The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-01
GEORGIA BEGINS EXTRADITION
FIGHT FOR ALLEGED MURDERER
George Nichols, Held for Slay-
ing Mooney, Denies He Went
Under Another Name.
tny The AssoeIa.ed Press


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Feb. 2s-Qead
solicitor general e. S. Taylor of Rome,
began its fight to extradite George Mich
OILS. who is alleged TO be Hiram Casey
Nettles, held here in connection with the
staying of Peter Mooney in Rome Ca,
more than fifty one years ago.
Nichols. through his attorneys stoutly
denies that he is Nettles, declaring that
he had never gone under any name ex-
cept his own, which is Nichols.
Horace C. Afford, Birmingham attorney,
empowered by solicitor General Taylor.
TO represent the state in the case, declared
he would produce witnesses from Georgia
to substantiate the allegation of Alabama
and Georgia that Nichols and Nettles are
the same person.
It Is understood that Nichols is pre-
pared 10 Introduce an array of witnesses
in an effort to substantiate his claim
that he is not the man wanted in Rome.
Mr.. Afford said he was prepared to
show that the name Nichols was as
sumed soon after the Rome killing.
The alleged Identification of Nichols
zs Nettles came about through members
Of the mans family, according to George
w. Favors, Birmingham attorney, who
signed the warrant for Nichols arrest.
The attorney said that Nichols and his
second wife were divorced at Tuscaloosa
about a year ago. This proceeding led
to the inquiry that resulted In Nichols
arrest, Mr.. Favors declared. Among per-
sons who gave information concerning
the history of the Rome case was Nichols
eighteen year old son. Hiram Nichols, a
student at the Alabama Boys Industrial
School at East Lake, according to the at
torney. One other son, two daughters
and the divorced wife live in Birning-
ham.
Nichols has lived here for twenty-five
years and Is said to be IS years of age.
ROME, Ca, Feb. 2s-The killing of
Peter Mooney here more than forty eight
years ago had long since been forgotten
except by relatives until word came to
Sheriff Wilson last week that the slayer
was living in Tuscaloosa. Ala.
Further information was difficult TO
obtain until Sheriff Wilson got in touch
with Zach Mooney, a cousin of the dead
man and talked with other old residents.
From them was drawn q story OF the
fatal cutting OF Solomon Nettles. father
OF Hiram. which WIS charged TO Peter
Mooney.
Mooney and the elder Nettles were said
to have had a difficulty over an old
''grudge." The night after that trouble,
young Nettles went to MONEYS home and
shot him several times, the sheriff was
told.
Young Nsttlss was arrested in Barlow.
county but escaped and after a search
the case was dropped
Sheriff Wilson was advised last week
by George W. Favors, 8 Birmingham at
torney. that a man residing at Tuscaloo-
sa under the name OF George Nichols was
really Hiram Nettles. the attorney as
serting that after getting divorce re-
Gently, the mans wife had declared he
had told her his real name was Nettles
and that he had slain Peter Mooney years
ago.
Georgia law knows no statute OF Hmita-
tions when murder is charged and the
sheriff and solicitor general Taylor innle-
diatelv took steps to find out If Nichols
really was Nettles.