MARION COUNTY, GA - NEWS MURDER Wells, Greene ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Perry Hamilton phamilyman@cox.net The Atlanta Constitution Jan 19, 1895 Sworn Murderers Indictments Found Against Five Members of the United Brotherhood They Assassinated a Farmer A Preach Was the Organizer of the Band Which Has Printed Bylaws One Member is in Jail Buena Vista, GA January 18, (Special) The grand jury of this county, after a week's investigation returned a bill of indictment into court today against Tom Bolan, Gus Elliott, Charles Turner, Smith Turner, and J.D. Kidd, charging them with the murder of Green Wells, a citizen of this county. The above parties belong to what is known as the whitecappers. The crime with which they are charged was a most atrocious affiar and stands unprecedented in the history of this section of the county. The details of the killing are about as follows: The whitecappers notified Wells by posting a warning on his gatepost to the effect that if he did not leave the settlement in which he resided by a certain given date he would be summarily dealth with. It seems that Wells ignored their threat and continue to remain on his plantation. On the night of October 14, 1894, while he was walking along the road near his home, he was ambushed and his body was filled with buckshot and pistol balls, presumably killing him instantly. There were no eyewitnesses to the tragedy except those who took part in it. Wells was dead when found. The horrible deed was a mystery and it was not until after a diligent and sedulous inquiry by the grand jury now in session that any clue to the perpetrators could be definitely obtained. Much credit is due to that efficient body and to Solicitor General Gilbert for their untiring efforts in ferreting out this cold-blooded murder. The whitecappers styled themselves "The United Brotherhood" and had a printed set of by-laws. One of their pledges was that they would stand by each other in any case in the courthouse to which they were a party. One of the defendants, Tom Bolan, has been arrested and baliffs have been sent out in the country to apprehend the others. J.D. Kidd is a free will Baptist preacher and was "organizer" of the unlawful body. The deceased was a quiet and law-abiding citizen, and as to why he was assassinated still remains a mystery. The case against the "cappers" stands for trial at the April term of Marion Superior Court, when the state's counsel will inaugurate a vigorous prosecution against them. Much excitement prevails throughout the county and everything will be done to punish the guilty parties. It is likely that court will adjourn tomorrow. It has been in session all the week, engaged in the disposition of both civil and criminal business. NOTES: 1880 United States Federal Census > Georgia > Marion > Fort Perry > District 43 image 5 Wells, Green wm 39 farmer Bedy Ann w f 37 John W. w m 13 Jeremiah w m 10 Eliza E. w f 6 Christopher w m 1