HAWKINS CHARGED WITH DOUBLE MURDER
[headline on page 1]
Warrant Issued Charges
Him With Dual Slayings
Authorities Decline to Di-
vulge Name of Woman
Held as Key Witness
in Case
REPORTED FOUND
Lying in Bushes Near the
Death Cottage; Hawkins
Steadfastly Maintains Innocence
Aug. 2, 1934, The
Fred Hawkins,
The victims were found dead in a bedroom of a small cottage
located on the banks of the
The warrants were signed by James H. Randolph, Jr., assistant prosecuting attorney.
Hawkins, said to be engaged in the "numbers" racket here, is held in custody by county authorities. He is named by police as the owner of the gun found in the outstretched hand of Mrs. Wiseman, whose body was steeped in her own blood and that of Headley.
The dual tragedy took place in a cottage which Hawkins had rented, and where he had taken the victims and a fourth person, an unidentified woman, earlier in the evening.
Police stated that this killing climaxed a drunken party held in the cottage in which [illegible words]reling had taken place.
Authorities declined to divulge the name of the woman who is regarded as a key witness in the drama.
E. B. Pennybacker, prosecuting attorney indicated that the investigation would be virtually closed to-day following an inquest at 11 o'clock this morning.
Hawkins Grilled
Hawkins was grilled by investigators immediately after the shooting investigation got under way yesterday morning. Up to early this morning, it was reported that he steadfastly reiterated ignorance concerning the shooting other than to infer that
the Wiseman girl shot Headley before turning the gun on herself. Beyond this he refused to talk. Investigators stated that they were convinced that he was not telling the truth.
Hawkins came to
The missing woman, fourth member of the party in the cottage, who had supplied the mystery element in the case was reported located early last evening. She was found, it was said, bruised and suffering from exposure as the result of lying in some bushes near the death cottage for Tuesday night and most of Wednesday.
She was taken into custody for questioning. Police did not disclose her name. She is considered a key figure in the case and her version of what took place is expected to shed considerable light, on details of the double slaying.
The two warrants issued against Hawkins declare, that he "did feloniously willfully and maliciously, deliberately and unlawfully slay, kill and murder" Harold Headley and Virginia Kimes Wiseman.
Each Shot Once
Although bullet holes in the death cottage walls indicated that a gun was fired a number of times there was one bullet wound in the head of each victim. When authorities arrived at the scene the man and woman were found lying on a blood smeared floor of the bed-
room. Blood had been spattered about the walls.
A bullet passed through Headley's skull, emerging below the right eye while the missile which entered Mrs. Wiseman's head passed entirely through her skull. Authorities believe that Headley had been shot from a position higher than his head, due to the fact the wound was on top of the head. The gun, apparently had been aimed point blank at Mrs. Wiseman, as the course of the bullet was comparatively straight from side to side. Both bullets were recovered at an autopsy held yesterday noon.
The bodies were fully clothed when found. The woman's head was lying near the doorway of the room.
Fight Heard
Neighbors living in the vicinity of the cottage told authorities that they heard loud cursing and talking at intervals late Tuesday night. The shouting seemed to increase, they said, a short time before a series of shots were heard, followed by shrill screams of a woman. A man's voice, it was said, was heard ordering a woman out of the cottage. It has not been determined as yet whether a second woman was in the dwelling at that time, or whether the woman addressed by a man's deep pitched voice had been Mrs. Wiseman.
It has been ascertained, however, that there was a second woman at the cottage sometime during the night of the shooting.
Hawkins, authorities stated, was found sitting in his
automobile parked in a narrow lane leading from the
Claims Victims Unknown
When taken to the cottage to view the bodies with Sheriff Gainer, Hawkins insisted that he did not know either of the victims. During the investigation around the cottage, Hawkins appeared to evince no interest, remaining on a bench outside the cabin with his head in his hands.
When questioned later about the identity of the victims Hawkins declared they were unknown to him. He claimed that he was in an intoxicated condition.
Hawkins made no effort to flee the scene. Authorities were inclined to doubt his story that he had ben [sic] drinking heavily with a party of four during the night. It was believed he was endeavoring to feign an extreme drunken condition. He had been drinking, however, they said.
Met At Casino
According to Hawkins' story, he met Headley and Mrs. Wiseman
at the Polar Bear Casino at Boaz late Tuesday evening and invited them to go to
the Staunton Pike cottage which he had rented.
The couple accompanied him with an unidentified girl to the cabin on the
Hawkins said an argument ensued following heavy drinking by the party, resulting in the shooting. The argument, he told authorities, was started between Headley and Mrs. Wiseman, and that the woman shot Headley, later turning the gun on herself.
