“The Wayne County Times”
Waynesboro, Tennessee
June 14, 1917 – Page 1

On Thursday, May 31st, Nathan Harbin and John J. May, both of Lauderdale County, Alabama were arraigned before E. D. McGlamery and W. W. Rippey, justices of the peace, at Collinwood, on the charge of assault with intent to commit murder.

It will be remembered that some time ago Wesley Willis, also a citizen of North Alabama, was shot from ambush. He accused Nathan Harbin of the crime and also implicated Mr. May in some way. The weapon used as a shotgun, but as the shot used were small, Mr. Willis was only slight injured and has since fully recovered from his wounds. It was at first believed that the shooting took place in Alabama, and these defendants were first arraigned there, but before the trial of the case the line between the two State s were located and it was found that the trouble happened north of the State line. The two defendants readily submitted to the change of venue and came over into this county and gave themselves up to the officers. Both of the defendants deny their guilt, and claim that they know nothing of the affair. It is understood that considerable malice and ill-will exists in the settlement where all the parties reside, and has existed since the killing of Jerry Keeton by Joe Harbin some two years ago.

At the trial in Collinwood counsel for the State asked for a continuance on the ground that several of their material witnesses were not present. The continuance was allowed and the case set for hearing at Collinwood Thursday, June 7th.

The attorneys representing the State are Haggard & Haggard of Waynesboro and A. A. Williams of Florence, Ala. and Boyd & Boyd of Waynesboro represent the defendants.