The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-10-14
s s, Circuit Court.

gagged at the time ofioHr last Issue in the
trial. of Robert and Mary a. Gray, for
murder. charged dto ohavs been committed
upDdnss AIleh rs. ,Barksdale 5inis1s76.:, The
evil dice for the State showed that there
had Been difficulties between Barksdale,
the deceased; and the, prisoners, and that
Mary a.. Gray had swor1.s ont aHfpeace
warrant against him which had not been
served. On the evening Of the homicide
Caroline Brown states that the defendants
were at her house, and Robert Gray said
he, was going to kill Allen Barksdale.
About dark a son OF Barksdale, who was
then thirteen years old, testified that
Beauregard Gray, a. SON Of defendants, /,
coffee and left. q message for Barksdale
that his mother, {hfrs. Gray, wanted to
see him as soon as he came home. He
datiyered this message to his father. when
he came home about nine or ten O'Clock,
and he went over to Gray's, which was
about four hundred yards distant, with q
lighted lamp in his hand. Soon he heard
his father crying out Polly don't kill me- y
and taking the gun'he ran down to about
fifty yards of the house. When he got
there all was quiet, and he heard some one
running through the cotton patch in the
direction of Caroline Browns, and he re-
turnsl to his fathers house fearing to go
flrttler $. Later the sons Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Gray notified the sons of Barksdale and
some of the neighbors, that Mrs. Gray
had killed Allen Barksdale. On going
there Barksdale was found lying parallel
with the. house q few steps from the door.
A knife was lying near him open, and
the lamp was also near him and broken.
Els forehead was crushed in as If struck
with the eye Of an axe. A cash four
inches long and three inches deep, was cut
in the back of his head. There Were also
severe contusions on each side of his head.
:. Caroline Brown testified that Robert
Gray came to her house between nino and
had Killed Barksdale, and he replied hush.
There was blood on his pants and vest
which he took off, and she washed that
night. Her son, William Brown. testified
to these facts also.
The defense explained the tragedy by
Mrs. Gray's testimony. She denied send
/ ing any message to Barksdale, or sending
her son to his house. She said he came
to her house and coming in stated that
she had taken peace warrant for him,
and he would kill her. That he cut her
with hisRnife on the throat and breast,
cutting through her dress. She backed
across the room from him, and getting the
axe in one corner, struck him with the
edge over the top of his head. She then
got out of the door, and, dropping the axe,
got hoe. He followed her. and as he
came out of the door she struck him two
blows, knocking him down. AS he start
ed to rise, she got the axe again and struck
him in the forehead, killing him: She
sent her sons to inform the neighbors.
Her sou Beauregard corroborated her
throughout. Robert Gray also testified
that he was not at home that night. The
character of Caroline Brown was attacked,
had recent difficulties with the Grays.
They had never told about Robert Gray
until after these difficulties.
After deliberation of some three hours,
the Jury returned a verdict Of "Not
Guilty"
The next case called was the State vs.. Jasper N.
Davis, for killing Mary Davis, his wife. The tes;
timony for the State has already been published
by US, SO We will not repeat 1t. There was no
question about the deliberate shooting Of his wife
but Davis plead insanity as his defense He had
been in the Asylum over two years ago.
DR.. Frank Smith testified that he was suffering
from hypocondria, and needed: regulation Of
diet which could not he given him outside of the
Asylum. He regarded him as knowing right from
wrong. A number Of witnesses testified that they
regarded MIN Us KNOWING rlpIt lrOiu WIouS. lhc
defense showing q change OF habits from industry
to idleness He wandered from house to house
would sleep in barns instead Of coming to the
house-was indifferent to heat or cold, and acted
strangely On one occasion he asked Dr. Smith
doctor gave him mixture of red pepper and
water, and told him tea spoonful would kin him,
was argued, and the jury returned In about thirty
minutes vita verdict of Guilty. Mr.. Prince,
Davis Attorney gave notice of q motion for new
trial and in arrest of judgment, both Of which
were overruled. The motion in arrest vf judg-
ment was based on what he considered the inl.
proper writing Of the word feloniously, in the in
dictment. Judge Hudson thought 1t was right
except the was not dotted, and that 1t was not
calculated to mislead He then sentenced Davis
to be hung on Friday, the 5th day of November
The prisoner will doubtless appeal, and the exc.
cution cannot be at an earlier day than next
Spring
The verdict of the jury meets with universal
commendation. It shows that the insanity dodge
will not do In Anderson County.
The Court Of Common Pleas is now In session;
The jurics were discharged on Wednesday, and
the Court will probably adjourn Oh Saturday morn-