Alva Ree “Alvie”/”Pete” Alexander
Feb 06, 1905 – Oct 15, 1925
FUNERAL SERVICES PETE ALEXANDER AT HOME SUNDAY 2:30
Funeral services for A. R. (Pete) Alexander will be held Sunday
afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the family residence at 1701 West
Sixth avenue with interment in
Kerens cemetery. The
services will be conducted by Rev. W. T. Brattor, pastor of the Hope
Baptist church and Rev. H. B. Caraway, Baptist minister of Blooming
Grove.
Immediately after the service at the home the cortege will leave for
Kerens.
Alexander died as the result of pistol shot wounds received Thursday
afternoon.
Notes:
FUNERAL SERVICES ALVA R. ALEXANDER WERE HELD SUNDAY
LARGE CROWD PRESENT REMAINS TAKEN KERENS FOR BURIAL
Funeral services for Alva Ree Alexander 20 years old, were held at
the family residence 1701 West Sixth avenue, at 2:30 o’clock Sunday,
after which the cortege proceeded to Kerens, where the body was
buried in the cemetery there by the side of other deceased
relatives. Rev. H. B. Carraway of Blooming Grove and Rev. W. T.
Bratton, pastor of the Hope Baptist Church, officiated. Pallbearers
were R. J. Moody, Abb Jordan, Albert Lane, C. L. Gillen, Drew Gillen
and Willie Gillen. A large crowd attended the services at the home,
and a large number of automobiles carrying relatives and friends of
the family joined in the procession to Kerens. A large crowd was
also waiting at the Kerens cemetery when the funeral procession
arrived from Corsicana.
Pro. Carl Young and wife rendered several selections at the funeral.
Friends of the deceased from Ft. Worth, Cisco and Dallas were among
the out of town people attending the funeral. There was a profusion
of beautiful floral offerings which completely covered the grave.
The name of W. J. Alexander, San Antonio, brother of the deceased,
was inadvertently left off of the list of surviving relatives
published in the Daily Sun.
Notes:
TWO CORSICANA YOUTHS CHARGED RAPE BY NURSES
ONE IN JAIL AND OTHER BEING SOUGHT BY COUNTY OFFICERS
Lester Paulk is in the Navarro county jail, charged by complaint with rape in
connection with the alleged attack on two student nurses, attaches of the
Navarro County Hospital, on a road northeast of Corsicana, late Friday night. It
is alleged that Paulk and Pete Alexander took three student nurses for a ride
and alleged attack is said to have occurred while on the trip. One of the girls
is said to have escaped by running an arousing a farmer who brought her to
Corsicana, and secured Constable J. J. Howard and City Officer Grady Spencer,
who went in chase. The officers are said to have missed the two couples and
returned to Corsicana to find that the two girls had been brought back to the
hospital by the two men.
One of the girls was formerly of Frost, another from Blooming Grove and the
third from Austin. According to County Attorney Ballard W. George the girls made
statements concerning the affair late Saturday afternoon.
Paulk was arrested late Saturday afternoon. Alexander is said to still be at
large.
Notes:
ALEXANDER STILL AT LARGE TODAY OFFICERS STATE
NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CASE DURING PAST SEVERAL HOURS.
According to the sheriff’s and county attorney’s offices, Wednesday afternoon at
press hour, no trace has been found of Pete Alexander, wanted here on a formal
complaint of rape in connection with an alleged attack made upon two young women
Friday night.
County Attorney Ballard W. George stated this afternoon that nothing had been
heard from Governor Ferguson concerning the request from here to offer a reward
of $250.00 for the apprehension and conviction of the accused man.
A reward of $100 has been offered by Sheriff John W. Stewart and $100 reward has
been offered by the staff doctors of the Navarro county hospital for the arrest
of Alexander.
The State-wide search for the accused man is still being made, officers stated
today.
Lester Paulk is still in the county jail in connection with the same affair for
which Alexander is wanted, officers stated.
Notes:
MAN HELD LAREDO SUSPECTED BEING WANTED CORSICANA
MAN ARRESTED SAID TO ANSWER DESCRIPTION PETE ALEXANDER
A white man answering the description of Pete Alexander, wanted in Corsicana on
a formal complaint for a statutory offense, the alleged attack said to have been
made upon two young women Friday night, has been arrested in Laredo according to
information given out this after out this afternoon at the sheriff’s office.
A telegram was received late Wednesday night from Sheriff A. J. Condren of
Laredo, stating that a white man answering the description of Alexander had bee
arrested there. In telephone conversation today with officers at Laredo, Deputy
Sheriff John R. Curington was advised that the man arrested there answered the
description of Alexander and photos of the suspected man were taken today and
forwarded to the Corsicana sheriff’s office, it was stated this afternoon.
Sheriff Condren of Laredo advised local officers today that the suspected man
would be held until advised by the local officers whether he was the man wanted
here.
It was stated by officers that the suspect at Laredo was arrested on a freight
train in Laredo late Wednesday afternoon. The suspected man alleges that his
name is not Alexander and gives his home address as Dallas.
Meanwhile, the state-wide search continues for the accused man, officers stated.
Lester Paulk is still in the Navarro county jail in connection with the same
offense for which Alexander is sought, officers stated this afternoon.
Notes:
ALEXANDER REPORTED CAPTURED
MAN WANTED HERE ALLEGED CAPTURED IN FLORIDA CITY
COUNTY ATTORNEY GEORGE AND SHERIFF STEWART TO GO AFTER MAN
By Associated Press.
Key West, Fla., Aug. .
--A. R. (Pete) Alexander wanted in Corsicana, Texas on statutory charge,
perishable in Texas by elecution, was apprehended here last night by Chief
Police J. W. Albury.
