The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-10-18
IwpoRTANr MURDER TRIAL.

fence-Ftndh9g OF We JuTy-oehftc"ceV " "e Oo"'''
One of the most important trials witnessed in
gu Court for many years took place last week.
and for the benefit of those of our readers who were
unable to be present, as well as to place on record
the proceedings in the trial of freedman for the
first time upon m indictment for felony, we append
full report of this interesting case.
It will be recoilected that on the 18th day OF last
January, Mr.. SAMUEL ALBERT GEEn was most
foullv and brutally murdered within three miles OF
this village, and in few hundred yards OF his
fathers house. At the time no clue could be as
certained as to the perpetrators of this horrible
deed. nor the motives which actuated them in TAX
;np the life of an innocent, quiet and peaceful
Young man. Enveloped in mystery, and with
scarcely single circumstance to detect the guilty
parties, so for as the public became aware, the
community was perplexed and dissatisfied in the
extreme. But few weeks later, the progress of
events indicated that the murderers were yet at
hand, and upon information deemed reliable sew
eral negroes were arrested and brought before the
Provost Court, then having cognizance OF all such
matters. Among the freedmen arrested was Henry
Chcatham, formerly the slave of Mr.. DANIEL BROWN
and as the investigation before the Provost Court
proceeded, one Daniel Johnson, formerly belonging
to Mr.. JOHN WARNocK, was also arrested. All
others were discharged, as the proof satisfied the
officers that these two, Henry and Dan, were alone
the guilty ones. The testimony was conclusive
and incontrovertble, both from circumstanuai EVIL
dence and from their voluntary admissonsto to other
freedmen Arriving at this point in tho investiga-
ton, they were aboutto be remanded for safe Keep
ing, when Henry made full confession Of his guilt
while vet in the Court room, in the presence OF nu
merous witnesses, and duplicating Dan, his accom-
plice and fellow-prisoner, to the fullest extent VI
course both of them were at once placed IN jail,
and q few days afterwards transported to Colum-
bia for trial by military commission. They re-
mained in that city, in charge of the Federal au-
thorities, only few weeks, succeeded in making
their escape, and until month or six weeks ago,
had not been heard from. In the latter part Of
August or early in September, gentleman from
this District was travelling on the South Carolina
Railroad and as he passed Fort Motto, going in
the direction of Charleston felt confident that ne
recognized Henry at work upon the railroad. Re-
turning in few days, this gentleman stood upon
the platform as the train neared the aforesaid sta
tion. and he was enabled to confirm his suspicious
reporting the same to Gov. OnR upon his arrival
in Colnmbia that afternoon. An officer OF the po-
lice. accompanied by Doc, formerly the well-known
slave of the Governor, Immediately repaired to
| Fort Motte where Henry was identified and brought
back to Columbia. Under the recent order OF the
military, remitting to civil authority all such cases.
the prisoner was brought to Anderson for trial.
This is brief and succinct history of the matter
nm 70 its introduction in the Court Of General Ses-
sions.
On Wednesday last, in the forenoon, the pris-
oner, Henry Cheatham, was arraigned tor trial IN
proper form. The indictment was most forclbiy
and impressiyely given in charge in open Court
to which the prisoner responded "Not Guilty. =
The Jury empannelled in this case was remarkable
for its intelligence and character, and the prison
er's counsel could not have chosen set of men
more discreet just and liberal in their views anu
sentiments. The prosecuting officer, Solicitor j.
p. REED, afforded every facility within his power
10 create fair and impartial trial, while the able
and energetic counsel for the prisoner, General
SAMUEL MCGOWAN, assisted by Gen. ALEX. c. HAS
KEEL and Maj JOHN B. MOORE, left no opportuni-
ty unseized to benefit their client The Court and
its officers seemed studiously intentupon awarding
to the prisoner the fullest and arest opportunities
to yindicate himself and remove the brand Of muir
derer, if possible.
EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Mrs NANCY GENTRY was the first witness sworn
on behalf of the State, and testified as follows:
| Am sister of deceased, S. A. GEER, who was
killed on the 18th Of January last about three miles
from Anderson, and in one-fourth mile of fathers
Heard q gun about fifteen minutes before sunset,
and mother told witness what she thought had hap
pened. Got o torch about dusk, and went 800 or
400 yards found him lying in an old field, on the
side of the road, not dead, but insensible; horse
near by. Mother and witness sent for father, and
carried deceased home, where he died on Monday
morning, at daylight.
DIR. T. A Ev1Ns Was called to see deceased on
night of the murder saw him twice on Sunday
he was entirely insensible; wounds incised, skull
punctured in four five places, and ono or two ex-
tensive fractures, besides perforations. Witness
rave an opinion at the time that it was done with
the hammer of pistol. The wounds we're neces-
sarily mortal.
SOLOMON M. GEEn, brother of deceased: Went
to fathers OF o'clock, night of the murder, and
found deceased insensble. Made search next
morning; saw tracks, and that evening found
piece Of pistol cock, broken of, about l6 feet from
where deceased was lying when discovered Saw
signs near by where ball had been discharged in
the ground. Gave pistol cock to Mr.. j. B. McGee
Cross-erana;ned.--N gunshot wound on person OF
deceased Some appearance of q scufae about so
yards from where the broken hammer was found
JOSEPH B. MCGEE: Solomon Geer or N. K. Sui