Hubert Maxwell Kills George Garren Outside Ebenezer Baptist Church, March 28, 1922

George Garren of Fruitland Killed. . . Young Man Fatally Stabbed Saturday Night. . . Hubert Maxwell of Ridge Section Is in Jail Without Bail, Charged With the Killing

George W. Garren of Fruitland was fatally stabbed Saturday night about 7:30 o’clock in the churchyard of Ebenezer Baptist church, and Hubert Maxwell, of the Ridge section, is held without bail in jail here, charged with the murder.

Maxwell was arrested about 30 minutes after the killing. William Wall, a cousin of Garren, rushed with the wounded man to the city, hoping to secure quick medical aid, but Garren died before the automobile reached town. Wall was held in jail here Saturday night but released Sunday under bond, to be a witness.

The fatal cutting was done with a small knife, with a blade about 2 ½ inches. Following an inquest by Dr. B.F. Cliff here Sunday morning, a coroner’s jury returned the verdict “that Garren came to his death by wounds inflicted by a knife in the hands of Maxwell.”

The tragedy occurred, it is stated, while a community singing was in progress in the church. Maxwell is said to have been in the churchyard when Garren drove up in an automobile, the trouble starting as he alighted. Melvin Hill stated that Maxwell cursed Garren two or three minutes previous to the killing. He and Wall are important witnesses, though neither actually witnessed the killing, it is asserted, due to the darkness. They testified that Maxwell and Garren were seen to run around the automobile, and that when they arrived on the scene, they found Garren lying on the ground.

Maxwell is said to have had an ill-feeling toward Garren because the latter was welcomed at the home of Miss Milda Guice, to whom Garren it is reported, was engaged, while Maxwell’s attentions to the young lady’s sister are said to have been discouraged.

Garren, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Garren of Fruitland, was 28 years of age. He was engaged in farming with his father, and, it is stated, was a man of good character, being well thought of in his community.

Maxwell is about the same age, it is stated. He also was a farmer in the Ridge section, where he lived with his mother.

From the front page of The Hendersonville News, March 28, 1922