Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-08
PASTORS STORY
OF WADE KILLING
TO PRISON BOARD.
Woman's S Death Bed
Statement Comes Out
At Atlanta

What is announced in news dis
patches from Atlanta as a big sensa-
ton in the Wade murder case, which
may "clear up the MURDER" devel-
oped yesterday before the prison
commission in connection with the
application of DR.. G. K. Chapman
and Warren l. Johnson, of Americas,
for pardon from the state farm at
Milledgeyille, where they are serv-
ing life sentences for the murder of
Walter Wade. Although the Chap
man application was set for hearing
last Monday, it was postponed until
December 16, when it and the john
son application, brought up from
Macon, where Johnson at one time
was policeman will be heard joint
ly When arrested johnson was
resident of Americas, living with his
wife near the home of DIR. Chapman,
on Fielder street.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. P. Chapman, fa-
ther and mother of DIR. Chapman,
who were in Atlanta Monday, with
attorneys and others interested in
the case, returned home yesterday,
but will return there for the hearing
December 16 At that time other
members of the families of both men
will also 90 to Atlanta
The story from Atlanta is that
prominent minister, whose name was
not announced and who had been
summoned, had been told the 'facts"
in connection with the killing of
Wade bv woman who was under
going a surgical operation and
feared she might die. This woman
later recovered and has now disap-
peared.
Long Known Here
This feature of the defense has
long been known here, but the law
yers for the prisoners never utilized
the woman's story in presenting an
extraordinary motion for new trial.
n 1t is understood that the minister in
y the case is Rev. John Ellis, brother
of Rev Paul Ellis, pastor of the
First Methodist church here until
two wears ago, and since that time
presiding elder of the Macon district.
Rev. John Ellis was recently trans
ferred tn Covington from Wesley
Memorial church, Atlanta. The un-
named woman in the case, who has
disappeared, is understood to have
been Clara Oliver known as Little
Bit" one of the women who inquired
in the trial.
The story coming out of Atlanta
is published in the Macon Telegraph
this morning as follows:
The Atlanta Story.
"AtIanta. Dec. IF what was be-
Ieved hv woman to be her death
bed confession is taken IN the form
of an ffidavit from highly reputegSd
Methodist minister, DR.. Charles N
Chapman was not in any way con-
nected with the murder IN Americus
of Young Walter Wade, though Chap-
man and W. l. Johnson are no"
both serving life sentences.
"The highly sensational develop
ment in the famous Chapman murder
case came to the surface her TO-
night after the filing of petitions for
nardon of both Chapman and john
son. The minister whose name is
withheld. was in the office of the
Prison commission yesterday and YER
hallv presented the story which ne
has aoreed to produce in writing ana
make If in the form of an affidavit
to he filed with the commission
"His story is: "A short time ago
while supplying at Wesley Memorial
church in Atlanta, message was
brought to him that young lady was
ahont to be operated upon for Wnat
was believed to be appendicitis Sne
was in a critical condition and asKeo
to have a minister sent for. he was
asked to 90 to the bedside and dlo
so The Young woman told nm sne
was, present in the house at the tlme
wade was killed, and he was killed
bv one of the women inmates ana
ns6e nositive assertion that Dr.
Chapman was not IN or aD1uI 'Ne
house at the time OF the hlliis s +bo
$50 far as has been learneu .n1
sick woman made no menClon one W@S
or the other of Johnson. however
the surgical operation was perL'inr
ed. the woman recovered, thoush 81 sne
believed at the time she maze InS
statement she was going TO ole, anu
for some time thereafter the MINIS
ter kert in touch with her. Lately
. though she has left the place wnere
She had been living, and ne mas ios'
track of her
To Make Affidavit.
"All of these allegations, 1t IS stat
ed IN authority tonight, the minister
will include in his affidavit, and on
that Ground it will be contended Tor
Cbanman in pressing for PARDON
that he is innocent This develop
ment makes quite certain that tne
hearing before the commission VIII
be equally as sensational as the trlaI'
''The Walter Wade murder case at
tracted more attention, perhaps tnan
any crime or homicide n. that soutn-
ern section of the state in genera.
ton. fhe victim, young man OF
promiAent family. was mysterlousl,y
done to death. his body later found
bloody automobile playing consplc-
nouel,, IA, +ha transaction. and finally