Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-08-22
THE LULIxG MURDER TRIAL.
synopsis OF Testimony in the Case of Den
man For killing Parson sewei.

man For Killing Pnrson Sewen.
The preliminary trial of Lawrence
G.. Denman, for the killing of the Rev.
II. q. Sewell at Luling, on the l4th
inst. took place August IL. The fol-
lowing Is IA synopsis of the testimony
presented by the principal witnesses;
"a. Heise, first witness for the pros
ecution--Was walking along on the
l4th inst, In company with Mr.. Sew
ell: got within three steps of Stagner's
store. when Mr.. Denman fired ut Sew
ell, who fell at the second shot. Den
man stepped off the sidewalk and fired
twice again, when he was disarmed by
Major George.
Further states that while walking
with Sewell their conversation was
about the Spanish edition of some Fes-
taments. Sewell tore his tHeise'sl
vest off in falling, and said, don't
shoot me- Heard no word from
Denman.
Cross examined-Mr Denman's oc-
cupation was that Of clerk for Mr. Ma
son: Sewell's was that of Methodist
preacher and agent for the American
Bible Society: was very much eXcited;
never saw ANYTHING of the kind before
in his life.
y G Wilkenson, for the defense,
stated that he | ad some time previous
~ written a letter to Denman, at the
instipation Of, and for the Rev. sew
ell. and subsequently, acknowledged 70
Denulan that the letter was Sewell $
idea. and was writteA on the condition
that he (Sewell) took the responsibilir
for il. He also told Denman TO apply
IN Sewpll personally.
This is the letter.
"Luling. June 24-Dear Sir: Look
gu Ior preacher who has black mar,
brown beard and an impeachment in
his speech. If he has not already Sc
duced your wife, he intends TO do SO.
Judging by what has been seen and
heard by a number of your friends. Ii
YOU have any doubts OH the subject,
lust conceal yourself or come III when
YOU are not expected. | take TINS
method to save you the modification
ofhein5.told of this matter face to face.
You will find me out to be
A TRUE FRIEND"
J. A. Arlington, for the defense,
said: II saw Sewell while he was be-
ing undressed. He had a thirty-eight
caliber pistol tied to his light arm by
AN elastic band, just above the elbow,
inside his coat-sleeve. The piston was
double-action five-shooter, self-cock-
err. The rubber was elastic enough 70
be easily thrown into his hand ny an
impulse of the arm. saw an lndenta-
ton on the cylender of the pistol,
made by the impact OF leaden Dali.
A hole was made through the coat
sleeve.n
Geo. C. Shoot said: "Was present al
- an :
inc of the 18th. Mr.. Sewell came
from down the street in company VIII
Mr.. Heise. Witness and defendants
We're nm the inside of the door at Stag
mar g. Ce,s.. store. Witness SAN
Sewell as he stopped on the Sidewalk
throw his arm down. saw piston
Said: Look out, Lawrence. Denmal
saw Sewell, walked out OF the 900
and said: You have tried to disgrac
INV wife. Said to Heise stand aside
and fl red"
Cross-examined: Both witnesses an
defendant were on the outside OF TN
door when they first saw Seweil; the
went In. Witness sat down. Denma
stood up. When deceased first say
Denman he fell back behind Helst
Saw a pistol-the muZzle of it-twict
Just before the shooting, while sittin
i'm front of the door, defendant said
witness: .'Sewell is trying to ruin tn
character of my wife, and don't kno'
that / can stand it.n Witness sait
ssLet us go in the house and let hi
pass Defendant said: "All right.
The defense here rested its cas-
Denman, who has the sympathy
the entire community, has been place
under 81 900 bond to appear at the ne
term of the district court.