Down in the Cellar

Mrs. Alma Tipton and Robert Tipton Charged With First Degree Murder in Brutal Slaying of Wovella Winkle, 13, Who Was Their Guest; Body Secreted in Cellar; “I’ve Always Wanted to Kill Somebody,” Alleged Murderess Declares to Officers (Herald Courier Special.) GREENEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 16. — Robert and Alma Tipton, husband and wife, are in the Greene County jail tonight charged with the most brutal murder ever committed in Greene County. A coroner’s verdict late this afternoon recommends first degree murder charges against them for the atrocious slaying of Wovella Leola Winkle, 13, daughter of a neighbor, and who had been a guest of the Tiptons for three weeks. Body of the child was found early this morning after searchers had combed the Tipton home without finding any trace of the child, only to return several hours later and accuse Mrs. Tipton of knowledge of her whereabouts. Mrs. Tipton, officers say, calmly admitted murdering the girl because “I’ve always wanted to kill somebody,” and led the searching party to the little potato cellar where Wovella, her head laid open with a blow from an axe or hatchet and her face horribly mangled was found. Ill feeling was running high tonight. Girl Slain Thursday The crime, it is believed, was committed last Thursday. When Mrs. Tipton led officers to where the body was secreted they found that the child’s head had been almost decapitated with an axe or hatchet and that the face and neck were horribly gashed. The coroner’s jury’s verdict, reached late today, is that Wovella Winkle met her death at the hands of Bob Tipton and his wife, Alma Tipton, and their finding is first degree murder. Members of the jury declared that Mrs. Tipton confessed to the crime and said that her husband had nothing to do with it. General opinion is that she is feigning insanity, hoping to be released on this plea and at the same time clear her husband. Men who saw the child’s body say that it was horribly beaten and cut about the head, neck, shoulders and body. Parent Grows Uneasy Leola, her mother dead, was the child of John Winkle and was not quite 13 years old. She had been sent to the Tipton home about three weeks ago to stay with them. Sunday morning, having heard no word from the child, her father and grandfather became uneasy and went to the Tipton home to see about her. Tipton, it is charged, told him that the child left Thursday after packing up her clothes and they presumed she had returned home. Suspecting foul play, Mr. Winkle secured a search warrant and sent Deputy Sheriff Tom Bitner and three other men to search the Tipton house. They reached there about dark Sunday evening and after talking with Tipton told him they had a warrant to search his house. Tipton said he was perfectly willing and took them to every part of the building including a cellar. Luke Belt, one of the searching party, then asked him if there was not a small cellar under another part of the house. Tipton said there was and took them to it. Mrs. Tipton, it is said, procured an axe for officers to pry up the planks. Nothing was discovered except rags and rocks. The searching party then left the house and returned again about four o’clock Monday morning, feeling dissatisfied with its first search in the little cellar. Mrs. Tipton Accused Luke Belt, on entering the house the second time, is said to have accused Mrs. Tipton of knowing where the child was and charged her with an awful crime. Mrs. Tipton, Luke said, then threw up her hands and said she had killed the child and that her body would be found in the little cellar. Searchers looked again for the body and found it. Two men remained at the Tipton home while two others brought Tipton and his wife to jail here and informed Coroner J. A. Blevins, who is also acting sheriff. An inquest jury was summoned and taken to the scene and the body viewed as it was taken from the cellar. Jurymen found that the head had been cut open with an axe or hatchet and that her face and neck had been horribly hacked. The body was then delivered to an undertaker who prepared it for burial. Interment was held today in Union Chapel cemetery. Dr. C. S. Hays, county physician, who was with the jury at the time of the examination, said that he believed the child had been dead three or possibly four days. The inquest jury consisted of J. D. Brown, M. R. Humphreys, Rat Partley, J. F. Brown, Ruf Leonard, E. B. Reed, and O. I. Lane. A report has spread rapidly that the child was sent to her home in order to part her and her husband, but [Hellmiller? / Hellmillar?] bearing for the Tiptons is set for Wednesday.

Greeneville, Tenn., Aug. 16. — (AP) — Mrs. Robert Tipton, charged with murder, and her husband, held as a material witness, are in jail here tonight as the result of finding the almost decapitated body of Leola Winkle, 13, in a sub-cellar of the Tipton home near here today. The girl, daughter of John Winkle, a neighbor of the Tiptons, had been their guest for about three weeks. Since last Thursday she had been missing and Mrs. Tipton is said to have stated on that day the child had gone back to her home. A search was started and armed with a search warrant the searching party, after several days’ hunt again reached the Tipton home today. Mrs. Tipton was accused by an officer as the slayer of the missing girl and is said to have admitted the killing and led the searching party to the body, over which it had passed innumerable times since Saturday. The child’s body gave evidence of having been dead for three or four days. The face was beaten almost to a pulp and there were two huge gashes in the throat. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday.

Mrs. Alma Tipton Admits Hacking Girl to Death — Husband May Be Favored. GREENEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 17. — (Spl) — A preliminary hearing will be held tomorrow for Mrs. Alma Tipton, charged with the murder of Novella Winkle, 13-year-old daughter of John Winkle, whose hacked body was found yesterday morning in a small cellar under the Tipton home. Her husband, Bob Tipton, is in the same jail here, charged with first degree murder, but this charge probably will be changed at the hearing to a lesser offense. The hearing for both is set for tomorrow morning before County Judge M. F. Humphreys. From her cell in the Green county jail here today, Mrs. Tipton told of the killing, saying that the impulse came on her suddenly, and she attacked the girl, who had been visiting her for three weeks. The girl’s throat was cut and her face and body hacked with an ax, the body being thrown into the pit. Insanity Plea Forecast. It is assured that a plea of insanity will be the defense, Mrs. Tipton having been in an asylum twice. Bob Tipton said his mother-in-law was in an asylum now. The accused woman was formerly a nurse in the National Sanatorium at Johnson City, having been married nine years ago in Louisville. (Continued on Page Fifteen). (Continued From Page One) The husband said their only child was born dead a year later in a Knoxville hospital, and that since that time his wife had tried to kill others four times, and had been fined for her attacks. On one occasion she had attacked a girl for kissing her husband. Tipton is 16 years older than his wife, being 54 years old now. He served in the Spanish-American war and later in the regular army, being on the pension rolls now. The Tiptons have a little farm 12 miles from Greeneville near the Unakas, where the crime was committed. Tipton gives his age as nearly 56 and says his wife is 29 years old. He was born in Greene county and lived here until 28 years old, with the exception of a few years in North Carolina when a boy. Served in Philippines. In 1898 he enlisted in the Spanish-American war under Captain Walter Fitzgerald, a Greeneville man. After this he volunteered for service in the quelling of the Philippine insurrection and served three years. He was mustered out in San Francisco and spent several years in the west, a part of the time in Utah. He has been back in Greene county this time six years. His wife’s name was Alma Clark before marriage and she lived in Glade Springs, Va. She has been in the insane asylum, he says, and her mother and sister are now in the asylum. He says he has paid her out of three former indictments for attempting to kill girls who were staying with them. He asserts he was afraid and lived in constant fear of her. He said he knew nothing of the murder of the girl until Sunday night, when the officers came to search his house and his wife confessed to them. His wife, he said, told him after her confession that she felt a desire to kill some person and would have killed him just as readily as the child if she had had a chance. He says there is no question in his mind that she is insane. He says he can prove an alibi and has no fear of being held for the crime. Father Accuses Tipton. John Winkle, father of the dead girl, stated this morning that he believed the man committed the deed, and that the wife was endeavoring to protect him. His idea about the motive is that Tipton attempted assault on the girl, and, when she ran from him, struck her on the back with short, sharp blows as she ran, and then crushed her skull with an ax. He substantiates this theory by the fact that tracks of the girl’s bare feet were said to be in the mud, followed by those of a man, leading up to the chip pile where there was some blood, and near which a blood-stained ax was found. Winkle says the heavy rain of Thursday night would have obliterated these prints and he believes the child was killed early Friday morning. The razor wounds in the throat did not sever the jugular vein, and would not have been severe enough to cause death. The blow in the back of the head, which penetrated to the brain, killed the girl. When asked as to why he would submit his child to people he knew little about, he told the following story: Explains Daughter’s Visit. His wife died two years ago, leaving him with six small children. Later, he married again, coming here in May to make his home. Novella spent a great deal of her time with her grandfather, Thomas Winkle. He, the father, knew practically nothing about the Tiptons, but while Novella was staying with her grandfather, he permitted her to go to spend awhile with them after they had insisted. John Winkle went to the Tipton home two weeks ago to see how the child was getting along, and was cordially received, and invited to spend the night. The child seemed satisfied and the Tiptons, who are childless, delighted with her, and anxious to keep her. The father replied that she could stay as long as she was happy. Before retiring for the night, family prayers were held, both the Tiptons leading in prayer. Tipton assured Winkle that he was a Christian, and led the latter to believe that his child was in good hands and he went away perfectly satisfied. On Sunday, August 5, Tipton went to church with his wife and the little girl, and led in prayer in public. It is expected that Tipton will employ a lawyer tomorrow to seek bond for his wife. He denies any knowledge of the killing himself, being surprised when the body was found. Probably very little evidence will be introduced tomorrow, the woman being bound over without bond to await the action of the next grand jury. Tipton doubtless will be permitted to make bond, after his charge has been reduced in grade.

