"The Roanoke Leader" - August 22, 1917:
A WHITE WOMAN IN CHAMBERS COUNTY MURDERED FRIDAY BY NEGRO BOY WHO CONFESSED THE CRIME
Lucian Carter, a negro boy about 12 or 13 years old, who is charged with murdering Mrs. J. H. Allen in the Allen Store, 18 miles north of LaFayette, yesterday afternoon, confessed in a jail cell at the Lee County jail in the presence of Deputy Sheriff W.A. Betts and to a News
reporter this afternoon, that he alone committed the horrible crime. Carter claimed to be 10 years old and said he went to the store for the purpose of robbing it; that he told Hosey Hamilton, another negro, to meet him there, but Hamilton failed to do so.
Carter said he got the single bladed axe from under the store house and went in an adjoining room where Mr. and Mrs. Allen's bedroom was. He said he was standing in the door leading to the dining room, and when he approached her she saw him and started to scream but before she could do so, he hit her on the head with the blade of the axe and then once in the back. Carter said that after he killed Mrs. Allen he took some cigars, then jumped out of a window and ran.
Sheriff John L. Moon and Deputy Sheriff Betts met Deputy Sheriff Wallace of Chambers county and Solicitor Moon at Cusseta with the prisoners. They were hurried to jail here where Judge S. L. Brewer, who came here this morning from Dadeville, issued an order for the removal of Carter to Montgomery, where he was carried on the afternoon train. Carter's statement is accepted as being true and it is believed that the other negroes arrested are not implicated.
The body of Mrs. Allen was found by Mr. Allen in his store when he returned there, having gone to a nearby stream to fish. Mrs. Allen was 74 years old and before her marriage was a Miss Fannie White of this city. Mrs. Allen and her husband had lived in Rippville community where the tragedy occured, about 28 years.
- The Opelika News, the 18th.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - August 22, 1917:
BRUTAL MURDER OF MRS. J. H. ALLEN.
Three Negro Boys Charged with Crime--Lucius Carter Said to Have Confessed.
Between three and four o'clock last Friday afternoon a most brutal murder was committed near Allen's Mill in the northern part of the county (Chambers). Mr. J. H. Allen, a highly respected citizen of that community is the proprietor of a country store. He had gone with a party of neighbors to a near-by creek, leaving his wife to look after the business during his absence. On his return home about five o'clock he found his wife lying across the wash-shelf dead, her body horribley mutilated, five wounds in the back made with an axe, one arm and hand cut and the other arm broken, and a gaping wound in the back of the head. Suspicion pointed to three negro boys - Lucius Carter, aged 12; Hosey Hammock, aged 15; and Homer Barrow, aged 17; they were arrested and brought to LaFayette and lodged in jail. Lucius Carter, it is alleged, has made a partial confession saying that he met the other boys who asked him to go with them, that they were going after some money.
Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age. She is survived by her husband, two sons-Messrs. C. H. & D. F. Allen of Dadeville; four daughters-Mrs. W. G. Caldwell and Mrs. C. L. Fuller of this county (Chambers); Mrs. J. A. Morris and Mrs. J. H. Fuller, of Langdale; a son-in-law-Mr. J. L. Hall, of Dadeville, and one sister and two brothers. The remains were interred at Dudleyville Cemetery Sunday morning.
Lucius Carter and Hosey Hammock were carried to Opelika by Deputy Sheriff Whatley last Saturday. Hammock was placed in the Lee County Jail and Carter was carried to Montgomery and placed in the Montgomery County Jail for safe keeping.
The following appeared in Sunday's "Montgomery Advertiser":
*Lucian Carter, a negro boy about fourteen years old is confined in the Montgomery County Jail charged with a particularly atrocious crime in having killed an aged white woman, whose name he gives as Mrs. Allen, who lived in Chambers County, Friday afternoon. The weapon used by the boy was an axe, with which he split the woman's head open. She died almost immediately.
Threats of violence arising as soon as the crime became known and the jail at LaFayette being considered insecure against an attack by a mob, Judge S. L. Brewer of the Fifth District Judicial Circuit of Alabama, ordered the boy brought to Montgomery for safekeeping. He was at once slipped out of the LaFayette Jail, and brought here by Sheriff Tatum arriving in this city early Saturday morning.
After placing the young murderer safely in the hands of Sheriff Waller and seeing him securely locked in a cell on the second tier of the Montgomery County Jail, Sheriff Tatum returned to LaFayette on the first train.
Young Carter talked freely of the murder to a reporter for "The Advertiser" in the presence of a guard Saturday afternoon.
"Are you the boy who killed a white woman in Chambers County" the reporter asked.
"Yes, sir," answered the boy without hesitancy.
"What did you do it for?"
"I don't know sir, I mus' a-been out o' my mind. Sometimes I go out of my mind and then my brothers are 'fraid of me, and I was out of my mind when I killed that woman."
"What is the woman's name?"
"Mrs. Allen is all I knows her by. No, sir, she never said nothin to me. I jus' happened to get hold of an axe and somethin' come in my mind to go up to her house and kill her, and took the axe and went up there."
"She was standin' in the front room when I went in the house but when she saw me with the axe she begun to run back to the back door, and I run after her with the axe."
"And where did you kill her?"
"In the kitchen. She was gone out the back door when I caught up with her and hit her with the axe."
"Then what did you do?"
"I went away from the house and after awhile they had me, and then I come here. Yes sir, my mind was gone when I killed her. I didn't know what I was doin', no sir. I didn't know what I was doin' no, sir. I didn't know what I was doin'."
Carter was lying on a couch when he made his confession. Occasionally he would half raise himself, but he seemed like a person exhausted. Physically, he seems a normal negro boy, but the inmates of the jail have already placed him in the "loco" class.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - August 29, 1917:
Other Arrest Have Been Made.
In Connection with Murder of Mrs. Allen – Additional Evidence Secured.
A white boy and two more Negroes have been arrested, charged with being implicated in the murder of Mrs. J. H. Allen. They were carried to Opelika and lodged in the Lee County jail. The Opelika News of Friday, August 24th, says:
Walker Adams, a white boy and L. Carter and Marvin Carter, two Negroes are being held in the county jail here charged with murder, it being charged that the boys were implicated or took part in the killing of Mrs. J. H. Allen, who was brutally murdered in the Allen store about 12 miles north of LaFayette last Friday afternoon. The three boys were brought here yesterday by R. H. Allen, brother of Mrs. Allen. Sheriff Moon was wired the authority to hold them yesterday by Judge Brewer who is in Wedowee. Mr. Allen is said to have secured some evidence while in Montgomery recently, to warrant the arrest of the white boy and two Negroes.
When seen by a news reporter in their cells this morning they each claimed they had nothing to do with the murdering of Mrs. Allen. Adams gave his age at 14, L. Carter at 14, and Marvin Carter at 11. Marvin Carter appears to be about 18 years old, and the other two boys look to be about two or three years older than the ages given. L. Carter claimed to be a brother of Lucius Carter, the boy who was first arrested for the crime and who made a statement to a News reporter that he alone committed the act. Marvin Carter said he lived at the same house with Lucius Carter, but was not his brother.
Additional evidence is said to have been discovered that leads to the belief that there was more than one person connected with the crime. Two axes were found in the store which shows signs that both were used in killing Mrs. Allen.
The following article regarding the affair is taken from the "Montgomery Advertiser":
Lucien Carter, the Negro boy who has been confined in the Montgomery County jail since last Saturday, charged with the murder of Mrs. Allen in LaFayette, Chambers County, and who confessed the murder to a reporter of the Advertiser on the day he was brought here for safe-keeping, made a further statement to Sheriff Waller on Thursday morning in which he said that he was hired to commit the murder of a white man.
The Negro also stated that not only the white man, but two other Negroes were implicated and that all of them intended robbing the store run by Mrs. Allen's husband near LaFayette, but were frightened away after the murder was committed.
This statement came about through a visit of Mr. Allen, the dead woman's husband, who came to Montgomery, accompanied by his two sons and a son-in-law and stated to Sheriff Waller that they had reason to believe Carter was in a conspiracy and that a certain white man in Chambers County had instigated the crime. When Sheriff Waller asked Carter as to whether this was true or not the boy made the statement as given above.
The Allens returned to LaFayette and the arrest of the white man and the other two Negroes is expected soon after their arrival home.
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"The LaFayette Sun: - September 12, 1917"
In Memory of Mrs. J. H. Allen.
'Tis hard to be submissive to the death of one we loved so much, but we know the good Lord knows best and suits each blessings unto us as seemeth good in His sight.
As we looked on her sweet face we were reminded how her kind hands had labored for the comfort and pleasure of those most dear to her.
