Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-07-03
TRIAL OF JAMES P. CASTON.
ICoNT1NUED FROM FIRST PAGE.


him. knew him as a young man who grew
up in the community. do not know that
his reputation was acquired while under the
influence of liquor, 1 do not know, but sup
pose this reputation was acquired by drinking
liquor. He was a young man-twenty-tw or
twenty three, 1 should say. When deceased was
SOBER he was affable, and regarded as peacea-
BILE. His dangerous disposition arose from in
toXication. Unless he was angered, so far as
l know, he was affable and peaceable when
sober.
Redirect.-When angered, he was looked
upon as dangerous, whether sober or not.
Col. CAD. JONES, sworn. I reside near
Rock Hill-three miles from the village. Have
lived there over twenty-one years. I know
the prisoner and have known him five or six
yearS-ever since he has been living in Rock
HILL I am acquainted with his reputation as
to character. He has established the charac-
ter of peaceable, orderly man, as unquestiona-
bly, good. was acquainted with the deceas-
ed. Had seen him often. He had decided
reputation as turbulent, violent, dangerous
young man. His reputation was decided on
that subject. have never been present when
he was in a difficulty. He was regarded as a
violent, turbulent young man, dangerous, high.
spirited and quick to get into difficulty. He
had the reputation of carrying pistol gener-
ally. If a person got into difficulty with
him, he might expect to meet pistol. Of my
personal knowledge, I know of no difficulties
that he was engaged in, but have heard of
them in which he drew his pistol and fired.
His reputation was that of resorting quickly
to the pistol when occasion called for it.
Cross-eramined By Mr.. Wilson, Sen.-I can
not speak as to whether he or his opponents
were the aggressor in difficulties he has had.
In regard to his difficulty with Thomasson,
have heard that both shot. IcannOt say which
was at fault. / know of no particular case as
to his being the aggreSsor, but know OF one
case in which he was the only one who shot.
This was difficulty at the Presbyterian church
in Rock Hill, but he was attacked before ne
fired. His general reputation was that he was
violent man, quick to draw weapon ; was
high-strung; would draw pistol and use it.
When sober he was pleasant man. I don't
know but he was generous I think he was a
man that would do a man favor. If he had
done man a wrong know nothing to the
contrary but that he would make amend. Be-
sides the difficulty with Thomasson and the
one at the church, have also heard of one he
had at Chester, or Wmnsboro, but know moth
ing of the particulars. I heard that at the
picnic at Iredell Jones', on the 29th of May, he
attempted to draw his pistol in fight with Mr..
Frew. His reputation is based upon these par
ticular cases, / suppose, as know OF no others.
Redirect. described the difficulty
deceased once had with Mr.. Williams, at or
near the Presbyterian church in Rock Hill,
several months ago.
A. E. HUTCHINSON, sworn. / reside in Rock
Hill, where have lived for the past twenty
years. Have known the prisoner eight or ten
years. His reputation as a quiet, orderly,
peaceable man, is good. knew deceased for
several years. His reputation was that of
turbulent, violent, dangerous man. 1t was
the general opinion that he always carried
deadly weapons and used them on any provo
cation.
Cross-eramined BY Mr.. Wilson, Sen.-In diff
fculties he had, where he drew his pistol, he
might have been first attacked, shot at or
struck He was affable and pleasant when
sober, never saw anything wrong about him
when he was sober, though personally knew
! not enough about him to speak of his qualities
Of my own knowledge, .
J.V. MCFADDEN, sworn. 1reside at Rock
Hill; have lived there eight years The repu-
tation of prisoner as quiet, peaceable and or
derly young man, is good. I knew the de-
ceased for six or seven years. He was regard
ed as rapid boy. He generally carried pis-
tol and had the reputation of using it. When
he got into quarrel his reputation was to use
pistol.
Cross examined by Mr.. TVilson, Sen.-It is
not unusual for young men to carry pistols.
AS to troubles and difficulties in which de-
ceased had been engaged, [ cannot say whether
or not they arose when he was intoxicated. l
never saw him in fuss. When sober, he was
kind and clever.
Capt. B. P. ALsToN, sworn. I reside in
Rock Hill, and am teacher by profession.
have resided in the town eighteen months.
know the prisoner by reputation. His reputa-
ton as peaceable, quiet, orderly young man
is first rate. I did not know the deceased.
His reputation as to being of a turbulent dis
position was bad. He had the reputation of
generally using deadly weapons when provoked.
-eransinedby Mr.. Wilson, Sen.-I was
not personally acquainted with the deceased.
When he was sober, or not under the influence
of passion or liquor, his reputation as quiet
man was good.
W. G.. REID, sworn L have known the
prisoner at the bar for five or six years. His
reputation as to being peaceable, quiet, or
derly young man is good He boarded with
me two or three months at one time The
reputation of the deceased was that he was
hasty; that he carried deadly weapons and
would use them.-
Cross-eramined by Mr.. Wilson, Sen.--The
deceased, when sober, so far as know, was
quiet, good-natured young man.
D. D. MOORE, sworn. macquainted with
the prisoner at the bar have known him eight
quiet, peaceable, orderly young man, is good
The reputation of deceased as to being turbu-
lent, violent and dangerous, was bad. He had
the reputation of carrying and using deadly
weapons, and used them when occasion re-
quired.
Cross-eranained By Mr.. Hilson, Sen.--I don't
know whether or not he acquired that reputa-
tion when under the influence of liquor AS
far as I know, when sober, he was quiet,
peaceable man.
Miss ANNIE MCLAUGHLIN, sworn. 1 was
at the picnic on the 29th of May. I went in
company with Mr.. CASTOR and Mr.. w. n.
Frew. Church L.. Williford was there that
day. He had conversation with me at the
buggy in which and my companions rode,
though he said nothing to me while Mr.. Cas-
ton was present; He insrlted me at the bug
gy, and Mr.. CASTOR coming up soon after, he
asked CASTOR, with an oath not proper to be re-
peated here, if he took it up. Witness was re-
quested by counsel to repeat the language of
deceased, when she said it was, "Yon Cd
id s-n of b-h, do you take it up ?" re-
peating the epithet time and again. When we
were leaving the picnic, l was present when
Willford spoke to CASTOR, who was in his
hearing He then said, with an oath, that he
would give CASTOR good cow-hldlng-if he
did not do more than that, he would give him
good whipping.
Miss CHARLOTTE NEIL. [The object of
this witness was to prove general uncOmmuni-
Gated threats of deceased towards the prison.
er, which was objected to by the State, and
objection sustained. The witness was with
drawn.
WILLIAM N. FREw, sworn. I was at the
picnic at Iredell Jones', OH the 29th of May,
and was present at conversation between