New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-22
MIXING 4 FARCE or JUSTICE.

ACoUITTAL OF TIE MURDERERS OF JOHN p. GlIMER
CONTINUATION OF THE KEMPER COUNTY FARCE.
TO the Edttor OF The 7ri6Wne:
SIR: The second act in the drama of the
Chsom Massacre has been converted INTO a farce by
the aconilal of Houston and Virgil Gully for the cold
booCed and cOwardy ASSASSINATION Of John =. Giner.
This ended OF course as every one anticipated
who was conversant with tie public sentiment Of the
Democratic party In this State.
The circumstances OF the foul murder were simply
these stated by James II Brittu, an old aud highly
respected citizen of the county, who Is fatLerin-aw OF
Houston Gully of the defendants, and the best
Of terms with the entire Gully family. Brittn testified
that morning OF Sunday, the 29D OF April, 1877
the Sheriff appointed him as deputy and asked him TO
20 out 10 old Rosenbaums." half mile from
town, and bring in Charles ROsenbaum and John Gil
mer against whom affidavit lad been made. lie also
said that Gilmer ard ROsenbalm had heard
of the affidavit and had from scooba to
that nc wanted and 10 arms TO make the
He went to the place ndicae ed and found these
persons, who said Al right" and came back toward
the iail with him. Before they reached the town
crowd OF armed men, among whom were Houston and
Virgil Gully fell behind them. When they came too
close TO the prisoners witness ordered them back Vr
gil Gully said "they would not hurt the prisoners"
When they reached The public street witness heard
gun fired Immediately behind him, but did not WHO
fired it, Gilmer threw up his hands and cried Tor help,
when witness turned and saw Virgil Gully with
double barreed gun in shooting position. AS Glmer
ran the he fired at him. and after the shot
witness saw where 1t had entered GIlmers back Gimer
was found dead behind the store shot the back and
head
This testimony alone, from relative Of both
defendants, and q friend or the Gullys, and
a man Of high character, would seem 10 be
ample. But 10 sustain aud make overwhelming
the evidence guilt, the prosecution introduced two
young men, Joseph and Lewis Rosenbanm who testified
that they Standing the steps OF the store few
steps from Gmer the first and second SHOTS were
fired, aud that they clearly saw virgil Guy nre boih
suots After the second shot they heard HIM say, II
/ had another load would pun 1t III mat Dutch
man." (meaning Charles Rcsenbaum the other prs
OBfr, who was also = RepuDlcanh
John Hopper another witness OF high character, was
in full view OF the murder H. ga not see VINO s2t tle
first time, but he saw Virgil Gully running auei Gi ner
with gun and saw him fire st MN as be ran between
the stores. Henry Gully aGh James ncott' TWO co0ieG
witnesses, VINO stand well wnn every one tssuhei
identicaly with the two young Rosenbaums Newton
Hopper testified that when the INST ana second SHOTS
were fired he was at the III window He saw Houston
Afterward he found ,he shot-hoirs III 81 ,he ne
blood at this point, where Gilman was found dead The
facts clearly that The Two full loads OF buckshot
fired into Gimans back fatal he fell al The rear
the and while he lay dying Houston Gully hred
the third load into his mead. - p =,
The defence offered the evidence or two men, BOD
Henderson George HUI both OF whom were present
the shooting, taking part with the mob IN their
for Virgil Gully Others for the defence closed by haiv
contradcung each other aud making statements wheA
stucuOn asked by the State. covering every legal pOh
III the case The prosecution. both IN examination OF
and I'm the final argument bei lrc the jury was
ingenious and able. tate Attorney has won golden
opinions manly and fearless discharge o. duy
Judge H. H. Wares speccn for the State WAS boid ana
ou'spoken. Freling. with al far-mnded persons that
He pderson and Hun had peIjurd themselves, he at
tackled tbtr testimony with the full fore OF his power
invectiye. He showed that not only had they con-
tradicted the testimony OF the wit Tor the STATE
but they had cOntradictcd cach More tuan Tins
each had contradlctcd huns Il, and proven ms tcsti
money utterly unreliable All was AOwcycr vain. rnc
fUrV were pIlL ItlQ =.
the instructions of the Court Nncn they re-
turned they uublusbinly rendered verdict 81 Not
gnlt :" lo Is nOt y affiNc1 when u l. or
here tor q mob 10 murder X 'lubltcln JUSTICE.
6co0bd. hcD.per Co., AlSs., ~ -, 1850.