Alma Clark Tipton, confessed perpetrator of the most brutal murder in the annals of Greene County, was before her marriage to Bob Tipton a nurse at the Soldiers’ Home in Johnson City. It was here he met and married her twelve years ago. Tipton claims that his wife is a maniac; that she was once confined in an asylum, and that her mother and sister are now in such institutions. His version of the killing is that the woman when left with the child Thursday morning was working in the room with her. Suddenly it came to her that this girl would separate her from her husband, and a strong desire to kill came over her. Picking up a razor she slipped up behind the unsuspecting victim, and put her arm around her neck, slashing her throat first. Novella bit her finger, but she continued to cut her over her body, pushing her down the trap door into the small cellar. The girl screamed for help, and seeing that she was not dead, she seized the axe and struck her a number of times. After life became extinct, she realized what she had done, and went to work to cover up evidences of the deed. The Tipton couple are housed in the new Greene County jail on different floors. Tipton seemed in good spirits this morning. He shoots craps with other prisoners, and is apparently not much disturbed. He made the statement to one of the deputies today that he believed in the Lord and thought right would triumph; that he was innocent and had no fears for himself. The woman was quieter last night than since she has been placed in jail. She rested well without medicine and this morning talked coherently, stating that her head was much better today. Reporters from different papers over the United States are here this morning interviewing and photographing the strange couple.

On the day that the mutilated, bloated body of Novella Winkle was taken from the cellar of the Tipton home, her aunt, Mrs. John Barham, Miss Eula Winkle, with her husband, who is a successful plumber, and little daughter arrived in Greeneville. They had come with the avowed intention of taking the little girl back with them to Atlanta, where she was to make her home. Remembering the pretty and attractive face of the child with its olive complexion, bright dark eyes, and dark brown bobbed hair, her slight little figure and merry face, they thought she would make a pleasant companion in any home, and were looking forward to having her with them, giving her opportunities and the education which her eager mind would have taken easily. The Barhams knew nothing of the crime, and when they arrived in Greeneville Monday learned that the happy little girl who was to have been their adopted daughter, the victim of a fiend in human form, had already been placed in her grave.