County Attorney Ballard George and Sheriff John W. Stewart will leave tonight
for Key West Florida, for Pete Alexander wanted here on a statutory charge, it
was announced today.
According to information given out at the sheriff’s office this morning,
Alexander was alleged to have been apprehended late Monday afternoon. The local
sheriff’s office located the man wanted here, it was stated, Monday afternoon
about 5 o’clock and immediately dispatched telegrams to the chief of police at
Key West, Deputy Sheriff John R. Curington telephoned to Key West early today
and officers are confident that the man held there is the man wanted here.
Sheriff John W. Stewart has spared no expense in the effort to apprehend the
wanted man and has spent time and money since the alleged occurrence of the deed
for which Alexander is wanted. A state-wide and nation-wide search was
instituted and telegrams, telephone calls and circulars had been distributed
over Texas and in several other states.
A check dated August 7 and cashed in Wichita Falls August 10 was said to have
been given by the man wanted here. The check was for $1.50. The search was
redoubled in the northern portion of the state and Alexander is said to have
been seen in Houston several days ago.
Deputy Sheriff John R. Curington wired the officers in Key West where the wanted
would be found and he was arrested and lodged in jail. The arrest in Key West is
said to have been made by Chief of Police J. W. Albury.
Sheriff John W. Stewart stated that Alexander would be returned to the Navarro
county jail.
County Attorney Ballard W. George stated this morning that in view of the facts
of the case the men, Alexander and Lester Paulk, were not entitled to bail and
no bail will be granted by the county attorney’s office. Paulk is still in the
Navarro county jail.
It is not known whether the accused man will waive extradition papers for his
return to Texas and it is understood that Governor Ferguson will stand
extradition papers to the Governor of Florida today.
Officers of the sheriff’s office stated today that many rumors had been
circulated concerning the whereabouts of the accused man.
Three cash awards totaling $500 had been offered for the capture of Alexander.
The staff doctors at the Navarro County Hospital offered $100.00; John W.
Stewart, sheriff of Navarro county also offered $100.00 and Governor Miriam A.
Ferguson of the state of Texas has offered $300.00.
The interest in the case has been at fever heat since the alleged crime was
committed and every man, woman and child in the county have been watching the
reports for Alexander’s capture.
Alexander was wanted in connection with an alleged statutory charge in which
three young women were the victims. The alleged victim of Alexander is said to
have been considerable mistreated.
The alleged crime is said to have been committed the night of Friday, August 7,
and Alexander has been a fugitive since that date.
Lester Paulk companion of Alexander at the time of the alleged crime was
apprehended Saturday evening soon after the complaint was filed. He is still in
the county jail. Alexander made his get-away and according to various rumors he
has “been captured” in a number of cities in the United States.
According to reports Alexander and Paulk took three girls on a ride in
Alexander’s automobile. While on the trip two of the girls are said to have been
attacked while the third made her escape and spread the alarm. Paulk’s arrest
followed but Alexander escaped. The two girls were said to have been brought
back to town following the alleged attack.
One of the girls was formerly of Frost, another of Blooming Grove and the third
was from Austin. All three of the girls are said to have made statements in
connection with the affair to County Attorney Ballard W. George. There are
student nurses at the Navarro county hospital.
Notes:
REQUISITION PAPERS SIGNED FOR ALEXANDER
By Associated Press.
Austin, Aug. 21.—Requisition for extradition of Pete Alexander, wanted in
Navarro county on a charge of criminal assault, was issued Thursday on the
governor of Florida by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson. Alexander, known in Central
Texas oil fields as “Two Gun Pete,” is under arrest at Key West. About 10 days
ago Governor Ferguson offered a $300 reward for his arrest. He is charged with
having assaulted a young girl on the night of Aug. 7, near Corsicana.
Notes:
ALEXANDER AND PAULK WILL BE TRIED IN WAXAHACHIE DISTRICT COURT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER
21
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Sept. 9.—Trial dates were set for Monday, Sept. 21, in Ellis
county district court of Judge W. L. Harding for criminal assaults cases against
A. R. (Pete) Alexander and Lester Paulk of Navarro county.
True bills of indictment were returned against the Corsicana youths here late
Monday by Ellis county grand jury.
Five witnesses were examined in fixing the bills for alleged assaults on two
student nurses of the Navarro County Hospital on the night of August 7.
Special venires of 100 men each will be summoned for the cases, one of which
will come to trial on Monday, September 21, and the remaining case on the
following Thursday, according to Ellis county authorities.
Alexander and Paulk were transferred from Navarro county to the Ellis county
jail Monday night following the billing on the assault charges.
______________________
Alexander and Paulk, defendants named in the indictment were taken to Waxahachie
early Tuesday night by Sheriff Joe Loe, of Ellis county. The Ellis county
sheriff came to Corsicana immediately following the returning of the indictments
armed with the necessary papers to take the accused men back with him. They are
now held without bail in the Ellis county jail.
With the case set down for trial September 21, the earliest date possible after
an indictment is returned, means the cases will be disposed of earlier. The
court here does not convene till the first Monday in October at which time a
grand jury will be impaneled.
The prosecution will be represented by County Attorney Ballard W. George of
Navarro county, County Attorney Tom Ball of Ellis county, and J. C. Sharp; who
has been retained as special prosecutor.
Notes:
PETE ALEXANDER CASE IS RESET FOR FIRST OF OCTOBER
CASE OF CORSICANA MEN CHARGED WITH RAPE BE TRIED WAXAHACHIE
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Sept. 10.—Trial for Pete Alexander and Lester Paulk, of Navarro
county, charged by an Ellis county grand jury indictment with criminal assault,
has been re-set for October 1, it was announced here Thursday by County Attorney
Tom Ball.
