The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-10-27

lness. Now when the company sent me mr.
along this road to collect tolls, this Dodde,
was one of the inhabitants found there in
the woods, and will say for him that he is
a very fair specimen OF the rest of the pop
ulation. But there isn't any of them tll;,,
seem to appreciate all the bencfi,s of this
Plank Road.
1t let out to civilization class of people
who never before realized the idea that there
was such thing as civilized itc and this
Dodder is one Of them. 1t is a fact that
soon after l moved there, young woman
II years old, cum down out of the mount
ans on the Plank Road, one day, and said
she had never been out before. She fairly
seellcd surprised to sec white man, and
after asking Il few questions went back into
the woods. This Doudcr WAS my nciylbor.
and good deal nearer than | wanted him.
and hand't been there long before
heard he had been lying about me to one of
the Directors, and soon found out that he
wanted 10 get his son, who was sworn here.
against me, Ill my place. But he lrant, O e
II yet, and if you don't convict me, reckon
he won't very soon.
1t won't take long tc Dispose of Doddcr
No. 2. He teStitics that he SAW me throw
three stones at his father, and SAW the old
man dod gr." On his cross examination he
says he WAS in his own house in the woods.
ami had to look over Il hill twenty feet high,
and also over three slab fences and two stone
walls. Well, if he tells tic truth, all | wish
Is That had youn" Doddcr's eyes. lie is
certainly aren,arkablc boy and can't consist
emily deny his "fallrr."
| am ,y,iin,r II, n,l,,,;t +1,.,t T
to throw STONES at Doddcr, and apologisc
t. all the world and this county particularly
for it. The Doctors tell us that there are
two CAUSES for all diseases, prcdSposi,ion and
excitabi!ity; | think it was the latter c:,,se
that r"vc, me to stone Doddcr. Therefore
confess myself guilty Of the assault, but the
battery | ,:cny, and ii You t,ld me gully OF
the battery | will appeal from The decision
to the Court OF High Heaven itself lctolc
will submit to it.
Now, gentlemen, You saw Mr.. Dodler and
heard HIM swear against me. asked him
great many questions, and | WAS sorry To
hear llm answer as he did. | might have
asked Inn if he di.in', kill my cat, and if he
| didn't stone my chickens, because they tres
passed i'll his woods, where actually the rocks
are so thick that the brakes can't find their
way though them; but then knew he
would deny it, and it would gricvc me to
hear him. He admits that he WAS driving
my three COWS up the road, and that he
struck at one OF 'cm, but says it was with
small switch. have proved that this switch
was pole about ten feet long and about
three inches across the butt end, and have
also proved that when he struck, the COW
fell. 1t is true my witness couldn't swear
that the stick hit her, he was SO far off, but
take the blow and. the fall together, and we
can guess the rest.seIf you, gentlemen, should
see lie point a.gun at a man and pull the
trigger, see the,hasb and hear the port, and
at the same time see the man drop, think
you would say that 7 shot linn, although
you might not see the ball strike him.
Now, the fact is, gentlemen, that on Sun
day, was lying on my lounge in my house,
when my wife said to me that Doddcr was
chasing my COWS. l jumped up and pulled
on my boots and went out of doors, and saw
Dodder and the COWS coming up the road.
1t is true he says he was not driving them.
but says he and the cows was both going
along the road in one direction, and this
was as near rs could get him to the COWS
or the truth; but it is proved that the cows
were going ahead Of dim, and he was fol-
lowing 1fter them, striking at them, with his
little ten feet long and three inches
across 5utt, and l reckon you'll think lie
fng" theM::.1 sung out to him,
stop !''Bdf he didn't obey my or
! 6IdsI Just threw stone in that direc-
Lion, which went about ten feet over his
ddteal, at the: same time going toward him,
Ebile lie was coming toward me. He paid
attention, and Esung out again, Dodler,
5stop!" still he didn't mind me, and then
4 juse threw another stone; but on hescanc,
and on / went, and tIlEew the third stone,
which he says hit himxin the back of his
neck, but which Ithink is rather strange, as
we werxgoihg toward each other as fast as
we could 20. But he never slackened up
and by this. time we were within about eigl
& feet ofseach Other. halted and hollered a,
tIetop of my voice, Dodder, why in - -
don't yofis Estop!" about then he did stop
aud raisetf this ten foot switch, as If to strike
sang otlt---4 Mr.. Boader, look out
Il 6u may Wollup my cows, but IL You vol
Iupsme with, that switch, you'll wollup III
animal that'l hook " Here the. orato
!. made an appropriate; gesture fsthe head, a
in the act of hooking, which was $fUllowet
with tumultuoiis SHOUTS and daughter, tha
continued seyeral minates;
et Now, gentlemen, 30 yoh convict me, thi
3G6urt can fine ns $3.50 0fabd jug me for si
s. month"; and if you really think l oughtit
q be, convicted Sef this sult, say.so, for Fan