The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-28

Christmas. went there to see about getting apalr
of shoes. didn't SEQ anybody to wait on me at first
but as soon Mr.. Benedict got through waiting on
others he asked ME what wanted. He went to get
Ferguson was standing. Mr.. Ferguson was leaning
on right hand counter. Don't remember he changed
over to left band saw tho pistol and saw the shoot
ing. Benedict said nothing This IS all that saw saw.
ran after the shooting saw Benedict dead at Mill
ler's hotel.
Cross -Etan,ined-I was about as far from box as
from here to you. Hettie was nearer than l was.
Benedict was hidden from me by box. Hette was
nearer Ferguson and Benedict than was. heard
nothing said. Benedict came from behind the coun-
ter to 90 toward Mr. Ferguson to get the shoes Ben
cdict was in front OF Ferguson didn't see him, Dut
knew where no was.
Benedict comes ont Of the Store with
his Hand OH his Eaeart---Died at
the Hotel.
RICHARD soNDLEy, sworn:
was in Abbcville on tho day before Christmas,
standing In front OF Auerbachs store when the shoot
ing took place. Benedict came out with his hand on
his heart. saying that he was shot. He asked me to
catch him. l think he came from the left side. We
carried him to Miller's hotel: went with him and
the party that %as carrying him as far as the carriage
line. He lived twenty or thirty minutes. Died at
Abbeville. Don't remember to have seen Ferguson
that morning before the shooting. Benedicthad Moth
ing in his hand.
sons in the store at the time of the shooting. saw
Ferguson in the about the length OF first counter
back. lie was standing there. ddu't notice wheth-
e be drink or 0h oa yey
befure the Shooting. Cause Of difficulty was some,
thing about pair Of boots: He asked me Il wanted
a pair of boots at New York cost told him It was
none of his business. know Of no provocation for
The row. don't know what caused him to act as he
did. lie acted very naturally. saw nothing strange
about him.
Direct Resumed-I don't know whether he came
to the door, don't know whether he was clerk at
Cross Examination Resumed-We had blows.
thought he acted f"olishy-unlcss he wanted to eet
into row. lie struck first blow, was gnlhs 10
strike him If he had given iie little more time
The Difficulty Previous to the Shoot.
Ing.
D. J. JORDAN. sworn:
saw Benedict and Ferguson short time before
the homicide. Benedict was standing in Auerbacks
store; Ferguson standing on the street In front
of Auerbachs store. Z his on Friday or Saturday
before the homicide. believe 1t was on Saturday be-
fore the shooting l WINS not great way from them.
Ferguson called Benedict damned liar. beneoict
said you are another. don't know the cause Of the
difficulty don't know how long they had been
quarreling when the damned lie was given.
Cross Enumiacd wns ten feet from Ferguson
who had been drinking liquor. Benedict walked back
lin the store. Ferguson spoke damned lie loud. dc
looked pretty drunk.
In Search of CartridSes.-Had Enough
On Hand to Kill a MAN..
NJ KALIs1A, sworn 80.
was doing business on the day before Inst Christ
ras next to Auerbach's store. saw Ferguson In the
morning and ut dinner time He asked for cartridges.
was busy, and didn't sell them to him. lie then
took cartridges out of his pocket and said u have
enough to kill nnn" lie went out OF iny store ill.,
teen minutes before the shooting. Hs had often
bought cartridges rrou Inc.
Gross -Eruniined-uo took his pistol out of bis
rocket. Said be had enough cartridges to XII man.
Don't recolcct where he put his pistol. II said ut
former trial that he put in his overcoat pocket that
is true. don't recollect now. When heard pistol
fire. 1 thought 1t wns tro cracker: He was in my
store five or ten mniites before the shootiny-not
over fifteen minutes. may hHye said Mt the other
trial two minutes and hGlf. Ferguson had some
liquor in him. lie didn't seem. to be angry. HIS
manner was such as not to nuke me believe hs was
going to kill any body.
"A Most Extraordinary Invitation.
Witness Invited to see tho Dccil
of Blood.
| SAMUEL MILFORD sworn:
was in Abheville on the day before last Christmas.
| | 1rst saw Ferguson Mt Eelb 1laddons bnrr"om.
| lie was sitting on abox. saw him twice saw
him with Stark Martin, he sortrr" fell against him.
lie said to Stark: Come with me II you want to sec
me kill damned dew" walked by New Hotel to
fils store, ard took seat by IRE oe:ore neatd Tie
shouting. Martin told him not to kill the jew.
| Cross E1anined-Frrguson was on the corner at
Knox,s when be snId "Come with me If yon want to
srs me kin damned JJSs;|. fast
them when heard the remark. He said 1t In the
regular way Of talking. lie looked like drunk man,
was stasgcring-not noisy. did not see his pistol.
! have seen Ferguson right smart, but never saw
Elm drunk before. don't know that ever saw him
at Abhcvillc before. live tour miles from here My
| ase is II years.
The Solicitor here announced that the State
closes.
Mr.. Benet said that although 1t was late
that lie would like to examine one or two
witnesses this evening. DR.. Riley desired to
20 OF on the train tomorrow morning, and
he would like to examine him, If 1T pleases
the Court.
The Solicitor gave hearty assent to the
proposition. AS so much time had been lost
he would be willing to continue the business
of the Court at the pleasure of the defendants
counsel
The Court room was full Of spectators, and
the interest in the trial was manifest.