Athens Weekly Review

Aug. 18, 1927

Eight Year Old Boy Found Dead In Alley at Ten o"Clock This Morning
Spencer Daniel, eight year old son of Troy Daniel, keeper of the Athens cemetery, was found dead in an alley between Pinkerton street and the square at ten o'clock this morning. The body was discovered by R. H. Speake who was driving his team through the alley. The little son of Mr. Speake called the attention of his father to the little boy "sleeping" beneath a car just behind the Wallace Music store. They drove on to the rear of Paul's Cafe and then Mr. Speake came back to look at the boy. He saw that he was lifeless and immediately gave the alarm. C. K. Miller was among the first to reach the boy and stated that his body was still warm, indicating that he had been dead only a short time.
Justice Jeff Davis was then called and he in turn called Dr. R. H. Henderson to examine the body. Dr. Henderson stated that the child undoubtedly met a violent death, but in what manner he could not say. A small scratch was found on the child's face and one finger was sharply cut. Dr. Henderson stated that the boy had all the symptoms of one that had been electrocuted, but said he could not state positively that that was the cause of his death. Going on the theory that he had been electrocuted efforts were made to revive the child. He was removed to the Carroll & Lehr undertaking parlor where efforts were made at resuscitation but without success.
The theory that the boy was electrocuted was based on the fact that his body was found beneath an automobile in which the batteries were being charged from inside the building. At the time the body ws found two hats were found nearby, indicating that another boy had been with the little fellow when he met death. Workin on this theory Justice of the Peace Davis started an investigation and at noon found that little Gene Johnson was with Daniel at the time. According to the story related by the boy to his mother, who in turn told Judge Davis, the two boys were playing together behind the store. The Daniel boy had climbed to the platform by the car and directly caught hold of the car. He hollered to the Johnson boy "It's killing me, come help me." The Johnson boy ran to his asistance and when he caught hold of the Daniels boy he likewise received a severe shock. This scared him so that he ran home, leaving the other little fellow. It was a few minutes after this that Mr. Speake discovered the body.
The father of the child is grief stricken at his untimely death, and was unable to leave the home of Judge Davis this morning to view the body.
At time of going to press Judge Davis had called in County Attorney Thomas to assist in investigating the case before completing the inquest.
Funeral service will be held at 12:30 Thursday at Holly Springs, by Rev. I. M. Lambert, the Christian pastor.

Aug. 25, 1927
Homicide Charge Filed Against Guy Wallace As Result of Boy's Death
Further developments in the mysterious death of Spencer Daniels, eight year old boy, who was found in an alley behind Wallace Music Company Wednesday morning, took place this morning when complaint was filed against Guy Wallace, charging him with negligent homicide. The complaint ws filed before Justice of Peace Davis by Constable Charley Pharris at 11:30 today. The complaint alleges that the said Wallace in charging his battery "did not use due precaution and care to prevent other persons from coming in contact with it."
At the inquest held Wednesday Judge Davis, after examining the little Johnson boy, who it is alleged was with the deceased at the time of the accident, rendered the following verdict: "We find that said Spencer Daniels came to his death by coming in contact with a live electric wire connected with the motor car belonging to Guy Walace, in the back alley of said building occupied by the said Wallace; the said Spincer Daniels not knowing the car was connected with a l ive ware coming from the building at the time he took hold of the car."
County Attorney Thomas said that no examining trial would be likely be held as the grand jury will meet Monday and the case will be placed before that body.
Funeral service for the unfortunate victim was held 12:30 Wednesday by the Christian pastor, Rev. I. M. Lambert, with burial at Holly Springs.

Aug. 25, 1927
Large Crowd and Many Floral Offerings At Funeral of Boy
Funeral service for Spencer Daniel the little son of Troy Daniel, who met an untimely death here Wednesday, was held at Holly Springs Thursday at 12:30. Rev. I. M. Lambert conducted the service. Residents of the Holly Springs section report the largest crowd ever attended a funeral at that graveyard. Many floral offerings were sent by friends from Athens and the grave was a vertiabel mound of flowers.
Further investigation of the manner in which the boy met his death is to be made it was learned today.
Guy Wallace, against whom a charge of negligent homicide was made yesterday was placed under a nominal bond to await the action of the grand jury which will meet Monday.

Sept. 29, 1927
Verdict of "Not Guilty" In Wallace Case
(From Saturday's Daily)
In the cse of State vs Guy Wallace, which had been on trial since Wednesday the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The case went to the jury shortly after noon today and one of the jurors reported that the verdict was reached on the first ballot.
Double Funeral For Father and Son
Wills Point, Texas, Sept. 25- Robert Russsell junior and senior, father and son, were buried simultanously in graves side by side here Sunday morning. The son died from an accident on a freight train and the father was killed in an automobil accident while rushing to his wounded son.
There were buried with military honors as the father was a veteran of the late war. Rev. A. E. Ewell of Colorado City, former pastor of the First Christian church here conducted the services. Among those present from Dallas were, John E. Owens, Oscar Brue and Coy. W.E. Easterwood.

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