The reason for delaying the trial date on the calendar is that the defense
attorneys could not get ready for trial by September 21, on account of being
engaged in court matters in Henderson county at that time. Also one of the
defense attorneys is out of the State and no word has been received when he
expects to return.
County Attorney Ball stated that by re-setting the cases would give the defense
ample time to be ready for trial when the cases are called.
Three weeks from today the trial of the cases will come up.
Notes:
ALEXANDER-PAULK CASES COME BEFORE COURT OCTOBER 1ST
ATTORNEYS IN CASE ASKED DELAY TEN DAYS IN LOCAL CASE
By Associated Press.
Waxahachie, Texas, Sept. 15.—Seven cases in which pleas of guilty of felonies
are to be entered will be brought to trial in the district court here Monday,
September 21, it was announced Tuesday, following the continuance of the
criminal assault cases against two Corsicana youths until October 1.
Attorneys in the cases against A. R. (Pete) Alexander and Lester Paulk for
alleged assaults in Navarro County to be tried here request that the cases be
continued until October when the attorneys found the original date of Sept. 21
conflicted with other cases already set in other counties, according to county
officials today.
Notes:
APPLICATION FOR BAIL FOR YOUTHS WAXAHACHIE JAIL
HABEAS CORPUS PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED IN ALLEGED ASSAULT CASE
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Sept. 21.—The first step for bail in the Alexander and Paulk cases
was taken by the defense here Saturday when application was made for a writ of
habeas corpus.
The hearing on the application will come before Judge Harding Wednesday morning,
it was stated at the county attorney’s office Monday.
Defense lawyers were here from Corsicana Saturday in behalf of the two Navarro
county youths held on criminal assault charges. Indictments were recently
returned against Pete Alexander and Lester Paulk, who are being held in jail
pending trial on the indictments. Trial of the cases has been set for October 1.
Notes:
HABEAS CORPUS FOR ALEXANDER-PAULK BE HEARD MONDAY
GRANTING OF BAIL WILL BE BITTERLY CONTESTED, IT IS INTIMATED
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Sept. 22.—Habeas corpus proceedings to secure the release on
bond of A. R. (Pete) Alexander and Lester Paulk, Corsicana youths, who are being
held in the Ellis county jail pending trial in the Ellis county district court
on October 1 on transfer from Navarro county on charges of criminal assault,
will be heard in Judge Harding’s court Monday September 28, according to
definite arrangements completed here Tuesday.
The application for a writ of habeas corpus was made by the defense attorneys
Saturday.
Although it may be necessary for the state to show its hand in the habeas corpus
proceedings, the youths will be denied bond, even at the cost of the entire
state’s case, it was intimated at the office of County Attorney Tom Ball today.
______________________
According to a statement this morning by B. W. George, county attorney, the
habeas corpus hearing for Pete Alexander and Lester Paulk, Corsicana men being
held in the Ellis county jail on an indictment on a statutory charge alleged to
have been committed in Navarro county, that was scheduled to be heard Wednesday
will be heard Monday morning September 28.
Notes:
SEEKING TO ADVANCE HEARING ON PAULK AND ALEXANDER CASE
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Sept. 24.—Application for a writ of mandamus may be made by
the defense attorneys in the Alexander and Paulk cases following Judge Harding’s
action in over-ruling defendants’ motion to advance the hearing on the writ of
habeas corpus.
Defense attorneys Wednesday made a motion to advance the hearing on the
application for a writ of habeas corpus, which has been set for next Monday and
was over-ruled by the court.
The trial date is next Thursday when Alexander and Paulk, Navarro county youths,
will be arraigned on recent Ellis county indictments charging criminal assault.
Notes:
ALEXANDER CASE POSTPONED; PAULK JURY BEING CHOSEN
CONTINUANCE IS GRANTED ALEXANDER PENDING HABEAS CORPUS HEARING
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Oct. 1—With the continuance of the trial of A. R. (Pete)
Alexander, pending a habeas corpus hearing, the impaneling of a jury from 300
veniremen began in the Ellis county district court at 1:15 o’clock Thursday for
the trial of Lester Paulk, charged by grand jury indictment on a companion case
of criminal assault alleged to have been committed near Corsicana August 7.
Both cases were brought to the Ellis county courts on a transfer from Navarro
county.
Alexander’s case was scheduled for Thursday morning at 10 o’clock and veniremen
had been summoned to appear at that time, but were excused until Monday, October
19, with the continuance of trial.
After the Paulk case has been disposed of the Alexander petition for a habeas
corpus will be heard and the court agreed.
Habeas corpus proceedings had failed to secure bond for Paulk earlier this week.
The jury was not expected to be impaneled before noon Friday, court observers
said.
A formal motion for continuance in the Paulk case was overruled by the court at
4 o’clock.
Work of examining the talesmen of the special venire started immediately
afterwards. Defendant’s motion to quash the indictment was not entered, but may
be presented later among the dilatory pleas.
______________________
Lawyers said a number of witnesses connected with the Alexander and Paulk cases
went to Waxahachie Thursday morning to be on hand when the cases were called.
The action of the court means that the case against Paulk will be tried first.
Following disposal of the Paulk case a habeas corpus proceeding will be heard in
behalf of Alexander.
Trial of the Alexander case has been postponed till Monday, October 19. This
will give time to try the Paulk case and hear the application for a writ of
habeas corpus in the other before trial date.
Notes:
FIVE JURORS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IN LESTER PAULK CASE
JURY NOT EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE LATE FRIDAY
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 2.—Five jurors had been impaneled at mid-afternoon Friday to
sit in the trial of Lester Paulk of Corsicana, charged with criminal assault,
and to be tried in the Ellis county district court on transfer from Navarro
county.
Examination of jurors began late Thursday and continued until 10 o’clock, with
four of the five taken before adjournment.
The fifth juror was chosen Friday morning.