She had such a cheerful disposition, that a feeling of inspiration was experienced by most everyone with whom she met. "Grandmother" as she is known by most. Her pleasant greetings will be so much missed by husband, children, neighbors and friends.
Just to think we will never more see her sweet face or hear her sweet voice in this life. But "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." and now to see the many things that were arranged by her precious hands what a feeling of sadness comes to our hearts. Then we are made more and more to sympathize with the grief stricken husband and praise the Lord for the hope of meeting with Grandmother in that bright home where there comes no darkness and where there will be no more partings.
"Dear Grandmother now at rest,
Safe forever on the Savior's breast,
While we who loved you so down here,
Are longing for your presence here.
Dear Grandmother could we but hold,
You close without are arms soft fold.
How tender would we look down upon your precious head of silky white.
Dear Grandmother how we'd love to gaze upon you from above and watch you in your robe of white.Sweetly smiling at the angels,
but Jesus loved you best my dear.
Too pure, too precious to remain here.
And dear Grandmother He knew best for you to go
And live within the Shepherd's care."
One who loved her devotedly,
- Minnie.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - September 19, 1917:
Trial of Carter Attracted Crowd.
Negro Boy Who Killed Mrs. Allen Found Guilty and Sentenced to Hang.
Last Friday morning the Courthouse was crowded to overflowing by citizens who were interested in the trial of Lucius Carter, the Negro boy accused of the murder of Mrs. Fannie Allen on the 17th day of last August. Because of the fact that the accused was under sixteen years of age, he was first arraigned before Judge Fuller, of the Probate Court, upon whom devolved the duty of determining whether he should be sent to the Reformatory, or should be sent to the Circuit Court for trial. The Judge decided that the accused should be returned to the Circuit Court and tried under the indictment found by the Grand Jury. The following citizens were selected as jurors: J. H. Jarrell, Foreman, T. O. Walton, Dan L. Bush, Luke T. Langley, John T. Beck, Thomas B. Slagle, W. T. Greene, H. R. Cox, M. S. Sessions, W. B. Sands, Morgan and Minus Stevens. The State was represented by Solicitor Bowling. Chas. S. Moon, Stother & Hines; the defendant was represented by R. J. Hooten. The first witness called was Dr. J. A. Ison, by whom the death of Mrs. Allen was established, the number and nature of the wounds on the body – three cuts on the back, one of which penetrated to the cavity, and one on the head which went to the brains; and that the wounds were made by a sharp instrument. Mr. Allen, the husband of the deceased, was called and told of finding the body of his wife lying across a board wash-stand that was at the rear porch of the home. He got home between four and five o'clock of the afternoon. He testified to finding blood on the floor and blood and hair on the weather-boarding about four feet from the floor on the outside of the house near the wash-stand. Mrs. Robt. Welch, a near neighbor, saw the accused between three and four o'clock walking along near the scene of the murder, and that she new him; and after calling her children who were playing not far away, went on to her home. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that the axe he found on the steps of the porch was his own axe and was at the wood pile near by. Mrs. Ella Welch testified that having her attention attracted by the call of Mrs. Robt. Welch for her children, she went to the door of her home, near the Allen home, and looked toward the road and saw a colored boy run out of the Allen house. She could not swear that it was the defendant, but it was a colored boy about his size. Mrs. Knight testified that she lived near the Allens, in sight of the house. She saw Mrs. Robt. Welch going and coming from the Allen house. She saw a colored boy coming out of the Allen house. Mr. W. Vickers testified to finding tracks going and coming from the Allen home. He also saw blood on the outside of the door and noticed several cuts on the door facing. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age and was 4 feet and 11 inches in height, and weighed 94 pounds; and that she was feeble and unable to run. The State then put up on the stand a number of witnesses who knew the defendant and proved that he was an intelligent boy.
The lawyers then addressed the jury. The State presented its case, relying in large measure upon the doctrine of exclusion; no other person was seen about the Allen premises, except Lucius Carter; the circumstantial evidence was strongly presented; and the intelligence of the defendant dwelt upon, the State insisting that he knew right from wrong. The defense relied upon the lace of positive evidence and argued that there was no convincing evidence that the defendant was the guilty party. Col. Hooten begged the jury to remember that they were under oath to be influenced in their verdict only by the testimony brought out on the witness stand. The charge to the jury by Judge Brewer was clear and made every point of the law in the case apparent. The case went to the Jury about 6:30 o'clock. About 11 o'clock they had reached their verdict and returned it to the Court, finding the defendant guilty and fixing the punishment at death. On Saturday morning, the Judge passed sentence and set Friday, Nov. 9, between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 o'clock in the morning as the time of execution.
Prisoners Hear Sentences Pronounced.
Last Saturday morning prisoners who had been found guilty by the Circuit Court, were arraigned before Judge Brewer to receive their sentences. The scene was specially solemn and impressive as the three who were condemned to death were called one by one before his Honor to hear officially their doom. The usual question was asked each – "Have you anything to say why the sentence of the Court should not be pronounced upon you?" The response of Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter was "Nothing". Lon Tucker answered "Nothing, except that I am not guilty." There was not the slightest sign of emotion to be discovered in any one of the condemned as the Judge finished each sentence with "to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy upon your soul."
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"The LaFayette Sun" - November 14, 1917:
DOUBLE HANGING ON LAST FRIDAY
Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter Pass the Death Penalty on the Gallows.
The readers of "The Sun" are familiar with the story of the crime of Jim Wooddy, who killed his mother-in-law and wife, and Lucius Carter who killed Mrs. Allen, an aged and respected white woman living in the northern part of the county, and we need not again give the history of these murders. The negroes were tried at the last term of the Chambers County Circuit Court, found guilty and sentenced to hang on November 9. Last Friday was the date set, and every detail for the execution had been carefully made by Sheriff Tatum. Shortly after 6:00 o'clock in the morning Dr. W. C. Bledsoe, Rev. H. R. Arnold, and T. C. Cunningham, a colored preacher, held a service of prayer in the cell of the condemned men. Wooddy and Carter were both calm and collected and each expressed a readiness for death. The colored preacher asked Jim Wooddy what message he would have him give to the colored people and he answered: "Tell 'em not to do as I done; if they can't get along with their wives, jest quit'em and go along away from 'em."
At 7:00 o'clock the deputy Sheriffs entered the cell and handcuffed the prisoners, and the little procession moved up the winding stairs to the gallows. The feet of the condemned men were tied together as they stood on the trap, the ropes were adjusted about their necks, and the black cap pulled over their faces. At this point Dr. Bledsoe offered a short prayer and as he stepped back off the trap, the rope that held it was severed by an axe in the hands of the Sheriff and the two bodies dropped into space. In about fifteen minutes attending physicians pronounced the men dead and their bodies were cut down and turned over to undertaker Nichols, who placed them in neat coffins. Carter's father claimed his body, while the remains of Wooddy were interred in the colored cemetery.
Just before the execution a pathetic incident occured. Lucius Carter asked to see his father, who was admitted, and with tears streaming down his face, embraced his son and told him goodbye.
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1850 Tallapoosa County, (Township 21) AL Census:
#H574
Isaac C. White 30M Farmer Born GA
Sophia C. White 21F Born NC
Alexander J. White 7M Born GA
FRANCES M. WHITE 4F Born AL
Elizabeth White 2F Born AL
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1860 Tallapoosa County, (Western Div. - Tallassee) AL Census:
#H510
Isaac C. White 43M Farmer R$350 P$300 Born GA
Sophia White 35F Born NC
Alexander White 17M Born GA
FRANCIS WHITE 13F Born GA
Elizabeth White 11F Born GA
Hepsy A. Salter 17F Born GA
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1880 Lee County, (Pierce Chapel) AL Census:
#H273
Joel H. Allen 32M Farmer Born AL
FRANCES C. ALLEN 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Mary Allen 9F Daughter Born AL
Catherine Allen 5F Daughter Born AL
Louisa Allen 2F Daughter Born AL
Gertrude Allen 11/12F Daughter Born AL
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1900 Tallapoosa County, (Dadeville) AL Census:
#H93
Joel Allen 52M Carpenter Born April 1848 in AL (Married 30 years)
FRANCINA C. ALLEN 54F Wife Born Feb. 1846 in AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
Lou Allen 22F Daughter Born May 1878 in AL
Pearl Allen 19F Daughter At School Born March 1881 in AL
Charley Allen 17M Son At School Born Feb. 1883 in AL
David Allen 15M Son At School Born Feb. 1885 in AL
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1910 Chambers County, (Wise) AL Census:
#H191
Charles H. Allen 27M Farmer Born AL
Mary E. Allen 27F Wife (Mother of 4 children, 0 living) Born AL
Joel H. Allen 62M Father Farmer Born AL
FRANCINA ALLEN 64F Mother Born AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
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A WHITE WOMAN IN CHAMBERS COUNTY MURDERED FRIDAY BY NEGRO BOY WHO CONFESSED THE CRIME
Lucian Carter, a negro boy about 12 or 13 years old, who is charged with murdering Mrs. J. H. Allen in the Allen Store, 18 miles north of LaFayette, yesterday afternoon, confessed in a jail cell at the Lee County jail in the presence of Deputy Sheriff W.A. Betts and to a News
reporter this afternoon, that he alone committed the horrible crime. Carter claimed to be 10 years old and said he went to the store for the purpose of robbing it; that he told Hosey Hamilton, another negro, to meet him there, but Hamilton failed to do so.
