Suspect Held for Murder of Durham Couple, Aug. 24, 1924

Suspect Is Held for Murders of Former Citizens. . . Walker Arrested in New Mexico for Death of J.W. Blackwell Jr.. . . Couple Murdered in 1921, No Reports of Police Activity Until Saturday. . . Well Known Here. . . Mr. Blackwell Was Son of J.W. Blackwell, His Wife Formerly Miss Mona Whitehouse, Both of Durham

By the Associated Press

Gallup, N.M., Aug. 23—Claude Olin Walker Jr. was placed under arrest at Farmington, N.M., yesterday, on a charge of murdering Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Blackwell Jr. November 25, 1921. Blackwell is said to be the son of J.W. Blackwell Sr. of Durham, N.C.

On the night of the slaying the Blackwells Jr. attended a motion picture show. Investigation the next morning when r. and Mrs. Blackwell failed to show up where they were employed, revealed their bodies on the front porch of their home. Both had been shot. Robbery is believed to have been the motive. Two hundred dollars which Mrs. Blackwell was known to have had was missing. Mrs. Blackwell also wore valuable diamonds, which were unmolested, the authorities believing that the murderer was frightened away by a passing automobile before he had an opportunity to strip the diamonds from the body.

J.W. Blackwell Jr. was understood to be a member of a prominent manufacturing firm.

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James W. Blackwell Jr. was born in Durham, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Blackwell Sr., in 1890, and for 20 years resided here. He received his education in the Durham city schools, graduating from the high school the year the old Morris street high school building was first used. In 1910 he left for New York, where he resided for four years. While there he was married to Miss Mona Whitehouse, formerly of this city. Later they went to Gallup, N.M., where they lived for seven years and until their untimely death.

News of the death of Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell was received here on the day their bodies were found lying upon the front porch of their home. His body was found in a kneeling position with his head lying upon his hands. In his hands he held the keys to his home.

Complete mystery surrounded their death, according to messages received here of the tragedy. Reports were given to the police by people in that section of the presence of a man and woman in the vicinity of the Blackwell home around 10 o’clock on the night of November 25, 1921,and of the hearing of two shots. A shell from an automatic revolver was found on the porch of the home, and a bullet was found in the yard. Until the information was received here Saturday of the arrest of the suspected murderer nothing had been heard of the activities of the police in trying to locate the guilty party and bring him to justice.

The late Mr. Blackwell was survived by his father and one sister, Miss Amy Blackwell, both of Durham. The late W.T. Blackwell, of “Bull Durham” tobacco fame, was an uncle of the deceased.

From the front page of the Sunday Durham Herald, Aug. 24, 1924

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020730/1924-08-24/ed-1/seq-1/#words=AUGUST+24%2C+1924