Story Is Doubted
Authorities declared that they placed little credence in the story related by Hawkins. They indicated that some of his statements did not fit in with developments of their investigation.
Although the gun was found in the open hand of the dead woman, police were inclined to believe that it had been placed there. The gun was of .38 calibre [sic].
Hawkins admitted that there had been a fourth member of the party, a woman, but refused to divulge her identity. The investigation yesterday was centered on attempts to locate the missing woman. It is believed that she will be a key figure in the river resort drama.
Charles Devol, a B. and O. railroad policeman, and Clyde Collins, both residing near the scene of the shooting, told investigators that they had heard the shots.
Six Shots Heard
Collins said he was awakened by his wife shortly before 2 a. m., who told him [sic] "Something is wrong down the river." He said [sic] "We heard what sounded like a violent argument between two men, then there were two shots fired, and a woman screamed. "In a short [illegible words] and screaming followed by a [illegible words] shots [illegible words] succession. There [illegible words] everything became quiet."
The gun-fire and tumultous [sic] shouting had roused most of the neighborhood. Men and women hurridly [sic] emerged from their homes, some of whom were only partially dressed. For a few moments the location of the shooting scene could not be ascertained. It was learned through investigation of the residents that the gunfire had taken place in "a bright orange-colored cottage on a high bank overlooking the B. and O. railroad and the river."
Owner Is Roused
Devol, who owns the cottage, said he was awakened by the gunfire, shortly after which Hawkins came running to his house with the news of the shooting. Devol said Hawkins told him that two persons had been shot in the cottage. Hawkins then returned to the scene of the tragedy, he said, arriving there in advance of investigators who included Coronor [sic] B. O. Robinson; Captain C. H. Watson of city police; Lieutenant Harry Dougherty and City Officer William Shutts [sic] Prosecuting Attorney E. B. Pennybacker; Sherriff [sic] Fred Gainer and Deputy Sheriff C. Leonard South.
Coroner Robinson order the bodies of the victims removed to the Leavitt funeral home about 5 a. m. Wednesday following a complete survey of the scene. The cottage was locked and sealed by authorities following the preliminary investigation. No one will be permitted to enter the building until the investigation into the shooting is concluded.
Gruesome Scene
The death scene was as gruesome as any local authorities have had to look upon.
The bodies lay huddled in a doorway leading from a bedroom in which the shooting took place, and an enclosed porch. Mrs. Wiseman's head and shoulders were lying athwart the doorway with arms outstretched. She is believed to have died immediately after being
shot. Headley's body was lying face down across the dead woman's legs. It is believed that he died several minutes after the woman succumbed, and had crawled to her side in the final moments of a death struggle.
Rag rugs on the floor beneath the bodies were sodden with blood and great pools collected about the door-sill. The victims' hair and clothing were clotted with blood which had spurted upon the walls of the death room. A great blood smear appeared on the papered wall near the door way where one of the victims, presumably Headly [sic], had struck it in falling. He had crawled a distance of possibly three to four feet before death claimed him.
Woman Relaxed
The gun found in Mrs. Wiseman's hand was loosely gripped. Police pointed out that a gun held in the hand of a dead person who used it is always firmly gripped in a tightly clenched hand. This was not the case with Mrs. Wiseman, whose arms and hands were in a relaxed position. This fact was cited as disproving the theory that Mrs. Wiseman had wielded the weapon.
Mrs. Wiseman was attired in a white crepe dress, light hose and white shoes. The dress was torn at the shoulder, and her long bobbed blonde hair was in disorder, suggesting that there had been a struggle.
Headley was dressed in a light grey summer suit and white hose and shoes. He had worn a coat at the time of the killing. His clothes were less rumpled than were those of the dead woman.
Blood had so completely obliterated the features of the dead couple that authorities were unable to identify them until part of the still trickling blood streams had been wiped from their faces. Mrs. Wiseman's eyes were badly swollen, as was her face, as a result of the bullet wound which passed completely through her head at the temples.
Motive Is Unknown
While officials were unable to establish a definite motive for the tragedy Wednesday, jealousy was thought to have prompted the shooting. Other theories advanced included a possible suicide pact or murder and suicide.
The death cabin is located across the
Headley and the Wiseman girl had been "going together," for several months, police learned. Both were said to have frequented dances and roadhouses.
The victims were widely known in
Mrs. Wiseman is survived by her father, Hoyt Kimes of 3013 Plum street, city, and a brother, Paul Kimes. The latter is part owner of the Polar Bear Casino at Boaz.
Headley is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
Headley,
INQUEST INTO DEATH OF PAIR
SLAIN IN COTTAGE HELD TODAY
Aug. 2, 1936 The
Coroner B. O. Robinson
to Conduct Inquiry Be-
fore Jury in Leavitt
Funeral Home.
An inquest will be conducted this morning by County Coroner B. O. Robinson [illegible words] Virginia Kimes Wiseman [illegible words] Harold Headley [illegible words] home.
A jury will be assembled to hear evidence which is expected
to be given by a member of persons residing in the Stewart Station section who
heard shouting and screaming at a small cottage on the banks of the
The tragedy climaxed a midnight party in which four persons had participated.
Fred Hawks and an unidentified girl are being held by county authorities for questioning in connection with the dual killing. Both Hawkins and the girl are believed by investigators to have been at the scene of the slaying about 3 a. m., Wednesday.
The inquest will be conducted at 11 a. m., today, to determine by whose hand the victims met their death.
CORONER'S JURY NAMES FRED
HAWKINS AS SLAYER OF PAIR
Fourth Member of Party
In Cottage Near Stew-
art Station Identified
As Helen Berry.
Graphic Picture of Grue-
some Night is Told By
Girl Who Says She
Fled from Scene.
Aug. 3, 1934 The
Fred Hawkins, 35, city was named as the killer of Mrs. Virginia Kimes Wiseman and Harold Headley in a cottage on the Little Kanawha river, near Stewart Station Wednesday, in a verdict rendered by a coroner's jury yesterday.
At the inquiry, conducted by County Coroner B. O. Robinson,
the "mystery woman" in the case, was identified as Miss Helen Berry,
21, of
A graphic word-picture of the dual tragedy was told the jury
by Miss
She related details of a drinking party which had started
earlier in the evening at
times from a back porch of the
cottage following a drinking sortee which had been
marked by violent quarreling between the slain couple, Mrs. Virginia Kimes Wiseman, city, and Harold Headley,
The witness, regarded by the investigators for the state as an important key figure in the drama, declared that she had not met Hawkins until the day of the tragedy.
Met in Town
She stated that she had come to Parkersburg Tuesday morning for [illegible words] registering at the court house [sic] for the primaries, and that she had met Hawkins in Seventh street as she was preparing to go to her home on Staunton pike.
She said, "I live on the pike near the cottage Hawkins
occupied. He passed the house frequently
and I knew him by sight. When we met in
town he asked me if he could drive me home and I said he could. After we got out a piece he suggested that we
got for a little ride and I agreed. He
asked me for a "date" [sic] and at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening he came
to the house. We went to Bill's Tavern
on
"I told him I didn't want to go to the cottage, but when he drove past my house he refused to let me out of the car. I insisted that I was going home and he forced me to stay.
Fixed Drinks
"When we reached the cottage Mrs. Wiseman fixed drinks and Mr. Headley started to quarrel with her about drinking. Fred told them to 'cut it out,' and stepped to the back porch and fired a revolver.
"I started to go home but he called me back. I guess I was scared. When I came back to the cottage he was sitting by the radio and the gun was beside him. I snatched it and put it under the mattress. Thinking that maybe that wasn't a very good place for it, I pulled it out and hid it under some clothes lying on the floor.
"I started home again and heard some screams and stepped back in the bedroom and found the couple lying on the bed. The girl was screaming. She told me, 'He's (Headley) kicking me and biting me.' I ran from the house and went home. When I got to the [illegible word] my house I heard more shots. That's all I know about it."
[Illegible words on what appears to be up to five lines] She said the couple had been quarreling at the Snowball Gardens earlier in the evening and that on one occasion Mrs. Wiseman became "mad at him and walked out, but he followed her." She said she had not known Mrs. Wiseman before.
She testified that while Mrs. Wiseman and Headley were quarreling on the bed she heard Hawkins admonish Headley, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, mistreating that girl like that."
The witness was unable to ascertain the extent of Hawkins' drunkenness, she told the jury.
"Not Very Drunk"
Other witnesses declared that Hawkins had not appeared "very drunk" to them, although they knew by his manner of action that he had been drinking.
Sheriff Fred Gainer, the first witness called, testified that his investigation of the murder scene indicated that there had been no struggle in the house.
He said he was called about 1:40 a. m. Wednesday by neighbors that there was trouble in a cottage on the river bank near Stewart Station. He said he went out with Deputy Sheriff C. L. South and found the bodies. Sitting in the front seat of a car parked near the cottage was Hawkins whom he placed under arrest and brought to the county jail. He said he quizzed the prisoner as to what had been going on and that Hawkins replied, "I don't know."
Remains [illegible word]
Hawkins, brought before the jury handcuffed, steadfastly denied, on being questioned, having any knowledge of the party. Asked who attended the party, he declared he didn't know.