Carter said he got the single bladed axe from under the store house and went in an adjoining room where Mr. and Mrs. Allen's bedroom was. He said he was standing in the door leading to the dining room, and when he approached her she saw him and started to scream but before she could do so, he hit her on the head with the blade of the axe and then once in the back. Carter said that after he killed Mrs. Allen he took some cigars, then jumped out of a window and ran.
Sheriff John L. Moon and Deputy Sheriff Betts met Deputy Sheriff Wallace of Chambers county and Solicitor Moon at Cusseta with the prisoners. They were hurried to jail here where Judge S. L. Brewer, who came here this morning from Dadeville, issued an order for the removal of Carter to Montgomery, where he was carried on the afternoon train. Carter's statement is accepted as being true and it is believed that the other negroes arrested are not implicated.
The body of Mrs. Allen was found by Mr. Allen in his store when he returned there, having gone to a nearby stream to fish. Mrs. Allen was 74 years old and before her marriage was a Miss Fannie White of this city. Mrs. Allen and her husband had lived in Rippville community where the tragedy occured, about 28 years.
- The Opelika News, the 18th.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - August 22, 1917:
BRUTAL MURDER OF MRS. J. H. ALLEN.
Three Negro Boys Charged with Crime--Lucius Carter Said to Have Confessed.
Between three and four o'clock last Friday afternoon a most brutal murder was committed near Allen's Mill in the northern part of the county (Chambers). Mr. J. H. Allen, a highly respected citizen of that community is the proprietor of a country store. He had gone with a party of neighbors to a near-by creek, leaving his wife to look after the business during his absence. On his return home about five o'clock he found his wife lying across the wash-shelf dead, her body horribley mutilated, five wounds in the back made with an axe, one arm and hand cut and the other arm broken, and a gaping wound in the back of the head. Suspicion pointed to three negro boys - Lucius Carter, aged 12; Hosey Hammock, aged 15; and Homer Barrow, aged 17; they were arrested and brought to LaFayette and lodged in jail. Lucius Carter, it is alleged, has made a partial confession saying that he met the other boys who asked him to go with them, that they were going after some money.
Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age. She is survived by her husband, two sons-Messrs. C. H. & D. F. Allen of Dadeville; four daughters-Mrs. W. G. Caldwell and Mrs. C. L. Fuller of this county (Chambers); Mrs. J. A. Morris and Mrs. J. H. Fuller, of Langdale; a son-in-law-Mr. J. L. Hall, of Dadeville, and one sister and two brothers. The remains were interred at Dudleyville Cemetery Sunday morning.
Lucius Carter and Hosey Hammock were carried to Opelika by Deputy Sheriff Whatley last Saturday. Hammock was placed in the Lee County Jail and Carter was carried to Montgomery and placed in the Montgomery County Jail for safe keeping.
The following appeared in Sunday's "Montgomery Advertiser":
*Lucian Carter, a negro boy about fourteen years old is confined in the Montgomery County Jail charged with a particularly atrocious crime in having killed an aged white woman, whose name he gives as Mrs. Allen, who lived in Chambers County, Friday afternoon. The weapon used by the boy was an axe, with which he split the woman's head open. She died almost immediately.
Threats of violence arising as soon as the crime became known and the jail at LaFayette being considered insecure against an attack by a mob, Judge S. L. Brewer of the Fifth District Judicial Circuit of Alabama, ordered the boy brought to Montgomery for safekeeping. He was at once slipped out of the LaFayette Jail, and brought here by Sheriff Tatum arriving in this city early Saturday morning.
After placing the young murderer safely in the hands of Sheriff Waller and seeing him securely locked in a cell on the second tier of the Montgomery County Jail, Sheriff Tatum returned to LaFayette on the first train.
Young Carter talked freely of the murder to a reporter for "The Advertiser" in the presence of a guard Saturday afternoon.
"Are you the boy who killed a white woman in Chambers County" the reporter asked.
"Yes, sir," answered the boy without hesitancy.
"What did you do it for?"
"I don't know sir, I mus' a-been out o' my mind. Sometimes I go out of my mind and then my brothers are 'fraid of me, and I was out of my mind when I killed that woman."
"What is the woman's name?"
"Mrs. Allen is all I knows her by. No, sir, she never said nothin to me. I jus' happened to get hold of an axe and somethin' come in my mind to go up to her house and kill her, and took the axe and went up there."
"She was standin' in the front room when I went in the house but when she saw me with the axe she begun to run back to the back door, and I run after her with the axe."
"And where did you kill her?"
"In the kitchen. She was gone out the back door when I caught up with her and hit her with the axe."
"Then what did you do?"
"I went away from the house and after awhile they had me, and then I come here. Yes sir, my mind was gone when I killed her. I didn't know what I was doin', no sir. I didn't know what I was doin' no, sir. I didn't know what I was doin'."
Carter was lying on a couch when he made his confession. Occasionally he would half raise himself, but he seemed like a person exhausted. Physically, he seems a normal negro boy, but the inmates of the jail have already placed him in the "loco" class.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - August 29, 1917:
Other Arrest Have Been Made.
In Connection with Murder of Mrs. Allen – Additional Evidence Secured.
A white boy and two more Negroes have been arrested, charged with being implicated in the murder of Mrs. J. H. Allen. They were carried to Opelika and lodged in the Lee County jail. The Opelika News of Friday, August 24th, says:
Walker Adams, a white boy and L. Carter and Marvin Carter, two Negroes are being held in the county jail here charged with murder, it being charged that the boys were implicated or took part in the killing of Mrs. J. H. Allen, who was brutally murdered in the Allen store about 12 miles north of LaFayette last Friday afternoon. The three boys were brought here yesterday by R. H. Allen, brother of Mrs. Allen. Sheriff Moon was wired the authority to hold them yesterday by Judge Brewer who is in Wedowee. Mr. Allen is said to have secured some evidence while in Montgomery recently, to warrant the arrest of the white boy and two Negroes.
When seen by a news reporter in their cells this morning they each claimed they had nothing to do with the murdering of Mrs. Allen. Adams gave his age at 14, L. Carter at 14, and Marvin Carter at 11. Marvin Carter appears to be about 18 years old, and the other two boys look to be about two or three years older than the ages given. L. Carter claimed to be a brother of Lucius Carter, the boy who was first arrested for the crime and who made a statement to a News reporter that he alone committed the act. Marvin Carter said he lived at the same house with Lucius Carter, but was not his brother.
Additional evidence is said to have been discovered that leads to the belief that there was more than one person connected with the crime. Two axes were found in the store which shows signs that both were used in killing Mrs. Allen.
The following article regarding the affair is taken from the "Montgomery Advertiser":
Lucien Carter, the Negro boy who has been confined in the Montgomery County jail since last Saturday, charged with the murder of Mrs. Allen in LaFayette, Chambers County, and who confessed the murder to a reporter of the Advertiser on the day he was brought here for safe-keeping, made a further statement to Sheriff Waller on Thursday morning in which he said that he was hired to commit the murder of a white man.
The Negro also stated that not only the white man, but two other Negroes were implicated and that all of them intended robbing the store run by Mrs. Allen's husband near LaFayette, but were frightened away after the murder was committed.
This statement came about through a visit of Mr. Allen, the dead woman's husband, who came to Montgomery, accompanied by his two sons and a son-in-law and stated to Sheriff Waller that they had reason to believe Carter was in a conspiracy and that a certain white man in Chambers County had instigated the crime. When Sheriff Waller asked Carter as to whether this was true or not the boy made the statement as given above.
The Allens returned to LaFayette and the arrest of the white man and the other two Negroes is expected soon after their arrival home.
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"The LaFayette Sun: - September 12, 1917"
In Memory of Mrs. J. H. Allen.
'Tis hard to be submissive to the death of one we loved so much, but we know the good Lord knows best and suits each blessings unto us as seemeth good in His sight.
As we looked on her sweet face we were reminded how her kind hands had labored for the comfort and pleasure of those most dear to her.
She had such a cheerful disposition, that a feeling of inspiration was experienced by most everyone with whom she met. "Grandmother" as she is known by most. Her pleasant greetings will be so much missed by husband, children, neighbors and friends.