Courtroom Is Packed at Hearing; Order Prevails and There Is No Threat of Violence; Many Unable to Obtain Admission to Crowded Court Room; Intense Feeling Felt. Sheriff And Deputies Stand Ready Robert Tipton Calm and Undisturbed While His Wife Appears Disheveled With Bobbed Hair Hanging Over Droopy, Weird Eyes; Insanity Will Be Her Plea At Next Hearing. Bob Tipton and wife, Alma Tipton, charged with first degree murder following the finding of the mutilated body of twelve year old Novella Winkle in the cellar of their home, were bound over to court without bond at their preliminary hearing held here yesterday. Interest in the hearing was unabated throughout the day, the crowds in the afternoon rivaling those in the morning, and always the proceedings were followed with the closest interest. The hearing was held before Judge M. F. Humphreys and Esquire C. G. Armitage. Only once during the hearing did the blank look which she wore from the time she first came into the court room leave the face of the woman. This was when her husband was placed on the stand. She then raised her head, pushed back the hair falling over her face, and raised her eyes for the first time to the witness stand, but his bitter sobs brought no answering flicker of emotion to her face, which remained hard and expressionless. If she is not unbalanced mentally, she is a consummate actress, and carried her pose well throughout the hearing. A special deputy was detailed to each prisoner, who watched them carefully every moment. After the noon recess, Tom Winkle, grandfather of the murdered girl, was the first witness put on the stand. He is an elderly man with gray hair, and very little education. His intelligent face worked with emotion from time to time, and his voice shook as he spoke of the dead child. He told about the Tiptons having taken up with Novella at an ice cream supper three weeks ago, and urged her to go home with them, they promising to buy her clothes and treat her kindly as their own child. He allowed the child to go, and had been twice to see her, each time being certain that all was well. Last Sunday he took dinner with them and Bob Tipton asked him to say grace at the table, which he did. He was well satisfied with the situation. On Sunday, August 15th, he went to the Tipton home again with no thought that anything was wrong. When he approached Tipton and his wife were eating dinner, and asked him to share it with them. He inquired about the child, and the Tiptons expressed surprise, stating that she had left them on Thursday, and they supposed she had gone home. Witness replied that she had not come, and Mrs. Tipton told what clothes she was wearing, and said she must have carried her shoes as she went barefooted. After the meal Tipton offered to go with witness and show him tracks indicating the direction the child took. He took him to apple tree and pointed out tracks going down the tobacco patch for about twenty rows to a grass patch. Tipton did not show witness where tracks turned and went back to wood pile, but he noticed this, and also that the imprint of a man’s shoe followed them. The tracks were heavily imprinted into earth and at wide distance showing desperate running and leaping. He told Tipton foul play had been committed. Tipton filled up, hesitated, and then said he wondered if the Owens with whom he had had trouble had persuaded the girl off to get even. Witness went to Owen home, and when he could hear nothing of the child got out search warrant. Monday morning saw a pair of Tipton’s shoes with heel rounded peculiarly fitted exactly into man’s tracks. Peculiarity of child’s foot identified the smaller tracks as hers beyond question. Under cross examination witness said that his family and the Tiptons had never had cross word or misunderstanding. Admitted that Tiptons were apparently kind to child, and had bought her clothes liberally. Counsel attempted to make witness admit that there would have been no difference in the tracks of a child leaping in play and those made by a hunted creature attempting to escape death, but witness maintained that he knew the child was seeking refuge as well as if he had seen her, and when counsel for prosecution made a telling point just before he left the stand, a spontaneous burst of applause came from the audience causing Judge Humphreys to rap. (Continued on Page Three.) (Continued from Page One.) vigorously for order, and threatened to clear the court room. Myrtle Seaton, aged sixteen, neighbor of Tipton, was the next witness. She said she knew the Winkle child casually, and had last seen her standing on the porch of the Tipton home Tuesday afternoon. On Thursday she was at Tipton home and Mrs. Tipton said child had gone. Going home she met Bob Tipton in public road. He did not speak to her. Said that on Friday Tipton had offered to sell her some clothes of the dead child. The Winkle girl was smaller than she. Enoch Reed, deputy sheriff, testified that he was on the coroner’s jury that investigated the murder and aided in opening the cellar grave and bringing out the little torn body. He corroborated in every particular the evidence of Tom Winkle in regard to the tracks of the girl and the fitting in them of Tipton’s shoe, and stated that the tracks ended at the chip pile where some dirt had been dug up and carried away, at this spot numbers of flies that are attracted by dead bodies hummed and buzzed. In order to get child’s body out of cellar five planks had to be cut in two. The place was covered over with soiled rugs, chip dirt on the same kind as that at chip pile, straw from a bed tick and rocks. Just before reaching the body planks were found. Mr. Reed made an excellent witness, his replies being clear, concise and definite, and his testimony was followed with breathless interest. All the time that he was on the stand, there was not any available space in the court room, scores of people pressing to the front. As he described the appearance of the pitiful little body thrown down on its face with one elbow up, the hair partly eaten off by wood ashes, and read a list of the wounds an angry groan swept over the court room like the surge of a tide. Instantly special officers stationed by the sheriff all over the room, rose to their feet, and stood watchful while the Judge rapped for order, and Mr. Reed proceeded with his testimony. He stated that the child was thinly clad in a green dress with no shoes and stockings. The cuts on her body while unsightly were not necessarily fatal, and witness believed death came from blows with heavy instrument. When asked to name the wounds, witness said that he could not remember them but would read them from notes follows: Cut in fore arm, two inches long across shoulder, eight inches deep cut in right of lip, three inches small cut in lip, two inches, heavy bruise on left temple, bruise on nose, cut on ear, cut in head, two inches cut in back, six inches, fracture [below?] cut, ten inch cut in back. [Hopeful?] fourteenth inches running from back of head down back. Bruises were made with heavy blunt instrument, and deep gashes with axe. Two razors were found, both of which responded to blood test. No blood was found on axe. The state rested with Reed’s testimony. Before putting his first witness on the stand, Attorney F. P. Berry stated that he would of course make no attempt to get bond for Alma Tipton who was insane, and not entitled to bond, but that Tipton knew nothing about the crime, was innocent, and he wanted him released on bond so that he could tend his five acres of tobacco and twenty acres of corn. He therefore put Tipton on stand. The state attempted to exclude Tipton’s testimony on the grounds that he had severed a sentence in a penitentiary and his citizenship not restored. Defense stated that bill had been filed to restore him which had been granted and testimony was admitted. Tipton stated that he was a native of Greene County born in 1871. Years ago he enlisted in the army and served in the Spanish-American war, and was for some time in the Philippines. He was in Utah for some time, and other points in the west, coming back here to live six years ago. He told of the ice cream supper and how his wife persuaded him to take the child, saying that he was willing as he always wanted someone with her. He had bought her four new dresses, honeycomb hat, pumps, and underwear. He was afraid to sleep with his wife on account of her crazy spells, so he occupied a room downstairs. Wednesday night after he had gone to bed his wife and the girl sat in his room until nine o’clock shelling beans. He had never heard his wife speak an unkind word to the girl and they seemed on the best of terms. The next morning he left at six o’clock on horse back to hunt some peaches. He left his wife with the girl preparing to wash. He never saw the child again. Witness declared he knew nothing whatever of crime until officers came with search warrant. After they had left he went back to the house and found his wife lying on the bed in tears. He sat down beside her, and begged her to confess to him, stating that he would go to Greeneville and get lawyer and do his best for. “I am your friend, honey,” I said, “and I’ll stick by you.” “I feel knows I meant every word I said. Here the witness broke down and sobbed bitterly. He continued to beg her to tell him and finally between two and three o’clock she threw herself into his arms with the words: “Poppa, I killed her.” I said “What on earth made you do such a thing, Alma,” and she replied “I always had in my heart to kill some body, and something told me she had come here to take you away from me.” I started to Greeneville to get the sheriff and lawyers for her when I met the officers. I told them to handcuff me. We went back to the house and went upstairs, and my wife was there, and I said “Alma, they have arrested me, tell them the truth.” She refused at first and then she sort of fell toward witness, and said “I killed her” giving the same reasons she had given to witness. Tipton claimed that he knew nothing of the child’s disappearance until he returned home about twelve o’clock on Thursday and met Seaton girl near house who told him that the girl had gone. He asked his wife about it when he got to the house, and she said that she had sent the child for apples and that she had gone off from there. She claimed that Novella was not satisfied with them. Witness thought wife loved the girl as she was always making him buy something for her. When asked why he was willing to submit a helpless child to the care of a maniac whom he feared, he said her father had agreed to it, and that the child was practically naked when she came to them. He explained that he went to Brown Miller’s and Tilman Landers home, but did not ask for peaches although he stayed two hours. At Jesse Laws peaches were not ripe. Wilse Hampton and [gone?] and Jesse Hampton was in North Carolina. He met Wilse Hampton in the road and they got off horses and talked for two hours. When he came home he asked wife to get something to eat as he was hungry. She replied that she was tired as she had done a big washing and secured the floor in the room where girl was killed. When asked why he did not go the mile and a quarter to her grandfather’s home to investigate the disappearance of the child, he said he had taken no responsibility for her, and had no right to keep her against her consent. When asked about tracks of child, said they were still plain Sunday morning when he showed them to Winkle. When asked if he had thought about the tracks indicating running, said he had noticed that, but had thought the child was running to get away without Alma’s seeing her. In reply to question about shoe whose prints followed those of child, said he had not had them on in over a year, but his wife sometimes wore them in the dew. Admitted that he had two razors, using one for shaving and the other for cutting girls hair. Knew they had an axe, but did not use it as wife cut stove wood. Tipton told a good story and made a plausible witness. He seemed deeply affected and broke down several times, his greatest burst of emotion coming when he spoke of hearing his wife crying in jail, and being refused permission to go to her. There is a God above who knows all things,” said Tipton, “and He knows I had nothing to do with this murder.” Wilse Hampton was the last witness on the stand. He testified that he met Tipton in the road Thursday morning, and stopped to talk to him. When asked if Tipton mentioned the Winkle girl he said that he had told him Novella was the biggest liar he had ever heard talk. He said she was a dangerous ungodly liar, worse than her day. When asked by Hampton what was the trouble, Tipton replied that Novella had been sleeping down stairs with his wife and he upstairs, and that Tuesday night they had moved upstairs, going downstairs again Wednesday night. On Wednesday night he had gone to bed and they were shelling beans in his room. His wife said to him, “Daddy, why did you tell Novella to take a bath and put on clean clothes,” Tipton replied “Why, I didn’t say any such thing.” May God paralyze me dead if I ever thought of such a thing. He then said to Novella “What made you tell such a lie. You are a dangerous liar, a worse liar than your daddy.” Tipton then went on to say how unreasonably jealous his wife was, and such tales were calculated to cause serious trouble. Witness asked why he did not send girl home. He replied that they needed her. Tipton was as composed on this occasion as witness had ever seen him. The defense rested here and asked that Tipton be released under $500 bond. Bitter clashes between counsel came at this time, and the atmosphere in the court room was tense. When Judge Humphreys and Esquire Armitage returned to the court room after conference, Judge Humphreys asked that there be no demonstration when their decision was announced and a hush fell over the crowd. In spite of his plea, when the statement was made that both prisoners would be held without bail a murmur of approval swept row after row, and there were subdued cries of “Thank God” and “That’s right.” Immediately Sheriff Blevins and a group of husky deputies surrounded the prisoners, and started them back to jail, and while the crowd pressed forward eagerly to get a glimpse of them, there was no sound, and no effort was made to harm them. The crowd at the hearing was made up largely of people from the Middle Creek section where the hideous crime occurred, and was strongly hostile throughout the day. Had the man been released his life probably would have been in grave danger. The couple will be tried in the October term of court, which will convene in Greeneville October fourth.

Greeneville, Tenn., Aug. 20. — Robert L. Tipton and his wife, Alma Clark Tipton, were both held without bond to await action of the grand jury at the next term of criminal court on charges of first degree murder in connection with the death of 12-year-old Louella Winkle, whose mutilated body was found concealed under their home in the mountainous region of Greene county on Monday last. No effort was made to prevent the holding of Mrs. Tipton, who had confessed slaying the girl because “she had always wanted to kill somebody just for the thrill of it.” Mrs. Tipton told officers at the time of her arrest that she had killed the child in the absence of her husband, but evidence introduced by witnesses and by Tipton himself at the preliminary hearing appeared to indicate that Tipton either committed the offense or assisted in it, or was an accessory after the act, with guilty knowledge. Tipton appeared calm. His wife took little interest in the proceedings, seldom looking up. Her hair was disheveled and hung over her drooping and weird-looking eyes.

Mrs. Alma Tipton No Longer Moans, “Will God Ever Forgive Me?” In Cell. GREENEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 20. — (Spl) — Alma Tipton, self-confessed murderer of 12-year-old Novella Winkle, who is confined in the Greeneville jail to await action of the grand jury at the October term of court, remains reticent when approached by visitors. When asked this forenoon by Miss Gertrude Porter, a Salvation Army worker, how she felt, she said, “I am not feeling well,” and manifested no disposition to talk further. She occupies a cell with three other women on the fourth floor, while her husband is on the floor below. She looks worn and sleepless, but is apparently slowly recovering from the intense strain of the past few days. No more of the moans and groans of the first two days and nights in jail when she so constantly called out, “Oh, my baby, Oh, papa, will God ever forgive me?” and similar expressions, are heard any more. Officers at the jail say they see no more indications of insanity that were present before the trial.

GREENEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 20. — (Spl.) — Finding of the mutilated body of 13-year-old Novella Winkle under the house of Bob and Alma Tipton, who are held in jail here without bond, revived whispers of 9-year-old orphan boy taken by the Tiptons to raise. As a result of these whispers, a posse was organized here today to search the house cellar and surroundings for a trace of the body. At the time the Tiptons said the boy had “run away.” As there was no one especially interested in the child, no steps were taken to verify the story. The party of deputies left here this morning for Middle Creek, determined to make a thorough search of the premises and surroundings and to check up by inquiry on the story of the run away. Any secrets which the old house searchers recognize that in two cellars and grounds hold, will be revealed if possible, although the years all traces of a boy’s body might have been obliterated by natural causes.

