Crawford County GaArchives Obituaries.....Bell, Ran February 1 1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carla Miles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002476 July 7, 2004, 3:06 am The Butler Herald, April 25, 1893 The Butler Herald Tuesday, March 28, 1893 Page Three Crawford Superior Court Nathan Smith Sentenced to Hang April 28th A representative of the Herald attended Crawford Superior Court in Knoxville last week and met many of his old friends and acquaintances. We found the little city of Knoxville crowded with people and many visiting attorneys, from all parts of the State including Col. W.S. Wallace, of Butler. The case of the State vs. Nathan Smith, colored, charged with the murder of Dow Walker, was the most important and interesting case tried during the week. The trial lasted about two days and resulted in the conviction of Smith. It will be remembered that Smith with two other Negroes, killed Dow Walker, a prosperous and influential colored man in Crawford County about two months ago. The three Negroes made their escape, but Smith was finally arrested near Griffin by Sheriff Culverhouse and lodged in Knoxville jail, and held till court convened, when he was tried and convicted as above stated. The other Negroes made good their escape and have not been heard of since the killing. The prisoner was ably represented by Col. Wallace. Below we give a list of the jurors in the case. W.H. Dent, C.N. Pierce, W.O. Kennedy, M.L. Barnes, W.B. Spain, Crum Childers, W.E. Bankston, Wm. H. Matthews, J.C. Bond, H.F. Arnold, W.H. Barnes and S.A. Long, among whom are the most substantial citizens of that county. The jury was out only 30 minutes and returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. In Judge C.L. Bartlett Crawford has the best Judge she has had in many years. Everybody is well pleased with him and speak in the highest terms of praise of his excellent management. Crawford not only has a good Judge but an excellent Solicitor, Col. W.H. Felton, one of the brightest and best in the State. Crawford is one of the best counties in Georgia and has a splendid set of county officers. The people of Crawford are to be congratulated on having such men as Elder Joel N. Matthews, as Ordinary; J.W. Jack, Clerk, Superior Court; John C. Culverhouse, Sheriff; H.F. Sanders, County School Commissioner, to look after their county affairs. All others deserve favorable mention. Knoxville not only has a board of efficient officers but one of the best hotels in the land presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Z.T. Harris, to whom we are especially indebted for many courtesies extended to us. We found our old friend Col. R.D. Smith in the prime of life with head and heart into the business of court. He enjoys an extensive practice and looks close after the interest of his clients. He had an interesting family and to one and all we extend many thanks for their kindness. We love to visit Knoxville and her hospitable people and hope to do so again soon. E. The Butler Herald Tuesday, April 25, 1893 Page Two Newton Innocent Nath Smith Says He Was Not His Confederate Knoxville, Ga., April 22 – On the night of 1st of February Dow Walker and Ran Bell, two excellent Negroes, living some six miles from Knoxville, were murdered. Nath Smith, a young New South negro, about 22 years of age, was arrested for the murder. He implicated Owen House and Ed Newton as accessories in the deed. Nath was sentenced at the recent term of Crawford Superior Court to hang on the 28th of April. He told Mr. J.C. Culverhouse the other day that Newton had nothing to do with it, that he and Howe committed the murder for robbery. Dow Walker had sold a lot of cotton and Smith and Howe supposed he had money in his house. Howe, it is understood, has been captured and the Sheriff is expecting him today. The governor offered a reward for Ed Newton when the murder was committed, not stating “with proof of conviction.” The negro Newton, was working on the farm of Mr. John Parker, of Prattsburg. Mr. Parker and Bob Searcy delivered Newton to the Crawford authorities and secured the $150. At the commitment trial Mr. Parker testified that Newton was on his (Parker’s) farm the night of the murder and fed his stock. As the murder was done about 7 o’clock p.m., the alibi clearly let Newton out of it. It is thought in Knoxville that the next time the governor offers a proclamation of reward it were better to leave out “with proof to convict.” ================ The Butler Herald Tuesday, May 15, 1894 Page Three Reynolds, Ga., May 14th, 1894 By L.A.B. We learn that Owen Howe was arrested in Panhandle district for the murder of Dow Walker who was killed just over the river on the Gibson place a year ago last February. His accomplice in the murder of Dow Walker was convicted and hanged in Knoxville soon after the murder. Owen Howe, we understand was present and saw his accomplice hanged. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/crawford/obits/ob4666bell.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb