Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-24
THE MADISON TRAGEDY.
The Patterson Murder Case-EVI.
dence for the state.

JASPER, FLA. June 22-The testimony has
been going on since my last. the court sitting
nine hours daily. The State will probably in
troduce two more witnesses. But little interest
appears to be excited in this community. and
matters are entirely quiet.
June 81, 8 P MS. NJ Hankins sworn: /
live IN Madison, Fla was Sheriff OF that coun-
ty February Sth, 1881, and now hold that posi-
tion. On the day just mentioned was in the
town Of Madison, and saw both the prisoners
at the court house. ] had a warrant for Saw
age for perjury. Saw them together that day.
between ana II a. m saw Savage have
pistol In his hand as he went up the steps.
The pistol was under his coat. The warrant
was given to me afterwards. Heard some
firing at the court house that day. vas one
Mr.. Thomas, and walked rapidly to speak to
him, just after the Warrant was handed me.
The firing about half an hour after Saw
age and James went into the court house.
Saw Frank Patterson in Judge Wither-
spoons office door. With the assistance of
others, / arrested James and Savage in the
court room. They were in custody within ten
minutes after the firing An excited crowd
was around the lower entrance. My deputy,
Church, was standing in the door and told me
James and Savage had shot Patterson and he
had locked them in the court room. He said
they would not be arrested. A posse was sum-
moned. When the men arrived unlocked the
door and went in. Savage and James each had
pistol in their hands when | entered / said
naQ a warrant Tor Lnom ana tley mad better
surrender Savage said he would surrender if
l would protect him from being murdered, and
handed me his pistol. James refused to give
up his pistol which was taken from him by
Mr.. Pollard and handed to me-pistols
shown-the larger is Savage's. IL is
the British Bull Dog, self-cocker. a calibre.
James is smaller. Each shoots five times.
Savage'S had one empty chamber-the cham
bers of James were all loaded; one had the ap-
pearance of having been snapped. When Pol
lard handed me James pistol James said, You
see haven't FREQ, my pistol is all LOADED" ."
He repeated this two or three times Charley
Savage said, Hush. Howard, you reloaded as
l did" He also said, You'll find my pistol all
loaded" Isaid, mo, there is an empty shell
in yours, Charley" He said, Il can't account
for it, 1 intended to reload it." I found one
large empty shell and one large loaded car
fridge after l went back to the court room.
They would fit Savage's pistol. He said that
he showed them out with penholder. To the
best of my recollection he said he used Eagan's
penholder l found cartridges on persons of
prisoners to fit both pistols, and needle-ritie.
here in court. The rifle cartridges were on
James person Searched for rifle adapted
to such cartridges, and found it. Got this gun
from Edmond Burroughs a negro, two hours
after arrest of prisoners He came to the Jail
with it and asked if had sent for him. l re-
piled mo" and took the gun to examine it.
Saw Mr.. Patterson after he was shot, before
and after his death. His hand was slender,
with small fingers. Third finger of left hand
was pierced by a small ball, as if by buck
shot Think the wound was not inflicted by
the large pistol Think the wound could be
produced by ball from the small pistol.
Cross examined: Don't know who sued out
the warrant for Savage-have never read it,
Was handed me by County Judge. One hun
dred and fifty persons were standing around.
Went off as soon as / received it. Did not
mention the warrant to Frank Patterson.
Don't know where the warrant is. Did not
arrest Savage under that warrant.
Neal Coyle sworn: Reside in Madison coun-
ty Was at Madison court house 8th February
1881 Knew Frank Patterson and saw and
spoke to him that day. He was in dying con-
diiion, blood running from his mouth, and he
said he had been shot. He said he was dying.
He did die, perhaps an hour after this CONVEX
sation. He could not stand, nor utter more
than a few words without being choked by the
blood. He said Savage shot him twice and
James once, the latter in the left hand and
Savage in the body. The wound in the hand
was produced by small ball.
G. w. Stevens, sworn: Live in Madison, Fla.
and was in Madison court house early in the
morning. Knew Frank Patterson, and saw
him that day in my Office and also in the
court house. Soon after | went into the court
house. Messrs. Finley and Jenkins were tax
ing testimony in contest of Bisbee vs. Finley.
While so engaged, Mr.. Patterson came in and
sat down. heard noise in the rear Of the
room, while was sitting facing the Judges
stand. Heard the discharges of pistols. Jump
ed up and ran in direction of the sound. Saw
age was in a few feet of me, and said: Don't
you come here, J" pointing his pistol at me- l
felt for mine, but did not have it. l said:
OOu SuODJ Lnos anu u6 lOW6E6u GUO plSLOl.
Then went to Patterson, who had
just risen from where he had fallen.
/ said, whats the matter - He said. Il am
shot" "Are you hurt much ~ Il am killed"
Went down stairs. Ismelt cloth burning and
saw his shirt on fire. AS soon as he laid down
returned to the court iroom, having in my
hand pistol given me by Patterson as we
were going down stairs. 1t was fully loaded,
none of the cartridges had been fired. In the
room were the prisoners, Eagan, jenkins, Fin
ley and Burke Stevens, negro, also Mr.. Pol
lard. / remember seeing James loading his
pistol. The arrest was made shortly after.
When Patterson came In the court house he
was perfectly calm and quiet, manifesting no
excitement.
June 22, s A. M-Patterson seemed to be
pulling away from the two negroes He had
no weapons visible Patterson was an un-
ostentatious, unoffending and auiet young
gentleman
Cross examined: Eagan was on west side of
table, almost facing me. Patterson had been
in the room about fifteen minutes before the
difficulty. Savage fred one shot into the CELL
ing, which saw afterwards, Saw Patterson
with pistol after be had fallen and gotten up
took the pistol, cooked it and looked at the
parties. 1t was fully loaded and in shooting
condition. haven't got any very high regard
for the prisoners. and consider them criminals
entertain some prejudice against them as
criminals. Thought Savage was misguided
but had no strong dislike to him personally.
Caraway Smith, sworn: Knew Frank Patter-
son, James and Savage. Saw Patterson an
hour before his death. He was in dying con-
dition. When 1 met him on the stairs he said
My God, I'm shot to DEATH After he got
into the room and laid down he said. 81 have
been robbed of my life." He said Savage and
James had shot him.
Cross examined: The declarations of Pat
terson were made two minutes after the shoot.
ing. Don't remember that anY other person
was present 1f
j. d. Phillips sworn: Had a conversation
with Patterson half an hour before his death.
He placed his hand on the wound and said he
was robbed Of his life by Savage and James.
and had nothing to defend himself With He
told me good bye, and said he vas dying, and
asked for dodt9r. WHB.