Clay County AlArchives News.....10 to 12 arrested after Ayres child lost hand in explosion.  January 23, 1920
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 February 15, 2023, 5:49 pm

Lineville Headlight January 23, 1920
On Tuesday morning as the little daughter of Mr. J.W. Ayres was on her way to 
school, with other children, peaceful and happy, never dreaming of such a thing 
as being in danger while walking on the public highway, a passing automobile 
threw a dynamite from the car blowing a hand off the little Ayres girl. Whether 
intentional or unintentional the little girl suffers the loss of one hand. The 
news spread like wildfire and the citizens and officers were aroused to action 
and every step will no doubt be made to trace the criminals.

Ashland Progress, Jan 23, 1920:
A report from Lineville early Tuesday morning brought news that a little 
daughter of Mr. James Ayres while on her way to school met with a terrible 
accident resulting in the practical loss of her hand. The report was that an 
automobile containing several men sped by her and a piece of dynamite, or 
dynamite fuse with cap, was thrown from the car. Not realizing her danger, it is 
said that the little girl either picked it up or started to pick it up when the 
explosion tore off her fingers. While a description of the automobile was 
obtained, at the time this was written the identity of its occupants has not. 
been definitely determined and no arrests have been made.

Anniston Star, Feb 15, 1920:
A story reaching Anniston late Saturday night by way of the detective 
headquarters in Birmingham, and over the long-distance phone from Lineville 
reported the arrest of Ben Pearce and ten or twelve other Lineville boys under 
charge of being implicated in the recently blowing off with dynamite of the hand 
of a little daughter of J.W. Ayres. Ben Pearce was charged with throwing the 
bomb which destroyed the child's hand said the other defendants were charged 
with disorderly conduct.
The defendants were given preliminary hearing and Pearce was held to await grand 
jury action under a bond of $2,000. while the other defendants were either 
dismissed or fined under disorderly conduct charges in the Lineville court.
The assault made of the little Ayres girl about four weeks ago, created great 
indignation from end to end of Clay County, and a search had been made for the 
offender which finally resulted in the arrest of the young men charged with 
being implicated. 
A dynamite bomb was tossed into the midst of a crowd of school children, early 
one morning from, a passing automobile and the Ayres child's hand was blown off 
by the explosion. 
Evidence in the case was assembled by a special detective from Birmingham, who 
has been working on the case since the assault was perpetuated and the arrest of 
the Lineville boys, by the Clay County officers and their trials in the court at 
Lineville has attracted wide attention throughout that county. 
Local interest attaches to the whole affair by reason of the fact that an aunt 
of the little girl, Mrs. D.R. Fowler lives in Anniston, and that J.W. Ayres has 
long made this city his principal marketing place.

Additional Comments:
J.W. Ayres owned & operated a grocery store in Lineville at the time this took 
place. He was born and raised in Randolph County. 
His daughter Daisy K. Ayres-Bransford at the age of seven, was the victim listed 
above, which left her with a physical challenge which she overcame with great 
success.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/clay/newspapers/10to12ar2027gnw.txt

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