Evening Star Newspaper, December 20, 1929, Page 28

28 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20/ 1929. Greenway's men had happened on him | Prosecutor Hugh Willlamson = went ACQUITTAL WRITES FINIS TO THRILLER Excitement of Murder Trial Worth the Money, Ozark Citizens Believe. Epecial Dispatch to The Star. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark, December 20 (N.AN.A)—Now that the dime novel stories of Tillar Ruminer and Connie Franklin have been told and the jury has returned its verdict of not guilty in the trial of the four men charged with killing Connie, the whit- tling courts and the hot stove leagues all over Stone County are explaining how it all came about. If there is a county in this land that could least afford to stage a vaudeville show in court, just for the sake of pre- Christmas _amusement, it is Stone County. Ark. Treasurer Tom Jefferson says the county books are already £90.000 in the red, and crops weren't much to brag about this year. The shadow of this debt was so sharp that Judge Marcus Bone held night sessions and opened court at 8:30 o'clock morn- ings, with only an hour off for dinner and supper to expedite the trial and hold the expense to a minimum. But the trial was inexorable because of two things: The odd inclinations of Ttching-foot Connie and the stern sense of duty of the 12 particular hill men | who happened to make up the November grand jury. Gossip forced the issue, true, but it could have been nipped by Franklin or disregarded by the jury until the Winter winds blew the edge off things. Starts With Rum Party. Chapter 1 of this mountain fantasy begins with a more or less ordinary booze party when a bunch of the boys were “whooping it up” on the Buckhorn trafls last March 10. Mixed in was the element of “sparking,” a farcical ele- ment in this cese, as Connie Franklin's own words on the witness stand proved. Eccentric Connie had been “spark- ing” 17-year-old Tillar Ruminer. He was 38, married, with four children in another part of the State, whom he had not supported for five years. He put in a few months at the State Insane Asylum, at Little Rock, but never was regarded as a dangerous patient; rather, he showed an almost complete Tecovery from his nervous symptoms. Whenever he had a chance, and where his carefree grin and homely features allowed, he set up a courtship with whatever rural dame he met, He was one of the group on the party, and the particular butt of the jests was Connie’s “sparking” with lliterate Til- lar. Why not marry the girl, some one suggested. Why not, agreed Connie, his tongue a bit thick. So Herman Green- ‘way, Hubert Hester and he started out for a license, or at least so they said. On the trail they stopped at Alex Fulk’s and found another comrade to their liking. They picked up Bill Younger in the tour, and along the line four other mountaineers were recruited in_the boisterous parade. When the night was over they had forgotten all about licenses. Connie had fallen off a mule and dreamed of a heavenly bar with a gold rail before it. Herman and Hubert and Joe White and young Bill were here or there, and some- time during the early hours of the morning Connie and Tillar had roamed the woods together, talking of getting married, but both knowing better. Uncle Crick Greenway says it was 3 o'clock in the morning when they turned in at Herman’s cabin, “Figgered” He'd Better Move, Now Chapter 2 begins. For some reason—unreasonable to every one except himself—Connie had a notion to move on the morning after + this night before. He heard Tillar grumbling about not going to marry un- til next Fall, and that she was “thew” with it, and saw her go to the henhcuse with Mrs. Herman Greenway. When Mrs. Greenway came back Connie said was “thew” with it, too, and bor- rowed a dollar from her man and lit out Tor new pastures, stopping on the way to buy tobacco at Mountain View. He had a big gash over his eye—or | over his ear, was confusing— W. . Mo perhaps—the _testimony hich he may have got F Street at Eleventh *150 Less Tubes Low in price— beautiful in ap- pearance—m a n y cabinet designs from which to choose—LYRIC RADTO, “Dhe Challenger,” is the receiving set that you will want. TERMS as low as WEEKLY SMALL DOWN PAYMENT Public Confidence Since 1861 Radio Section, Lower Floor—Direct Entrance at 11th Street + MAKE YOUR CHOICE LYRIC “Ohe CHALLENGER™ Liberal Trade-In Allowance Made on Your Old Radio or Phonograph Guaranteed Christmas Delivery from a blow from an oak limb in Hubert's or Herman's or Joe's or Bill's hands, or maybe from falling off the mule, or from the indignant mule's foot. ‘Anyway, he was beaten up a bit, and all round, he “figgered, he'd better move. even before chapter 2 was well under way. Tillar kept casting remarks about | a terrible time that was had by Connie |and her in a mud hollow between Her- man and Crick Greenway's that night. These were laconic remarks—few, to be sure, but they became more detailed as gossip took hold and asked where had gone this harmless