The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-03-11
The Bryce Murder Case.

Moore, aiken MOore ana hlley hooTe,
charged with the murder of Alexander
Bryce, jr., came off at Walhalla last
week, and elected very great interest
through three days, the time consumed
in its trial. In selecting o jury the req
ular panel was exhausted, and an extra
number were summoned from the five
mile box. The following is a synopsis of
the testimony in the case:
Mrs. Rebecca Cox, n sister of deceased,
testified that he was shot and killed $50
Yards from her house on the night of
August 25th, 1879; it was bright moon
light night; heard three guns, and saw
two men running away; could not tell
color of their clothing.
DIR. w. A. Williams testified that there
were three wounds, and that he thought
death resulted from them.
Isaac Pointer: Formerly lived in this
State; been living in Rabun County, Ga,
for y months; knows the prisoners;
talked with them in May or June last
about land Bryce had gotten from them !;
Bryce went security for their appearance
at Court to answer an indictment, and
took deed of the land to secure him
against having to pay the recognizance !;
the Moores ran of, but by some means
Bryce did not have to pay the bond, and
the Moores wanted to get the land back.
Americus Moore said Bryce claimed to
have paid money for them, but had not
done so; he did not want to be cut out
of land, and was going to have it back on
good or bad terms; said Bryce was too
smart to law with, but he would get it
back if he had to kill him. Jerry Moore
told witness about two weeks before the
killing he wanted him to help get the
land back said Bryce paid nothing for
them, and they would go to Bryce's any
time if witness would go with them said
this was good time, as Cobb and Bryce
were at outs, and if they were to 60 and
do the work it would be laid on the
Cobbs. Got word from Americus August
90, and saw him six miles from river on
next morning with Riley and Aiken, also
at Chapman's house; did not talk with
them, but went off; next saw them in
iail; Americus admitted being on this
side of river and stopping at Round
Mountain, but denied having anything to
do with the killing. Witness admitted
that Jerry indicted him for stealing bee
gum that he had been a witness against
the Moores for selling whiskey, and that
he had fight with them and cut two of
them. He refused to answer whether he
had been convicted of burning Moore's
house and shooting Jerry by the light OF
the fire.
Martin Ramey: Lives in Rabun Coun-
ty, Ga. Aiken Moore once talked with
witness at Jerry's house about going and
helping him (Aiken) to kill Bryce it
was about two years ago; could not tell
conversation nor what lead to 1t.
Joseph H. Kelly: Aiken Moore was at
witness, five miles from Walhalla, ten
days before the killing; said he was COM
ing over to see about the land; if they
did not get the land it should not profit
Bryce witness went with Jerry Moore
to see Bryce; he refused to give land
back; they parted friendly.
Harry Bigby: Lived on the Moore
land in 1878; saw the boys there several
times; Aiken and Riley said they would
have it back or kill Bryce; witness was
sent to Penitentiary for ten years for
arson from Abbeville; stayed there three
years.
Francis Bigby: Wife of Harry; lived
with him; heard Aiken and Riley say
they would have the land back or kill
Bryce; told Bryce Of the threats; he said
he was not afraid never told any one
else until after the killing; was in peni-
tentiary with her husband for arson.
Sarah Bigby: Is daughter Of two pre-
ceding witnesses; saw the Moores at her
fathers several times; they were there
every week or so; was not sent to Peni-
tentiary.
John Chapman: The three Moore boys
stayed at his house in Rabun County,
Ca, on Saturday night, 23rd of August
Riley stayed Sunday night; Americus
and wife came, and after supper he went
off and came back with the two other
boys; said they were hunting q steer ;
Aiken and Amcricus went on Sunday
evening to Dawkins'; Monday morning,
at good daylight, Riley went to meet the
others; they were all armed it is COM
mon to carry guns when going into the
mountains; witness lives six miles from
the river, (Chatuga); at that time all
streams were very high.
A. B. Dawkins: The Moores went
west from witness house; left about sun
rise; Pick Turner told witness in pres
ence of Moores to bake them bread, as
they were going into the mountains to
hunt their oxen; did not see Riley
Moore; Turner did not 60 with them ;
they did not 60 in direction of South
Carolina; witness knew their oxen were
in that section had seen them there ;
the streams were up.
Albert Ramey: Lives in Oconee Co. ;
morning before Bryce was killed went to
cross Chatuga river and met Americus,
Riley and Aiken Moore 300 yards this
side of the river travelling trail and all
armed; asked Riley if river could be
crossed; said he swan and got canoe,
but was very high and dangerous; found
canoe 40 yards below landing and VIM.
Ramey hunting it; found it by the tracks
ofthe three Moores; this was s or o'clock
in the morning and 7 or S miles from
Bryce's; they were coming this way; told
VIM. Ramey and the Pages that morning ;
crossed the river half hour after met
the Moores; have seen them on this side
several times 5; am brother-in-law of
Henry Long.
Elihu Ramey: Lives in Georgia, and
was with Albert Ramey the Monday
Bryce was killed; knows Americus Moore,
and met he and two others this side of
river; the young men in dock are the
parties; witness crossed river twice, once
in ten n1nutes after left Moores; this
was the 25th of August; heard of killing
of Bryce two days after.
Elias Wilbanks: Lives miles this side
of river, and was working road the day
Bryce was killed; saw Americus Moore
about u o'clock on the ridge; did not
speak though they stopped and looked at
each other; on his return saw where he
crossed the road going towards Bryce's,
and was or miles away; the track had
;ron heaIs. Moore hod his r,n M ono