Father's Name: Geo. W. Batten

Father's Birthplace: Ga.

Mother's Name: Sarah Oberry

Mother's Birthplace: Ga.

Lakeland, Sept. 4. James L. Batten, 40, well known farmer living be tween Auburndale and Lakeland, was shot from ambush and apparently instantly killed while returning to his home this morning. Oscar Creel, living in the same neighborhood, was held in jail tonight as one of the accomplices in Batten's death.

The farmer left his home early this morning for Lakeland to market some beef. He was accompanied by Oscar Driggers. Driggers left him on his arrival here and Batten started
home alone. His body was found dangling from the wagon in which he rode by Mrs. S. B. Thomas, on whose farm he lives.

The mule hitched to the wagon had apparently brought the lifeless body a distance of two miles. When found by Mrs. Thomas the mule had drawn up to the front gate of the
Batten home, and was standing patiently. Official investigation, however, revealed the probable place of ambush to be two miles distant. At this spot the underbrush had been cut away and officials believed the murder had been planned several days ago. Two exploded shot gun shells of the same calibre of gunshot found in Batten's body
were found.

Driggers told the police, that he and Batten had talked of men being shot from ambush as they passed the spot from which Batten was later killed.

Creel was arrested following a coroner's jury investigation into Batten's death. He had made threats against the man, according to the officials, because Batten had acted as informer against moonshiners in the neighbor hood. Other arrests will be made to night or tomorrow, authorities said.

Batten has three children living at St. Petersburg, and is also survived by his father and five children and five brothers. The father lives at Brooksville.

The Bradford County Telegraph

Starke, Florida

Friday September 8, 1922 Page 4