The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-09-08
WEEPING MOTHER
PLEADS MERCY FOR
HER SONS SLAYER
Murderer OF John Tuggle, Killed
at Pensacola, Fla, Signs
Long Confession.
PUTNAM PONSELL AND JAKE
MARTIN WELL KNOWN HERE


Crime Two Days Before Date
on Which Case Was to Have
Been Called.
With that Christian spirit which
meekly submits to "Thy will be done,''
Mrs John Tuggle, mother of John
Tuggle, who was murdered some
months ago by Putnam Ponsell and
Jake Martin, appeared before the
trial Judge at Crestview, Fla, Tues
day and humbly pleaded for mercy for
those who had murdered her precious
boy. 1t was court scene that few
present will ever forget-this broken
hearted woman begging for the life of
the man who had sent the soul of her
son into eternity.
The Law Supreme.
Five thousand people gathered at
the little Crestview, Fla, court house
to see the two men who had admitted
+
the killing OF Tuggle. 1t was tre-
mendous crowd but one that never for
a minute expected but that the law
should take its course. There was no
mob spirit In the midst of the throng
OF men whp wanted the Jaw of the
land to prevail and Putnam Ponsell
and Jake Martin, faced the Judge, the
former reiterating confession he had
signed and the latter saying he as.
sisted In putting Tuggle to death for
fear that Ponsell would make good
his threat to XIII him.
The Two Men In the Case.
Putnam ponaell Il d son Of John
poneeli for many years section fore:
man OF the Southern railway. with his
residence ut Everett City, this coun-
ty. The boy spent his early life
around the home OF his father. leaving
some years ago and finally drifting
down to a little place near Pensacola.
Jake Martin, something over 35 years
OF age, spent his early manhood In
Brunswick, but leaving here many
years ago. He also drifted to Flori-
da and only a few weeks before he
was arrested for murder of Tuggle,
had been released from the Florida
penitentiary. having served year for
bigainy. The two men evidently be.
came acquainted and left for jour.
ney together.
Tugaie Rode Them.
They had left afoot and had gone
some twenty miles, intending, to catch
a freight train bound toward Georgia,
when young Tuggle came along In
his Ford car. They asked him for q
iifa. he consented and Martin got
on the front seat with the owner.
They had gone some miles when Pom
sell, who coupled the rear seat. struck
HIS benefactor on the head with part
OF an automobile spring. later strik.
ing him on the forehead with a jack,
which was In the car Thinking the
man dead. the two men removed him
from the machine and laid him upon
the ground. ponseil noticed that the
helpless man moyed and thereupon
MARTIN took the jack. dealt him o
, blow or the top OF the head which
ended his existence.
Could Not Drive Car.
According to the confession. neith
Or OF the men could drive car and
they started ont again toward the
nearest railroad station. From the
pockets OF the dead man they had
taken SaS,ss and watch and some oi
his riothes. a silk shirt being remov
ed from his suit case. They then
remained together for day or tive
but separated. Martin going to Balm
bridge. where after being arrested fol
burglarising store. broke down and
admitted the killing of Tuggle and
also telling the sheriff OF Deoatm
county where he could locate Pom
sell The confession was made after
the sheriff. noticing tattoo on the
mans arm. said "you are the man
want for killing Taggle" II was ther
shas Martin made clean breast ol
ths murder.
No Sentence Vet.
the men have mei as yet been sen
tenced bar the opinion prevails thai
neisher win have TO paw the death
penalty. bur II one does DIE on ths
galle~ss il viii be Martin. as he is shs
older of the fwo and, as the contes
sieus state. really dealt the blow