The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1883-06-29
The Stat, VS., Perry Jetsr---Arson.
Mr.. Solicitor Duncan for the State.
Mr.. J. c. Wallace for the Defense.
TuE PRosECuTIoN

IuE PBOsECUTI0S.
Mrs. Briggs, sworn. House was burnt on the |
night of the 18th April 1888. House was set |
on fire. was sleeping in the second aoor.-
Retired about half past eight o'clock. Left my
two eldest daughters down stairs in the sitting
room. My daughter. ophelis, aroused me, say
ing the h6bse was on fire, l then aroused the |
other children, and attempted to go down stairs |
The smoke smothered me so. that l had to 20 |
back L went to an end window, raised it, got |
out on the shed and threw my little son off. |
then jumped. was injured in my hip and
ankle. could not getup. The children dragg-
ed me into the garden. smelt kerosene when.
| started down stairs. Elias Dawkins and some
of the other boys helped me over the fence.
saw the defendant, Perry Jeter. He came up the
road running. l kept my eye on him, as
wanted him to assist ME. lie never looked
towards me, but said he tired. l wanted.
him to get the carriage. lie came from the field
earlier than usual that afternoon. lie cot at the
house but left that night without mentioning il
to me. Mr.. Briggs kept Kerosene oil. Two or
three days before the iye, Perry came for kero-
sene with an oil can, did not let him have it. I
remarked about his wanting kerosene OIL Mr..
Briggs was in Frorida at the time. Two or three
days before the fire, Perry came to me to change
some money for him. + went into the room
where my money was and left him standing at
the dining room door. lie followed me into
the room where the bureau was. handed him
the change. Had gun in the house. That
afternoon Perry fired the gun off. heard it
fire and saw him bring it back. l was aroused
by the young ladies' coming up stairs. There
was fire in the house that day, except in the
stove the fire was not in the pare of the house
where the stove was.
Miss Ophebia Briggs sworn 1. was at home
the night of the fire, also the same afternoon of
the. fire Saw Perry in the yard. saw that the
well bucket was off, anu told Perry to pull it out
He said it was no use, to let it alone until morn
ing. then sent Perry to the cellar for the
grabs and told him to put them on. He had
such q scowling look on his face, that vent to
the house, as was going up to the steps look
| ed back and he pulled the grabs apart. l went
to the house; and was walking about and saw
Perry coming off of the store piazza with store
key in his hand He tock the gun from behind
| the door and ran out. heard,the gun fire twice.
lie brought the gun back TO the house anl never
| loaded it. lie then went towards the well, came
| back and said he could not get the bucket out.
| lie only had the key in his hand. lie used
the expression. "You will not get the bucket
out of the we'll" The fire took place about 81
o'clock at nigh. We had large lamp in the
room but but lit small one to carry up stairs
We had been keeping the dogs in the house at
night while father was away, but this nigh, we
had trouble in getting them in; they were smell
| ing around and we had to force them in. Fas.
tened the door with iron bar. Negro woman.
lamar, and myself were the last ones in the stove
room took off the TOP and nut out :he fire by
pouring water on it, Heard the dog growl. Saw
house on fire, and woke up mother aud the chill
dren. Carried the baby down Thoughts the hers
~ sS0..'ilig. caster ana myself ran around the
house; saw mother standing at the window,
knocking on the window panes and calling TO u.s.
''for god sake help, me. We told hear to raise
the window and jump; she threw off the litde
boy and sister and myself caught him N mother,
then jumped.
y by Mr.. Waliaoc.-It was after Mr. Duncan
came that first the defendant. lie ap-
peared frightend. Never looked towards mother
or myself.
Redirect ty Mr.. Duncan.-I had Just come
into The dining room where mother changed the
money. | was standing in the little room
when he asked for the change.
Mrs. Briggs, recalled. 1t was unusual for
Perry to have The store house key, without
asking for it.
Lafayette Briggs.-I was in Spartanburg the
night OF the fire. | returned much earlier
than expected. left Perry on the premises
l lie was not allowed to SO to the store house by
himself told Mr.. Fielder, in the presence of
Kerry, about having collected 81 900. exam
iued the we'll for the bucket; found buck ct
That had fallen in the well before Christmas ;
found new iron bucket bale in the we'll.
When was starting TO Florida took Perry to
The Santuc depot with me. Just about mile
from Saniuc it commenced clouding IN. told
Perry he could go back and I woul VA !: to the
depot. He asked me for money told him
had none except enough to go away with. lie
said o, yes you have some money. l did not
like his looks n: the time thought enc time of
going back, but thought may be wroa 6 in my
suspicious. | put Alex. in charge of affairs
when left, as did not like Perry's movements
Kept money in drawer down stairs had SIS or
$50. My daughter kept money up stairs in
drawer. After the fire ! searched for money
where drawer stood down stairs found none
1t was silver money found 81 80 in center of
the house. where drawer stood up stairs. The
money was in silver change.
by Mr.. Wallace. Kept the gear house
locked. told Fielder in the presence of Perry
about having collected 81 900. | saw Perry in
about twelve feet of me. I'm not in the habit
of telling servants of having money. l remem-