My scant knowledge of criminal investigation techniques came from watching Columbo. The bumbling detective would often pose a question as he was about to walk away from a suspect. That recurring scene came to mind as I pondered over Buddy Bellflower’s last day. Unanswered questions abound.
Online searches I made regarding Lewis Oscar Bellflower, Jr.’s death were not productive. Shortly after the first column was published, however, a longtime friend informed me of two articles from August 10, 1962. Eddie Hightower found them at Newspapers.com.
Details in The Macon Telegraph and The Macon News are almost identical and have Hawkinsville datelines. They were both designated as specials, so presumably were not written by staff. One headline reads “Jury Sees Unknown Attacker in Case.” The other says “Jury Is Unable To Find How Boy, 17, Died.” Here are some key points.
The body was found on State Route 26, about four miles west of Hawkinsville. That’s in Pulaski County, not Houston as I previously noted. A Pulaski County coroner’s jury issued a statement that “Oscar ‘Buddy’ Bellflower came to his death by wounds inflicted upon his body by a person or persons unknown and in a manner unknown by this jury.”
Coroner Pat Nelson presided. Testimony was heard from a number of witnesses. Georgia State Patrol Trooper George Brown told the jury he believed the youth had been put on the highway prior to being struck by a car driven by C. B. Brown.
Sheriff Andy Hill testified his first theory about the death was that the body had been placed on the highway before it was run over by Brown’s car, but he had not been able to substantiate his theory with evidence.
Not mentioned in either article is that Mrs. Louise Williford of Unadilla also ran over Buddy. I learned that several years ago from one of her daughters, Virginia Williford Bailey.
I’ve always been intrigued by the circumstances of Buddy’s death, and have occasionally discussed it with Unadilla friends. When I asked Virginia if she remembered my childhood hero, she surprised me by sharing her mother’s unfortunate connection.
Mrs. Williford came along just after Mr. Brown. The state trooper who arrived later offered her a bit of consolation. He assured her Buddy’s death occurred well before she got there.
Virginia doesn’t remember if her mother testified at the inquest or not, but says the traumatic experience continued to bother her. Whenever they were driving on that stretch of highway, she would point out the spot where it happened.
Dr. W. R. Baker reported a ruptured liver which indicated a “rather terrible force.” He said the injury could have been caused by a pipe, a blackjack or, under certain circumstances, by a car bumper.
Buddy was reportedly seen at the Hawkinsville dance at midnight, Saturday, July 7th. A person answering his description was said to have later been walking in the direction where he was found on the highway. His body was discovered Sunday morning about three a.m.
David Clark, ambulance attendant, testified the youth was wearing no shoes and his socks were clean. New shoes were found nearby.
I don’t plan to inquire if records from the investigation are still available. If anyone is interested in doing some hobby sleuthing, however, there are things I’m curious about.
Stories told just after it happened said there was a fight at the dance over a girl, and that some guys ganged up on Buddy. If that’s true, it should have been easy to identify those involved, as well as others who witnessed the scuffle or knew about it.
It seems odd the newspaper articles don’t mention the dance or a fight, or whether any suspects were questioned. And there’s no reference regarding testimony given by anyone who attended the party. Maybe the details are in the minutes of the jury and there were good reasons not to publicize them. Or maybe the reasons weren’t so good.
Buddy Bellflower was only 17 when he was killed. He was perhaps the youngest person at a party for adults. A kid who blows smoke rings tends to grow up fast. Buddy would have turned 80 this October, so there may not be anyone left who knows the truth. But if someone remembers that night and is willing to talk, Columbo’s bumbling understudy has a lot of questions.