Sixty of one hundred veniremen remained from which to choose the remaining seven
jurors.
Paulk’s case was brought here with a companion case of criminal assault with A.
R. (Pete) Alexander whose trial was continued until Oct. 19, pending habeas
corpus proceedings.
Paulk was brought to trial after a motion of continuance by the defense was
overruled by the court.
All of the five jurors chosen until 2 o’clock were farmers or farm owners as
follows: Angus Arnold, Palmer; C. L. Verheyden, Waxahachie; T. W. Lake,
Waxahachie; J. J. Borders, Bardwell; and J. D. Adams, Palmer. Witnesses in the
case Friday morning were dismissed until Saturday at 9 o’clock when it appeared
in the eyes of the court that the jury would not be impaneled before late
Friday.
Notes:
ELEVEN JURORS IN PAULK CASE SECURED 3:15 THIS AFTERNOON
EXPECT TAKING OF TESTIMONY TO BEGIN MONDAY MORNING
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct.3.—Eleven jurors had been obtained in the Lester Paulk criminal
assault case at 3:15 o’clock Saturday afternoon, which is on trial her in
district court.
The special venire of 100 men had been exhausted and another venire of 25
additional men was summoned by the court. At the mid-afternoon recess all but
nine of the 25 men had been used up and one juror yet to be selected.
Court announced that a night session would be held Saturday if necessary to
complete the jury. Witnesses in the case who appeared Saturday were excused till
10 o’clock Monday morning, when it is predicted the taking of testimony would
begin.
Conscientious scruples against invoking the death penalty in a criminal assault
case disqualified the greatest number of those rejected.
The eleven jurors are Angus Arnold, Palmer; C. L. Verheyden, Waxahachie; T. W.
Lake, Waxahachie; J. J. Borders, Bardwell; J. D. Adams, Palmer; W. W. Marshall,
Waxahachie; H. Hank, Midlothian; H. A. McAlphine, Midlothian; H. E. Baker,
Midlothian; L. M. Penrod, Ennis, and G. O. Walker, Waxahachie. Court was in
session till 10 o’clock Friday night and the work of jury selection was resumed
Saturday morning.
A large number of witnesses both for the state and defense have been subpoenaed
to testify in the trial of the case.
Paulk’s mother sat by the side of her son in the court room throughout Friday
and Saturday and evinced considerable interest in the questions put to the
prospective jurors. From the nature of the questions asked the talesmen the
state evidently intends to ask for the death penalty.
The Paulk case was transferred to Ellis county from Navarro county. A. R. (Pete)
Alexander, who is charged by indictment in a companion case remains in the
county jail here. An application for a writ of habeas corpus will be heard in
his behalf immediately following disposal of the Paulk case. The Alexander case
trial is set down for Monday, October 19.
A large array of lawyers are in the courtroom. The prosecution is represented by
Ballard W. George, attorney for Navarro county; Tom Ball, attorney for Ellis
county; Assistant County Attorney Anderson, of Waxahachie; J. H. Sharp and
Archie Gray, of Ennis, who are retained special prosecutors. The defense is
represented by J. S. Callicutt, Richard Mays, A. P. Mays, Fred Upchurch, of
Corsicana; Bowd Farrer and Y. D. Kemble, of Waxahachie.
Court observers are looking forward to a heavy court, battle between the array
of legal talent when the taking of testimony and actual trial of the case
begins.
Several interested spectators were present from Corsicana, watching the
selection of the jury Friday and Saturday.
Notes:
VICTIM OF ALLEGED ASSAULT WAS STILL ON WITNESS STAND
RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION STARTED TODAY OF MISS HILDEBRANDT
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 6.—Cross examination of the witness Miss Bessie Hildebrandt,
prosecutrix in the case of Lester Paulk, who is being tried here on a charge of
criminal assault, was completed at 11:30 o’clock Tuesday morning.
Re-direct examination was started by the State and the witness was still on the
stand when court adjourned at noon till 1:30 o’clock.
Taking up the court at the afternoon session the examination was resumed and at
press hour the witness had not been excused. This witness was the first called
when court opened Monday morning at 9 o’clock and was on the stand the entire
day. Court adjourned at 6 o’clock Monday till 9 o’clock Tuesday.
J. S. Callicutt, leading counsel for the defense conducted the long, tedious
cross-examination, Ballard W. George took the lead in the direct and re-direct
examinations.
A good sized crowd was in the courtroom all of Monday and Tuesday. Many from
Corsicana were on hand both days. It is predicted that the rest of the week will
be taken up in taking the testimony.
The jury trying Paulk is composed of the following:
W. W. Jones, C L. Verheyden, T. W. Lake. W. W. Marshall and G. O. Walker, all of
Waxahachie; Angus Arnold, J. G. Adams and J. J. Borders, of Palmer; H. Hanks, H.
A. McAlpin and H. E. Baker, of Midlothian, and L. M. Penrod, Ennis. Jones is a
salesman and T. W. Lake is a merchant. The others are farmers.
The array of legal talent is composed of Ballard W. George, Tom Ball, A. D.
Emerson, John M. Sharp and Archie Gray, representing the prosecution, and J. S.
Callicutt, Fred Upchurch, Richard Mays, A. P. Mays, Bowd Farrer and Y. D.
Ketable for the defense.
The prosecution has about 25 witnesses and the defense is understood to have
about the same number. Slow progress is being made in the trial of the case.
Notes:
VICTIM OF ALLEGED ASSAULT WAS STILL ON WITNESS STAND
RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION STARTED TODAY OF MISS HILDEBRANDT
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 6.—Cross examination of the witness, Miss Bessie Hildebrandt,
prosecutrix in the case
CONTINUE TAKING TESTIMONY PAULK CASE; END NOT NEAR
LARGE PART OF TESTIMONY OFFERED SAID TO BE UNPRINTABLE
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 8.—Hearing of evidence, details of which are largely
unprintable, continues in the trial of the Lester Paulk case in district court
here.
