The Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, W. Va.
Tuesday Morning, November 19, 1912

SIDNA ALLEN TAKES STAND IN OWN BEHALF

Broke Down and Wept When Asked if He Had Intended to Desert Wife And Children.

Wytheville, Va., Nov. 18. --Sidna Allen, on trial here for the murder of Judge Thornton L. Massie, at Hillsville, took the witness stand in his own behalf today. The defendant outlined his movements from the time of the tragedy until he was captured in Des Moines. He spoke clearly and distinctly until he was asked if it was his intention to leave his wife and children. Then the rugged mountaineer broke down and wept, declaring that such was not his intention, but stated that they were after him with bloodhounds and with orders to shoot on sight and that he felt compelled to leave.

The prisoner denied that he fired at Judge Massie, stating that he was standing talking to John Moore, a stone mason, about some work, when the firing began. He said he did not fire until he saw Clerk Dexter Goad shooting at him, and then he emptied his revolver at Clerk Goad, reloaded it and kept up the shooting after he left the building.

C. C. Westmoreland, chairman of the board of supervisors of Carroll county testified that a few days after the tragedy, he had a conversation with Clerk Goad and that the latter had said that he thought the shooting was the greatest thing that could have happened because it had rid Carroll county of the Allens.