TAYLOR COUNTY, GA - NEWSPAPERS Murder of Frank Wilchar Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Carla Miles cmhistory@mchsi.com Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The Talbotton New Era Thursday, December 24, 1903 Page Seven Personal Items Our sister city Butler has had a horrible tragedy this week. Mr. Ben Garrett killed Mr. Frank Wilchar in Gaines Drug Store Saturday. Both parties are prominently connected and great excitement prevailed. The Talbotton New Era Thursday, May 5, 1904 Personal Items John Bateman and J.T. Peterman of Taylor County were indicted by the Federal Grand Jury in Columbus this week charging them with conspiracy in the killing of Frank Wilcher who was assassinated in Butler last December. It was proven at the commitment trial that Bateman and Peterman were the friends of Tom Garrett who did the shooting and the three men held long consultations at the blacksmith shop of Peterman in Butler on the day the killing occurred and that after the shooting Peterman had the pistol used by Garrett and was showing it around. It was also shown that they assisted Garret in making his escape. Bateman and Peterman will be tried in Columbus this week. It is stated that over seventy- five witnesses from Taylor County have been subpoenaed in the case. Garrett has never been captured. Vol 28 #22 Dec 1903 Frank Wilchar killed by Ben Garrett. Took place in front of drug store on Saturday last when Ben Garrett armed with knife and pistol, shot without warning and instantly killed Wilchar. Garrett is about 28 years of age and son of R.M. Garrett. Wilchar, about 50, leaves wife and 8 children. Funerat at Corbett's Church. Vol. 28 #21 Mar 15, 1904 Frank Wilchar died on the 19th of Dec 1903. Was born Aug 24, 1859 and married Aug. 22 1878 ? to Miss Anna Brewer. Survived by his wife and 7 childre, 3 of whom are quite young. Vol 23 #24 May 4, 1909 The Butler Herald Ben Garrett, slayer of Frank Wilchar in 1903 was arrested in Antlers, Okla. Murder committed Dec 19, 1903. Garrett has lived last 4 years at Wilson, Okla under the name Will Smith. Garrett has a wife and 2 or 3 children living in this county. He was born and reared in this county. vol 28 #6 Nov 24, 1903 At the residence of the bride's parents on Sunday were married Homer Cox to Miss Annie Belle Wilchar. Bride is the daughter of Frank Wilchar. The Butler Herald August 10, 1909 Page Three Ben Garrett Escapes From Taylor Jail Smith and Peacock Refused Opportunity of Escape Steel Bars Broken Like Pipe Stems With only four days remaining before having to appear at the bar of justice for the taking of a human life, Ben Garrett, after being chased for six years throughout the nation, but eventually captured and brought back to Taylor County and placed in jail here May 3rd, of this year, made successful escape from behind prison bars about noon Thursday and has again gone, probably never to be returned. It will be recalled that Ben Garrett shot to death in the streets of Butler on Saturday the nineteenth day of December, 1903, Mr. Frank Wilchar, a prominent citizen of the county. After killing Mr. Wilchar, Garrett succeeded in escaping arrest, though diligent search was made for him by Mr. M.L. Riley, who was at the time Sheriff of the county, and was continued, by his successors office, Mr. J.R. Beeland. After a six-year search Garrett was finally located and captured at Antlers, Oklahoma, April 26th, his captors receiving a reward of $300.00. Since his arrest Garrett has made a good prisoner, giving the officers but little trouble, which led them to believe that he was resigned to his fate. But this is where he first deceived them. When an attempt was made upon the jail from the outside just three weeks ago, Sheriff Beeland realized that it was up to him to reinforce his efforts to prevent a jail delivery, and a guard was placed inside the jail near the cells every night, but with all Ben was too clever for him, and made his escape in the broad daylight and not the least suspecting such happenings. Garrett made his escape by breaking two steel bars by his cage with an ax furnished by Tom Seaymore, a Negro prisoner in the jail. Seaymore had been occupying a cell on the first floor, while Garrett and three other white men occupied a cell on the second floor. (Next sentence blurred) had been given the liberty of the halls of the jail for the past few days because he was sick. Among the coal on the first floor Seaymore found an old ax and being able to communicate with Garrett furnished him with the ax that proved a better implement for his purpose than saws. It later developed that Garrett had some days previous to this time made an effort at sawing in two these same bars that yielded to the blows of the ax where saw blades broke and twisted. Two hacksaws and 36 blades were found in the jail after Garrett had fled. Escaping with secret were George Bailey, a young white man, who was being held awaiting trial on charges of shooting at another, and Tom Seaymore, the Negro who assisted Garrett in escaping. Messrs. Charles Smith and A.J. Peacock, both of whom occupied the same cell with Garrett and Bailey, refused to accept the opportunity offered in their cell while they watched their erst while associates crossed the railroad tracks and soon lost to view. When and how Garrett secured the saws is wrapped in complete mystery, while the fact only remains that as the Superior Court now sits in special session to try him for his life Ben Garrett has disappeared as if the earth had opened and swallowed him up. Bailey surrendered ----day and was placed in jail again, the grand jury yesterday liberat--. Seaymore was captured Saturday night by Sheriff Beeland and is in jail awaiting trial. As to the course Garrett took after leaving the jail is as much of a mystery as is any knowledge of how he secured the saws. A reward of $220.00 is offered for the arrest and delivery to the Sheriff of Taylor County of Ben Garrett.