Free The Woods at Barlow Bend by Jodie Cain Smith Page B

deserved such a distinguished name; sitting there, and realize that no son of his could possibly be a murderous letch. I wanted to force my way into his row so that Daddy would see us seated together in solidarity for him, but I decided to sit tight and concentrate on protecting the $46.25 that would buy Daddy’s freedom.
    Finally , after listening to the attorneys’ arguments over charges, preliminary motions, and bail amounts of other accused criminals, Daddy’s case was introduced. The sight of him with shackles on both his wrists and ankles nearly brought tears to my eyes, but I forced myself to smile at him, and gave a small wave so that he knew I was on his side. I marveled at the fact that even in shackles, he was the most handsome man in the room.
    When Daddy was seated behind the left table next to Paul Jones, his appointed attorney and another frequent diner at the café, the bailiff began, “Next up, Hubbard Andrews, alias Herbert Andrews, alias Hubbard Anders, alias Herbert Anders, unlawfully and with malice aforethought killed Addie Andrews, alias Addie Anders, by shooting her with a gun. The charge is murder in the first degree as held over by the Grand Jury on September 15, 1934.”
    “Mr. Andrews,” Judge Bedsole began, “how do you plead?”
    “Not guilty, Your Honor.” Daddy’s voice sounded sure and strong.
    “Your Honor, we request this charge be dismissed based on the circumstantial nature of the evidence in this case,” said Mr. Jones on Daddy’s behalf. “Mr. Andrews is an upstanding member of this community, the successful proprietor of the Andrews Hotel and Café, and a loving father of four children. He grieves the great tragedy of his dear wife’s death every day.”
    “I know all about Mr. Andrews, Paul,” said Judge Bedsole.
    “Your Honor, considering the gruesome and egregious nature of this crime, this charge must stand,” Mr. Poole said from behind the prosecution’s table.
    “I agree, Frank. What do you propose in the matter of bail?”
    “Well, Your Honor, the state requests bail be refused and that Mr. Andrews is remanded to Kilby while awaiting trial.”
    When I heard the prosecutor’s request, I immediately started to panic. Why would they refuse to dismiss the charges? Could they refuse Daddy bail? Kilby State Prison was all the way in Montgomery. That had to be at least a hundred miles away. I would never see him!
    Mr. Jones jumped in, “ Your Honor, if the charge of murder must stand, then we ask that Mr. Andrews be released on his own recognizance. His four children, left motherless by this tragic accident, need their father. Please do not make these babies orphans.”
    “No need for the dramatic, Paul,” said Judge Bedsole.
    “And, Your Honor, I have in my possession, a letter of bond from several upstanding citizens of Crenshaw County, including the Crenshaw County Sheriff and General Jackson Andrews. If I may, Your Honor?”
    “Go ahead, Paul,” instructed the judge.
    “The letter states, ‘I, Sam W. Ewing, Sheriff of Crenshaw County, Alabama, hereby certify that the within is a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $5000’…”
    The crowd gasped at such a large sum of money. So much chatter erupted that Judge Bedsole rapped his gavel, “Settle down, everyone. Paul, continue.”
    Mr. Jones, continued reading the letter, “That the within is a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $5000 and if the same were presented to me in my county, I would approve the same.’ And then it is signed at the bottom in his own hand as well as General Andrews and several others.” Mr. Jones handed the letter to Judge Bedsole for examination.
    “Your Honor,” said Mr. Poole from the prosecution’s desk, “this ain’t Crenshaw County. And here in Clarke County, we all know that Mr. Andrews has the means to pay whatever bail we set, and now, thanks to that letter, we know that he has friends all over the state ready to help him in any way he wants. I fear that