Just to think we will never more see her sweet face or hear her sweet voice in this life. But "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." and now to see the many things that were arranged by her precious hands what a feeling of sadness comes to our hearts. Then we are made more and more to sympathize with the grief stricken husband and praise the Lord for the hope of meeting with Grandmother in that bright home where there comes no darkness and where there will be no more partings.
"Dear Grandmother now at rest,
Safe forever on the Savior's breast,
While we who loved you so down here,
Are longing for your presence here.
Dear Grandmother could we but hold,
You close without are arms soft fold.
How tender would we look down upon your precious head of silky white.
Dear Grandmother how we'd love to gaze upon you from above and watch you in your robe of white.Sweetly smiling at the angels,
but Jesus loved you best my dear.
Too pure, too precious to remain here.
And dear Grandmother He knew best for you to go
And live within the Shepherd's care."
One who loved her devotedly,
- Minnie.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - September 19, 1917:
Trial of Carter Attracted Crowd.
Negro Boy Who Killed Mrs. Allen Found Guilty and Sentenced to Hang.
Last Friday morning the Courthouse was crowded to overflowing by citizens who were interested in the trial of Lucius Carter, the Negro boy accused of the murder of Mrs. Fannie Allen on the 17th day of last August. Because of the fact that the accused was under sixteen years of age, he was first arraigned before Judge Fuller, of the Probate Court, upon whom devolved the duty of determining whether he should be sent to the Reformatory, or should be sent to the Circuit Court for trial. The Judge decided that the accused should be returned to the Circuit Court and tried under the indictment found by the Grand Jury. The following citizens were selected as jurors: J. H. Jarrell, Foreman, T. O. Walton, Dan L. Bush, Luke T. Langley, John T. Beck, Thomas B. Slagle, W. T. Greene, H. R. Cox, M. S. Sessions, W. B. Sands, Morgan and Minus Stevens. The State was represented by Solicitor Bowling. Chas. S. Moon, Stother & Hines; the defendant was represented by R. J. Hooten. The first witness called was Dr. J. A. Ison, by whom the death of Mrs. Allen was established, the number and nature of the wounds on the body – three cuts on the back, one of which penetrated to the cavity, and one on the head which went to the brains; and that the wounds were made by a sharp instrument. Mr. Allen, the husband of the deceased, was called and told of finding the body of his wife lying across a board wash-stand that was at the rear porch of the home. He got home between four and five o'clock of the afternoon. He testified to finding blood on the floor and blood and hair on the weather-boarding about four feet from the floor on the outside of the house near the wash-stand. Mrs. Robt. Welch, a near neighbor, saw the accused between three and four o'clock walking along near the scene of the murder, and that she new him; and after calling her children who were playing not far away, went on to her home. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that the axe he found on the steps of the porch was his own axe and was at the wood pile near by. Mrs. Ella Welch testified that having her attention attracted by the call of Mrs. Robt. Welch for her children, she went to the door of her home, near the Allen home, and looked toward the road and saw a colored boy run out of the Allen house. She could not swear that it was the defendant, but it was a colored boy about his size. Mrs. Knight testified that she lived near the Allens, in sight of the house. She saw Mrs. Robt. Welch going and coming from the Allen house. She saw a colored boy coming out of the Allen house. Mr. W. Vickers testified to finding tracks going and coming from the Allen home. He also saw blood on the outside of the door and noticed several cuts on the door facing. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age and was 4 feet and 11 inches in height, and weighed 94 pounds; and that she was feeble and unable to run. The State then put up on the stand a number of witnesses who knew the defendant and proved that he was an intelligent boy.
The lawyers then addressed the jury. The State presented its case, relying in large measure upon the doctrine of exclusion; no other person was seen about the Allen premises, except Lucius Carter; the circumstantial evidence was strongly presented; and the intelligence of the defendant dwelt upon, the State insisting that he knew right from wrong. The defense relied upon the lace of positive evidence and argued that there was no convincing evidence that the defendant was the guilty party. Col. Hooten begged the jury to remember that they were under oath to be influenced in their verdict only by the testimony brought out on the witness stand. The charge to the jury by Judge Brewer was clear and made every point of the law in the case apparent. The case went to the Jury about 6:30 o'clock. About 11 o'clock they had reached their verdict and returned it to the Court, finding the defendant guilty and fixing the punishment at death. On Saturday morning, the Judge passed sentence and set Friday, Nov. 9, between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 o'clock in the morning as the time of execution.
Prisoners Hear Sentences Pronounced.
Last Saturday morning prisoners who had been found guilty by the Circuit Court, were arraigned before Judge Brewer to receive their sentences. The scene was specially solemn and impressive as the three who were condemned to death were called one by one before his Honor to hear officially their doom. The usual question was asked each – "Have you anything to say why the sentence of the Court should not be pronounced upon you?" The response of Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter was "Nothing". Lon Tucker answered "Nothing, except that I am not guilty." There was not the slightest sign of emotion to be discovered in any one of the condemned as the Judge finished each sentence with "to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy upon your soul."
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - November 14, 1917:
DOUBLE HANGING ON LAST FRIDAY
Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter Pass the Death Penalty on the Gallows.
The readers of "The Sun" are familiar with the story of the crime of Jim Wooddy, who killed his mother-in-law and wife, and Lucius Carter who killed Mrs. Allen, an aged and respected white woman living in the northern part of the county, and we need not again give the history of these murders. The negroes were tried at the last term of the Chambers County Circuit Court, found guilty and sentenced to hang on November 9. Last Friday was the date set, and every detail for the execution had been carefully made by Sheriff Tatum. Shortly after 6:00 o'clock in the morning Dr. W. C. Bledsoe, Rev. H. R. Arnold, and T. C. Cunningham, a colored preacher, held a service of prayer in the cell of the condemned men. Wooddy and Carter were both calm and collected and each expressed a readiness for death. The colored preacher asked Jim Wooddy what message he would have him give to the colored people and he answered: "Tell 'em not to do as I done; if they can't get along with their wives, jest quit'em and go along away from 'em."
At 7:00 o'clock the deputy Sheriffs entered the cell and handcuffed the prisoners, and the little procession moved up the winding stairs to the gallows. The feet of the condemned men were tied together as they stood on the trap, the ropes were adjusted about their necks, and the black cap pulled over their faces. At this point Dr. Bledsoe offered a short prayer and as he stepped back off the trap, the rope that held it was severed by an axe in the hands of the Sheriff and the two bodies dropped into space. In about fifteen minutes attending physicians pronounced the men dead and their bodies were cut down and turned over to undertaker Nichols, who placed them in neat coffins. Carter's father claimed his body, while the remains of Wooddy were interred in the colored cemetery.
Just before the execution a pathetic incident occured. Lucius Carter asked to see his father, who was admitted, and with tears streaming down his face, embraced his son and told him goodbye.
==========
1850 Tallapoosa County, (Township 21) AL Census:
#H574
Isaac C. White 30M Farmer Born GA
Sophia C. White 21F Born NC
Alexander J. White 7M Born GA
FRANCES M. WHITE 4F Born AL
Elizabeth White 2F Born AL
==========
1860 Tallapoosa County, (Western Div. - Tallassee) AL Census:
#H510
Isaac C. White 43M Farmer R$350 P$300 Born GA
Sophia White 35F Born NC
Alexander White 17M Born GA
FRANCIS WHITE 13F Born GA
Elizabeth White 11F Born GA
Hepsy A. Salter 17F Born GA
==========
1880 Lee County, (Pierce Chapel) AL Census:
#H273
Joel H. Allen 32M Farmer Born AL
FRANCES C. ALLEN 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Mary Allen 9F Daughter Born AL
Catherine Allen 5F Daughter Born AL
Louisa Allen 2F Daughter Born AL
Gertrude Allen 11/12F Daughter Born AL
==========
1900 Tallapoosa County, (Dadeville) AL Census:
#H93
Joel Allen 52M Carpenter Born April 1848 in AL (Married 30 years)
FRANCINA C. ALLEN 54F Wife Born Feb. 1846 in AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
Lou Allen 22F Daughter Born May 1878 in AL
Pearl Allen 19F Daughter At School Born March 1881 in AL
Charley Allen 17M Son At School Born Feb. 1883 in AL
David Allen 15M Son At School Born Feb. 1885 in AL
==========
1910 Chambers County, (Wise) AL Census:
#H191
Charles H. Allen 27M Farmer Born AL
Mary E. Allen 27F Wife (Mother of 4 children, 0 living) Born AL
Joel H. Allen 62M Father Farmer Born AL
FRANCINA ALLEN 64F Mother Born AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
==========
"The Roanoke Leader" - August 22, 1917:
A WHITE WOMAN IN CHAMBERS COUNTY MURDERED FRIDAY BY NEGRO BOY WHO CONFESSED THE CRIME
Lucian Carter, a negro boy about 12 or 13 years old, who is charged with murdering Mrs. J. H. Allen in the Allen Store, 18 miles north of LaFayette, yesterday afternoon, confessed in a jail cell at the Lee County jail in the presence of Deputy Sheriff W.A. Betts and to a News
reporter this afternoon, that he alone committed the horrible crime. Carter claimed to be 10 years old and said he went to the store for the purpose of robbing it; that he told Hosey Hamilton, another negro, to meet him there, but Hamilton failed to do so.