Greeneville, Tenn., Aug. 23. — (Special.) — Alma Tipton, self-confessed murderess of 13-year-old Novella Winkle, who is confined in the Greeneville jail to await the October term of court, remains reticent as she is approached by visitors. When asked this forenoon by Miss Gertrude Porter, a Salvation Army worker, how she felt, she said, “I am not feeling well,” and manifested no disposition to talk any further. The woman occupies a cell with three other women on the fourth floor, while her husband is on the next floor below. She looks worn and sleepless, but is apparently slowly recovering from the intense strain and stress of the past few days. The moans and groans of the first two days and nights in jail when she so constantly called out, “Oh, my baby, Oh, papa, will God ever forgive me?” and other similar expressions, are heard no more. Officers at the jail say they see no more indications of feigned insanity that were present before the trial. The story circulated regarding a 9-year-old boy mysteriously disappearing from the home of Bob Tipton and wife, Alma Tipton, some two years ago, appears to be a mistake. Neighbors of the Tiptons have been interviewed and say they know nothing of such a thing. Officers and men who went to the house Friday morning to investigate were unable to get any evidence indicating such an occurrence. A significant feature of the case as relates to Tipton and his wife is suggested by officers, who say that nothing of value was found in the old log house which they occupied except a quantity of canned fruit. Neighbors say they did have very good furniture, beds and trunks, including two Smith & Wesson pistols, .32 and .38 caliber, but that everything of value had been removed before their search on last Sunday night. It has been suggested that their household goods and valuables had been removed with the intention of burning down the house over the dead child when they realized they were suspected of killing the child and thus hiding their crime by leaving the impression she met her death in the burning building.

CHARGES PEOPLE ARE LOOTING HOME Says Furniture and His Horse Taken Away; Allowed To See Wife Once Since They Were Incarcerated. Herald Courier Special GREENEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 28. — Bob Tipton, now held in the Greeneville jail under charge, with his wife, Alma Tipton, of murdering twelve year old Novella Winkle, told his attorney, Frank M. Berry, that he wanted to make a statement for publication relating his story of the killing so far as he knew about it. Mr. Berry accordingly took his stenographer to the jail and took Bob’s statement as told in his own words. Bob says he is not worrying about anything especially except that he has heard his household goods and other things about his home, including a splendid mare which he left there have been stolen and he is extremely anxious to get out to see about them. The following is the story as he related it: “The little girl had been there a week and four days and I had; the day before she was killed, come to Greeneville, and bought eleven dollars worth of dresses and clothes for her and my wife seemed to be as good to her as could be and I know I was, and we got along all right. On Thursday morning of her disappearing, I got up at six o’clock, they was to wash, and I went up to Middle Creek to Til Landers and stayed with him until about half past nine and went to Milce Hamptons and stayed until ten minutes of eleven and went on to Fain Miller’s store and stayed there until a few minutes after twelve and went to Brown Miller’s to buy some peaches and Brown had come to Greeneville and I got home between twelve and one o’clock. Assisted Search “I met a little girl before I got to my house and she told me that the little girl had gone that stayed at our house, and I went to the house and asked my wife where the little girl gone and she said she had taken part of her clothes out and then she had hid them out and she had sent her to the apple tree after apples and she hadn’t went home. So I knew no more about it until on Sunday at twelve o’clock that she hadn’t went home. Her grandfather came to my house and asked about the girl and I told him that my wife said she went home on Thursday. He went away and I went with him a piece, to see if we could get any trace of where she went to. I come back home and three or four people were at my house and we ate supper and after supper the officers came and said they were going to search there for her and I said ‘Search anywhere, and I would go with them;’ and I lit a lantern and went to the barn back of the house, and into four rooms and the cellar and Tom Bitner asked me then if wasn’t another cellar, and I said yes, there was another cellar, we will go search it, and it was nailed down, so I called my wife and asked where the hammer was and she said at the barn and she brought an ax and I taken the— (Continued on Page Five) (Continued from Page One) planks up, two ranes up, and Bob searched the cellar and said he was satisfied and went away and I went to the road where the automobile was and I said I would bear the expense of a guard if they wanted to leave a guard to watch the house, and I told them any time they wanted to search they were welcome to come and search. Found Wife Crying “When I goes back to the house and found my wife crying, and I asked her what was the matter and she said she was nervous, then, I knew she knew something about the child and I commenced begging her to tell me, and I begged her until three o’clock in different ways, finally I told her I would come to Greeneville, and bring two good lawyers out there and they would tell her what best for her to do, if she would tell them what she had done. Then she commenced crying and told me she had killed her and I asked her where she put the child and she wouldn’t tell me where she put her. “Then, I lit my lantern and started to go get a car to come to Greeneville after the Sheriff and met the Deputy Sheriff on the way and told where I had started and he said he would do just as well and he went back with me, and we got on back up even with my house and I told him then the girl was dead, my wife acknowledged to killing her. We went on over to the house where my wife was at and I said ‘Mother, this is the officer, they got me arrested, just acknowledge and tell them the truth, tell them what you done’ — she busted out to crying, then, fell over on me and said ‘I killed her,’ and the officer asked her then, why she killed her, and she said ‘Just because I always wanted to kill somebody and I thought she was here to part me and my husband,’ then, he asked her how she killed her and she told him she ‘cut her throat.’ He then asked her where she was and she refused to tell him and then I told her ‘You just as well tell me where the girl is at’ and she said the girl was in the cellar, where we had already searched. “So far as me knowing anything about it, I did not know anything about it. I was away from home, there never had been any trouble between my wife and the girl and I had never had a short word with the girl. I always treated her nice because I wanted her for company for my wife. “Now about the boy. I deny as to whether that is the truth or not, there was never a boy stayed at my house in my life but my own boy, nothing ever stayed at my house but girls, three girls beside this girl, these three girls she attacked, and I paid her fine for what she did to them." “I ain’t telling nothing but the truth. Ain’t got nothing else to tell. “Here in jail it is wrong. I am worried because they are stealing everything on earth I got, stealing it and carrying it off. I have been told that. “They allowed me to go to see my wife yesterday, and that is the first time I have seen her, and two officers, the jailer and the Sheriff, and there was nothing said except what they heard and that is the first time I have spoken to her since we were bound to Court, or had any chance to speak to her.”

Greeneville is crowded with visitors today who are in attendance the two courts in session. This is Judge Taylor Campbell’s first term in Circuit Court since his election in August, and also that of Attorney Gen. W. T. Coleman. A heavy docket including several important cases is to be handled this week and part of next including several important cases. A new circuit court clerk, O. I. Lane, and new sheriff H. L. Luttrell, both elected in August are also in charge for the first time at this session. The Grand Jury composed of J. H. Solomon, M. M. Sissom, Dave Bird, Cauley Russell, Bart Greenlee, Ed Scruggs, Dock Willis, Link Brown, W. M. Marshall, L. M. Jeffers, W. R. Overholser, J. S. Jarrell, W. M. Bader, foreman. The other juries are as follows: Number One, Sam Harrison, E. C. Colyer, W. B. Hite, J. W. Brown, E. C. Hysinger, W. H. Howard, J. P. Blake, A. E. Burkey, J. N. Hartman, D. D. Bible, Grant Martin, J. W. Russell. Number Two, J. L. Parkins, V. R. Cussell, W. B. Simpson, D. E. Shaw, Hobert Hartman, C. R. Campbell, George Hawk. Judge Campbell made a strong charge to the jury, speaking about twenty minutes, and making it plain that he expected them to co operate with him in stamping out law breaking in Greene County. The two cases of most interest to come up at this time are the Tipton case in which Bob and Alma Tipton are charged with the murder of twelve year old Novella Winkle. Lovette and Berry, Attorneys for the Tipton stated that they were asking for a change of Venue in this case on the ground that Bob Tipton, one of the defendants could not get a fair trial in Greene County, since the public is prejudiced against him. The case of Genal Park, Peter Harmon, and Dr. W. A. Custer who are charged with the murder of Til Brotherton, well known Greene County farmer, who was shot from ambush by unknown parties while seated at his supper table is also to be tried at this term. This will attract wide attention on account of the prominence of the parties concerned. The Court room was full throughout the morning session, as were the lobbies both upstairs and down, and the Court house square showing the interest felt in this term of court. The case of Buster Rice charged with the murder of Moody at Rheatown will be heard tomorrow. This is the second hearing in this case, the former verdict having been set aside. The Tipton case and the Park case will be set for trial later in the week.

