06 April 2013

Did Girl Admit Killing Peavy to Shield Two Guilty Friends? (C. C. Peavy Killing, Pt 2)

Yesterday I posted a transcription of a newspaper article about the lurid killing of Charles C. Peavy in 1911 Bibb County, Georgia. (You can read the particulars here.) Though an inquest was conducted, and it was determined no charges would be filed, the story did not end there...

The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
1 August 1911
DID GIRL ADMIT KILLING PEAVY TO SHIELD TWO GUILTY FRIENDS

Macon, Ga., July 31 -- (Special) -- Following an investigation of sensational rumors, the police department today began an investigation into the death of Charles C. Peavy, who was killed here Saturday, and for whose death a young woman named Eva Goodwin admitted the responsibility, claiming that she stabbed him after he had severely beaten her.

The police are working on the theory that the woman did not kill Peavy at all, but that he met his death in a fight in the girl's room with two other men, and that the story as to the girl's part was concocted long before the officers were apprised of the occurrence.

Peavy's friends have furnished the police with certain evidence that involve two men, and it is upon these clues that the investigation is being made.

Eva Goodwin is now in Atlanta, but it is likely that an officer will be sent for her.
The ultimate resolution would come several days later...

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
5 August 1911, Pg. 12
NO PROSECUTIONS WILL FOLLOW PEAVY'S DEATH

Brother Here From Cordele Says He Is Satisfied Girl Told Truth.


That no prosecution will follow the killing of Charles C. Peavy, who died at the Macon Hospital several days ago, following a fight with Eva Goodwin, in arow [sic] at 454 Plum street, is assured by Buford C. Peavy, brother of Charles Peavy, who came to Macon yesterday with the express purpose of obtaining the real facts regarding the death of his brother.

Policemen Kirby and Griffin and others who were present at the home of Georgia Raymond shortly after Peavy was stabbed, were consulted by the brother of the deceased and it is said Mr. Peavy returned to his home at Cordele yesterday morning, thoroughly convinced that there was no other parties concerned in the fight except the woman, Eva Goodwin, and C. C. Peavy himself.

Rumors to the effect that two men, who were said to have been in the house, were implicated, led Buford Peavy to come to this city to make a thorough investigation of the affair, with the result that Peavy's relatives are going to take no action whatever, the brother being perfectly satisfied that the circumstances as first brought out were correct.

The statement made to Mr. Peavy yesterday by Policemen Kirby and Griffin was the same as that given by the officers at the coroner's inquest the morning that Charles Peavy died. This was to the effect that Eva Goodwin rushed from the house and informed them that she had cut Charles Peavy because he beat and abused her.

Eva Goodwin is still in the city, not having gone to Atlanta, as reported.
...but was it the right one?

Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
6 August 1911
Peavy Case Hushed

Macon, Ga., August 5 -- (Special) -- No prosecutions will follow the death of Charles Peavy, who was killed in a disreputable house last week. The brother of the deceased, Buford C. Peavy, of Cordele, Ga., came to Macon today and investigated his brother's death. He afterwards stated that while there were suspicious circumstances and some things he could not understand, he was satisfied that Eva Goodwin, the 19-year-old girl, wielded the knife which killed Peavy. The officers accepted his theory and the investigation has been dropped.

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