that he died intestate,
was arrested as he was leaving the
courtroom where the coroner's inves-
tigation was held The first charge
placed against her was illegal appro-
priation of Shepard's property. Sev-
eral hours later she was served with
a warrant charging her with muir
der in connection with Shepard's
death. Mrs. Henry and Hopson were
arrested at their homes in Perry, near
here.
Traces of Poison Found.
DR.. John Funke, Atlanta patholo-
gist, who was one of the witnesses at
the inquest, testified that traces of
poison were found in Shepard's body.
His testimony was supplemented by
that of DR.. Edgar Everhart, an Allan
ia chemist, who told the jury that,
while he had found no poison at the
time of his first examination, an anal
ysis of the contents of other organs
presented to him after a second ex-
humation of the body showed large
amount of bichloride of mercury. He
estimated the dose which caused She
pard's death at fifty grains.
The testimony developed at today,s
hearing followed an exhaustive in
quiry into the alleged mysterious
circumstances surrounding the death
of the wealthy peach grower. The
inquiry during it's later stages has
been directed by State Solicitor Gen.
eral Garrett.
Queer Spots Found.
SheparGs death occurred at Ma
con hospital after an illness of only
three days. Hospital physicians un-
able to diagnose the case, conducted
a postmortem examination, and re-
ported the finding of queer spots on
the vital organs. Investigation was
Immediately started by the authorl-
ties.
Shepard's wife of less than a year,
now Mrs. Elmer, Immediately took
charge of the extensive orchard hold
ings and other property of the peach
grower, stating that he had left no
will. The investigation into his
death, which had practically been
abandoned, was revived several weeks
later by the announcement OF Mrs.
Alice Crandall, sister of Shepard,
that she had received an anonymous
letter through the mail inclosing what
was purported to be will executed
by the ''peach king" This will be-
ouethed to the widow $4,000 cash,
and a monthly allowance of 500. All
knowledge of the existence of such
will ives denied by the widow.
Marries DIR. Elmer.
Four months after Shepard's death
his widow was married to DR.. F. E.
Elmer, who, according to statements
BY Solicitor General Garrett during
the investigation, claims to nave once
been a governor of state in Mexico
and later the husband of the daugh-
ter of an English nobleman.
Shepard's career was strange
one. Heir to the millions of his ia
ther, he ran away from home when
a boy and was found many years Ia
ter on a ranch in Oregon. He had
married and after obtaining d.
vorce, returned to Georgia to assist
his father in the management of the
Shepard property. Upon the death OF
the elder Shepard he received the ma
ior portion of the estate, which con-
sisted of property in Georgia, Flori-
da, Mississippi, Alabama, South Car
olina, Battle Creek, Mich, and French
Lick Springs, Ind.
Mrs Matte Beatty, of Black RiY-