Bob and Alma Tipton, charged with the brutal murder of little twelve year old Novella Winkle, who had been committed to their care, and whose horribly mutilated body was found in the cellar of their home a few weeks ago, were granted a change of venue by Judge Tyler Campbell in Circuit Court here today. The case was set for the first Wednesday in the Hawkins County term of court, and will be tried in Rogersville on November third. The judge ordered a panel of 200 talesmen summoned from which a jury would be selected. The prisoners will be taken to Rogersville on Tuesday, November 2nd and will be kept in jail there during their trial. Lovette and Berry, attorney for the defense, entered a plea for change of venue yesterday afternoon, arguing that the case had been given such wide publicity through the local newspaper, that it would be difficult to get a jury of unprejudiced men and a fair trial for the defendants. The argument was made by Attorney General O. B. Lovette. The case will be heard by Judge Campbell. Attorney General W. T. Coleman will be assisted in the prosecution by the firm of Susong, Susong, and Parvin who have been employed by relatives of the dead child. Lovette and Berry will represent the Tiptons. The greatest interest is felt in this case throughout the county. At the preliminary hearing the Circuit Court room could not accommodate the throngs who pressed forward to hear the evidence. The case of Gerald Park, Peter Harmon, and Dr. W. A. Carter charged with the killing of Til Brotherton who was shot from ambush by unknown parties while at his supper table was tentatively set for today, but Judge Campbell decided this morning to postpone it until Monday morning. It is set for the first thing Monday morning. Lovette and Berry will assist in the prosecution. Susong, Susong, and Parvin will represent the defendants. Buster Rice charged with the murder of Cecil Moody at Rheatown was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter which carries with it a penitentiary sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days. This was the second hearing for this case, the defendant having been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter before, which verdict was set aside and a new trial granted. Attorneys for the defendant entered motion for a new trial. The ninety-four cases on this docket are being rapidly disposed of, the judge showing a strong disposition to clear the docket.

Bob and Alma Tipton, charged with first degree murder in connection with the slaying of little Louvella Winkle at the home of the Tiptons near Greeneville several months ago, will go on trial at Rogersville Wednesday morning, they having been granted a change of venue several weeks ago by Judge H. T. Campbell upon motion of defense counsel. Tipton is now in jail at Greeneville in default of $5,000 bond which was granted him when a habeas corpus hearing was held a short time ago. No attempt was made to release his wife under bond. At the first hearing she pled insanity, and consequently she is also being held in jail. The killing, one of the most brutal ever to occur in Greene County, has aroused considerable interest. The little girl, who formerly lived in Bristol, where her mother died a few years ago, had gone to the home of the Tiptons to visit and when the set time for her return home had expired, the father went to the Tipton home and inquired for her, only to be told that she had gone home the previous day. He then procured a warrant of the search of Tipton’s home in hopes of finding his child. Officers conducted a search of the home and out-buildings, but were unable to find any trace of the child. A second search, however, proved fruitful, for they entered a second cellar beneath the house and, accompanied by Mrs. Tipton, who showed them the exact spot, found the body of the little girl, badly mutilated, buried beneath debris. Her head had been hacked open with an axe or hatchet and her body showed many wounds which would have caused death. She and her husband were immediately taken into custody and taken to Greeneville for preliminary hearing. Mrs. Tipton told of how the killing took place, claiming that the little girl was caught in a room and her skull chopped open with a sharp instrument. She pled insanity and, accompanied by her husband, was placed in jail. Considerable interest is aroused over the trial and a large crowd is expected to be present throughout the hearing.

Greeneville, Tenn., Nov. 1. — A visit to the cell of Bob Tipton Monday morning in the Greeneville jail on [illegible line] where he and his wife Alma Tipton, will go on trial on Wednesday, charged with the joint murder of twelve year old Novella Winkle, found Bob looking well and, feeling well, as he said except that he was tired of lying in jail. When asked as to what he had to say in reference to his case he said, “Well, I cannot say more than I have said before.” He protested that he was innocent of any crime against the child, and that he knew nothing of her death until Alma, his wife confessed it to him the night officers came to search his house for the child. When asked about his wife and if he still thought she was insane he said, “Well, I don’t know, but you may say in the newspaper of wherever you want to that if she is not insane she is the meanest woman God ever let live, for how could she ever do such a thing if she were not crazy or the meanest woman that ever lived.” He expressed the belief that he could get a fair trial in Hawkins county than in Greene for the reason there had been so many stories told and so much in the papers that there was prejudice against him here. The story that he had killed several people and burned them near his house was conjured up, he said, because of a private burial ground that a family by name of White had near his place, where a dozen or more graves could be seen. Again the story that he had killed a boy at his home was false. These and certain false stories about his marriage, etc., had created prejudice against him, he said. He deplored the way his property, household goods, a mare, and other effects had been destroyed and stolen after he and his wife were arrested and taken away from home. In reply to his plans after the trial, if acquitted he said he meant to go to the Soldiers Home at Johnson City. Bob took occasion to correct a statement in regard to his marriage [illegible/damaged line] given out that he was married at Louisville but in fact he was married at Carville, a place between Knoxville and Jellico, he said. He worked for twenty years for the Coal Creek Coal and Coke Company and the Carville Coal Company prior to his marriage. He got hurt while there and went to Soldiers Home at Johnson City. There he met Alma. After he went back to Carville she came to him and they were married there on license secured at Jacksboro. This was on August 13, 1917. “An unlucky day,” he said. Alma Would Not Talk Mrs. Tipton was confined in a cell by herself and was lying down when the cell was entered. She said she was not feeling well. This was about the only expression could be gotten from her. She has refrained from talking much since her incarceration some two and a half months ago. She confessed to killing Novella, first to her husband, so he says, on the night the officers came to [illegible/damaged line] later to the officers, telling them they would find her body in a potato hole under the floor. That she had slashed her with a razor and thrown her into the cellar and then with an axe when she saw she was not yet dead. Since this she has had little to say. Her attorney, F. M. Berry, announced at the preliminary hearing that her defense would be insanity. Judge H. T. Campbell will preside at the Rogersville trial and attorney general W. T. Coleman will be assisted in prosecuting by Sam A. Susong and Fred H. Parvin, of Greeneville. Lovette and Berry, of Greeneville will represent the defendants. The case created a sensation here and interest in the outcome is still intense and will be watched intently. A change of venue from Greene to Hawkins county was granted recently by Judge Campbell.

Rogersville, Tenn., Nov. 3. — The trial of Bob Tipton, aged 55, and his wife, Alma Tipton, aged 42, for the murder of Novella Winkle, a twelve year old child, who was staying at their home, began this morning at the Hawkins County Court house. The greatest interest in the case was shown, the court room being crowded with spectators throughout the morning, and windows seemed eager to catch a glimpse of the now notorious couple who had been granted a change of venue from Greene County on the ground that the case had had too wide spread publicity there, and feeling was too intense for the prisoners to get a fair and impartial trial. Judge H. A. Campbell, of Bristol, Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, is hearing the case. Attorney General W. T. Coleman, of Morristown, is being assisted in his prosecution of the case by Mr. Sam A. Susong and Mr. Fred H. Parvin, of the firm of Susong, Susong and Parvin, of Greeneville, while the defendants are being represented by the firm of Lovette and Berry, of Greeneville. Both General Lovette and Mr. Berry giving their personal attention to the case. Selection of the jury required two hours, two challenges being made by defense counsel and one by the state. Little John Tunnell, who was shining with the importance of his function, drew the names of the jury from a hat. The panel was drawn from all sections of the county and included the names of a large number of citizens. Names of jurors accepted is as follows: C. G. Ward, St. Clare. G. S. Armstrong, Stony Point. Will Parker, Persia. R. L. Hicks, St. Clare. P. H. Fronk, Rogersville. A. J. Gipert, Church Hill. Bob Christian, Rogersville. J. A. Baker, Rogersville. C. H. Barrett, Church Hill. L. H. Hellman, Mooresburg. E. M. Benton, Stony Point. J. H. Chisum, Rogersville. Besides witnesses, attorneys and those officially connected with the case, there are a large number of people from Greene County in Rogersville this morning. Greene County’s drama in transference to Hawkins and Hawkins has come to witness it. A huge crowd is milling around the court house, the circuit court room was jammed with curious men and women. Set in the center of the picturesque old town, the Hawkins County Court House is a quaint building, miles from ante bellum times. An outside circular stairway leads to the second story where the circuit court room is located. A dangling bell-rope is connected with a bell in the tower, its clanging tones call to court. That severely colonial front, its red brick walls, the many windows shuttered by inside sliding blinds, has witnessed scenes of tragic history. On the flagged square in front of the court house, was Rogersville’s famous slave market. Here the auctioneer intoned bids for human flesh. Here flowed the tears of mothers and fathers separated from their children, there stood the wooden block on which the trembling captives were perched. Horrible remembrance of a terrible practice. Gone is the slave-block, auctioneer and traffickers in human misery. Not far and wide as run it over of admirable servants, the aristocracy of Hawkins county accepted the results of the trial at arms with characteristic loyalty, bore their losses without complaint. The Hawkins County bar has been noted throughout its history for attorneys who achieved pre-eminence in their profession. For giving to the service of the State, jurists of distinction whose high attainments and strict sense of justice has made their names examples of high standards of patriotism and manhood. These excellent standards are maintained to this day. Hawkins County is due to make history once more if present promise of her bar is any gauge of the future. In the packed courtroom, demeanor of the accused was subject of intense interest. The crowd watched the figures, now so familiar to Greene County with breathless quiet. Not a sound could be heard as Little John drew the names of jurors. Strict order was maintained until recess was ordered at eleven. With slow and formal beat, the search of a thousand feet could then be heard. Recess was taken so early that an examination of Alma Tipton could be made by a neurologist. Bob Tipton, throughout the morning session, was markedly alert. Watched the proceedings, frequently conferred with defendant attorney. On the contrary, Alma Tipton sat in apparent stupor, picking at the old blue sailor suit she wore in the preliminary trial. Her bobbed hair matted and unkempt. Photo caption: Bob and Alma Tipton, on trial in Rogersville this week charged with the murder of 11-year-old Novella Winkle in Greene County. Photo caption: Isolated Tipton home, where Novella Winkle met her fate.