Carter said he got the single bladed axe from under the store house and went in an adjoining room where Mr. and Mrs. Allen's bedroom was. He said he was standing in the door leading to the dining room, and when he approached her she saw him and started to scream but before she could do so, he hit her on the head with the blade of the axe and then once in the back. Carter said that after he killed Mrs. Allen he took some cigars, then jumped out of a window and ran.
Sheriff John L. Moon and Deputy Sheriff Betts met Deputy Sheriff Wallace of Chambers county and Solicitor Moon at Cusseta with the prisoners. They were hurried to jail here where Judge S. L. Brewer, who came here this morning from Dadeville, issued an order for the removal of Carter to Montgomery, where he was carried on the afternoon train. Carter's statement is accepted as being true and it is believed that the other negroes arrested are not implicated.
The body of Mrs. Allen was found by Mr. Allen in his store when he returned there, having gone to a nearby stream to fish. Mrs. Allen was 74 years old and before her marriage was a Miss Fannie White of this city. Mrs. Allen and her husband had lived in Rippville community where the tragedy occured, about 28 years.
- The Opelika News, the 18th.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - August 22, 1917:
BRUTAL MURDER OF MRS. J. H. ALLEN.
Three Negro Boys Charged with Crime--Lucius Carter Said to Have Confessed.
Between three and four o'clock last Friday afternoon a most brutal murder was committed near Allen's Mill in the northern part of the county (Chambers). Mr. J. H. Allen, a highly respected citizen of that community is the proprietor of a country store. He had gone with a party of neighbors to a near-by creek, leaving his wife to look after the business during his absence. On his return home about five o'clock he found his wife lying across the wash-shelf dead, her body horribley mutilated, five wounds in the back made with an axe, one arm and hand cut and the other arm broken, and a gaping wound in the back of the head. Suspicion pointed to three negro boys - Lucius Carter, aged 12; Hosey Hammock, aged 15; and Homer Barrow, aged 17; they were arrested and brought to LaFayette and lodged in jail. Lucius Carter, it is alleged, has made a partial confession saying that he met the other boys who asked him to go with them, that they were going after some money.
Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age. She is survived by her husband, two sons-Messrs. C. H. & D. F. Allen of Dadeville; four daughters-Mrs. W. G. Caldwell and Mrs. C. L. Fuller of this county (Chambers); Mrs. J. A. Morris and Mrs. J. H. Fuller, of Langdale; a son-in-law-Mr. J. L. Hall, of Dadeville, and one sister and two brothers. The remains were interred at Dudleyville Cemetery Sunday morning.
Lucius Carter and Hosey Hammock were carried to Opelika by Deputy Sheriff Whatley last Saturday. Hammock was placed in the Lee County Jail and Carter was carried to Montgomery and placed in the Montgomery County Jail for safe keeping.
The following appeared in Sunday's "Montgomery Advertiser":
*Lucian Carter, a negro boy about fourteen years old is confined in the Montgomery County Jail charged with a particularly atrocious crime in having killed an aged white woman, whose name he gives as Mrs. Allen, who lived in Chambers County, Friday afternoon. The weapon used by the boy was an axe, with which he split the woman's head open. She died almost immediately.
Threats of violence arising as soon as the crime became known and the jail at LaFayette being considered insecure against an attack by a mob, Judge S. L. Brewer of the Fifth District Judicial Circuit of Alabama, ordered the boy brought to Montgomery for safekeeping. He was at once slipped out of the LaFayette Jail, and brought here by Sheriff Tatum arriving in this city early Saturday morning.
After placing the young murderer safely in the hands of Sheriff Waller and seeing him securely locked in a cell on the second tier of the Montgomery County Jail, Sheriff Tatum returned to LaFayette on the first train.
Young Carter talked freely of the murder to a reporter for "The Advertiser" in the presence of a guard Saturday afternoon.
"Are you the boy who killed a white woman in Chambers County" the reporter asked.
"Yes, sir," answered the boy without hesitancy.
"What did you do it for?"
"I don't know sir, I mus' a-been out o' my mind. Sometimes I go out of my mind and then my brothers are 'fraid of me, and I was out of my mind when I killed that woman."
"What is the woman's name?"
"Mrs. Allen is all I knows her by. No, sir, she never said nothin to me. I jus' happened to get hold of an axe and somethin' come in my mind to go up to her house and kill her, and took the axe and went up there."
"She was standin' in the front room when I went in the house but when she saw me with the axe she begun to run back to the back door, and I run after her with the axe."
"And where did you kill her?"
"In the kitchen. She was gone out the back door when I caught up with her and hit her with the axe."
"Then what did you do?"
"I went away from the house and after awhile they had me, and then I come here. Yes sir, my mind was gone when I killed her. I didn't know what I was doin', no sir. I didn't know what I was doin' no, sir. I didn't know what I was doin'."
Carter was lying on a couch when he made his confession. Occasionally he would half raise himself, but he seemed like a person exhausted. Physically, he seems a normal negro boy, but the inmates of the jail have already placed him in the "loco" class.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - August 29, 1917:
Other Arrest Have Been Made.
In Connection with Murder of Mrs. Allen – Additional Evidence Secured.
A white boy and two more Negroes have been arrested, charged with being implicated in the murder of Mrs. J. H. Allen. They were carried to Opelika and lodged in the Lee County jail. The Opelika News of Friday, August 24th, says:
Walker Adams, a white boy and L. Carter and Marvin Carter, two Negroes are being held in the county jail here charged with murder, it being charged that the boys were implicated or took part in the killing of Mrs. J. H. Allen, who was brutally murdered in the Allen store about 12 miles north of LaFayette last Friday afternoon. The three boys were brought here yesterday by R. H. Allen, brother of Mrs. Allen. Sheriff Moon was wired the authority to hold them yesterday by Judge Brewer who is in Wedowee. Mr. Allen is said to have secured some evidence while in Montgomery recently, to warrant the arrest of the white boy and two Negroes.
When seen by a news reporter in their cells this morning they each claimed they had nothing to do with the murdering of Mrs. Allen. Adams gave his age at 14, L. Carter at 14, and Marvin Carter at 11. Marvin Carter appears to be about 18 years old, and the other two boys look to be about two or three years older than the ages given. L. Carter claimed to be a brother of Lucius Carter, the boy who was first arrested for the crime and who made a statement to a News reporter that he alone committed the act. Marvin Carter said he lived at the same house with Lucius Carter, but was not his brother.
Additional evidence is said to have been discovered that leads to the belief that there was more than one person connected with the crime. Two axes were found in the store which shows signs that both were used in killing Mrs. Allen.
The following article regarding the affair is taken from the "Montgomery Advertiser":
Lucien Carter, the Negro boy who has been confined in the Montgomery County jail since last Saturday, charged with the murder of Mrs. Allen in LaFayette, Chambers County, and who confessed the murder to a reporter of the Advertiser on the day he was brought here for safe-keeping, made a further statement to Sheriff Waller on Thursday morning in which he said that he was hired to commit the murder of a white man.
The Negro also stated that not only the white man, but two other Negroes were implicated and that all of them intended robbing the store run by Mrs. Allen's husband near LaFayette, but were frightened away after the murder was committed.
This statement came about through a visit of Mr. Allen, the dead woman's husband, who came to Montgomery, accompanied by his two sons and a son-in-law and stated to Sheriff Waller that they had reason to believe Carter was in a conspiracy and that a certain white man in Chambers County had instigated the crime. When Sheriff Waller asked Carter as to whether this was true or not the boy made the statement as given above.
The Allens returned to LaFayette and the arrest of the white man and the other two Negroes is expected soon after their arrival home.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun: - September 12, 1917"
In Memory of Mrs. J. H. Allen.
'Tis hard to be submissive to the death of one we loved so much, but we know the good Lord knows best and suits each blessings unto us as seemeth good in His sight.
As we looked on her sweet face we were reminded how her kind hands had labored for the comfort and pleasure of those most dear to her.
She had such a cheerful disposition, that a feeling of inspiration was experienced by most everyone with whom she met. "Grandmother" as she is known by most. Her pleasant greetings will be so much missed by husband, children, neighbors and friends.
