10/02/2026
Welcome to the first in our October weekly series of strange and curious tales from the archives of Downtown Vidalia…👻
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It was cold and crisp in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 17, 1939. A light rain drizzled causing the street to glimmer with reflections from the filling station lights, creating an ominous glow.
Station attendant, Wes P. Harp, 21, was taking a work shift for a friend when he was surprised by individuals with only murder and robbery on their minds. Sadly, Harp was later found inside of the station, with an axe lying next to his nearly headless body. A horrific, bloody crime scene had unfolded. Missing from the scene were $25 in currency and several gambling devices.
According to regional news outlets in December 1939, two men, both almost 31, were initially arrested in connection with the axe slaying and held on a “blanket charge” in the Lyons jail. Fingerprints of the men were taken and forwarded to Patrol Headquarters in Atlanta for processing, along with photographs of the prints made at the scene of the murder. The arrests were made in the northern section of the county by Sheriff Gray, assisted by State Patrolmen. More arrests were expected as investigating officers later discovered several bloodstained bills in circulation.
In January 1940, Harp’s brother obtained warrants for the arrest of four men and three women in connection with the slaying. The suspects ranged in age from 16 to 23 and were from Vidalia, Mount Vernon, Ailey, and McGregor.
Finally, in March 1940, a report was made that Payton Slate was “tried and convicted of the axe slaying of [Wes P. Harp] by a Toombs County Superior Court jury, which recommended mercy.” During the trial, Thelma Cone testified she accompanied Slate to the station and was forced to keep the automobile motor running while they entered. Cone also testified that they were accompanied by another individual during the crime but there is no further mention of him or whether she and the third individual were convicted.
A filling station still stands at the intersection of Highway 280 and Jackson Street in Downtown Vidalia and is currently occupied by Ohoopee River Brewing Company. Stop in and raise a pint to poor Wes P. Harp. May he rest in peace.
OF NOTE:
1. The names of the victim, the accused, and the convicted have all been changed.
2. The photograph is an actual photo from the archives (date unknown) with a bit of spooky editing to the tone and brightness.
3. “The Station”, is owned by Ghost Investors, LLC. True story.
