The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-28
WITNESSES ON THE STAND.
TIE EvIDNEcE FOR TEE STATE.
The Act Of Gkilling--.The Arrest ana
Imprisonment.

WM RILEY. town marshal, sworni
Was on the streets day before last Christmas. At
the time f the killing Of Benedict was on the street
above Aucrbachs store. When heard the pistol fire,
running out OF it. Benedict out, saying, II am
shot" didn't see any thing in his hand. He had his
hand up to his breast in this way. Ferguson was
leaning against the counter. asked hin II he did
The shooting. He said that he did. He was at the
far end Of tho counter the left hand side. Bene.
dict came out on the other side. Ferguson then put
his pistol In bis pocket. l asked him why he shot
Benedict, and be repli" that the damned rascal WAS
Court House. He asked to give bull, mid requested
me to see Mr.. Hammond, the Intcndent Of the town,
and let him know If Mr. Brooks would do security.
Mr. Brooks is well off, and the flherin-law OF Frrgu-
son. Mr.. Hammond said he would have to find out
how badly Benedict was shot before he could give an
answer lie told ne to keep him. then cal ried him
down to Mr. DeBruhrs office, and went out to find
out how badly Benedict had been shot. ! found that
Ferguson Was sent to Jail. Benedict died while was
going to jail with him; don't know where Benedict
was shot. think Ferguson was pretty drunk.
Cross E1ani,aed-I had seen him in town drunk
front of Mr.. Russcs barroom There was big
crowd in town. especially on this side Of the square.
Ferguson said the damn rascal ives trying to kill
him" While going to the JAIL asked him ngan why
he killed Benedict, and he said, he was trying to cut
him.
The Slayer wants Bail that he n,ny
&c to = Wedding.
j. s. HAMMOND, Intcndcnt of the town, sworn:
saw Ferguson on the day before last Christmas.
coming from the direction OF Reub lladons barroom
towards Ancrbuchs store He talked to several men
on the way, and among others to Stark Martin, but
did not hear what was sail. He came down street
and went into Aucrbach's store. Tho next time saw
him Riley WAS bringing him down this way, taking
him, as thought, to the guard house. Riley asked
nlc what he must do with Ferguson whom be said
had shot Benedict. Ferguson asked If he could give
buil and get loose l said if Benedict is not burt
mnch that he could get loose without bail. did not
care for ball. II Benedict not seriously hurt.
knew that l could get him at any time that l might
want him. soon heard that Benedict was dying. Fer
g,son asked to be let off that he might attend the
in-luw I'asked him why he had killed Benedict and
he replied that Benedict rushing on him, or
something of that sort Ferguson seemed to be pret
ty drunk. He had one hand on tree Mr. Riley had
hold of the other. noticed that nothing else parte
ulary.
Cross Erami,,cd-I don't remember to havo seen
him drunk before. / didn't think he drank, and was
surprised to see him drunk.
Direct RcSunetl-I am cotton weigher, and am
geueraly on the street. Have seen him very often.
Making Preparation for the BLOODY
Dced--.The Pistol is Made Ready.
ELIJAH VANCE, colored, sworn:
was in Auerbach's store ut the time OF the shoot
against the counter went around the counter to
Mr. Benedict, After being there little while, saw
Mr.. Ferguson take his pistol ont Of his hip pocket
and put in his overcoat pocket on the right hand
side In no time after that the shooting took place.
Mr. Ferguson was standing up when left
Cross lEramiRed-Mr Ferguson didn't say any
thing. Mr.. Benedict didn't say anything. ] was in
utcs was within few steps Of him when he put
his pistol in his overcoat pocket. went ont before
the shooting took place, and was in Mr. knskas store
II,z0, Esxl t,tt
who he going to shoot, and got away from there
The BALLET is t;pe'. o., jss Mission Of
Gca!sl while s;enedict ~ Selling a.
E0ir OF SHOES.
HE7rIr BILToN. coorcd swurn:
was in AuGlbach's store On The dny before Christ
pas. Lucy Saadrrs ard | went in there to get par
of shoes. Mr Benedict askch us what VIC wanted
and when We told him that wanted shoes he went
l.ehnd the counter. The counter on the LETT hand
side Of the stUrC-hchihd the FIST cOrntCr-rprOsite
the showcase. He then came out lhe right hand
side and went toward TIE shoe box between the two
counters. Mr.. Ferguson said something didn't hear
what. Mr.. Benedict said what did you say? Next
thing heard was the shooting. Mr. Ferguson was
on tho opposite side of the box from !tr Benedict
facing each other. Ferguson leaning against sec.
ond counter. There Is opening between the c0ln-
tcrs. Ferguson against the right hand counter.
When first went in he was at the first counter. Fer
guson was on one sdo uf the box and Benedict on The
other. Ferguson had his elbow on the counter Ben
edict close to Inc. lIe turned round Had moth
!rg in his hand
Cross -ELon.i1ed-I MAS not in The store very long
left shortly after the shouting. | got out Fergu
son was In there when went IN. There were great
many pee G in ths store at the time a both the front
nnd the b:.@!i part. Mv. Benedict WAS behind the
first COUNT" wheI ask i itr II, shoes. Mr. Grne
dict went :" the hoe box towards Mr.. Fcrg' son. ir.
Ferguson ~ further a.k in The stor, 'hrn Mr. Ben
edict. Bcundict went u ward him. Ferguson l(ancd
M OF thr ,untnr after te ShO.
4 .nn