Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-17
COBB GRAND JURY PROBES
CONSPIRACY CHARGE AGAINST
MRS. BULLARD AND EDWARDS
Edwards Bond Raised to
$4,000 When Officers Get
Information Tending to
Discredit His Abb

MARIETTA. Ca. July 16,-Cobb
county superior court convened
here this morning, and following its
organization, the grand jury began
thorough investigation of the
shooting of D. D. Billiard, we'll
known farmer of the Powder
Springs section, as he slept at his
home last Monday night
Hills wife, Mrs. Ruth Burnett Bull
lard, and Simeon Edwards, a neiel-
boring farmer, charged with assault
with intent to murder in connection
! with the shooting. are out on bonds
of $4,000 and $4,000 respectively,
and have been summoned to appear
before the inquisitorial body today,
Their arrests resulted from charges
by Billiard that they conspired 20
end his life.
Edwards Bond Raised
Edwards was at first held on bond
urday when Grover Brown told Of
ficers that he had driven Edwards
from Atlanta to the Billiard home
late Monday night. Edwards had
claimed that he spent Monday night
in Atlanta, and so could not have
had any connection with the shoot
bond Sunday morning and returned
to his fathers home at Powder
Springs. Mrs. Billiard stoutly de-
mics any connection with the crime,
claiming that d strange man en-
tered the house by a rear window,
shot her husband and left by the
back door.
Billiards. hands and scalp were
peppered with shot as he slept, and
he says that he owes his life TO the
fact that he was sleeping with his
hands holding the pillow up around
his head. The pillow was set on fire
when the gun was fired. Bloody and
burned, it will form an interesting
exhibit before the grand ury.
Billiard, who was brought to a
Sanitarium here soon after the shoot
ing, was sufficiently recovered to re-
turn to his home at Powder Springs
Sunday morning. Physicians state
that his condition is satisfactory, and
it is not expected that amputation
of either hand will be necessary.
Interesting Exhibits"
A shotgun which Billiard says be-
longs TO Edwards was found in the
house after the shooting. Billiard
also claims that only he, his wife
and Edwards knew the Whereabouts
of the gun, which he says was hidden
in the loft over the milllhouse.
An empty shell in possession of
investigating officers was identified
by Billiard as one that he found in
the woods near his home and placed
in a certain box in the house. He
claims that he knew the shell be-
cause it was weather stained and
bore other marks that he recognized.
He says that he and his wife were
the only persons who knew the loca-
ton of the shell.
Court officials here today thought
that it would be late today Or Tues
day before any definite action is
taken by the grand jury, this, being
the opening day of court. Solicitor
General John Wood, of Canton, ar
rived here this morning to push the
investigation. Edwards was here
early, and it was expected that Mrs
Billiard would arrive by early after
noon.
A marked novel found in the house
also will be shown to the grand july.
On the front page is written: 'Ycu
can return this book VIXEN you read
it," On an inside page these words
are underscored: Darling, It is set
tied. IS it not, that yo& belong to me
now?" Officers feel that the identity
CT the handwriting on the book may
prove an important clue N the case.
Both Mrs. Billiard and Edwards
have kept silent since their release
on bond, acting on tie advice OF
their attorneys. Fred Morris is at
torney for Mrs. Rullard, and Judge
Newt Morris is Edwards lawyer.