CLAYPOOL, James, Jr. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Attica Ind - May 11 - James Claypool, Jr. from near Aylesworth was in the city yesterday. He said that Ed Smith, who killed his wife and then himself last Monday morning had been at his house a short time before the tragedy. Mr. Claypool said that he seemed morose and talked of buying an automobile. He said Smith said he would like to trade in a show and pigs on the auto and further said he wanted to sell everything he had, furniture and all. During the conversation he asked Mr. Claypool if he thought a man who committed murder or suicide would go to hell. Mr. Claypool replied that he didn't know; that he had never given that subject much thought and didn't expect to do so. Smith told Mr. Claypool of having been at a slaughter house in Chicago where he saw men standing in blood. He said he wouldn't like to work in a slaughter house. He also gave Mr. Claypool his version of the transaction between his brother and Ode Ratcliff. He said he didn't believe Ode committed suicide, but that he died from the shock produced by the officers pursuing him. He insisted on Mr. Claypool accompanying him that morning to his home to see the sow and pigs and said he would like to let him have everything he had. Mr. Claypool told him he would have no use for any of his property except the hogs, but that he would take the latter on the auto trade. Smith reverted the second time to Mr. Claypool's opinion of the destiny of a man who committed suicide or murder. Mr. Claypool said he again told him that he didn't care to talk about such subjects. Smith replied that he guessed it didn't make much difference, as he thought about 90 per cent of the people went to hell anyway. Mr. Claypool said Smith impressed him as being mentally unbalanced.