Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-09-30
CHAPTER Ix-continued.


As / pOndered over 1t decided that
my chance meeting with Barbara Brad
ford In the park had upset the plans
of a Matchmaking band, and that they
were ayenging themselves on me for
nv unwilling part. was certain that
Wick and Lefty Moore's wife we're In
connivance with them, and that the
gang possibly included Claire Brad
ford's ex-husband. Wick had pass
kew that enabled him to enter the Luz
ran apartment. Undoubtedly he could
also enter mine as well. But WICK
could have nothing to do with the
planting of the revolver in my rooms.
I was positive about that. He hau
not been out of my sight for single
moment from the time that we had dis
covered the body. The only way that
IT seemed possible to involve him IN
that was on the theory OF prear-
ranged plot to make me appear the
murderer. Was 1t possible that Clare
Bradford had participated In thisE l
knew she had been in my rooms after
the murder. 1t must have been she
who put the revolver there.
One of the detectives who had ar
rested me appeared at my cell door.
"Come along" he commanded
grufly.
As came out was again shackled
and led to the patrol wagon that was
waiting. / had supposed that l was
being taken to court to be arralgned,
but such was not the case. / found
myself at police headquarters, where
both my photograph and my finger
prints were taken. ! refrained from
giving any information about myself,
beyond giving my name and age, be-
ing careful to have my name recorded
as John S. Nelson. Out in my home
town everybody for years had known
me by my middle name "Spaulding,"
and l was hopeful that they might
fail to identify me if they read any
thing about me.
When everything that might serve to
identify me had been recorded, l was
taken into large room where perhaps
half hundred men were assembled,
most of them wearing masks. looked
about with curiosity. l had read OF
this ceremony. was being "lined up"
before the members of the city's detec-
tive force to see if any of them could
identify me and to give them an oppor-
tunity to familiarize themselves with
nv sfeatures In case it should ever be
necessary to arrest me again.
"Neyer saw him before" / heard
one of them say. "Guess ne must De
a western crook"
"He's no amateur" said another.
s'That job up at the Granddeck was
done by professional"
Many sighting comments were
made, too, on my personal appearance.
/ learned for the first time that had
bad ear" and that my eyes were
shifty. The only emotion these COM
ments aroused in me was feeling of
pity. not for myself but for all poor
unfortunates who fall afoul Of the
law. Even though man is presumed
to be innocent until he has been con-
victed l had observed that since the
first moment of my arrest everybody
had taken It for granted that l must
be guilty and had treated me with
little respect or consideration.
From headquarters I was taken to
the police court and without further
delay brought before magistrate.
"John S. Nelson, arrested for the
murder of Daisy Lutan," said the de-
tective.
"Have you counsel?" asked the mag
istrate.
NO." replied.
st will assign Mr.. Myers as the pris-
oner's COUNSEL" he announced.
A young chap, evidently just out OF
law school, stepped forward, and drew
me little to one side.
"Plead Not guilty." he directed,
"and be careful to say nothing more"
"Of course" / replied. I'm not
guilty. / had nothing to do with it."
could see by his face that he did
not believe me and as l turned again
to the court l made up my mind that
even If the court had assigned MIN
as my counsel l would tell him moth
ing.
"How do you plead?" asked the
court.
mot guilty." replied.
"Remanded without bail for further
examination until Thursday morning,
snapped the court, and was led back
into an ant,room, Mr.. Myers and the
detective accompanying me. The lat
ter there surrendered me to some OIL
cial, presumably prison keeper.
Looks pretty bad for you," said
Myers, as we were left alone for con-
sultation.
"I suppose it does look that way" /
laughed.
mo chance to make II selfdefense,"
he went on, plainly amazed at my
manner. mo jury'd ever stand for a
burglar shooting In self-defense."
"No," l admitted, 81 suppose they
wouldn't. Fortunately I'm no bur
glar."
IF we could make out It was a
lovers quarrel" he suggested.