Just to think we will never more see her sweet face or hear her sweet voice in this life. But "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." and now to see the many things that were arranged by her precious hands what a feeling of sadness comes to our hearts. Then we are made more and more to sympathize with the grief stricken husband and praise the Lord for the hope of meeting with Grandmother in that bright home where there comes no darkness and where there will be no more partings.
"Dear Grandmother now at rest,
Safe forever on the Savior's breast,
While we who loved you so down here,
Are longing for your presence here.
Dear Grandmother could we but hold,
You close without are arms soft fold.
How tender would we look down upon your precious head of silky white.
Dear Grandmother how we'd love to gaze upon you from above and watch you in your robe of white.Sweetly smiling at the angels,
but Jesus loved you best my dear.
Too pure, too precious to remain here.
And dear Grandmother He knew best for you to go
And live within the Shepherd's care."
One who loved her devotedly,
- Minnie.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - September 19, 1917:
Trial of Carter Attracted Crowd.
Negro Boy Who Killed Mrs. Allen Found Guilty and Sentenced to Hang.
Last Friday morning the Courthouse was crowded to overflowing by citizens who were interested in the trial of Lucius Carter, the Negro boy accused of the murder of Mrs. Fannie Allen on the 17th day of last August. Because of the fact that the accused was under sixteen years of age, he was first arraigned before Judge Fuller, of the Probate Court, upon whom devolved the duty of determining whether he should be sent to the Reformatory, or should be sent to the Circuit Court for trial. The Judge decided that the accused should be returned to the Circuit Court and tried under the indictment found by the Grand Jury. The following citizens were selected as jurors: J. H. Jarrell, Foreman, T. O. Walton, Dan L. Bush, Luke T. Langley, John T. Beck, Thomas B. Slagle, W. T. Greene, H. R. Cox, M. S. Sessions, W. B. Sands, Morgan and Minus Stevens. The State was represented by Solicitor Bowling. Chas. S. Moon, Stother & Hines; the defendant was represented by R. J. Hooten. The first witness called was Dr. J. A. Ison, by whom the death of Mrs. Allen was established, the number and nature of the wounds on the body – three cuts on the back, one of which penetrated to the cavity, and one on the head which went to the brains; and that the wounds were made by a sharp instrument. Mr. Allen, the husband of the deceased, was called and told of finding the body of his wife lying across a board wash-stand that was at the rear porch of the home. He got home between four and five o'clock of the afternoon. He testified to finding blood on the floor and blood and hair on the weather-boarding about four feet from the floor on the outside of the house near the wash-stand. Mrs. Robt. Welch, a near neighbor, saw the accused between three and four o'clock walking along near the scene of the murder, and that she new him; and after calling her children who were playing not far away, went on to her home. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that the axe he found on the steps of the porch was his own axe and was at the wood pile near by. Mrs. Ella Welch testified that having her attention attracted by the call of Mrs. Robt. Welch for her children, she went to the door of her home, near the Allen home, and looked toward the road and saw a colored boy run out of the Allen house. She could not swear that it was the defendant, but it was a colored boy about his size. Mrs. Knight testified that she lived near the Allens, in sight of the house. She saw Mrs. Robt. Welch going and coming from the Allen house. She saw a colored boy coming out of the Allen house. Mr. W. Vickers testified to finding tracks going and coming from the Allen home. He also saw blood on the outside of the door and noticed several cuts on the door facing. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age and was 4 feet and 11 inches in height, and weighed 94 pounds; and that she was feeble and unable to run. The State then put up on the stand a number of witnesses who knew the defendant and proved that he was an intelligent boy.
The lawyers then addressed the jury. The State presented its case, relying in large measure upon the doctrine of exclusion; no other person was seen about the Allen premises, except Lucius Carter; the circumstantial evidence was strongly presented; and the intelligence of the defendant dwelt upon, the State insisting that he knew right from wrong. The defense relied upon the lace of positive evidence and argued that there was no convincing evidence that the defendant was the guilty party. Col. Hooten begged the jury to remember that they were under oath to be influenced in their verdict only by the testimony brought out on the witness stand. The charge to the jury by Judge Brewer was clear and made every point of the law in the case apparent. The case went to the Jury about 6:30 o'clock. About 11 o'clock they had reached their verdict and returned it to the Court, finding the defendant guilty and fixing the punishment at death. On Saturday morning, the Judge passed sentence and set Friday, Nov. 9, between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 o'clock in the morning as the time of execution.
Prisoners Hear Sentences Pronounced.
Last Saturday morning prisoners who had been found guilty by the Circuit Court, were arraigned before Judge Brewer to receive their sentences. The scene was specially solemn and impressive as the three who were condemned to death were called one by one before his Honor to hear officially their doom. The usual question was asked each – "Have you anything to say why the sentence of the Court should not be pronounced upon you?" The response of Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter was "Nothing". Lon Tucker answered "Nothing, except that I am not guilty." There was not the slightest sign of emotion to be discovered in any one of the condemned as the Judge finished each sentence with "to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy upon your soul."
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - November 14, 1917:
DOUBLE HANGING ON LAST FRIDAY
Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter Pass the Death Penalty on the Gallows.
The readers of "The Sun" are familiar with the story of the crime of Jim Wooddy, who killed his mother-in-law and wife, and Lucius Carter who killed Mrs. Allen, an aged and respected white woman living in the northern part of the county, and we need not again give the history of these murders. The negroes were tried at the last term of the Chambers County Circuit Court, found guilty and sentenced to hang on November 9. Last Friday was the date set, and every detail for the execution had been carefully made by Sheriff Tatum. Shortly after 6:00 o'clock in the morning Dr. W. C. Bledsoe, Rev. H. R. Arnold, and T. C. Cunningham, a colored preacher, held a service of prayer in the cell of the condemned men. Wooddy and Carter were both calm and collected and each expressed a readiness for death. The colored preacher asked Jim Wooddy what message he would have him give to the colored people and he answered: "Tell 'em not to do as I done; if they can't get along with their wives, jest quit'em and go along away from 'em."
At 7:00 o'clock the deputy Sheriffs entered the cell and handcuffed the prisoners, and the little procession moved up the winding stairs to the gallows. The feet of the condemned men were tied together as they stood on the trap, the ropes were adjusted about their necks, and the black cap pulled over their faces. At this point Dr. Bledsoe offered a short prayer and as he stepped back off the trap, the rope that held it was severed by an axe in the hands of the Sheriff and the two bodies dropped into space. In about fifteen minutes attending physicians pronounced the men dead and their bodies were cut down and turned over to undertaker Nichols, who placed them in neat coffins. Carter's father claimed his body, while the remains of Wooddy were interred in the colored cemetery.
Just before the execution a pathetic incident occured. Lucius Carter asked to see his father, who was admitted, and with tears streaming down his face, embraced his son and told him goodbye.
==========
1850 Tallapoosa County, (Township 21) AL Census:
#H574
Isaac C. White 30M Farmer Born GA
Sophia C. White 21F Born NC
Alexander J. White 7M Born GA
FRANCES M. WHITE 4F Born AL
Elizabeth White 2F Born AL
==========
1860 Tallapoosa County, (Western Div. - Tallassee) AL Census:
#H510
Isaac C. White 43M Farmer R$350 P$300 Born GA
Sophia White 35F Born NC
Alexander White 17M Born GA
FRANCIS WHITE 13F Born GA
Elizabeth White 11F Born GA
Hepsy A. Salter 17F Born GA
==========
1880 Lee County, (Pierce Chapel) AL Census:
#H273
Joel H. Allen 32M Farmer Born AL
FRANCES C. ALLEN 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Mary Allen 9F Daughter Born AL
Catherine Allen 5F Daughter Born AL
Louisa Allen 2F Daughter Born AL
Gertrude Allen 11/12F Daughter Born AL
==========
1900 Tallapoosa County, (Dadeville) AL Census:
#H93
Joel Allen 52M Carpenter Born April 1848 in AL (Married 30 years)
FRANCINA C. ALLEN 54F Wife Born Feb. 1846 in AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
Lou Allen 22F Daughter Born May 1878 in AL
Pearl Allen 19F Daughter At School Born March 1881 in AL
Charley Allen 17M Son At School Born Feb. 1883 in AL
David Allen 15M Son At School Born Feb. 1885 in AL
==========
1910 Chambers County, (Wise) AL Census:
#H191
Charles H. Allen 27M Farmer Born AL
Mary E. Allen 27F Wife (Mother of 4 children, 0 living) Born AL
Joel H. Allen 62M Father Farmer Born AL
FRANCINA ALLEN 64F Mother Born AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
==========
A WHITE WOMAN IN CHAMBERS COUNTY MURDERED FRIDAY BY NEGRO BOY WHO CONFESSED THE CRIME
Lucian Carter, a negro boy about 12 or 13 years old, who is charged with murdering Mrs. J. H. Allen in the Allen Store, 18 miles north of LaFayette, yesterday afternoon, confessed in a jail cell at the Lee County jail in the presence of Deputy Sheriff W.A. Betts and to a News
reporter this afternoon, that he alone committed the horrible crime. Carter claimed to be 10 years old and said he went to the store for the purpose of robbing it; that he told Hosey Hamilton, another negro, to meet him there, but Hamilton failed to do so.
