Re: 1895: GA.-Miss Nora Estes, d/o J. T. Estes, Elopes With Wm. Green
-
In reply to:
Re: 1895: GA.-Miss Nora Estes, d/o J. T. Estes, Elopes With Wm. Green
Mamie Foerster 9/05/11
Add'l info:
WILL GREEN CAPTURED.
The Man Who Killed Mr. Estes While Eloping With His Daughter.
Will Green, the man who killed Mr. Estes, in Morgan county, on the 12th day of last May, was captured at the union depot in Macon last Friday night. The arrest was made by Detective Patterson, and Mr. Shivers of Morgan county.
In Green’s statement at the police station he said he left Baldwin county Thursday night in a buggy in company with his father and Mr. John Scroggins. He said that he had been in Georgia ever since the killing, spending most of the time in Baldwin county.
Green was making for the home of his father, in Texas, where he said he intended to remain until the excitement subsided and he could arrange bond.
The total reward known to be offered for his capture is $450. Two hundred and fifty dollars of this amount is offered by Morgan county and $200. by the state.
It was on Sunday, May 12, that Green, who had been forbidden the house of Mr. Estes, induced Miss Cora Estes, the seventeen year old daughter of Mr. J.T. Estes, to elope with him. He had procured a marriage license on the Saturday previous. The couple went in a buggy to the home of Rev. Mr. Harwell, eight miles distant. Mr. Estes shortly afterward discovered the elopement, and, in company with his son, Sam, went in pursuit. They overtook Green and Miss Estes just as they drove up to Mr. Harwell’s house.Mr. Estes leaped from his buggy and walked toward the buggy in which was seated Green and Miss Estes. When within a few feet of the buggy Green drew a revolver and said, “Don’t come here or I will kill you.”
“I am unarmed,” replied Mr. Estes, “don’t shoot,” at the same time laying his hand on his daughter’s arm. At that moment Green fired and Mr. Estes fell dead in the road with a bullet in his heart. Green then turned and fired at Sam Estes who got behind a tree. The couple then drove to Reese, where they were married by Col. James Mann, who knew nothing of the tragedy.
Source: Union Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, August 6, 1895; Pg. 6
W.O. GREEN ACQUITTED.
Result of his Trial for the Murder of Estes.
W.O. Green was acquitted at Madison on the 9th of the murder of “Red” Tom Estes, a wealthy farmer.
Green eloped with a young daughter of Estes last May. Estes and a son pursued them and overtook them at the house of the preacher, where they intended to get married. The father commanded his daughter to get out and go home with him. Green shot him and he died in a few minutes. Green and the girl, Cora Estes, drove a mile further and were married. Green escaped and was not caught until a few weeks ago.
Green stated that the elder Estes fired on him first. The son declared that his father did not shoot at all, and did not have a pistol. Estes left an estate worth $55,000.
Colonel Bob Whitfield, of Baldwin, made the speech of his life in defense of Green, and at intervals brought smiles and tears to the faces of the audience and jurors. He plead for the life of his young client, paying a beautiful tribute to his wife and to womankind.
Source: Union Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, September 17, 1895; Pg 1