December 21, 1944 "Prattville Progress"

HICKS HUNT KILLS WIFE ON FACTORY STREET MONDAY

Stark tragedy, in one of its most shocking forms, struck suddenly in the downtown section of Factory Street shortly after four o'clock Monday afternoon transforming a throng of happy holiday shoppers into a stunned and helpless group as they watched Hicks Hunt, 41-year-old war worker, fire six 38-caliber bullets into the body of his 30-year-old estranged wife, Tula Seamon Hunt, killing her instantly.

After six years of married life, Hunt and his wife had separated some several months back. Both were employed in the Prattville plant of the Continental Gin Company, Hunt on the day shift, and Mrs. Hunt on the night shift. Since their separation, both had continued to reside with relatives in the Stoney Point section.

Reports of events immediately preceding the fatal shooting indicate that Hunt was searching for his estranged wife Monday around town. Sheriff Allen Stewart reports that Hunt stopped the car in which Mrs. Hunt usually rode to work in Prattville near Pine Level and searched the vehicle for his wife. Later in his search he reached Prattville, parkiing his car near Eason's Store on Factory street. Seeing his wife enter Elmore's store, Hunt is reported to have entered the store. Seeing her estranged husband, Mrs. Hunt left the store by a side door and Hunt followed, catching her near the ___ cafe where a short struggle occured. Breaking free Mrs. Hunt ran screaming up Factory street pursued by her husband, who caught her again in front of the Red Arrow Hardware. No one seems to know when the pistol appeared in the hands of Hunt, but when he caught his wife the second time he is said to have turned her face toward him, fired a bullet into her temple and let her fall to the sidewalk. As the dazed spectators watched he turned around as if to leave, then turned and fired five additional bullets into her body, one entering in the throat, two in her chest and two in the side. He then fled up Factory street with City Policeman ___ Taylor who had reached the scene in pursuit. Sheriff Allen Stewart, who had received the alarm at his office in the courthouse, came out just in time to capture Hunt, who is said to have been reloading his pistol when Sheriff Stewart covered him with his gun and demanded surrender. Hunt made no attempt to resist arrest by Sheriff Stewart. He immediately told the Sheriff, "I killed a woman down the street."

"Who was the woman?" asked Sheriff Stewart.

"It was my wife," replied Hunt.

"Why did you kill her?" inquired the Sheriff.

"She ruined my life," was Hunt's reply.

Taking his prisoner into the courthouse, Sheriff Stewart instructed a deputy to call for an ambulance to pick up the woman as she might not be dead, but the prisoner interupted with, "Yes, she's dead."

Dr. G. E. Newton, called to the scene of the shooting to examine the body of the slain woman, voiced the opinion that she died instantly and that any one of the six bullets would have killed her.

A Speigner ambulance picked up the body, but it was later carried to the Griffin Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at Liberty Church Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock with Griffin in charge. Burial was in the church cemetery. John Albert Tatum, Henry Cook, Tab McCord, Arvin Oats, P. J. Bazzell, and Robert Oats acted as pall bearers.

Surviving Mrs. Hunt are four brothers, William, D. H., A. L., and N. G. Seamon, and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Holland, Prattville, and Mrs. Josie Rawlinson, Montgomery.

Twice in the past two years Hicks Hunt had been arrested. On one occasion, the charge was on peace proceedings. On the other occasion the offense was carrying a pistol.

Hunt's first wife, from whom he was separated some ten years ago, and three of their children, reside in the Pine Level community. Their oldest son is a member of the U. S. armed forces.

When seen in his cell in the Autauga county jail Tuesday afternoon by a Progress representative and given an opportunity to make a statement, Hunt replied, "There's nothing I can say."-- END