Chilton County, Alabama Crime Stories

Chilton County Jail Is Unsanitary.

Not Fit To Hold Woman

Removal May Take Place Friday or Saturday.

The Woman is Charged With the Murder of Her Aged Mother, Near Montevalle, March 4.

Mrs. Hattie Pope, the Chilton County woman whose alleged murder of her mother, Mrs. King, and whose sensational trials have aroused the interest of the entire State, will be brought to the Montgomery County jail, to be held until the time of her final trial in May.

Mrs. Pope will be brought to Montgomery, probably today or tomorrow. The change in her custody is effected by an order of Dr. C. F. Bush, State prison inspector, who declares the Chilton County jail an unsanitary and unfit for the hatitation of a woman.

There are no arrangements in the jail at Clanton for the detention of the female prisoners, and Mrs. Pope has been held since her arrest at the house of Sheriff Catts, near the prison. The confinement is not rigid, nor the surveillance strict, and that she may be safely held, the Montgomery county jail is recommended by the prison inspector.

Mrs. Pope was arrested on March 4 for the murder of her mother, Mrs. King, an aged woman, more than 70 years old, was found in her room, with throat cut from ear to ear, and with her skull crushed in several places. A grave, newly dug, was found near the Pope residence, with footprints leading to and from it.

Because the prints corresponded with those made by the shoes of Mrs. Pope and because the clothes of the daughter were bloody, she was arrested, and held. A chain of circumstantial evidence was forged, which pointed strongly to her guilt.

At first suspicion rested altogether on Mrs. Pope, and violence was feared. Later, however, suspicion fell elsewhere, upon her husband and a Birmingham man. But this later suspicion was thrown aside, and Mrs. Pope was bound over, without bail, to await trial in the Chilton County court on May 10, for the murder of her mother.

Mrs. Pope will be the only white woman held in the Montgomery County jail, as there are none obtained at present.

[Source: Montgomery Advertiser - March 25, 1909 - Transcribed by C. Anthony]

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