fellow, Connle, after | the big carousal in the hills that night. Was it true that a gang of men had set upon Connie and Tillar in the hol- low, beating Connie with stones and putting “pig marks” on him with brass knucks? = Friends of Charlie Ruminer, Tillar’s father, who had been whipped by a gang that same night, began to suspect enormities. But the Summer winds didn’t dry up the rumors a mite, especially after Reuben Harrell, the deaf mute farm- hand, reported he had been searching in the woods for a new-born calf that Sunday in March after the jamboree and found instead what appeared to him to be the body of & man. Her- man Greenway and four other men were carrying this body to a burning brush pile, Reuben said, and he was sure the body was that of poor Connie Franklin, Then along came Robbie Johnson, wife of Sheriff Sam Johnson, and a very determined little bodv_with a mili- tant desire for justice. She and big Sam dug around in an ash pile near where Reuben said he had seen the men carry the body. This was late in September, and the ash pile was partly sprouted from below with new grass. ‘Who should lead Robbie to this ash pile but Haywood Burns and his wife, Bertha, who had been whipped by a boisterous gang last year—some of the SWIMMING POOL OFPEN TO THE PusLic DAY BA M tonP. M. Membership card without charge. SWIMMING PARTIES ARRANGED R N14-3 K 27777 S¢S 52 Sons 9 AM. to 6 P.M. 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Sheriff Johnson put them in distant jails to be sure they should not be mobbed. Chapter 3 ends with the trial drawing near and things looking black as a moonless night in the shadow of Blue Mountain for the five defendants. Enter chapter 4. Galloping hoofs to the rescue, bearing weird news: Connie Franklin had been found. Crick Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” | drew back and wouldn't say whether or not it was Connie. Garrulous Coley Foster, friend of the Ruminers and Burnses, came along and denied it was Connie. men from Buckhorn said it was. Con- nie became a public curiosity, a walking museum. Was or wasn't he Connie? county began splitting into clans on the issue. How the talk raged! biggest crowd ever in Mountain View greeted the opening of the trial this week. The grand jury stood firm and would not renege on its indictment. down around Humphrey, on one end of a cross-cut saw. 4 A week before the trial began Connie was brought to Mountain View_ was taken before Tillar, among 10 other girls in the sherifi’s home. her out, spoke to her, French harp as of old, sang “On_the ‘Tillar He He pointed played the A dozen other The No wonder the . ahead as a public servant should. The testimony of Tillar and Connie, each giving their slant of the story. The State couldn’t A State witness said the present Connie was Then the trial prove the bones were human. the old Connie. All this was tossed at the jury and it was told to write the last line in.lt.{:e e State did not show corpus delicti, ex- cept by circumstantial evidence, far novel—“Guilty” or “Not Guilty.” fetched at that. Yet hardy old Stone County is will- | ing to pay. The excitement was worth | it. Its taxpayers have many yenrfnz,o- e fresh air and thin-walled cabins of live and pay off the trial cost. these regions make for health. “You practically got to kill a man and burn him in this country to start a grave yard,” one mountaineer said hopefully. (Copyrisht, 1929, North American Newspaper | paid high tribute to the caliber of the ance. STUDENTS ARE GUESTS. Law School Faculty Plays Host at Christmas Party. The faculty of the School of Law of Columbus University, 1314 Massachu- setts avenue, was host last evening to the students at a Christmas party. Wil- liam E. Leahy, dean of the school, par- ticipated in the function, at which James B. Flynn, attorney, took the part of Santa Claus. Each member of the school was given | & present on behalf of the faculty by | Sefton Darr, assistant dean. An enter- tainment was given and refreshments were served. Thomas W. O'Brien, a member of the faculty, acted as master of ceremonies. Brief addresses were given by Mr. | Darr and by H. Winship Wheatley, who student body. "Twas Three Days Before Christmas Il Not A Gift In The House The evening meal was finished, the dishes had been washed and put away. “Let’s do our Christ- mas shopping,” said Dad. "F see by the paper that Sears, Roe- buck are open at nights now. I work all day so evening is the only time I get a chance to make my selections.” “Good,” replied his wife, ‘‘they are open until 9.30 P. M. and we can buy everything we want right in the one store.” “I'm glad,” said Dad, “that Seats, Roe- buck are thoughtful enough to provide for those who can't shop during regular store hours. They are right there with {ctt« ser- vice."” Shall We Take The Children? ‘‘Shall we take the children?”" asked Dad. ““Oh, Daddy! please Claus. We'll be good, and we want to see him so much.” This remark came from little Ann, who spake for baby Walter, too. Of course Mrs. Shap- per wanted to take