New Britain herald., 1926-01-29
DRINK RESULTS
 IN HIS ARREST
Georgia Murderer Caught Alter
 Many Years

MulclgeNllc, Gan Jan, 29-Elat- cd al the conviction that he has but few more years to live, Uncle Aha Patterson, 79, has started long delayed life sentence at the Georgia state prison hero for murder com mttcd during R game of cards 4o years ago,
 But for the fact that he took "too many drinks on Christmas eve, Uncle Asa would not be contemplat- Ing a prison walled future today. The whskey made him careless, he says, and caused him to climb into his fllvver to visit his son in Pickens county, scene Of the murder of Bob simmons in March 1881.
 Having drunk too much. tho old man drove his car recklessly and po- lice on searching it found several piuts of whIskey. Thinking he had been arrested for the murder of simmons, Uncle Ase freely told ot his escape on the day he was sen tcnced and how for AS years he had cheated justice in lonely Tennessee mountain retreat, whither he fled.
 Shortly after his escape to the Tennessee mountain town, Uncle Asa's first wife died, and he married again and reared family of 10 chil- dren. During all this time the son Of his first marriage. now prosper ous merchant, was entirely ignorant of the old mans whereabouts. This son is doing everything in his power to obtain a pardon.
 But Uncle Asa himself harbors no btternes sat his capture. nor does he manifest the slightest trace Of re- morse for the murder of Simmons. In fact, he tells with a great deal Of pride of the days when men drank hard corn liquor, gambled all night long and fought with knives or fists on the slightest provocation.
 This Is his story told in his own words:--
 'I had been playing cards with the Simmons boys and had won about s16 from them. They accused me Of cheating. There were three Of them. Bob Simmons, his brother, Squire, and their father, Joe. They said I cheated and l told them they lied.
 We had all been drinking and we lad more words. AS I was leaving Souire Simmons fired at me, the bull let passing through my hat. lunged at them all, with nothing but my knife. and squire's knife caught me in the leg, going through the bone.
 T fell. and l suppose they thought l was killed, for they ran away. Bob simmons came back just as I was getting to my feet and we fought it out with knives, Bob still had his knife gripped In his right hand when he was found dead next morning.
 "I have never been sorry for a minute that l killed him. l was Justified and know it. Three oi them attacked me and l fought in self-d4fense. Any man would have done the same.
 When they put me in jail and sentenced me to serve for life, my friends wanted to tear down the jail But wouldn't let them. l told them would get out alone, and I did, and went to Tennessee and had been living there ever since.
 "I don't know why came back tc Georgia Christmas eve. except that wanted 10 see my son. Besides hac y little whiskey-that old knife wound paralyzed me and l need al occasional nip to strengthen nc and that led to my arrest.
 "They didn't know who 1 was, bu | suspected that everything Woul' come out. so l just told everything I'm glad it's of my mind-and any now, my days are numbered now.