Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-23
THE HEPATTERSONMU TRIAL
Jury SeeDPed-Testimony Being
Taken-Evidence OF Messrs. wig
Eiaton and Church-NOtes.

JASPER, FLA, June 21.-Ihe remaining ten
jurors were procured yesterday from the
Uenire of one hundred ordered last Friday. as
constituted, it consists of eleven whites and
one negro. Thirty-fve peremptory challenges
were consumed by the defense and nine by the
State.
At the opening Of court this morning. the
Indictment was read by the State Solicitor.
The witnesses on both sides were placed under
the rules and excluded from the court house.
DIR. ]. r. Wigginton was the first witness in
troduced Am physician Knew Frank Pat
terson. He is dead. He died in Madison Fla,
on the 6th of February. 1881, from unshot
wound, two and half inches below right nip
pie, penetrating cavity OF the chest, Wound
Yves half inch in diameter. Such wound is
calculated to produce death. / made q post
mortem examination. Such wound is mortal.
There was another wound on one of his hands.
not serious was called shortly after iniiic-
ton of wound He lived about an hour after
I reached him. When saw him first he was
sinking rapidly, and considered it unnecessary
to administer medicines Can't say he was
aware of his condition.
Charles s. Church sworn: Live in Madison
was living there February s. 1881, and was De
putty Sheriff. Was in the court house that
morning. saw disturbance between James,
Savage and Mr.. Frank Patterson. Savage.
James and Messrs Finley. Eagan. Jenkins, Pat
terson and one or two others we're present in
the court room Frank Patterson passed by
me and handed me some evidence to read /
heard a Scuf11iBg at the door and looked over
my shoulder to see the cause Saw Savage
with his left arm around Patterson S neck, with
his hand on his collar. Just then saw Savage
shoot pistol, which he held in his right hand.
ing him off as if to get loose. Sav-
age then fired again. They had got
nearly back to a centre post. Patter
son ierked loose. Savage falling to his knees
Patterson StapOpra6 and pparlV fell bUt "a
covered James then shot at Patterson. who
fell to the floor and tried to get up, but could
not without assistance. Am positive James
shot at Patterson. Was within eight feet of
James No blows were exchanged by the par
ties. Patterson had nothing in his hands till
after he fell and rose. then he reached behind
his person and drew pistol, attempting to
cock it, but failed. l suppose he didn't have
strength to do so. He was very pale and one of
his fingers was wounded. Previous to the
difficulty Patterson seemed to be very quiet
Saw prisoners after the shooting and told
them they must submit to arrest. They
stood with their pistols cooked and pointed
towards me swearing they would die and go to
hell before they would be arrested-would be
butchered first. | stepped out, locking the
door. Was unable to arrest them and went out
to summon posse Was not present when the
prisoners were disarmed.
Cross examination Patterson walked to-
wards the door when he handed me the evi-
dence spoken of above. Eagan was sitting at
the far end of the table. towards the north,
with pen in his hand. Heard that evidence
was being taken in contested election Bisbee
vs.. Finley. When l entered the room Savage
and James were about the middle of the apart
ment on their way to the door leading out of
the building. When prisoners refused to be
arrested / do not know who were at that por
ton of the room; think Pollard and Thomas
were there.
Court refused to allow question to be put
whether witness observed any marks or scars
on Savage's face after the affray, the fact not
being brought out by direct examination Ex
ception noted
think after the third shot l drew my
pistol, ordered the firing to cease, and said
l would shoot the next man that fired
pistol. My attention was directed generally
to Savage and James, because their pistols
were pointed to me. Saw nobody else have
a pistol at that immed ate time. Locked the
door perhaps five minutes hfter the difficulty.
Redirect: About seventy-flye or eighty per
of whom were colored.
When l opened the door there were present
with me Messrs. Hawkins, Carawsy, Smith.
Mosely, and others whom do not remember.
Cross examination resumed-There re was a
short interval between the shots. / suppose
Savage's pistol was cooked, as he was standing
in a shooting position.
At this point court adjourned to o. m.
Twenty seven witnesses have been summoned
by the State and twenty by the defense. 1t is
hoped that the testimony will be closed by
Thursday or Friday. There was but a small
attendance to day. Many of the spectators are
negroes. The prisoners preserve a calm and
unconcerned demeanor.
1t is exceedingly hot and suItry. Crops are
suffering severely and rain is greatly neede1.
w Fl r