Paulk is on trial for criminal assault in connection with the mistreatment of
Miss Bessie Hildebrandt, nurse at the Navarro County Hospital, Corsicana, after
his case was transferred here for grand jury indictment, a few days ago. The
alleged criminal assault took place on the night of August 7, a few miles
northeast of Corsicana in what is known as Tucker Lane near the intersection of
the Corsicana Oil Ridge road.
A number of State witnesses have been heard and at the afternoon session
Thursday Miss Jessie Armstrong, superintendent of the hospital where Miss
Hildebrandt works, was on the stand.
Miss S. L. Corbell was on the stand Wednesday afternoon and testified to the
condition and medical treatment of the prosecutrix the following day and several
days thereafter.
Scientific evidence offered by the witness, Dr. R. C. Curtis, laboratorian and
chemist, by the State, endeavored to show the state of defendant’s health with
reference to veneral disease. Smears made on glass slides prepared by Miss
Corbell and Dr. Curtis were introduced. The State alleges that Paulk was
venerally infected at the time of the assault.
This phase of the testimony is being attacked by the defense, who allege that
Paulk was not venerally infected. Dr. Curtis and Miss Corbell’s testimony was
offered in a follow-up by Dr. T. A. Miller, who made physical examination of the
prosecutrix the next day and who testified to the alleged carnal abuse.
Miss Mary Butler was on the stand for hours. A. R. (Pete) Alexander, is in jail
awaiting trial for a similar offense in which Miss Butler is complaining
witness. Alexander, Paulk and the three young women are said to have gone for an
automobile ride with the result that two of them were mistreated while the third
made her escape to a nearby farm house, and was brought to Corsicana by the
farmer, who also notified the officers.
Dr. Miller, in addition to his medical evidence given testified to the good
character and reputation of Miss Hilbebrandt.
The boarding house woman where Miss Hildebrandt stayed for a time in Corsicana
was also used as a character witness.
Miss Butler was put through a grilling cross-examination at the hands of J. S.
Callicutt, leading counsel for the defense Thursday morning. The details of the
fateful trip were gone over carefully. She told a corraberative story of that by
Miss Hildebrandt. Each girl maintained steadfastly that they were overcome by
force at the hands of the two men.
The State has a number of additional witnesses to be heard, it developed in
court Thursday. It may be as late as Friday night before it rests its case. The
defense may get started on its evidence by Saturday morning. The case will not
likely come to a close for at least a week.
Indictments for criminal assault returned Tuesday by the Navarro county grand
jury against Paulk and Alexander were served on the two men late Wednesday.
Notes:
DEFENSE IN PAULK CASE INTRODUCED WITNESSES TODAY
EXPECT TESTIMONY TO BE COMPLETED BY SATURDAY
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct 9.—At the conclusion of the testimony of Miss Jessie Armstrong,
superintendent of the Navarro County Hospital, in the trial of Lester Paulk in
district court her Thursday afternoon, the prosecution announced it would rest
the State’s case, with the understanding that several other witnesses would be
offered at the conclusion of hearing the defense witnesses.
Paulk is on trial here on a charge of criminal assault on Miss Bessie
Hildebrandt, nurse at the Navarro County Hospital.
The defense started with its testimony late Thursday and consumed all of Friday
morning and had other witnesses to put on the stand at the afternoon session. At
press hour Watt Stewart, street superintendent of Corsicana, was on the stand.
His testimony dealt largely with the lay of the streets of Corsicana and the
relation they bear with each, in order to assist the jury in mentally picturing
the routes covered by the automobile that figured in the case on the fateful
night of August 7.
Other witnesses called by the defense were Percy Blackburn, Jewel Henderson,
Benny Thomas, negro; Ben Johnson, negro; Joe Alexander, Mexican; Mrs. Grace
Butler, J. W. Lawhorn, Frank Wilson, W. Lichlyter, Bruce Nutt, J. S. Roth, W. F.
Odom, Mrs. Joe Magness, Mrs. E. J. Jeffers, Roy Harrison, H. R. Harrison, Mrs.
A. F. Odom, Calvin Browning, Emmett Miller, W. E. Presley, J. R. Bailey.
A number of these were fact witness and fact witnesses in behalf of defendant.
Dr. L. H. Graham of Waxahachie, testified to having assisted in making a
physical examination of Paulk Wednesday in which he failed to find him infected
by veneral disease, but admitted on cross-examination that he may have dormant
germs of disease that might be emitted by excitement or other cause. He was
questioned closely as to the possibility of dormant veneral germs making
themselves shown under such circumstances supposed surrounding the case, and he
said it was possible.
The defense expects to complete its testimony late Friday or early Saturday. It
is likely that all the testimony will be in Saturday. The charge of the court
will not likely be given the jury before Monday morning. The arguments of
counsel will follow the charge. Three hours argument will be given to each side,
Judge Harding announced.
The court room remained crowded with spectators.
Notes:
PAULK TOOK STAND TODAY IN HIS OWN BEHALF IN CASE
DEFENDANT IN ASSAULT CASE PLACED ON STAND BY HIS COUNSEL
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Oct. 10.—In an effort to weaken the evidence of Miss
Hildebrandt, prosecutrix, in the trial of Lester Paulk, who is on trial here for
criminal assault, the defense apparently played their main trump card when they
put the defendant on the stand to testify in his own behalf.
Paulk took the stand shortly before 11 o’clock Saturday morning and at press
hour the defense had not completed their direct examination. It is likely the
state will finish their cross-examination of the defendant late Saturday. The
defense is expected to rest its case with the conclusion of Paulk’s testimony.