Carter said he got the single bladed axe from under the store house and went in an adjoining room where Mr. and Mrs. Allen's bedroom was. He said he was standing in the door leading to the dining room, and when he approached her she saw him and started to scream but before she could do so, he hit her on the head with the blade of the axe and then once in the back. Carter said that after he killed Mrs. Allen he took some cigars, then jumped out of a window and ran.
Sheriff John L. Moon and Deputy Sheriff Betts met Deputy Sheriff Wallace of Chambers county and Solicitor Moon at Cusseta with the prisoners. They were hurried to jail here where Judge S. L. Brewer, who came here this morning from Dadeville, issued an order for the removal of Carter to Montgomery, where he was carried on the afternoon train. Carter's statement is accepted as being true and it is believed that the other negroes arrested are not implicated.
The body of Mrs. Allen was found by Mr. Allen in his store when he returned there, having gone to a nearby stream to fish. Mrs. Allen was 74 years old and before her marriage was a Miss Fannie White of this city. Mrs. Allen and her husband had lived in Rippville community where the tragedy occured, about 28 years.
- The Opelika News, the 18th.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - August 22, 1917:
BRUTAL MURDER OF MRS. J. H. ALLEN.
Three Negro Boys Charged with Crime--Lucius Carter Said to Have Confessed.
Between three and four o'clock last Friday afternoon a most brutal murder was committed near Allen's Mill in the northern part of the county (Chambers). Mr. J. H. Allen, a highly respected citizen of that community is the proprietor of a country store. He had gone with a party of neighbors to a near-by creek, leaving his wife to look after the business during his absence. On his return home about five o'clock he found his wife lying across the wash-shelf dead, her body horribley mutilated, five wounds in the back made with an axe, one arm and hand cut and the other arm broken, and a gaping wound in the back of the head. Suspicion pointed to three negro boys - Lucius Carter, aged 12; Hosey Hammock, aged 15; and Homer Barrow, aged 17; they were arrested and brought to LaFayette and lodged in jail. Lucius Carter, it is alleged, has made a partial confession saying that he met the other boys who asked him to go with them, that they were going after some money.
Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age. She is survived by her husband, two sons-Messrs. C. H. & D. F. Allen of Dadeville; four daughters-Mrs. W. G. Caldwell and Mrs. C. L. Fuller of this county (Chambers); Mrs. J. A. Morris and Mrs. J. H. Fuller, of Langdale; a son-in-law-Mr. J. L. Hall, of Dadeville, and one sister and two brothers. The remains were interred at Dudleyville Cemetery Sunday morning.
Lucius Carter and Hosey Hammock were carried to Opelika by Deputy Sheriff Whatley last Saturday. Hammock was placed in the Lee County Jail and Carter was carried to Montgomery and placed in the Montgomery County Jail for safe keeping.
The following appeared in Sunday's "Montgomery Advertiser":
*Lucian Carter, a negro boy about fourteen years old is confined in the Montgomery County Jail charged with a particularly atrocious crime in having killed an aged white woman, whose name he gives as Mrs. Allen, who lived in Chambers County, Friday afternoon. The weapon used by the boy was an axe, with which he split the woman's head open. She died almost immediately.
Threats of violence arising as soon as the crime became known and the jail at LaFayette being considered insecure against an attack by a mob, Judge S. L. Brewer of the Fifth District Judicial Circuit of Alabama, ordered the boy brought to Montgomery for safekeeping. He was at once slipped out of the LaFayette Jail, and brought here by Sheriff Tatum arriving in this city early Saturday morning.
After placing the young murderer safely in the hands of Sheriff Waller and seeing him securely locked in a cell on the second tier of the Montgomery County Jail, Sheriff Tatum returned to LaFayette on the first train.
Young Carter talked freely of the murder to a reporter for "The Advertiser" in the presence of a guard Saturday afternoon.
"Are you the boy who killed a white woman in Chambers County" the reporter asked.
"Yes, sir," answered the boy without hesitancy.
"What did you do it for?"
"I don't know sir, I mus' a-been out o' my mind. Sometimes I go out of my mind and then my brothers are 'fraid of me, and I was out of my mind when I killed that woman."
"What is the woman's name?"
"Mrs. Allen is all I knows her by. No, sir, she never said nothin to me. I jus' happened to get hold of an axe and somethin' come in my mind to go up to her house and kill her, and took the axe and went up there."
"She was standin' in the front room when I went in the house but when she saw me with the axe she begun to run back to the back door, and I run after her with the axe."
"And where did you kill her?"
"In the kitchen. She was gone out the back door when I caught up with her and hit her with the axe."
"Then what did you do?"
"I went away from the house and after awhile they had me, and then I come here. Yes sir, my mind was gone when I killed her. I didn't know what I was doin', no sir. I didn't know what I was doin' no, sir. I didn't know what I was doin'."
Carter was lying on a couch when he made his confession. Occasionally he would half raise himself, but he seemed like a person exhausted. Physically, he seems a normal negro boy, but the inmates of the jail have already placed him in the "loco" class.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - August 29, 1917:
Other Arrest Have Been Made.
In Connection with Murder of Mrs. Allen – Additional Evidence Secured.
A white boy and two more Negroes have been arrested, charged with being implicated in the murder of Mrs. J. H. Allen. They were carried to Opelika and lodged in the Lee County jail. The Opelika News of Friday, August 24th, says:
Walker Adams, a white boy and L. Carter and Marvin Carter, two Negroes are being held in the county jail here charged with murder, it being charged that the boys were implicated or took part in the killing of Mrs. J. H. Allen, who was brutally murdered in the Allen store about 12 miles north of LaFayette last Friday afternoon. The three boys were brought here yesterday by R. H. Allen, brother of Mrs. Allen. Sheriff Moon was wired the authority to hold them yesterday by Judge Brewer who is in Wedowee. Mr. Allen is said to have secured some evidence while in Montgomery recently, to warrant the arrest of the white boy and two Negroes.
When seen by a news reporter in their cells this morning they each claimed they had nothing to do with the murdering of Mrs. Allen. Adams gave his age at 14, L. Carter at 14, and Marvin Carter at 11. Marvin Carter appears to be about 18 years old, and the other two boys look to be about two or three years older than the ages given. L. Carter claimed to be a brother of Lucius Carter, the boy who was first arrested for the crime and who made a statement to a News reporter that he alone committed the act. Marvin Carter said he lived at the same house with Lucius Carter, but was not his brother.
Additional evidence is said to have been discovered that leads to the belief that there was more than one person connected with the crime. Two axes were found in the store which shows signs that both were used in killing Mrs. Allen.
The following article regarding the affair is taken from the "Montgomery Advertiser":
Lucien Carter, the Negro boy who has been confined in the Montgomery County jail since last Saturday, charged with the murder of Mrs. Allen in LaFayette, Chambers County, and who confessed the murder to a reporter of the Advertiser on the day he was brought here for safe-keeping, made a further statement to Sheriff Waller on Thursday morning in which he said that he was hired to commit the murder of a white man.
The Negro also stated that not only the white man, but two other Negroes were implicated and that all of them intended robbing the store run by Mrs. Allen's husband near LaFayette, but were frightened away after the murder was committed.
This statement came about through a visit of Mr. Allen, the dead woman's husband, who came to Montgomery, accompanied by his two sons and a son-in-law and stated to Sheriff Waller that they had reason to believe Carter was in a conspiracy and that a certain white man in Chambers County had instigated the crime. When Sheriff Waller asked Carter as to whether this was true or not the boy made the statement as given above.
The Allens returned to LaFayette and the arrest of the white man and the other two Negroes is expected soon after their arrival home.
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"The LaFayette Sun: - September 12, 1917"
In Memory of Mrs. J. H. Allen.
'Tis hard to be submissive to the death of one we loved so much, but we know the good Lord knows best and suits each blessings unto us as seemeth good in His sight.
As we looked on her sweet face we were reminded how her kind hands had labored for the comfort and pleasure of those most dear to her.
She had such a cheerful disposition, that a feeling of inspiration was experienced by most everyone with whom she met. "Grandmother" as she is known by most. Her pleasant greetings will be so much missed by husband, children, neighbors and friends.
