Subject: [KYF] NEWS: H.C. Winnes Indicted on Murder, 1921, Harlan Co. Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 8:00 PM Submitted by Mary Lou Hudson Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, KY Jan. 20, 1921 Winnes Trial Starts Today Veterinary, Indicted Last Week, Places On Trial This Morning In Harlan - State Wide Interest In Case. Harlan, Jan. 20 - Dr. H.C. Winnes formerly a state veterinarian, was placed on trial in circuit court here today for the murder of Miss Lura Parsons, Pine Mountain school teacher whose body was found a short distance from the mountain trail leading from Dillon to the Pine Mountain Settlement School, on September 9, two days after she was assaulted and murdered. An indictment charging Dr. Winnes with the murder of the school teacher was returned to the Circuit Judge Davis less than a week ago by the Harlan county grand jury. It was announced at that time that the trial would be held immediately, as both the commonwealth and representatives of Dr. Winnes stated they were anxious that the case be tried as soon as possible. When the case was called by Judge Davis this morning both the defense and the commonwealth answered ready and the trial began. The trial of the case is expected to require fully ten days or two weeks. Arrangement had been made for the summoning of special venires, as quite a bit of difficulty is expected in obtaining a jury. Due to the widespread interest that has been taken throughout the state, it is thought that most of the people of Harlan county have either expressed or formed an opinion regarding the case. May Ask Continuance That there was a possibility that the defense may ask for a continuance became know late Wednesday when Judge B.C. Hall, one of the counsels for Dr. Winnes, stated he was uncertain as to whether a continuance would be asked. That the case might be tried this week was arranged by Judge Davis following the returning of the indictment. A civil docket which was to have been disposed of at this term of court was continued until next term of court that the case might be taken up immediately. A number of newspaper correspondents from all sections of the state and representatives of press associations have arrived here to write stories of the trial. The interest which has been shown in the murder trial since its occurrence on September 7 has been widespread, and persons from all over the state have on many occasions requested the county and state officials to use very effort to apprehend the murderer. The murder of Miss Parsons was one of the most brutal in the annals of Kentucky crime and caused probably a wider sensation in this state than any crime in years. Had Several Results. It resulted, besides the arrest of Dr. Winnes, in complete reorganization of the convict road camp system of the state and the discharge of a number of guards at the Kentucky State Reformatory and at the prison camps. Dr. Winnes' arrest and indictment on the charge of slaying Miss Parsons came after weeks of investigation and was based entirely on circumstantial evidence. A convict, Jerry Reed, who was incarcerated in the prison camp near which the young woman's body was found was held to the grand jury, although he was not released when the indictment was reported against Dr. Winnes. Miss Parsons was assaulted and slain September 7, 1920, while walking over a lonely mountain trail from Dillon to the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Her body was found on September 9, after a two day search, near a camp of convicts, who were working on a nearby state highway. It was at fist believed that convicts loosely guarded, had committed the crime and the investigation followed that line for some time. In Harlan On Business Dr. Winnes' connection with the case came about through his having ( ) the last person known to have ( ) the young lady alive. He was in the county on business. Note: The last few lines of this article is unreadable. ______________________________