The State have several additional witnesses to introduce Monday and the
arguments may be reached Monday afternoon, although it may be Tuesday before all
the evidence is in.
Other witnesses offered by the defense were their own attorneys, with the
exception of Fred Upchurch and Bowd Farrer. The line of questioning tended to
show and effort to prove a difference in Miss Hildebrandt’s manner in giving her
testimony before the jury than that assumed while testifying in the habeas
corpus hearing several days ago. John S. Callicutt, Richard Mays, A. P. Mays and
Y. D. Kemble were the witnesses used. On completing this testimony on motion of
the prosecution it was thrown out by the court.
Richard Mays offered a chart of the city of Corsicana covering the routes
covered by Alexander and Paulk’s automobile on the night of the alleged assault.
This included the street leading from the hospital to town, a portion of East
Fifth avenue and the road leading out from Fifth avenue in the vicinity of the
county farm, and the Chatfield road leading out of town at the northeastern
limits of the city. This was in connection with the testimony of Watt Stewart,
Corsicana street superintendent, who testified to the location of the streets
mentioned in the trial of the case.
Paulk was questioned at length concerning the statements made by the main
prosecuting witness in her testimony. He mentioned that on the return trip from
the scene of the assault, the two men and women engaged in a “petting party” as
the car brought them to town. He declared the witness seemed “worried about
nothing, only was uneasy that she might lose her job by showing up late for
duty.” He declared Alexander asked the girls where they wished to be taken and
they signified their desire to be let out of the car near the Corsicana
Coca-Cola Bottling Works on South Ninth street. It was at this point, he said,
the girls got into the car with he and Alexander.
It appears the girls walked from the point they were let out of the car to the
hospital and reported for duty. Paulk was arrested the following day, while
Alexander left the country and was later apprehended at Key West, Fla., and
returned to Corsicana.
Seated with Paulk in the courtroom are his mother, father, brother and the
latter’s wife.
The courtroom remains crowded with a large number of spectators. No women, other
than Paulk’s near relatives and the women witnesses have appeared in the
courtroom since the trial started Monday morning.
Notes:
ARGUMENT SLATED START IN ALLEGED RAPE CASE TODAY
PAULK RIGIDLY CROSS-EXAMINED BY ATTORNEY BALLARD GEORGE
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 12.—At 3:30 o’clock Monday afternoon the arguments in the
Lester Paulk trial had not started. The Judge and lawyers in the case have been
working on and going over the Court’s charge all day.
The Court’s charge will likely be read to the jury late this afternoon, and
indications are that only one speech will be heard before court adjourns till
Tuesday morning. Judge Harding indicated today that he would not hold a night
session. The defense will likely put on one more witness before it finally rests
its case, after which the charge will be read and Ballard W. George will open
the arguments for the State.
The defense rested its case late Saturday with the completion of Paulk’s
testimony. Paulk was rigidly cross-examined by Ballard w. George in behalf of
the State. Following the completion of the cross-examination, the State
attorneys announced they would put on no additional witnesses, as they had
previously announced. The charge is quite lengthy, covering various points of
the law.
The defense lawyers stated they might put the jailor where Paulk has been
incarcerated on the stand to question him concerning knowledge of Paulk’s
physical condition with reference to veneral disease.
Much significance has been attached to the venereal phase of the testimony the
State attorneys maintaining that Paulk was venerally infected at the time of his
alleged assault of Miss Hildebrandt on the night of August 7.
Four hours’ time has been allotted to either side of the case for arguments. The
case will likely go to the jury by the middle of Tuesday afternoon.
Notes:
PAULK IS GIVEN 99 YEARS BY JURY
JURY IN ASSAULT CASE RETURNED ITS VERDICT WEDNESDAY
DELIBERATIONS OF JURY IN PAULK CASE FINISHED EARLY TODAY
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Oct. 14.—“We, the jury, find the defendant guilty, as charged
in the indictment, and assess his punishment at 99 years confinement in the
State penitentiary,” so ran the verdict in the case of State of Texas against
Lester Paulk, in District court her Wednesday morning. The verdict was signed by
T. W. Lake, foreman.
Paulk received the verdict unmoved. His mother fell upon her son’s shoulder and
wept. His father made no statement.
Paulk was led back to the county jail where he had been kept for the verdict
since the case went to the jury Tuesday night.
The jury received the case at 9:35 o’clock, and in exactly twelve hours the
verdict was read in open court. A poll of the jury indicated it was unanimous.
The court room was about half filled with spectators, when Sheriff Loe announced
that a verdict had been reached. Judge Harding rapped for order. The twelve
Ellis county men filed quietly into the jury box. Lake handed the sealed verdict
to Judge Harding who immediately read it aloud. A pindrop could have been heard
over the room as the judge unfolded the paper that told of Paulk’s fate.
Attorneys Y. D. Kemble and Bowd Farrer of the defense were present when the
verdict was read. The court warned against any demonstration at the announcing
of the verdict, and the crowds slowly and silently left the courtroom as the
defendant was led away by the sheriff.
A motion for a new trial has been filed by the defense lawyers.
The case was closed Tuesday night with a two hours speech by Ballard W. George,
county attorney of Navarro. The courtroom was jammed with people, as the
prosecutor went over the evidence and the circumstances attending the case, and
asked that the death penalty be assessed.
The jury was composed of the following:
W. W. Jones, C. L. Cerheyden, T. W. Lake, W. W. Marshall and G. O. Walker, all
of Waxahachie, Angus Arnold, J. G. Adams and J. J. Borders, of Palmer; H. Hanks,
H. A. McAlpin and H. E. Baker of Midlothian, and D. M. Penrod, Ennis. Jones is a
merchant, The others are farmers.
The array of legal talent is composed of Ballard W. George, Tom Ball, A. D.
