The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-01-04
RUTH ELDER IS
ACCUSED
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with the evangelist. It was i'm
nnediately following this automobile
ride that the charge of misconduct
against her was made.
Ruth was crestfallen today when
she learned the news of her arrest
had leaked out.
.'It was all the result of an inrlo-
cent automobile ride" she said.
"My husband knew all about It.
EVEN though the neighbors nad
circulated lying stories about me az
the time, I had no idea the officers
would throw it up at me after all
these years.
Didn't Know Of Warrant
"of course, didn't know there
had been a. warrant out for me. I
had not done anything wrong. Just
because I happened to be in the pub
lie eye the incident was dragged up
by somebody who was bent upon
running my character"
She said the sheriff met her when
she arrived in Atlanta. She declared
she tried TO settle" the whole matter
oI1t of court. She indicated that
her husband cher second, Lyle
Womack who is now in Colon,
Panama, will be dispIeased when he
learns of this new blast of publicity.
She plans to return to Panama
when she finishes her vaudeville
tour.
"IvIe loves me and l am heart
broken that this has come out, she
asserted.
Miss Elder married very young,
at the age Of sixteen. and lived IN
CLAYTON. Ga, a small village of
900 inhabitants. Her husband,
Claude Moody. was a teacher in
Rantist school. They lived about
a wear in Clayton. About that
time Evangelist Jenkins came to
conduct his revival.
Became Acquainted
Ruth and her husband became
well acquainted with the evangelist.
One day Jenkins invited her for
an automobile ride she said, and
she went--with her husbands con-
sent. They rode some distance:
then left the car and climbed out
on a hill to view the scenery.
A cattle man saw them and the
story of her and the evangellstss
having been out in the country
was quickly circulated throughout
the village.
II told my husband the whole
story" she said. II asked him ii
he believed me and he said that
he did
The neighbors distorted the story,
and there were many versions
Elder asserted.
Left Clayton
She and her husband left Clayton
and went to Athens. Ca, and then
to her home at Admission. Ala.
She forgot the unpleasant incident.
she took up aviation
and the time came when she and
Capt. George Haldeman made their
spectacular attempt to fly across
the Atlantic, which almost ended
in disaster when they came down
in the ocean.
This adventure lifted the girl out
of obscurity and into the interna-
tional spotlight.
I'm sure" said Ruth, that if
I had not become so well known,
this unfounded charge would not
have been brought up at this late
day"
Sheriff Richard was an acquaint-
ance of Ruth in the days when she
lived in Clayton.
She greeted him with a friendly
when she encountered
him in the Terminal Station at
Atlanta. He expressed regret at
having to serve the warrant. He
Ruth. Haldeman, who
had met her in Atlanta, and a rela.
tive of Ruth's. to the Biltmore
Hotel, and permitted her to give
bond.
No Bond Put Up
At first he said he would exact
$500 bond for her appearance at
Clayton. but afterward he per.
mitted her to go free upon her
assurance to appear for trial.
The trial will be held at the next
term of court of Rabun county,
some time in the spring, unless
other disposition of the indictment
L -