Bob Mayo and Luke Adams

Bob Mayo and Luke Adams, two Negroes living in the eastern part of the county, went over in Newton county to a still last week and after laying in a supply of spiritus ferment, they started for home, they had not gone far however, before the part they drank washed away their friendship and manifested itself in threats, dares and double dares.  So as naturally, therefore, as water runs down hill the negroes got into a drunken row, in the course of which Bob was cut in the neck.   He was not able to come home and died in Newton county next day.

Luke Adams the Negro who did the killing escaped.   The real fact in the case are not definitely known.

Butts has to things to congratulate herself on.   One is that the Negroes had to go to another county for their liquor, and the other is that the homicide was very properly committed in the county where the liquor was purchased.

Jackson Argus - Week of December 31, 1896
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Sometimes ago we gave the details of a drunken row between Luke Adams and Bob Mayo, two negroes, which resulted in the death of the latter.   Both the Negroes lived near Stark in this county, but the fuss and the homicide occurred in Newton.   Luke had a preliminary trial some time ago and was placed under a $200 bond.   On his final trial before Newton Superior court last week he was sentenced to twelve years in the penitentiary.   Luke killed his sister in this county when a boy, but the shooting was thought to be accidental.  He was tried here recently for retailing liquor on church grounds near Base post office, but was found "not guilty" from a lack of evidence in his case.   So after a rather checkered career it remained for Newton county court to put "the fixing" on him and it did so in fine style.

Jackson Argus - Week of March 25, 1897

Submitted by Don Bankston