“Sis” is the nickname of the Bates girl but some sources
give the name as "May," others "Martha."
***
FULL
TEXT: Salisbury, N. C., November 23. – In Rowan Superior Court yesterday the
grand jury returned a true bill for murder against May Bates, colored, of this
city, who is charged with pushing another young colored girl into a creek and
drowning her about ten days ago. The Bates girl is only about twelve years old,
but will be tried for her life, the charge being murder. She is perhaps one of
the youngest criminals ever tried in the State for a capital offense.
[“Youthful
Murderess.” The Times Dispatch (Va.), Nov. 24, 1904, p. 5]
***
FULL TEXT: Last Thursday evening the dead body of Blanche
Christian, a blind negro girl about 12 years old, was found in a creek near
Salisbury. The body was nude when found. The blind child was last seen in
company with “Sis” Bates, another colored girl, and after that “Sis” Bates was
seen with some of the dead girl’s clothes in her possession. The Bates girl has
been arrested. It is believed she killed her blind companion.
[Untitled, The Weekly News (Lenoir, N. C.), Nov. 18, 1904,
p. 12]
***
FULL TEXT: Martha Bates has been lodged in Rowan county jail,
N. C., charged with the murder of Blanche Christian, a blind girl, whose body
was found in Town creek, near the Salisbury waterworks. The dead girl’s were
found hidden in the Bates home. It is said that jealousy caused Martha to
commit the murder. The women had been boon companions for years. Martha Bates
seemed to be more of a sister than a friend, and their companionship had only
ceased lately when Martha’s lover had manifested a deep admiration for the
blind girl. Martha had accused her of stealing her lover from her. A few
mornings ago the blind girl was missing. Martha could not be found. She had
been a short time before search for the missing blind was instituted. Later in
the day Blanche Christian’s body was found.
Martha evaded the officers for two days before she was captured. She
will be tried for her life at the next term of the Criminal Court.
[“A Blind Girl Murdered.” Alexandria Gazette (Va.), Nov. 22,
1904, p. 1]
More cases: Youthful Borgias: Girls Who Commit Murder
***
[595-1/30/20]
***
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