NEWS: (1)Body of New-born Baby Causes Sensation - 1921
NEWS: (2)Alleged Mother Of Dead Baby Held To Bell Grand Jury

Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 5:48 PM
Submitted by Mary Lou Hudson
< http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00005.html#0001143>

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(1)Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, Ky Jan. 22, 1921

Finding Body Of A New-Born Babe Near Pineville Causes Sensation; Three Arrested

Lizzie Coleman (sic) With Two Others Being Held In Bell County Jail On Serious Charge - Body Found In Outhouse At Mother's Home

Enticing his wife away from her home and later finding the body of a new-born baby in an outhouse on the property of a Mrs. Bennett at Coleman, near Pineville, has created a sensation in both Bell and Whitley counties that undoubtedly will bring about one of the most interesting trials of a criminal nature ever held in this section.

Several weeks ago Mrs. Lizzie Ball, 25, said to be of comely appearance, was enticed from the home of her husband, J.H. Ball, 50, living in Whitley county, by a young man named Barker Smiddy who took her to the home of Mrs. Bennett, her mother, residing in the mining camp of the Coleman Coal Company, about six miles from Pineville.

A shot time after Mrs. Ball arrived at her mother's home the body of the new-born babe was found on the property of Mrs. Bennett. When discovered the body was lifeless and apparently the baby had been dead several hours. According to reports received in Pineville, there was no evidence of foul pay on the body.

It is understood that Smiddy, who is only 20 years old, had been paying attentions to Mrs. Ball for some time and that he finally persuaded her to leave her husband, which happened a short time before the baby was born.

The husband of the woman did not know where his wife had gone until the report reached him about the finding of the body and that his wife had been arrested charged with infanticide. When he learned the particulars of the case he had warrants sworn out at Pineville for Mrs. Bennett and Smiddy, and the trio are now lodged in the Bell county jail, held without bail.

The two women and man will be given a preliminary hearing before County Judge Vanbevers Monday, and undoubtedly will be held to await the action of the grand jury which convenes in February.

(2)Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, KY Jan. 25, 1921

Lizzie Bennett Ball,Charged With Disposing Of Child's Body In Unnatural Way, Is Held Without Bail - Mother Under $300 Bond.

Pineville, Jan. 25 -- Evidence submitted at the preliminary hearing yesterday in the case of Lizzie Bennett Ball, charged with using unnatural means in disposing of a new-born baby, of which she is alleged to be the mother, while circumstances was strongly against her, and as a result she was held without bail to await the action of the next session of the grand jury convening next month.

Evidence submitted by Dr. Lattimore, who was engaged by the county to investigate the case professionally, it is alleged pointed to the woman as being the mother of the child. It developed at the hearing that J.H. Ball who, it was stated, was the woman's husband, was not legally married to her but was his common law wife.

Disclosures showed that the baby was discovered several hours after it was born in an outhouse adjoining property occupied by Tansy Bennett, mother of the accused woman, in the mining camp of the Coleman Mining company, about six miles from Pineville. Additional evidence submitted by witnesses was of such an indecent nature that it is unprintable.

Mrs. Tansy Bennett, mother of the girl, was held in $300 bail as an accessory, while Barker Smiddy, alleged paramour of the young woman, was released because of insufficient evidence to connect him with the crime.

The hearing was before County Judge Robert Vanbevers, and according to those present it disclosed evidence of such a nauseating nature that several person present connected with the case left before it was finished.