The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-29

COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS IND COMMON
PLEAs-RoN. F. J.. MOSES PREsIDMo.-The
case first taken up was the State us. George
Dufie (colored), charged with the murder OF
Andrew Grooms near Summerville, on the 1st
of January. Messrs. H. W. Schroeder, Robert
Chisolm and ]. F. Ficken appeared for the de-
ence.
DR.. Robert Ahern testified: That he was a
practicing physician, residing at Summerville.
On the I'd of January he was called to examine
the body Of Andrew Grooms, at the house oil
Moses Driggers, about two miles from the vii
laee, There were two wounds on the head,
which had shattered and depressed tho bone,
causing the brain to be penetrated. The
wounds we're evidently the cause Of his death,
and we're inflicted BY some sharp instrument
The prisoner gave the information Of the muir
der at the Office OF the Freedmen's Bureau,
and said that it was done in self-defence.
Moses Driggers' house is about twenty-five
wards from the road, and is surrounded with
pine saphngs not thick enough to prevent a
man from running, though on dark night
he did not think any one could see al arm g
length.
two and half miles the other side of Summer
vile; Grooms had lived there but had sold out
and moved to Mount Holly. On the first Of
January Moses Driggers and Grooms came
from Summerville in wagon, and came into
the house. Grooms said we are drunk again,
and caught witness, throwing her down.
Grooms then threw her husband on the floor
and choked him. Witness then hallooed for
George Duf6e; the prisoner, Dufhe, lived in an
adjoining house. When Dufie arrived Grooms
had choEed Moses Driggers until he was black
in ,he face. Duffie said, Grooms don't kill
Moses, but the former replied, with an oath,
I'll kill You both. Grooms then left Moses,
and drawing bis knife ran at Dufhe, but soon
returned and continued his assault with
threats that he would kill both. The fight
continued for some time on the road, the parties
having left the house. The witness was
blow struck, as she was three hundred yards
from the fight. Her husband called to her that
Grooms had been killed, and she came to the
house, got u tub Of water and bathed Grooms'
wound, and put some cobwebs on tho wound.
Grooms lived about two hours. Duf6e said I've
killed Grooms, but could not help il. Dufie
then went for doctor but could get none, and
went with witness and delivered himself to the
Colonel Of the Freedmen's Bureau.
Moses Driggers corroborated the testimony
of his wife.
George Dufie, the prisoner, was introduced
by the defence, and in many respects corrobo-
rated the testimony of Mrs. Driggers. he
said that when Gr0om6 le1t Drlgger5 ana ran
at witness, Grooms caught him and jerked him
about; witness was completely in lis power,
and could not get away. Witness told Grooms
to GO away and stop fighting Driggers.
Grooms then struck at witness twice with his
knife and witness struck him twice IL, the head
with black gum stick, about three feet long
and somewhat knotty. Witness did not think
he had killed Grooms, and only struck the
blows in sef-defence.
DR.. Ahern, on being re-examined by the
State, said that no stick of the description
given by the prisoner was found. 1ae jury OF
inquest found small Ratchet in the prisoners
house, which had new handle, but there was
no proof that it had been used for tile purpose
of killing Grooms.
The testimony being closed, the argument
was opened by Robert Chisolm, Esq, for the
defence This was Mr.. Chisolm's maiden
speech, and was clear and logical effort. Mr..
J. F. Ficken followed, Mr.. Schroeder closing
The Attorney-General replied for the State
and after charge from the Judge che jury re-
turned verdict of-Guilty of maaslaughter
with Recommendation to the clemency of the
Court.