Emerson, John M. Sharp and Archie Grap, representing the prosecution, and J. S.
Callicutt, Fred Upchurch, Richard Mays, A. P. Mays, Bowd Farrer and Y. D. Kemble
for the defense.
Paulk was indicted by a grand jury here ant the case tried in Ellis county after
it was transferred from Navarro county. He lived in Corsicana.
The charge was criminal assault on Miss Bessie Hildebrandt, nurse at the Navarro
County Hospital on the night of August 7. With him was indicted A. R. (Pete)
Alexander, also of Corsicana for a similar offense committed against Miss Mary
Butler, student nurse at the County Hospital.
The evidence tended to show that the two men passed the tow young women and a
third young woman student nurse on the street near the hospital on the fateful
night and asked them to get into the automobile in which the men were riding,
who offered to take them to town. The three young women got in the car, and
instead of being brought to town, were taken to a lonely road north east of
Corsicana and there Miss Hildebrandt and Miss Butler were assaulted, it was
said.
Paulk was arrested the following day and lodged in the Navarro county jail.
Alexander left the State and was later apprehended in Key West, Fla.; following
a wide search for him and cash rewards totaling $600 offered for his arrest and
conviction. Sheriff Stewart of Navarro county offered $100; doctors of the
hospital staff duplicated it; the governor offered $300 and Wm. Clarkson, Sr.,
made an offer of $100. The Ellis county court assumed jurisdiction of the cases,
due to the fact that the grand jury was convened in regular term at Waxahachie
several days before the Navarro county grand jury was impaneled.
Alexander’s case is set for next Monday.
His is a companion case, and the evidence is expected to be practically the same
as that deduced in the trial of Paulk.
A habeas corpus hearing will be started in Alexander’s behalf at 10 o’clock
Thursday morning. A habeas corpus proceeding in behalf of Paulk prior to his
trial resulted in no bail and he was remanded to jail by Judge Harding until his
trial day.
Notes:
PETE ALEXANDER SHOT TO DEATH
FATHER ALLEGED ASSAULT VICTIM IS CHARGED WITH DEED
KILLING OCCURRED IN LOBBY OF ELLIS COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Waxahachie, Texas, Oct. 15.—A. R. (Pete) Alexander is dead.
With an indictment of criminal assault against him Alexander died with the case
untried. He was 19 years old.
W. A. Butler, of Blooming Grove, surrendered to officers. He is the father of
Miss Mary Butler, student nurse at the Navarro County Hospital at Corsicana.
Miss Butler-was the complaining witness against Alexander.
Alexander’s trial was set down for next Monday morning. Thursday habeas corpus
proceedings started in the Ellis county district court here by his lawyers in
the hope of getting bail for their client.
“I am not going to shoot anymore.” Butler is quoted is as saying when Deputy
Sherriff J. O. Tolleson and Superintendent White of the county farm, grabbed him
to prevent a third shot. Alexander was shot twice with a 38-calibre pistol, both
shots are said to have entered the back. The first shot was fired when Butler is
said by officers to have lunged from behind a supporting column in the court
house lobby and fired. Alexander fell to the floor near the foot of the stairs
and the second shot was fired after he had sprawled on the floor.
Court had adjourned at noon till 1:30 o’clock, and the officers were on route
from the jail with Alexander to resume the hearing. The trio, Tolleson in the
lead, and White following a few paces behind Alexander, entered the court house
and walked only a short distance to the stair steps leading from the lobby to
the district court room on the second floor.
A charge of manslaughter has been filed against Butler in Justice of the Peace
district court and his bond set at $1,000. He made bond a few hours later and
was released from jail. News papermen were not allowed to talk to Butler while
held in the jail.
Sheriff Joe Loe stated a number of special deputies had been put on Thursday
morning as they feared trouble when the Alexander hearing started.
Alexander was picked up and taken to the west steps of the court house where he
was pronounced dead by physicians. An ambulance took the body to a local morgue
where it is held pending funeral arrangements. Two bullet holes were found in
the body and there were four undischarged bullets in Butler’s pistol when
examined by the officers when he was taken into custody.
Alexander’s pal, Lester Paulk, Corsicana youth, was given 9 years in the
penitentiary by a jury in Judge Harding’s court, Wednesday morning on a
companion case and he is held in the county jail here until a motion for a new
trial is acted upon. Alexander was facing an indictment in a companion case.
The men were indicted by the grand jury here September 7 of charges of criminal
assault on two young women in Navarro county on the night of August 7.
Habeas corpus proceedings were heard in behalf of Paulk which resulted in his
being remanded to jail without bail. His trial opened Monday of last week, and a
large number of witnesses heard. The jury was out exactly twelve hours.
Testimony deduced in the Paulk case tended to show the two Corsicana youths
inveigled the two nurses and the third nurse companion into Alexander’s car
under the pretense of an offer of taking them to town from a point near the
hospital where they overtook the young women walking.
Instead of being taken to town it is alleged Alexander steered his car to a
point in a lonely road several miles northeast of Corsicana.
It was there, it was said, Miss Hilderbrandt was criminally assaulted by Paulk
and Miss Mary Butler was similarly treated by Alexander.
The third girl was Miss Opal Downing of Frost, who escaped the designs of the
two men by running to a nearby farm house. Screams were heard by three different
farmers in the community where the assault took place, it is alleged. Earl next
morning a farmer went to the scene and later testified to seeing strong
evidences of a struggle.
When Miss Downing appeared at the farmer’s house that night, he arose from his
slumbers and brought the terrified girl to town. He also notified the officers,
who went in search of the quartet. Alexander skipped the country and was later
arrested in Key West, Fla., and brought back to Corsicana. Paulk was arrested
the day following the assault.