Further circumstances surrounding the discovery of the violent death of 12-year old Novella Winkle in Greene County, Tenn., last June were related by State witnesses at Rogersville today in the murder trial of Bob and Alma Tipton. Coroner J. A. Blevins again took the stand today and told of the finding of the body of the girl in a potato hole under the Tipton house and of the statements of Bob and Alma Tipton at the time. Members of the coroner’s jury and Deputy Sheriff Read also testified that Alma Tipton had admitted to the killing of the girl, saying that she had always wanted to kill somebody. One witness also told of an alleged attempt of Mrs. Tipton’s to kill Carrie Belle Owens, another girl who lived in the same neighborhood with the Tiptons. There were about a dozen witnesses heard during the morning session of the forty or more summoned, not all of whom are expected to testify. It was expected that the State would complete its presentation of testimony early this afternoon, after which the prosecution had about fifteen witnesses to be heard. It was expected that the case would go to the jury some time tomorrow. Tom Winkle, the aged grandfather of the slain girl, was heard yesterday, as was Dr. Lane, who performed the autopsy and the deputy sheriff who found the body of the girl. It took several trips to the Tipton house before Mrs. Tipton confessed to the killing and told where the body, hacked to pieces, had been hidden. A huge crowd is in attendance at the trial, which was moved from Greeneville recently on account of the intense feeling there and the insistence of the defense that the accused would not obtain a fair trial.

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 3. — (Spl.) — Evidence taking in the trial of Bob and Alma Tipton, accused in connection with the murder of 13-year-old Novella Winkle, whose slashed body was found under the home of the Tiptons in the Middle Creek section of Greene county, on August 16, was began in circuit court here this afternoon, Judge H. T. Campbell presiding. The state this afternoon introduced the grandfather of the girl, a physician who examined the body of the girl, and two officers, to one of whom Mrs. Tipton had admitted killing the girl, saying she feared the girl was going to come between her and her husband. Court was adjourned late this afternoon until tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock. An insanity plea for the woman is indicated by the line of questions of the defense. The first witness when court was reconvened this afternoon was Thomas Winkle, grandfather of the slain girl, who said he lived in Greene county, about two and one-half miles from the Tipton home. Tipton came to witness and asked that Novella be allowed to live with his wife for company. The grandfather had charge of the girl because the stepmother and the girl did not get along together. Says Wife “Kindest Woman” In asking for the girl, Tipton told the witness that Mrs. Tipton was one of the kindest women in the world. Witness saw Alma Tipton at an ice cream supper, and agreed that Lovella should live with the Tiptons, as requested. On the Sunday before the body was found on Monday, Winkle went to the Tipton home but did not see the girl, and asked where she was. Tipton said the girl had left Thursday and showed Winkle tracks, saying the girl had gone after apples. The tracks made by the barefoot girl were recognized by the grandfather from a peculiar formation of one foot. The tracks were followed to the orchard and on the return the tracks were six or seven feet apart, as if running, while the tracks made by a man’s shoe, later identified as a pair worn by Tipton, paralleled the tracks, also apparently running. Winkle told Tipton it looked to him like foul play, and Tipton said he hoped nothing would happen to get him into trouble. The two men went to the houses of two neighbors, but could find out nothing about the girl. The next time witness saw Tipton, the defendant was under arrest. Later the witness went to the Tipton home and saw the cellar and the body being taken out. Dr. G. F. Hayes, the next witness, examined the body, finding cuts on jaw, throat and neck, but not sufficient to cause death. The fatal wound was on the head, the skull being fractured. As the testimony as to the wounds was being given, the lips of Mrs. Tipton were observed to tremble, being the first sign of emotion she had shown since the trial was begun.

