The Dawson journal., 1884-02-14
An Exciting Trial.
Telegraph and Messenger.

Telegraph and Messenger:
A singularly dramatic incident
occurred Friday, near midnight,
in the Superior Court room at
Waynesboro, during the trial Of
the Roberts brothers, for the kill
ing OF the Symes-father and son.
The killing occurred at McBean's S
station in October last. Eminent
counsel had been engaged by the
prosecution and defense, for both
parties were prominent and veal
thy. Major W, T. Gary, Hon.
J. c. G. Black and Judge Lovett
appeared for the State; Hon. TT.
d. d. Twiggs, Colonel J. j. Jones,
Colonel John d. Ashton, Judge
II. II. Perry and Mr.. Fl. Clay
Foster for the defense. The evil
dence closed and the speaking be-
gan Friday morning, continuing
Falf during the day. From the
speeches already made, and the
eminent counsel yet to appear, it
became evident about dark that
one Of the most remarkable foren-
sic displays ever known in Georgia
had begun. When the court as
sembled after tea, the seats and
aisles within the bar were crowd
ed with ladies, while without a
dense thrOna of men filled mn the
auditorium. 1t was before this
assembly that Mr.. Twiggs began
his argument at s o'clock. Twiggs
is an eloquent speaker, practiced
in and noted for oratorical gracea.
In the course Of his three hours
address, he at one time referred in
the most feeling manner to the
courage and devotion Of women
The hour, the occasion, the audi
ence and the dim light, from which
the Papt faces were bent upon him,
all combined to form a surround
ing we'll calculated to inspire the
orator to his greatest effort. He
closed his address upon women as
| follows:
"At the battle of Gettysburg,
General Pickett was ordered to be-
gin the charge which was to make
him famous. As he went into the
terrible battle, his young bride on
horseback followed him. When
the hail Of death was beating down
men on all sides, and the plunging
shot and shell mingled Cheir fierce
screams with the means and cries
Of the mangled, Pickett suddenly
found himselfin Che presence OF
his wife. In an agony Of fear for
her safety, he cried out to her as
she sat as cool and collected as a
veterau,s Go back! Go back
For Gods sack 90 to the rearl
No replied the devoted woman,
in the hour Of danger a wife's
place is by her husbands side.
Al this moment through the
court room there rang out one
wild thrilling cry which nearly
lifted the excited throng to iss
feet. 1t was the old rebel yell,
heard upon a hunderd battle fields
and never to be forgotten. A deep
silence followed. All eyes were
turned toward the outer circle
Then Judge Roney's cold voice
was heard bidding the sheriff to
arrest the offender. A man was
seen lodging through the crowd
and the Judge continued: "The
man who is leaving, Is probably
/ the one wanted"
"No, Judge" exclaimed a voice
slowly, Il am the man" The
speaker stood in the aisle with
folded arms, quietly contemplating
the BENCH.
Il shall have to fine YOU ten
dollars then, for disturbing the
! court"
very well, your Honor, [ will
pay the money" said the man
without moving, "but I meant no
disrespect, [ was a Confederate
soldier at Gettysburg, and Just
could not keep from hollowing.'
The ladies present sprang to
their feet, and in an instant the
money was made up and the clerk
paid. The involuntary yell Of the
soldier was an irresistible tribute
to womanhood, Had the fine been
ten times as large he would not
have suffered
At midnight, after the incident
and upon the occasion above men
toned, Hon J. C. G. Black began
his speech. Those who heard
him pronounce it triumph of
logic and orat5ry. The eloquent
gentleman never appeared to
greater advantage. But the
1 weight of evidence and pablic
opinion were with the prisoners,
and at daylight they we're free.
RAMBLER.