The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-05
SUICIDE IS ATTEMPTED BY SLAYER Miss ImOgene Lee Victim Of Quarrel On Street
 Corner EDWARDS GUARDED WHILE IN HOSPITAL Knocked Down And Shot
 Four Times In
 Back
HAD BEEN REFUSED
 HE TELLS POLICE
Officers Quickly Disperse Mob Who Gather Threatening
 Violence To Killer

Frenzied by her refusal to marry him, Robert D. Ed wards, 23, director of the boys department of the Young Mems Christian association at Decatur, shot and instantly killed Miss Imogene Lee, pret- ty 2O-year-old school teacher living at 4121 Beech street. Thursday night.
 Edwards fired four bullets into the young woman's body, and a fifth struck his arm in what was believed as an at- tempt at suicide. Suffering from his wound, and the eff fects of a quantity of poison which he is thought to have swallowed immediately after the shooting, Edwards was in Hillman hospital under guard late last night. Attendants believed he would recover.
 Edwards, it is reported, sent note to his sweetheart asking her to meet him at the corner of Beech street and Bessemer boulevard. Becoming infu- riated during the course of their con yersation, he knocked her from the side walk, and as she fell, fired four shots into her back. She was dead before anyone could reach. her Edwards ran and was later captured by W. W. Wagoner, an ex-policeman, in the rear of 3305 Bessemer boulevard.
 A mob gathered quickly at the scene, and for time lynching appeared im- minent. Order was restored by the ar- rival of a squad of officers.
 Story of Romance.
 A story of pretty romance that ended in a stark tragedy was unfolded in the investigation of the shooting. Edwards met Miss Lee while she was teaching domestic science in the De- catur High school. His work with the boys of that city led him into close contact with the school. He fell deeply in love with the young teacher and it was understood in Decatur that they were to be married.
 Saturday, Edwards left Decatur for Birmingham, saying that he was going to marry Miss Lee Tuesday. It is un- derstood that he has been trying since Saturday to persuade her to marry him but that she has steadfastly refused to- do so Members of the young woman's family said that it was her desire to teach another year before marrying.
 According to the neighhors, Edwards began early Thursday afternoon send- ing notes to the Lee home asking the girl to meet him at the corner. She paid no heed to the notes until her mother induced her to meet her lover and dismiss him. At the hospital. Ed wards refused to discuss the shooting.
 Brother First On Scene.
 William Lee, brother to the dead girl, was the first member of the fam fly to reach the scene. The father followed few moments later, and col lapsed. Mrs. Lee and another daugh- ter, Miss Elizabeth Lee, were prostrated Thursday night and it was necessary to summon physicians.
 MISS Lee was graduate of the Ala bama College at Montevallo in the class of 1923. She was extremeIv popular in the vicinity of Central Park.
 Edwards was highly regarded in De catur, although he is said to have demonstrated violent temper on occa- sions. He has accomplished n greot deal of good work, it is reported, among the boys of Decatur, and was responsi-
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