CASE EXPECTED TO GET IN JURY’S HANDS TODAY Tipton Sticks to Plea of Not Guilty Throughout, On Stand Nearly Four Hours, Big Crowds Swarm to Courtroom (Special to the Times) Rogersville, Tenn., Nov. 5. — With the completion of defense evidence in the trial of Robert and Alma Tipton, in connection with the murder last August of little Novella Winkle at Greeneville, counsels began argument here this afternoon, and it is probable that the case will go to the jury late today. The state rested yesterday afternoon, and the defense began introduction of testimony. A night session of court was held for further questioning of Tipton, who was questioned and cross-examined for nearly four hours. Interest in the case here continues at a high pitch and record crowds swarm the courtroom daily. It is difficult to determine when a verdict will be returned if the case gets in the hands of the jury tonight. Attempt to implicate Tipton in the murder yesterday failed to alter his story to which he clung throughout his stay on the stand. One witness testified as to seeing Tipton running after the little Winkle girl. On the stand yesterday afternoon Tipton denied emphatically any connection with the killing, which he laid entirely on his wife. He also gave testimony as to the mental condition of his wife, while a nurse testified that Alma Tipton had been in a Virginia asylum. Tipton was cross-examined vigorously by Attorney General Coleman, but stuck to his story in the main, his evidence apparently making a favorable impression on the jury. Leona Crum, 19 years old, whose home is in North Carolina, with her sister, her parents being dead, was the witness who by her evidence sought to implicate Tipton in the actual killing of his little ward. The girl testified this afternoon, that on August 11, Wednesday, the day the little girl is believed to have been killed, that she came to Greeneville on the train, arriving about 4:45 o’clock. She was driven to Flanigan’s store, and from there set out to walk across the mountain to her home some 15 miles beyond the home of the Tiptons, which was on her way. Saw Girl Running The witness said she saw the little girl run out of the kitchen towards the tobacco patch crying, “Oh, Lordy, uns has cut me.” A man was pursuing her, the witness said, but in the growing darkness could not identify the man. She heard the man shout, “Yes, and I will cut you for good when I get you to the house.” She said the voice sounded like the voice of Tipton. Witness then ran and did not know of the outcome until she heard the little girl was dead. On cross examination the witness admitted she had been in jail three times, once in Erwin. She and Mrs. Cooke, a witness, were friends she said. Cashier Stokelyes of the Glade Springs bank, testified that he had known Mrs. Tipton for 38 years, and that the parents of the woman were double first cousins. The state objected successfully to any testimony as to the mental condition of Alma Tipton. Sam Callahan, treasurer of Glade Springs and justice of the peace, had known Alma Tipton and her sister for a long time and said the sister was a low mentality. Mrs. F. D. Wilkerson, nurse at the home for epileptic and feeble-minded at Lynchburg, Va., said Alma Tipton was in that institution at one time. John W. Gray said he saw a spot on Tipton’s trousers after the body was found which looked like blood or iron rust. State Rests Case At this point the state rested. When the name of Robert L. Tipton, one of the defendants, was call—ed as the first witness for the defense, there was a stir in the crowded courtroom. Tipton, questioned by Gen Lovette, of counsel for the defense, said that he was 55 years old, and had been a soldier in the Philippine and Spanish American wars, and had lived in Greene county for eight years, having been a miner before that. He met his present wife, his second, at the Soldiers Home at Johnson City, but did not know until recently that she had been in an asylum. They were married at Careyville. At an ice cream supper it had been arranged that Novella Winkle was to live with them awhile, and that she was to provide clothing, which the girl sorely needed. The father stayed all night at the Tipton home Tuesday and seemed pleased with the way his daughter was being treated. Before the father left, he saw his girl and Mrs. Tipton running in sport to the apple tree to gather apples. At one point in the testimony the witness broke down and cried, his previous testimony having been interrupted at times by sobs. Wife Makes Admission When he regained composure sufficiently, the witness said his wife told him: “I killed her. I always wanted to kill somebody and thought she had come between me and you.” Witness then decided to go to Greeneville for the sheriff and met returning officers not far from the house. He told Deputy Bitner that the child was dead, but he did not know where the body was. When the party returned to the house, his wife said the body was in the cellar. Gen Lovette: “Bob, did you have anything to do with killing this little child?” “Lord, no,” replied Tipton. “I had no reason on earth to do so. I liked the child.” Tipton said his wife had falling spells, and that at such times her body became rigid. Once she had hit him with a stick of wood, and once had run away when angry with him. He said his wife had tried to kill two persons before, but did not call any names. An adjournment was taken at this point for supper, and a night session was held, Tipton being cross-examined by Attorney General Coleman. His evidence was practically unshaken. It is said that a number of witnesses have been summoned by the defense, including an eminent alienist. Chip Dirt In Trousers When court was reopened at 8 o’clock this morning Enoch Reese, of Greene county, resumed the stand. At the coroner’s inquest, he said, he had examined trousers found in the Tipton home, and chip dirt was in the cuffs. He heard Mrs. Tipton say she had killed Novella Winkle with a white handled razor, and testified that such a razor had been found in the kitchen. Deputy Sheriff Tom Bitner, of Greene county, testified that on the night of Aug. 15, he had gone to the Tipton house to investigate the alleged killing, and early in the morning met Bob Tipton on the road carrying a lantern, Tipton saying he was on his way to Greeneville to have his wife cared for as she was crazy. At the home he told his wife he was arrested, and asked her to tell the truth. Mrs. Tipton, Bitner testified, had said she “had always wanted to kill somebody,” and that she had cut the throat of Novella Winkle, at which Tipton cried: “I am ruined, I am ruined.” The witnesses aided in searching the house, the body of the child being found in a small cellar, the trap door being held by new nails. Chip dirt, tar roofing scraps and ashes had been found first, the ashes being next to the head and face. The chip dirt corresponded with the dirt at the woodpile of the home, the witness stated. Bitner said that Mrs. Tipton confessed killing the child with a double-bladed axe, adding that she had scoured the floor after the killing. Farmer Sees Tracks Clyde Moncier, a farmer, living near the Tipton home, saw tracks in the yard, which looked as if they might have been made by shoes like those worn by Tipton, he said. Mazie Moncier, 15 years old, on the morning the girl is supposed to have been slain, was washing clothes about 200 yards from the Tipton home and heard hammering and heard Bob Tipton call to his wife. She admitted ill-feeling against the Tiptons because they prosecuted her father. Mark Moncier, 13 years old, told of hearing the nailing and a sound of the drawing of nails when with his sister at the spring. Mary Bell Cooke, said her husband was dead, and that she lived up the hollow, a quarter of a mile from the Tipton home. On Wednesday night before the girl’s body was found on Monday, said she heard a child screaming, “Oh, Lord, oh Lord,” and a man’s voice, “Wait there, d-you.” The words apparently came from the Tipton tobacco patch. She identified the man’s voice as the voice of Tipton. She admitted on cross-examination having difficulty with Mrs. Tipton. Cicero Owens, 13 years old, heard some one cry, “Oh Lord,” on the night of the killing. He lived more than one-quarter of a mile away. Mrs. Seaton saw the child on the porch on Tuesday and met Tipton on Thursday and spoke, but got no reply. Later she went to the Tipton home and asked about the little girl, and Mrs. Tipton said the girl had gone home. Recess was taken for dinner at this point.

Rogersville, Nov. 5. — (Special) — With instructions that the insanity plea of Alma Tipton may be disregarded by the jury, the fate of Bob Tipton and his wife Alma Tipton charged with murder in connection with the death of 11-year-old Novella Winkle was placed in the hands of the jury tonight at 8:05 o’clock. The jury was immediately locked up for the night, with instructions to report their findings on Saturday morning at eight o’clock. Deny Insanity Although the defense introduced testimony to the effect that Alma Tipton was insane, the prosecution is considered to have effectively offset this with the claim that had not been shown that she was insane at the time the crime charged to her is alleged to have been committed. According to the charge of Judge Campbell, the plea of insanity, to be effective, should be based upon that time and not the present; and the jury is left to decide as to her insanity at that time. If they consider the evidence insufficient to show insanity when the act was committed, their verdict will be rendered as to her guilt or innocence on the charge of murder. The evidence given in the last day of the trial is strong to the effect that both the defendants were connected with the crime and there is indication that both will be found guilty by the jury. Crowded Courtroom The special night session again brought a crowded courtroom and several special officers were on duty in and around the courthouse to prevent congestion in the halls of the building. Immense interest has been shown in the case since the finding of the remains of Novella Winkle on August 16 last, buried in an old potato pit in the cellar of the Tipton home a short distance from Greeneville. The case was being tried here due to a change of venue granted at a preliminary hearing in Greeneville. Evidence was concluded at eleven o’clock this morning and argument was started immediately after court opened in the afternoon. Dr. J. E. Miller, Rogersville physician, testifying as an expert on mental diseases stated that he had made two thorough examinations of Mrs. Tipton and was of the opinion that she is an epileptic and of unsound mind. The morning session was mostly consumed with the testimony of witnesses as to the character of Tipton and his wife. By agreement between the defense and state attorneys each side was given two hours and a half for argument. The order of speaking was as follows: Fred H. Parvin of Greeneville for the state; Frank M. Berry for the defense; Sam O. Susong for the defense and concluding with Gen. W. T. Coleman, of Morristown, for the state. Sentiment is somewhat divided in regard to Bob Tipton, some have expressed the opinion that he is guilty of murder in first degree while others think his wife Alma committed the crime and that he had no connection with it. Leona Crum, 19, stated she passed the Tipton home late in the afternoon on the day before Novella Winkle is said to have been murdered and that she saw a little girl being pursued by a man. On further examination the witness stated it was the Winkle girl she saw and that she was running from the kitchen towards a tobacco patch crying “Oh Lordy you have cut me.” She also testified she heard a man shout, “Yes and I will cut you good when I get you to the house.” Due to the darkness she could not identify the man but said the voice sounded like that of Tipton. Miss Crum had run but did not know the outcome. Mrs. F. D. Wilkerson, nurse at the home for epileptic and feeble minded at Lynchburg, Va., stated that Alma Tipton was once in that institution. John W. Gray, of Greene county also testified that he saw a spot in Tipton’s trousers which looked like blood or iron rust. Bob Tipton stated that on Thurs— (See Page Seven) day, the day the killing was supposed to have occurred, he came home about one o’clock in the afternoon and that his wife was scouring and that she told him dinner would be a little late. Tipton also testified that his wife confessed to him that she killed Novella Winkle and quoted her as saying: “I killed her. I always wanted to kill somebody and I though that she was coming between you and me.” At this point in the testimony Tipton broke down and began to weep. After resuming his composure he was further examined by General Lovette. “Boy did you have anything to do with killing that little child,” the attorney asked. “Lordy no,” Tipton replied. “I had no reason on earth to do so. I liked the child.”