The Ellis county grand jury assumed jurisdiction in the cases on the grounds
that it convened one month earlier than the grand jury in Navarro County.
The trial of both men was set down for September 21, but was later reset.
An entry will be made o the court trial docket, “dismissed, account death of
defendant.”
Notes:
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR PETE ALEXANDER SUNDAY AFTERNOON
SLAYER OF CORSICANA MAN RELEASED ON BAIL AND RETURNS HOME
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 16.—W. A. Butler, charged with manslaughter in connection with
the fatal shooting of A. R. (Pete) Alexander, Corsicana youth, here Thursday
afternoon, went home following the making of his bond, which in the sum of
$1,000.
Signing Butler’s bond were J. G. Gidden, L. D. Johnson, C. H. Windom, and W. H.
Clopton of this city. A number of citizens of Blooming Grove, where Butler
lives, telephoned the sheriff’s office, authorizing their signatures to be
placed on the bond. They were R. I. Harris, E. J. Glenn. I. L Martin, G. A.
Patterson, J. R. Griffin, S. M. Woodard, E. S. North, W. B Rutherford, C. L.
Tillman, J. H. Atchison, J. N. George, J. E. McClure, Wm. F. Ervin, J. T. Glenn,
Dr. E. B. Lowery, F. H. Simpson, Joe McSpadden, Jr., C. L. Beard, W. T. Freeman,
R. E. Frederick, Ray Langston and H. O. Timmons.
The body of Alexander was taken to Corsicana in an undertaker’s hearse early in
the night.
Funeral services for Alexander will be held at the residence of his father, T.
H. Alexander, 1791 West Sixth avenue, at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. H.
B. Carraway, Baptist minister of Blooming Grove and Rev. W. T. Bratton, pastor
of the Hope Baptist church of Corsicana, will conduct the services. Burial will
be in the Kerens cemetery.
Notes:
HEARING ON PAULK APPLICATION FOR NEW TRIAL IS POSTPONED
ELLIS COUNTY GRAND JURY IS INVESTIGATING KILLING ALEXANDER
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Oct. 19.—The motion for a new trial in the case of Texas vs. Lester
Paulk, charged by grand jury indictment with a statutory offense, recently tried
and convicted by a jury here with his punishment assessed at ninety-nine years
in the penitentiary, was not heard Monday morning by Judge Harding on account of
illness of the judge, it is expected the hearing will be disposed of Tuesday
morning.
The Ellis county grand jury is investigating the shooting of A. R. Alexander by
W. A. Butler which occurred Thursday afternoon in the courthouse. Alexander’s
case which was a companion case to that of Paul’s was to have come up in the
district court Monday. Butler was arrested and charged with manslaughter and
released on a $1,000 bond. It is indicated by his attorneys. R. D. Johnson and
Will Handcock, both signers of his bond, that an effort will be made to have
Butler indicted and tried at once.
Notes:
TRIAL W. A. BUTLER SET FOR NOVEMBER 5 WAXAHACHIE COURT
ACCUSED INDICTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER AFTER DEATH A. R. ALEXANDER
The case of W. A. Butler, charged by grand jury indictment with manslaughter in
connection with the fatal shooting of A. R. Alexander Oct. 15., has been set
down for trial for Nov. 5, it was made known here today at the sheriff’s office.
The case will be tried at Waxahachie in the district court of Ellis county. A
total of 90 defense witnesses are being summoned to appear in the trial. The
defense witnesses practically all live in the Blooming Grove and Barry
communities.
W. A. Butler lives near Blooming Grove. Alexander, of Corsicana was killed in
the Ellis county court house while being taken to the district court room from
the county jail for a habeas corpus hearing.
Lester Paulk remains held in the Waxahachie jail pending the hearing of a motion
for a new trial in a case tried a few days prior to the death of Alexander.
Notes:
BUTLER GETS SUSPENDED SENTENCE 2 YEARS
PETE ALEXANDER’S SLAYER ENTERS PLEA GUILTY IN COURT
CASE DISPOSED OF IN SHORT ORDER WAXACHIE TODAY
Special to Daily Sun.
Waxahachie, Nov. 5.—W. A. Butler, Navarro county farmer charged by indictment
with man slaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of A. R. (Pete)
Alexander, Corsicana youth, here October 15, was given a two years’ suspended
sentence following a plea of guilty in district court here Thursday afternoon.
The jury was out five minutes.
Butler was represented by Will Hancock and L. D. Johnston, Waxahachie attorneys.
A total of 94 witnesses had been summoned mostly from Blooming Grove, to testify
in behalf of Butler, but only a few were used to get the case before the jury.
The State heard the testimony of Deputy Sheriff Tolleson and County Farm
Superintendent White, eye-witnesses to the shooting of Alexander. Butler took
the stand at the behest of the defense and in a few minutes told why he shot
Alexander. He testified he had not heard the details of the assault made on his
daughter, with which Alexander was charged, until the trial of Lester Paulk. He
killed Alexander, he said, because he could not bear to see his daughter carried
through the court trial.
Notes:
LESTER PAULK WAS DENIED NEW TRIAL WAXAHACHIE TODAY
NOTICE OF APPEAL WAS WILLED BY ATTORNEYS FOR THE DEFENSE
Special to the Sun.
Waxahachie, Texas, Dec. 3.—A motion for a new trial for Lester Paulk was
overruled by Judge Harding in district court here Thursday afternoon. The
defense gave notice of appeal. The case will be taken to the court of criminals
appeals on appeal from the decision of the trial judge. Time was given for
preparing the bill of exceptions and getting the record up.
Paulk is under conviction for rape and had his punishment assessed at
ninety-nine years in the penitentiary by a jury in the court here early in the
present court term. The case was brought here from Navarro county.
Notes:
|
Navarro County TXGenWeb