Year: 1879

ATLANTA. Ga, June l5.-Hill, who is being
tried for the murder of one Simmons, in this
city, made a sensational statement in court
yesterday. 1t was very effective, almost every
one in the court room being affected to tears.
Ihe prisoner opened by saying that he hoped
God, into whote presence he must soon be
ushered, would strike him dead in his shoes if
he spoke one word that was not strict and ab-
solute truth. He then recited Simmons course
with his wife, saying that Simmons had loved
emily tried to seduce her, and a, length, asa
pretended friend of her husband he decoyed
her into house of ill-fame, and there, after
drugging her with beer, forciblv outraged her,
she crying and begging to be let out. This
hold upon the girl put her in Sim
or frightened her into leaving her home.
When she came back to him she confessed
every thing. Hill then took her out of town.
Summons then followed her and threatened her
i'll a note if she did not return to his embraces.
She gave this note to Hill, and he at once went
after Simmons. He wrote him a letter beg
ging him, if he had any manhood in him, to
meet him and give him chance to avcngc his
wife. He saw Simmons shortly after and
Went up to him and shot him. He says Sim
mons was trylng to get out pistol to shoot
him with. In concluding, Hill said he did not
regret what he had done, but would do it again
under the same circumstances, that he loved





he would not beg FOR his life, but if he was to
be hung he would die like man. His state
mcnt had a powerful effect. and it is thought
will entirely c.c him.


THE OTHER SIDE.


Simmons friends claim that there was no
seduction at all. They say that under the name
of Effie Etheridgc the young wife had been
known as a fast girl long before Simmons met
her, and that he met her by accident. They
that he nioht
when a friend approached him and told him he
| and another fellow had three girls in the hack
room, and proposed to Simmons to go and gal
liant the third girl, describing her great
beauty. He went and was introduced to Mrs.
Hill as Ellie Etheridge. Simmons f,iends say
that she asked him to go home with her, and
that in the intimacy that followed she was as
forward as he, and that she went willingly with
him to various places Of public resort. They
cain there was no seduction OF abduction and
that Cora Spence seduced tef.rc he ever
knew her. A great number Of witnesses were
introduced to break down the girls character.
The defense stands upon the broad ground
infallible before Southern ju,ies--that a man
eau kill another in avenging or protecting the
virtue or honor of his wife. While the law
! does not technically protect such a killing, cx
ccpt when done in the sudden discovery of
the injury. the jury will not convict Hill if it
can be proved that Simmons did first lead his
| wife astray. The whole fight is being made
| I he character of the woman. She is very beau
tiful, and has good deal of sympathy. Her
| Father is 4 most worthy man, and the girl had
Il most excellent training. She was 4 regular
Sunday-school scholar, and her young life was
| without reproach. Her father stands by
her with love and confidence, and she
stands by her husband. She is with him con
| stantlv. The most sensational developcmcn:s
| a:e looked for when the attempt will be made
! to bcak down her character. Over one hun
! dred and fifty witnesses have been summoned.
The case excitcs the most intense in
! trrcst and public opinion is divided. If the
girls character is sustained, the sympathy will
he with Hill. Simmons was very popular and
had host Of friends. who mourn his DEATH
His family is one of the best in Georgia. Mayor
Hill, of Chattanooga, is a brother Of the priso
ner who also has fine connections. One of the
sensational points is letter written by Mrs
Hill to her husband in which she confcsscs her
ruin, and gives her story t" how it was
brought about, telling of the alleged use Of
drugs etc.


One Of the most encouraging things about
/ he defense is that Simmons had been repeat
cdly warned about Hill, and that he always
said he proposed to run Mrs. Hill as long as he
wanted to, AID that he would be heeled for
Hill whenever he wanted to shoot. The girls
father described piteously his and Hills search
FOR the wife all night after she had left her hus
| bands house.