"Are you in the habit of inviting people you don't know to your house?" asked Coroner Robinson. Hawkins replied, "I can't be sure who was there. I invite lots of people to the house. All who were there were drunk. That's all I know about it, except that we went there after being at the Snowball night club."
He admitted that Miss Berry had been with him on the night of the shooting. The gun which had killed Headley and Mrs. Wiseman was exhibited. "Is this your gun?" He looked at it and said, "I'm not positive, it looks like my gun."
"You had a gun?"
"Yes sir."
"Where did you get it. [sic]"
"My father gave it to me."
"What became of the girl?"
"I don't know."
Gun in Woman's Hand
Sheriff Gainer stated that he had found the gun lying across the open palm of the dead woman's left hand. The barrel was facing the doorway, he said. The gun was examined for fingerprints which were found to have been wiped off by a cloth.
When Gainer arrived with other investigators, including Captain C. H. Watson, Lieutenant Harry Dougherty and Officer William Shutts, of city police, and Deputy Sheriffs South and Stephens, two cars were parked in a narrow driveway leading to the cottage. On one the lights were still burning. Hawkins car was in a small shed-like structure while the dead girl's car was behind it. The lights were burning on Hawkins' car, Gainer said.
Clothes Blood-Stained
Clothing worn by Hawkins on the night of the shooting bore blood stains, Gainer told the jury. He said there was blood in Hawkins' hair, on an elbow, and a splotch behind one ear where he evidently wiped his hand. There were traces of blood also around the cuticle of his fingers, he said. Gainer exhibited the clothing showing a large spatter of blood on the back of a shirt, on a sock, a white belt and a neck-tie. The prisoner [illegible words] whether any of the blood might have been Hawkins', Gainer said, and that no abrasions in his skin could be found on his body or on his head.
He said the bed had been mussed up, but that the room was otherwise in order. He also displayed a table-cloth showing large bloodstains which he said was found lying on the body of Headley. He cited that the table-cloth had been used in wiping off possible finger prints from the gun handle.
Gun Produced
The gun, a .38 calibre polished steel model, was exhibited to the jury. The barrel was smeared with considerable dried blood.
Captain Watson testified that four empty shells were found in the gun's chamber, with one which had been snapped and failed to explode. On the floor another empty shell was found.
One of the bullets fired from the gun struck a wall twenty inches above the floor. He said the bullet ranged downward. It is believed the missile which killed Headley.
Three neighbors offered testimony relating to the violent quarrel which had been punctuated by gun-fire during the hectic night.
Mrs. Ellen Collins declared that she was roused by loud talking, after which she heard a man command a woman to "get up out of there." The man yelled four times, she said, after which there was a scream and shots."[sic]
She stated that she then heard a door slam and could hear footsteps on cinders walking hurriedly up the railroad track which the death cottage overlooks. She continued her testimony by stating that she heard a man's voice call out, "Charlie, this is John."
Identifies Voice
Clyde Collins told substantially the same story recounted by Mrs. Collins. He said he recognized the voice which called to "Charlie," as that of Hawkins. Asked how he knew, he said he had heard Hawkins call to his dog, adding, "and it was the voice that yelled to the woman in the cottage to 'get up out of there'." [sic]
Mrs. Camden Brookover, who lives
on
Autopsies Held
Dr. Ivan Smith, city pathologist described the autopsies he conducted on the bodies of the victims.
He said that he found a triangular incision on the right cheek of Headley, and a circular incision above the right ear. The bullet, he said, passed through the man's brain, and that he died of laceration of the brain and resultant hemorrhage. Headley's skull was fractured, he said, as was that of Mrs. Wiseman.
The bullet which killed her, punctured a circular hole about one-quarter of an inch in diameter, two inches above the right ear, exiting an inch and one-half above her left ear. She also died of hemorrhage of the brain, he said.
The Verdict
The verdict returned by the jury was phrased, "We the jury, find that Virginia Kimes Wiseman and Harold Headley died on August 1, 1934, of gun-shot wounds at the hands of Fred Hawkins."
The jury was composed of C. M. Horner, J. G. Johnson,
Hawkins was returned to jail following the inquest.
He came to
Scores of persons sought entrance to the funeral home yesterday morning to view the two bodies, but were turned away until after the inquest. Many women and young girls were among these wishing to view the bodies of the slain pair.
HAROLD HEADLEY RITES ARE TODAY
Aug. 3, 1934 The
Last rites for Harold Headley, who with Mrs. Virginia Kimes Wiseman, was found shot to death early Wednesday morning in a cottage at Stewart Station, will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Vienna. The Rev. J. L. West will officiate and burial will be in Neal [sic] cemetery near Parmaco.
The body was removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. A. W. Headley,