Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-10
DECLARES WIZARD
SHOULD CLEAR KLAV
Of PART IN KILLING


turned to Atlanta Thursday and
issued a signed statement in which
he assailed DR.. H. w. Evans, i'm.
perial wizard of the khan, for re,
naming away from the city after
= his publicity chief Philip E. Fox,
had shot and killed Captain w. S.
Coburn. attorney for the Simmons
faction OF the khan.
Colonel Simmons statement. to-.
gether with another given out by
DR.. Fred B. Johnson, chief of staff
for the khan emperor. in which DR..
Johnston declared he went to Biz.
mingham Tuesday night because he
feared his chiefs life was endan-
| gered, constituted the principal de-
velopments in the Coburn Staying
| Thursday.
Criticizes Evans
eff I had been imperial wizard Of
the knights of the ku kluX Khan
and my publicity director had com
mitted such a t1agrant and outra-
geous and heinous murder" Colonel
Simmons said in his statement, you
can bet your last dollar that l would
not be hiding in some other city
away from my headquarters and
away from my desk where l could
not see representatives. of the press
and hansmen of the nation who are
justly entitled to any information
available on this subject, and
would be attempting to prove beyond
any doubt whatsoever that had no
connection with the murder and that
my associates nor myself had in any
way inspired this most dastardly
deed on the part of Mr.. Fox, who is
publicity director of DR.. H, w
Evans"
No information could be obtained
at the imperial palace, DIR. Evans
headquarters, Thursday, concerning
the whereabouts of the imperial wiz
ard, all inquiries being met with
the statement that DR.. Evans was
absent on a speaking tour. Like
Etheridge, was reported away from
located who would comment on Col
onel Simmons statement.
The statements were issued by
Colonel Simmons and DR.. Johnston
after a conference at the Simmons
home on Peachtree road, which was
attended by Edward Young Clarke,
former wizard pro tenn of the khan.
The khan emperor and his chief lieu
tenant returned early Thursday
morning from Birmingham, where
Colonel Simmons had been at the
bedside Of his sick mother, it was
stated.
Texans Reported Coming
The issuance of the statements
temporarily shifted the center of in
terest in the Coburn Staying to the
fractional fight within the kan, while
defense plans for Fox, indicted
slayer of Captain Coburn, apparent
ly awaited the arrival of relatives
and attorneys reported en- route
from Dallas, Texas, the former home
of the prisoner.
physician, reiterated his opinion
Thursday that Fox was suffering
from d serious mental disorder,
diagnosed as brain lesion" that may
have influenced his actions. The
prisoner arose early, took a bath
and shave, but complained of a
severe headache. His wife, who was
reported to have suffered a nervous
breakdown Wednesday night, visited
the Jail during the morning in COM
pany with Philip, Jr, seven-year-
old son, and they talked with Fox
for more than an hour.
Nighthawk.
To Ask New Warrants
In giving out the statement con-
corning his trip to Birmingham, |
after he had taken out peace war
rents against DR.. Evans and three |
of his subordinate officials, DR.. |
Johnston said he would seek to have
the warrants reissued, if the neces- |
sity arose. The warrant against DIR.
Evans is still on the court records, |
as the process has not been served, |
those against H. K. Ramsey, Brown |
HARDWOOD and T. J. McKinnon, |
Wednesday at noon, for lack of !
prosecution.
When Mr.. Clarke came into the |
conference at the Simmons home, |
both he and Colonel Simmons ex- |
changed affectionate greetings, plac |
ing their arms about each other. 9th |
ers in the room were DR.. Johnston |
and John A. Coyle. The group dis
cussed khan affairs at some length. !
Asked if he would assist in the |
prosecution of Fox, Colonel Simmons !
replied that he could not answer
such a question until he had learned |
the facts in the case and had talked |
with Mrs. Coburn.
Clarke Aiding Emperor
Mr.. Clarke, who now holds the
honorary title of imperial giant in
the khan, but who for several years
and promotion, declared he never
again intended to have anything
to do with the khan or khan affairs,
but was aiding Colonel Simmons |
only as a friend and not in any Of
fetal capacity.
Both Mr.. Clarke and Colonel Sim
mons declared they did not believe
there was a plot on foot to kill them,
and the former added that he would |
have replied in the same vein had i
he been asked whether he thought /
there was plot directed against
Captain COburn. Mr. Clarke said he
intended to enter the real estate
and publishing business in Atlanta
as soon as the Mann act case pend
ing against hi min Texas had been
disposed of.
No announcements of an attorney
for Captain Coburn's slayer had been
made up to an early hour Thursday
afternoon, although Mrs. Fox is
Continued on Page 6, Column s.