Wilmington journal., 1870-05-06

Quince Tor the killing of Sandy Sykes at
the place of Mr. w. F Potter, on Point Pc
tier Oh the 23rd of November last. was
placed on trial at the Superior Court yes
terday. Mr.. Solicitor Richardson appear
ing tor the State, and Col. Strange for the
prisoner. Some time was spent in the Sc
lection of Jury, but the case excited COM
paratively but little interest, the opinion
that it was murder ever having once
seized the public mind. The prisoner was
arraigned according to the usual form, the
presentment being read by Mr.. London
after which the testimony was opened by
the State
W. F. Potter sworn and stated that San
dy Sykes and Bacchus Ounce had been
employed by him on Point Peter. and
roomed together BY special request. On
the 23rd of November last and for some
purpose Istated witness had ridden up to the
house occupied by deceased and prisoner
jointly, and on entering gave his horse in
charge of Sandy Sykes. While there wit
ness heard tue voices OF Bacchus Quince
and Sandy Sykes in angry contention about
Sandy Sykes wife. He went out and found
both parties locked together and fight
ing each other. Witness endeavored to
part them, but being physically unable,
called upon Elijah Hawkins and George
Malloy, who were near at hand and soon
appeared and respectively took off Bac-
chus and Sandy. When separated. wi:-
ness noticed that Bscchus ounces lip
was bleeding, having been bitten by San
dy. After the separation was effected,
Sandy went upon the piazza and Bacchus
into the house, both still in angry
contention. Witness returned into the
house after giving orders that there should
be no more fighting, but the strife was
soon aga:n begun and he rushed forth
to find they had renewed the fight on the
piazza. During the scuffiing both parties
got into the house. Sandy entering first.
They then parted, apparently by mutual
agreement, and Sandy picked up a stick OF
wood from one corner Of the room and ad
vanced with it in hand towards Bacchus,
who picked up a similar sick of wood
about the same time, and while Sandy had
his stick in an attitude to strike. raised
over his head, Bacchus struck him with the
piece OF wood which he (Bacchus) ther held
in hand. The blow knocked Sandy down
and took effect upon the temple. Both
parties had good sized sticks. After Bac-
chus struck Sandy witness knocked BAG
cbus down with u stick. When he got up
he asked witness if he meant to strike him :
witness SAID Ii dill, because ho Was afraid
he hal bur, Sandy. Bacchus said no,
Sandy was only stunned lik:' be was and
would get mp directly. Some one stand
ing hear remarked no they thought he
would never get up again. Bacchns then
said lie didn't mean to hurt Sandy, but
only wanted t. keep Sandy from hurting
him. lie asked that whisk y DO sent for,
physician summoned and that every
thing which could bo done should be done
for Sandy. He then remained upon the
place inquiring about Sandy until towards
night when witness asked him whether the
Sheriff sh ould b- sent for or would he 20
aud surrender himself. He ut once start
ed and voluntarily came to the city and
placed himself i'll custods. Sandy Sykes
died that night about 9 O'Clock. Witness
saw d small wound on the temple. The
deceased ana prisoner hai b, en- on most
excellent terms up to that time.
DR. T.. A. Anderson Witness
stated that he had boen callcd upon to
Sandy Sykes on the 23ia Of November
last and found him lying with confusion
on the right side of is head-insensible,
could no speak, walk, or swallow; pulse
very feeble !; lived aboIt twelve houts and
died from frac,nre of inner table of the
skull, fragments Of tbis inner table b. ing
driven int, the brain. The deceased
might have died from the injnry described
by Mr. Potter and from blow Inflicted
by such u stick was described.
George MulOy sworn aud stated that
he saw Mr.. Potter on the day mentioned.
give Sandy Sykes his hnrs, to dc. He
afterwards heard Sandy and Bacchus
Q lince in dispute. SaLdy tod Bacchus
to go away from him, that he waited
nothing to do with him. when BAcchus hit
Sandy, aui that S,ndy afterwards went
inio the hon 6, B.cohus following They
then hung ;ogether." Witness took San
dy aud put him out of doors and Bacchus
again followed Sandy out there and kick
ed at him and gave him another blow with
his fist Sandy turned and went iuto the
house again, Bacchus still following. San
dy took up q stick and Bacchus did tho
same. Sandy then went over to the oppo-
site side of the house and Bacehus follow
&c, and gave him a blow:with a piece of ma
pie, striking with both hands. Sandy fell
and afterwards died. This was last year,
what month witness couidn't say. Bacchus
did not put down the piece of wood till
Mr.. Potter knocked him down. He after
wards cried like child when he saw what
he had done, and offered his years wages
to any body who would do Sandy some
good.
The State hap cd itc ho 4