Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-06
FRIDAY, March 81

On the convening Of Court, argument was
heard on the point raised yesterday even
ing by counsel for defence, that uncommunl-
Gated threats may be received as testimony TO
show the animus of the deceased. After ar
gument by counsel, and the citing OF author
tiles and several latsa deeglsI99ps eegI9 the So9.S
ed by the defence was admissible when
PARKS MOORE was recalled. Resuming at
the point of interruption yesterday, he said ::
| heard Gibson remark that If ever Sutton
crossed his path or spoke to him again, he
would kill him if he was the last man in the
State. This was on Sunday before the killing.
Cross examined. This remark was made in
the evening the sun was an hour or half an
hour high. Gibson, Lutte Bradford and Zeb.
Bradford were present. Gibson s words were !:
! If Sutton ever crossed his path or spoke to
him again, lie would kill him if lie was the last
man in the State. Gibson, the two BradfOrds
and myself were present.
DIR. S. A. KELL, sworn. / reside at Fort
Mill. was acquainted with Gibson, the de-
ceased ; knew him about six years. He resi-
ded at Fort Mill.
After ruling by the Court as to the admissi-
bilty of testimony touching reputation of de-
ceased, the witness proceeded
case recurring so nice distinction as 1 am re-
stricted to but would say, from his general
reputation, that he was regarded as danger
Gus man.
Cross eran,ined. c. Without qualification
would you say that he was regarded as dam
gerous man
Ans. Yes from his general reputation.
I could not say that he would be dangerous
without provocation. He did not have rep
utation for treachery; but he did have the
reputation of being promoter OF brolls and
contentious.
@. Whom did you hear say so of him ?
Ans Mr. Halle, Rev. Mr. Covington-
@. Previous to this transaction ?
Ans, l don't know that | can readily recall
names previous to this occurrence, as 1 never
charged INV memory with the matter But I
can mention persons as having spoken of him
in this connection previous to the killing, Mr..
Halle R. S. Warren ; and at Merritt's house,
previous to this occurrence, heard number
of ladies discussing GibsOn's character, and
they said that from their husbands statements
to them Gibson was doing great deal of harm
in the community.
In answer to other questions witness con-
tinued never knew or heard of Gibson
shooting or killing any body. l have assisted
in preventing him from using weapons lie
once admitted to me that he had knocked a
man down with chair. [ never knew him
prosecuted for any act of violence.
j. r. HALLE, recalled. l knew Nat. Gibson,
the deceased. His,geperal reputation in the
community was that of violent, dangerous
man.
Cross examined. 1 knew of prosecution for
fighting being commenced against him in one
case but it was compromised. never knew
him convicted of any act Of violence
r. T. BAILEY, sworn. L reside IN Fort
Mill township. I knew Nat. Gibson. His
general character was that of a violent, dan
gerous man.
Cross examined. 1 never knew him tried
or convicted of an offence against the peace of
the State am connected by marriage with
the prisoner, Sutton his mother is my Wife's
aunt.
J. ORMAND, sworn. I knew Gibson. His
general character was that OF violent, dam
gerous man. l am no relative of Sutton's.
Cross erantined. Three years ago lived at
Fort Mill. If Gibson was policeman at that
time, do not remember it. never heard of
his being prosecuted or convicted of any Of
fences against the State.
JOHN HARRIS, sworn. l am nelghbor OF
James Sutton. Have lived within two miles
of him for twenty-five years. His character
in the community is good. He is regarded as
a quiet, industrious, peaceable man
Cross examined. am not related to either
Sutton OF Hayworth. have heard of Sutton
having small ditticultes-one with a brother
of the deceased-and some other small, trivial
difficulties but have never heard him charged
with being quick tempered OF violent.
Redirect. / have never heard him charged
with acts of violence only when defending
himself or when they were forced upon him.
PRISONERS STATEMENTS.
WILLIAM HAYwoRTH, sworn. On the day
of this occurrence, 1 and Stephen Sutton were
walking together up the street. While we
were walking along, was whiting a stick,
as is custom with me. Stephen was called
away, and l proceeded alone short distance,
when l met Gibson, having previously closed
my knife. 1 had no other weapon about me
but that Barlow knife, and 1 took no part
whatever in the quarrel between Gibson and
James Sutton.