Rogersville, Tenn., Nov. 6. — After being locked up all of last night, the jury serving in the trial of Bob Tipton and his wife, Alma, in connection with the murder at Greeneville of little Novella Winkle, returned this morning at 8:30 o’clock with a verdict of guilty, and the judge sentenced both accused persons to 23 years in the penitentiary. The case was given to the jury Friday night shortly after 8 o’clock. It is understood that an appeal may be made in behalf of Tipton who has maintained throughout the trial that he had nothing to do with the brutal murder of the little girl who was living with the Tiptons at the time of her death. A plea of not guilty was entered by the defense counsel in behalf of Tipton, while insanity was the basis of Mrs. Tipton’s defense. She never took the stand, but her husband was on the stand for several hours. Held in Rogersville The man and wife are held in the Rogersville jail, and it is not definitely known when they will be removed either to Greeneville or Nashville. Considerable time was spent Friday morning and afternoon in the presentation of evidence and later argument of the case. Before court was adjourned Friday night, Dr. J. E. Miller, of Rogersville, qualifying as an expert in mental diseases, gave an opinion that Alma Tipton was an epileptic and of unsound mind. Evidence Friday morning sought to prove the good character of the defendants. Evidence taken in the case was then closed, and it was agreed that each side should have two and one-half hours for argument. Following a recess for dinner, Frank H. Parvin, of Greeneville, opened for the state, closing at 1:22 o’clock. He insisted that Tipton and his wife both slashed the little girl, and urged a verdict of guilty for both defendants. Lack of Motive Urged Frank M. Berry, of Greeneville, followed for the defense. He said that guilt must be shown beyond a reasonable doubt, and that Bob Tipton’s story was supported. Lack of motive was urged for killing the child, and the criticism of the testimony of Dr. Miller by the state was scored. The mental condition of Alma Tipton was declared to be that of a person without accountability for a crime. Sam A. Susong, following for the state, said the burden was on Mrs. Tipton had a guilty knowledge of the question was as to whether or not she was sane at the time of the murder. He insisted that Bob Tipton had a guilty knowledge of the crime, saying that no one person could have made all the preparations for hiding the body. The tracks showed pursuit by a man, and that man, Bob Tipton, the speaker declared. He also questioned the love of a man for his wife, who would permit her to be convicted of a capital crime in order to save himself. Says Only Enemies Accusers General Lovette, for the defense, said there was no middle ground between first degree murder and acquittal in the present case. He said that Alma Tipton had slain the girl in a fit of insane frenzy, and praised the bearing of Tipton as a witness. Only a person of sound mind could be convicted of murder, he told the jury, and insisted that only enemies had given — (Continued on page seven) testimony against Bob Tipton, twitting the state council for not referring to the testimony of a discredited woman witness. Just before his final plea for acquittal of Bob Tipton, the attorney drew a picture of the death cell in Nashville, containing Bob Tipton and his wife, with Attorney Susong as master of ceremonies, and some of the state’s witnesses as characters in the drama, ending with the execution of an innocent man and a crazy woman. The address of General Lovette was concluded at 5 o’clock, and court was adjourned for supper, the hearing being resumed at 6:30 o’clock, when Attorney General Coleman closed for the state. General Coleman reviewed the evidence in the case, and characterized the two defendants as red handed murders, and insisted that Bob Tipton had a great motive, that of self-preservation for his story of the slaying; and that the defendant had hidden behind his wife’s skirts. Even the green flies of the chipyard cried out that a crime had been committed, the speaker declared. Extreme Penalty Sought General Coleman closed with an appeal for the extreme penalty, and for the protection of the little girls of Hawkins and Greene from a like demonial fate. Judge Campbell charged the jury as to the different grades of murder and homicide, making plain the points to be considered in arriving at a verdict. At 8:20 o’clock Friday the case was given to the jury. Judge Campbell has been much praised for his fair and impartial conduct of the case, winning admiration from attorneys on both sides and spectators alike. Throughout the trial Mrs. Tipton has maintained an almost unbroken stolidity and impassiveness, picking at her clothing frequently. She did not take the witness stand, her attorney relying on the evidence of a nurse that the woman had been in an institution for epileptics and feeble minded in Virginia, and on the testimony of Dr. Miller, that the woman was insane.

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 6. — A verdict of murder in the first degree, with mitigating circumstances in the case of Bob Tipton and his wife, Alma Tipton, charged with the killing of 13-year-old Novella Winkle, was brought in by the jury Saturday morning at 8 o’clock, the penalty being fixed at 23 years in the state prison for each of the defendants. When the verdict was pronounced, Bob Tipton raised his head and seemed to feel relieved. Alma Tipton heard the verdict with the same impassivity she had shown through the trial. A motive for a new trial was entered by counsel for the defense, the motion to be argued before Judge Campbell Tuesday. The case was taken up here Wednesday morning, the first day being occupied in the selection of a jury. The crime was committed at the home of the Tiptons on Middle Creek, in Greene County near the North Carolina line, and was transferred to Rogersville when attorneys for the defendants asserted that a fair trial could not be obtained in Greene County because of high public feeling. The murdered girl had been permitted by her grandfather to go for a stay with the Tiptons, and she had been there about two weeks when she was killed by Mrs. Tipton, who declared when arrested that she was moved by a lust for killing and by jealousy, fearing that the girl would come between her and her husband. Defense Has Two Objectives Before the trial and on the witness stand Tipton denied knowing anything of the killing until the morning of his arrest, when his wife admitted to him she had killed the girl. Efforts of attorneys for the defense were directed towards a verdict of acquittal for Tipton and an insanity finding of the part of Alma Tipton. The jury declined to take this view, and held the husband and wife equally guilty, fixing the same punishment for each defendant. On the stand Tipton laid the entire blame on his wife, who did not testify. The chief witness against Tipton was Leona Crumley, 19 years old, who testified that she was passing the Tipton place about dark on the evening of August 11, and that she saw Novella Winkle following from the house towards the tobacco patch, with a man in pursuit and in the gathering darkness she could not identify Tipton as pursuer, but did attempt to identify his voice when the man, after the girl had cried, “Oh, Lord, yu-uns has cut me,” shouted “yes and we’ll cut you for good when we get you to the house.” The witness said she ran when she heard this and made her way to her home in North Carolina, 15 miles away. On cross-examination, the witness admitted that she had been in jail three times, and did not deny having a bad character, admitting that her mother had sworn out warrants for 49 men charged with having been intimate with the witness. She said she had been beaten severely with a rock by Tipton and that her mother had shot a hole in Tipton’s hat on account of the beating. Other witnesses testified to having seen tracks made by the girl, who had a peculiar foot, with tracks of a man’s shoe in flight paralleling the child’s barefoot tracks. Tipton testified that his wife wore his old shoes frequently after rains or in the morning when dew was heavy. A boy and a girl testify to having heard the sound of pulling and driving nails at the Tipton home on the morning of August 12, and a man’s voice at times. Carrie Bell Cooke said she was in the front yard at the home of her mother, a quarter or half a mile from the Tipton home, on the evening of August 11, and heard child screams, “Oh, Lordy, oh Lordy,” followed by a man’s voice saying, “Stop, d— you.” The voices came from the direction of the tobacco patch of Tipton’s. It was brought out in the testimony of Leona Crumley, that Leona had spent considerable time at the home of the mother of Carrie Bell Cooke. Parents Double Cousins. Proof showed also that Alma Tipton’s parents were double cousins and that her mother had been in an insane asylum, and that Alma herself had been in a home for the feeble-minded at Lynchburg, Va. During the trial her face remained impassive nearly all the time and she seemed to take little interest in the proceedings.

Rogersville, Tenn., Nov. 15. — Bob and Alma Tipton will have to remain in the Hawkins county jail until some time next fall when the supreme court meets. This was the result of the argument before Judge H. T. Campbell for a new trial and a plea of present insanity for the woman which consumed many hours last week. With the change of venue the Tiptons became Hawkins county prisoners, and will be confined here pending the hearing of their case by the higher court. An effort will be made by defense attorneys to have the woman incarcerated in an insane asylum during this time. Supreme court will not hear the case until some time during the latter part of 1927.

Alma Tipton will be sent today to Lyons View, the state insane asylum in Knoxville, by order of the Supreme Court. General O. B. Lovette, attorney for the Tiptons, has been working on the case since the couple were found guilty of murder in Circuit Court at Rogersville over a month ago. The Supreme Court received a copy of the order for the woman’s removal from L. D. Smith, attorney general, week was sent up by Judge Campbell. This according to Lovette stated that the woman was said to be insane, and that affidavits had been presented by doctors who said that her condition was daily inspected to that effect, she was moved to the asylum or her case would be under the care of experts on mental diseases, and her case, mental state could be diagnosed in a manner before the Supreme Court can act upon it. General Lovette stated this morning that he did not know whether the court would send a United States Marshal for the woman, or whether she would be taken to Knoxville by the sheriff of Hawkins County, but that she would probably be taken this afternoon, and certainly not later than tomorrow. General Lovette is making an effort to get a hearing from the Supreme Court for the case against Bob Tipton early in January. According to the regular schedule, this case will not be heard until next September. It is thought that the January hearing may be granted. It will be remembered that twelve-year-old Novella Winkle was killed while living at the Tipton home in August, and her mutilated body was found in their cellar. The woman confessed to the murder, and Tipton was placed in custody with the murder charge against her. They were brought to court at Rogersville on account of the strong feeling against them in Greene County, and they were tried before Judge H. T. Campbell in Hawkins County on the third of November. Found guilty and sentenced to a twenty-three year term in the penitentiary, Alma’s attorney feel their client is sane mentally now, but is not mentally sane now. The appeal of the case against the two Tiptons has been taken to the Supreme Court. The couple have been confined in the Hawkins County jail since that time.