The Washington herald., 1921-10-04
Spouse of Victim Swears
That Crime Shall Be
Avenged.
NURSE SAY SSHE is
KIN TO ROOSEVELT
Denying Guilt, Tells Re-
portefs Police Seek to
Convict Someone.
BY J. HAROLD KEEN.
(staf Correspondent Of The Washington
Herald.)

Herald.)
FREDERICKSBURG Va, Oct. 81.
II am innocent of this brutal
crime and am being made the vic
tim of an effort on the part of po-
lice authorities to fix the blame
on sonme one. regardless of their
guilt"
This was the emphatic statement
made by Miss Sarah Knox, arrested
in connection with the staying of
Mrs. Margaret Eastlake, as she
stood in her cell in the city Jail
here this afternoon.
Later in the day Roger Eastlake.
husband of the slain woman. made
a similar statement protesting his
innocence an dadding that he would
give every ounce of life that he
possessed to see that the murderer
was properly punished.
With a guard stationed in front
of the cells occupied by the pris-
oners an Traditional guards around
the taial building, the prisoners
spent the day more resfully than
at any time since their arrest.
When receiving newspaper repre-
sentatives. Miss Knox, who was
cheerful and apparently without
fear was clad In q blue serge dress
with white collar and cuffs.
EastIake Seems Uneasy.
Eastlake. with a beard of several
days growth. wore a white shirt
and white navy trousers. Although
more composed tha npreviously, he
did not appear l~holly at east and
while talking would stare at the
walls for long periods at a time.
Rumors of a sc Unofficial nature
were gaining wide circulation
throughout the city today.
One was to the effect that a petit
tion will be made to have the trial
of the prisoners transferred from
westmoreland County to Spotsyl-
vania County owing to the hostile
attitude which bas been assumed by
the inhabitants of the county in
which the crime was committed.
Another, which is being generally
mentioned, is that the prisoners will
soon be removed to the State prison
at Richmond so that they will be
more secure against a recurrence of
lynching parties
4. W. Butzner. former common
wealth attorney for Spotsylvania
County. was today engaged as coun-
sci for the defendants, while
Thomas L. Hunter. of King George,
has been retained by Eastlake's
relatives as counsel for the accused
husband.
Counsel VIII Demand Hearing.
Butzner announced that he had
not as yet secured sufficient infor-
nation on the case to warrant the
Issuance of a statement, but de-
clared that one would be made in
the near future. He also stated
that he would demand a prelimi-
nary hearing for hi clients for the
purpose of attempting to secure
their release on bail. The case VIII
not be heard by the grand jury
until October "a.
The presence of the alleged slay-
ers in Il IS city has taken preced-
.rce over all activities. The muir
der and prisoners are being dls-
cussed on street corners and prac-
tically everywhere that several per-
cons congregate The Jail has be-
cor,a the center o focal attractions,
o,d throughout the day crowds
Stood before il while others more
hold attempted TO peer through the
windows
Miss Knox Denies Guilt.
81 had nothing to do with thi.
+orribIe and atrocious affair" sait
Miss Knox. "and am being shame
fuIIy treated by the authoritie:
.-bo not having anyone to place the
sIame upon took into custody th'
s-s+ persons that came into theil
-av which happened to be me anC
z.LTs moor boy" As she mentioned
anoor boy she pointed othe ad
,a,nIuC cell where Eastlake sat
..Tbey had to have a motive foi
.I,cInr us under arrest, but there
Is none apparent. hence they be
-an TO manufacture one, with th'
result that they now claim ina
ne were infatuated with each other
It is not true | have been goo'
s~,ord of the Eastlake family fol
some time, but it was friendshii
for one as well as the other.
81 had corresponded with Mr.
r,stIake on several occasions be
Use I had loaned him some none!
- never wrote any love letters
some of the peasantry are saiC
10 have declared.
NV treatment in this case ma
-aused me much discomfort but m!
r,reatest sorrow is caused by tn
80 they have implicated the poo
hoy and the way they are tryini
60 Mace blame upon him. He Il
tOrocent and had nothing to d.
withthe murder
Saw Man Jump from Porch
She recounted on the morning o
.ho murder she had seen "a man
i,,n,n from the Eastlake's porcl
md run from the house before sh'
entered, and declared that 1t wa
a shame the way they have botl
been placed behind bars unable t
follow and produce the "perpetra
,or of the brutal murder"
God knows i am innocent OF thl
borrible crime" said Eastlake.
loved my wife and we were happ!
torether. am still dazed ant
cannot realize that she Is gone
"Rut 1 have sworn to God that
will give every ounce of life lef
IN me toward running down he
! r,urderer. be IL a man ra woman
I have promised God that she will
he avenged and l know that tn
nronise will be fulfilled AS sur
as there is a God in heaven. th'
murderer of my dear wife will pa!
the penalty.
II cannot make any formal state
ment at his time. j am like chill
who must be cared for by others