Just to think we will never more see her sweet face or hear her sweet voice in this life. But "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." and now to see the many things that were arranged by her precious hands what a feeling of sadness comes to our hearts. Then we are made more and more to sympathize with the grief stricken husband and praise the Lord for the hope of meeting with Grandmother in that bright home where there comes no darkness and where there will be no more partings.
"Dear Grandmother now at rest,
Safe forever on the Savior's breast,
While we who loved you so down here,
Are longing for your presence here.
Dear Grandmother could we but hold,
You close without are arms soft fold.
How tender would we look down upon your precious head of silky white.
Dear Grandmother how we'd love to gaze upon you from above and watch you in your robe of white.Sweetly smiling at the angels,
but Jesus loved you best my dear.
Too pure, too precious to remain here.
And dear Grandmother He knew best for you to go
And live within the Shepherd's care."
One who loved her devotedly,
- Minnie.
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"The LaFayette Sun" - September 19, 1917:
Trial of Carter Attracted Crowd.
Negro Boy Who Killed Mrs. Allen Found Guilty and Sentenced to Hang.
Last Friday morning the Courthouse was crowded to overflowing by citizens who were interested in the trial of Lucius Carter, the Negro boy accused of the murder of Mrs. Fannie Allen on the 17th day of last August. Because of the fact that the accused was under sixteen years of age, he was first arraigned before Judge Fuller, of the Probate Court, upon whom devolved the duty of determining whether he should be sent to the Reformatory, or should be sent to the Circuit Court for trial. The Judge decided that the accused should be returned to the Circuit Court and tried under the indictment found by the Grand Jury. The following citizens were selected as jurors: J. H. Jarrell, Foreman, T. O. Walton, Dan L. Bush, Luke T. Langley, John T. Beck, Thomas B. Slagle, W. T. Greene, H. R. Cox, M. S. Sessions, W. B. Sands, Morgan and Minus Stevens. The State was represented by Solicitor Bowling. Chas. S. Moon, Stother & Hines; the defendant was represented by R. J. Hooten. The first witness called was Dr. J. A. Ison, by whom the death of Mrs. Allen was established, the number and nature of the wounds on the body – three cuts on the back, one of which penetrated to the cavity, and one on the head which went to the brains; and that the wounds were made by a sharp instrument. Mr. Allen, the husband of the deceased, was called and told of finding the body of his wife lying across a board wash-stand that was at the rear porch of the home. He got home between four and five o'clock of the afternoon. He testified to finding blood on the floor and blood and hair on the weather-boarding about four feet from the floor on the outside of the house near the wash-stand. Mrs. Robt. Welch, a near neighbor, saw the accused between three and four o'clock walking along near the scene of the murder, and that she new him; and after calling her children who were playing not far away, went on to her home. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that the axe he found on the steps of the porch was his own axe and was at the wood pile near by. Mrs. Ella Welch testified that having her attention attracted by the call of Mrs. Robt. Welch for her children, she went to the door of her home, near the Allen home, and looked toward the road and saw a colored boy run out of the Allen house. She could not swear that it was the defendant, but it was a colored boy about his size. Mrs. Knight testified that she lived near the Allens, in sight of the house. She saw Mrs. Robt. Welch going and coming from the Allen house. She saw a colored boy coming out of the Allen house. Mr. W. Vickers testified to finding tracks going and coming from the Allen home. He also saw blood on the outside of the door and noticed several cuts on the door facing. Mr. Allen was recalled and testified that Mrs. Allen was 71 years of age and was 4 feet and 11 inches in height, and weighed 94 pounds; and that she was feeble and unable to run. The State then put up on the stand a number of witnesses who knew the defendant and proved that he was an intelligent boy.
The lawyers then addressed the jury. The State presented its case, relying in large measure upon the doctrine of exclusion; no other person was seen about the Allen premises, except Lucius Carter; the circumstantial evidence was strongly presented; and the intelligence of the defendant dwelt upon, the State insisting that he knew right from wrong. The defense relied upon the lace of positive evidence and argued that there was no convincing evidence that the defendant was the guilty party. Col. Hooten begged the jury to remember that they were under oath to be influenced in their verdict only by the testimony brought out on the witness stand. The charge to the jury by Judge Brewer was clear and made every point of the law in the case apparent. The case went to the Jury about 6:30 o'clock. About 11 o'clock they had reached their verdict and returned it to the Court, finding the defendant guilty and fixing the punishment at death. On Saturday morning, the Judge passed sentence and set Friday, Nov. 9, between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 o'clock in the morning as the time of execution.
Prisoners Hear Sentences Pronounced.
Last Saturday morning prisoners who had been found guilty by the Circuit Court, were arraigned before Judge Brewer to receive their sentences. The scene was specially solemn and impressive as the three who were condemned to death were called one by one before his Honor to hear officially their doom. The usual question was asked each – "Have you anything to say why the sentence of the Court should not be pronounced upon you?" The response of Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter was "Nothing". Lon Tucker answered "Nothing, except that I am not guilty." There was not the slightest sign of emotion to be discovered in any one of the condemned as the Judge finished each sentence with "to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy upon your soul."
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"The LaFayette Sun" - November 14, 1917:
DOUBLE HANGING ON LAST FRIDAY
Jim Wooddy and Lucius Carter Pass the Death Penalty on the Gallows.
The readers of "The Sun" are familiar with the story of the crime of Jim Wooddy, who killed his mother-in-law and wife, and Lucius Carter who killed Mrs. Allen, an aged and respected white woman living in the northern part of the county, and we need not again give the history of these murders. The negroes were tried at the last term of the Chambers County Circuit Court, found guilty and sentenced to hang on November 9. Last Friday was the date set, and every detail for the execution had been carefully made by Sheriff Tatum. Shortly after 6:00 o'clock in the morning Dr. W. C. Bledsoe, Rev. H. R. Arnold, and T. C. Cunningham, a colored preacher, held a service of prayer in the cell of the condemned men. Wooddy and Carter were both calm and collected and each expressed a readiness for death. The colored preacher asked Jim Wooddy what message he would have him give to the colored people and he answered: "Tell 'em not to do as I done; if they can't get along with their wives, jest quit'em and go along away from 'em."
At 7:00 o'clock the deputy Sheriffs entered the cell and handcuffed the prisoners, and the little procession moved up the winding stairs to the gallows. The feet of the condemned men were tied together as they stood on the trap, the ropes were adjusted about their necks, and the black cap pulled over their faces. At this point Dr. Bledsoe offered a short prayer and as he stepped back off the trap, the rope that held it was severed by an axe in the hands of the Sheriff and the two bodies dropped into space. In about fifteen minutes attending physicians pronounced the men dead and their bodies were cut down and turned over to undertaker Nichols, who placed them in neat coffins. Carter's father claimed his body, while the remains of Wooddy were interred in the colored cemetery.
Just before the execution a pathetic incident occured. Lucius Carter asked to see his father, who was admitted, and with tears streaming down his face, embraced his son and told him goodbye.
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1850 Tallapoosa County, (Township 21) AL Census:
#H574
Isaac C. White 30M Farmer Born GA
Sophia C. White 21F Born NC
Alexander J. White 7M Born GA
FRANCES M. WHITE 4F Born AL
Elizabeth White 2F Born AL
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1860 Tallapoosa County, (Western Div. - Tallassee) AL Census:
#H510
Isaac C. White 43M Farmer R$350 P$300 Born GA
Sophia White 35F Born NC
Alexander White 17M Born GA
FRANCIS WHITE 13F Born GA
Elizabeth White 11F Born GA
Hepsy A. Salter 17F Born GA
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1880 Lee County, (Pierce Chapel) AL Census:
#H273
Joel H. Allen 32M Farmer Born AL
FRANCES C. ALLEN 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Mary Allen 9F Daughter Born AL
Catherine Allen 5F Daughter Born AL
Louisa Allen 2F Daughter Born AL
Gertrude Allen 11/12F Daughter Born AL
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1900 Tallapoosa County, (Dadeville) AL Census:
#H93
Joel Allen 52M Carpenter Born April 1848 in AL (Married 30 years)
FRANCINA C. ALLEN 54F Wife Born Feb. 1846 in AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
Lou Allen 22F Daughter Born May 1878 in AL
Pearl Allen 19F Daughter At School Born March 1881 in AL
Charley Allen 17M Son At School Born Feb. 1883 in AL
David Allen 15M Son At School Born Feb. 1885 in AL
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1910 Chambers County, (Wise) AL Census:
#H191
Charles H. Allen 27M Farmer Born AL
Mary E. Allen 27F Wife (Mother of 4 children, 0 living) Born AL
Joel H. Allen 62M Father Farmer Born AL
FRANCINA ALLEN 64F Mother Born AL (Mother of 10 children, 7 living)
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