The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-11-03
Drunkenness, Somnambulism, OF
Foul PIav.

: ~ either oHc or the other OF these causes
is to be attributed the fall of Simpson Berry
from the trestle at Newberry, on Thursday
night last. Simpson Berry was one of the
prisoners most important witnesses in the
case otthe State against DR.. Gunter, indicted
for the murder of Jesse Scurry. He testified
to the fact that Scurry threw two pistols in
to to, his buggy, before starting to Cross Roads
Church, in Newberry, on the day of the oc-
currence Of one of the difficulties between
the deceased and the prisoner, and his testi
mony, doubtlessly, went far 10 strengthen
the jury in the conviction that Scurry was
contemplating an attack Oh Gunter. He
had also been in the employ of Jesse Scurrv
as an ovelseer, during the last wear of his
life, which relation was dissolved bv the
death OF Scurry, and Simpson had engaged
MS services for the coming year to another
gentleman. SO much in relation to the
character and occupation of Simpson Berry.
On the night of the cventful Thursday.
simpsons room-mates report that he was
perfectly sober when he retired to bed, at
about o'clock at night, and strange to
say, he was found under the trestle in n
mangled condition at an early hour on the
next morning, having fallen distance of
about thirty feet. Now the question that
puzzles us show did Simpson Berry get to
the trestle that night, and who or what is
to blame for his fall? Four or five persons
lodged in the same room with him. but thcv
can give no account of the time or manner
OF otSlmpson's exit from that room. Can anv
body do it d.? We must come to one of three
conclusions in the premises, and first, that
Simpson was either drunk and slipped out
OF the room late at night, and as he spaced
along upon the giddy footing" of the trestlc,
stumbled and fell into the vortex below. or
secondly, that he was seized with a fit of
s:omnambullsm, and was led by his cyH spir-
~, or some othe. spirit, to this DANGEROUS
precIPlce, or thirdly, that some ono who was
not pleased with Simpsons testimony in the
G"nter case, having either gagged, or, by
some "foul POTION deprived him of reason
bore him "oi ct arneis" to tho trestla. and
pitched him from that lofty eminence,
thus reeking their vengeance on him. This
last supposition, we learned, whilst in New
berry, is agreeable to the account which Mr..
Berry himself gives of his fall. He states
we learn from good authority, that he was
torcibly seized and thrown from the trestle
that he recognized the man who did the
deed, and if he should recover, 3iIl disclose
his name, but thinking that his chances cor
recovery are doubtful at present, he persists
in refusing to do So. Strange idea!-that
Newberry is hard old District! 1t may
be that the Newberrian or Ncwberry Senti-
mel can throw some light upon the transac-
tion.-We shall see.
MIR. Berry's physician. reports him to be
IN asEery precarious condition. One of his
arms was broken by the fall, and one of his
legs 80 badly injured as to make it necessary
to amputate it, besides injuries upon other
parts Of his body. We hope if It be true
that Simpson was thrown from the trestle,
thatethc sccundrcl who did it, mar be de-
tected-tried for his life-and that they
dict Of the Jury may not read stNor Gut
TY."-iSouthe,7, Rights Advocate. - - = =. 4