the kiddies to Sears, Roe- buck. The' aisles there are so wide that she take us to see Santa’ could take the young- sters around without fear of having them become fretful. Also, there are no dangerous streets to take young- sters across. The big- gest treat of all is Toy- land — so large and filled with new and in- teresting toys. Go In The Auto! Surely!l Every Sears, Roebuck Retail Department Store has a large, FREE Auto Park. A few steps and you are in the store. ‘The Shoppers entered the family car and started on the tour. They enjoyed the ride to the store. When they arrived they drove right into the FREE Park. A courteous at- tendant directed them to an empty space. Dad was beginning to like Sears, Roebuck. He didn’t have to worry about parking tags. And, he was not under any obligations to buy. Christmas Hinting Without Hunting Upon entering the store the Shoppers were conscious of an atmosphere of friend- liness and goodwill that for ages has set human hearts atune with the spirit of Christmas. Things for the home at- tracted Mother . . wonderland of colorful kitchen utensils that were bright enough to cheer up any home . . and when she saw the electric Water Witch Washer, the Com- mander Vacuum Cleaner and other household helps, she was delighted. “Yes,” said her husband, noticing her interest, “‘they would be a big help and you're going to have what you need, too.” (He had noticed the terms and how easy it was to own them.) Where’sDad? There He Is With Santa Soon the family was in Toyland. Here every mem- ber found things to interest them. Dad could be seen playing on a pool table. Sister Ann and baby Wal- ter went over to shake hands with Santa Claus. Kiddies were riding around the aisles in autos. There was gomething to make everybody bhappy. “Mother, this is even better than a circus,” cried Ann. “Of course,” said her mother, “I'm enjoying it as much as you are.” There were dolls to suit the taste of every girl. Trains that interested hoys from six to sixty. Some- thing for everybody. Crowds But No Crowding Everywhere they went there were large crowds making purchases. Shoppers, too, had bought many things. It did not take long to find why so many people were buying at Sears, Roebuck. Prices were consistently lower. They both noticed this and ommented upon it. The Shoppers were de- lighted with everything in the store. They liked the display of merchandise, the attentiveness of the sales- people and the evidence everywhere of goodwill and helpfulness for the cus- tomers, A Happy Conclusion —Of Course By this time the Shop- pers had now completed their buying and left the store. “I'm certainly glad you took me to Sears, Roebuck,” said Mr. Shop- per as they started home. “And I am, too,” replied his wife, “Do you realize how much money we have saved? Why we saved enough to buy several more gifts. “Yes,” her husband agreed, “‘but do you know what pleases me most? Their famous guarantee, ‘WE GUARANTEE SAT- ISFACTION OR YOUR MONEY BACK." " . “And Daddy,” ecried little Ann, *I like Santa Claus so much, please take me again.” .+« +.And the entire fam- ily agreed they would go to Sears, Roebuck soon. SEARS. ROEBUCK anp (0. RETAIL DEPARTMENT STORE Bladensburg Road at 15th and H Sts. N.E. i WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTION OR YOUR MONEY BACK &) Bladensburg Velocipedes ALL - BEARING wheels, rubber tire Nickel plated. Adjustable parts. S 17 inches from lower pedal. isit our toy department on the upper floor and inspect our lower-priced toys. Flying Arrow Sleds $148 ASY steering and fa: Flexible grooved runners with strong, durable braces. See our other wonderful values in sleds on the upper floor. Ice Skates TUBULAR tyle with alumi- num finish. Reinforced rib tube keeps steel runnmers in straight line. Leather shoes. Sizes 5 to 11. Lower floor. Whippet Auto TURDY steel body, strong braces and disc wheel Finished in red and orang For kiddies 2 to 5 years. Upper floor. De Luxe Wagon ADE of strong, automobile steel. Roll- rim at top with no sharp edges. Double disc wheels. Enameled in bright red with stripi; Upper floor. heavy OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS SEARS, ROEBUCK ano CO. RETAIL DEPARTMENT STORE Road at 15th and H Sts. N.E. Come on Kiddies 'Punch and Judy Show 10:30, 2:30 and 6:30 each day IOME to Toyland and meet Santa, too. This “jolly old gentleman,” cheerful and cordial, wants to greet his many little friends and show them his glittering array of toys. It is easy and pleasant to bring the chil- dren here, away from the crush and confusion of con- gested city streets. Free parking space at your disposal. 4 Doll Carriage $798 ODY and hood made of round fiber reed. In the new wedgewood green and cream. Peak roll on hood and turned roll on body. Cloth-covered seat and re- clining back. Upper floor. Sunshine Dolls T S arms and legs. Delicately painted eyes and features with molded hair. Dress and bonnet made of good quality printed cotton material. Upper floor. 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