The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-03-12
TESTIMONY
In the case Of the State vs.. Is. Brooks Goings
for the killing of Henry R.-Fowler, December
20, 1885.
on THE PART OF THE STATE.

25, 1885.
on THE PART OF TUE STATE.
DR.. NJ. W. Culp sworn am q practicing
physician. Was at the Coroner inquest over
the body of Henry Il. Fowler at his house in
this county on the 25th day Of December, 1885.
found his body penetrated by q guu-shot
wound in his left shoulder-was satisfied that
the gun-shot wound was the cause of his death,
ana consequently made no further examination.
ID. j. Farr sworn. On the 25th of December,
1885, was in my sons store-house on my plan
tation-knew Henry Il. Fowler and know B. Z.
Goings. Fowler, myself and several others
were at the store. Goings came to the store and
asked, What does this mean ?'-said he was
the best man in the house; Fowler said he
wasn't, and in the end said Goings was a liar,
and he could whip Goings in q fair fight. Went
into the yard and pulled off his coat and
abused Goings. Goings called Fowler dam
rogue Fowler advanced toward Goiugs who
drew his pistol after retreating. Knocked the
pistol down three times; but Cioings succeeded
in shooting Fowler. Fowler exclaimed "Dave
am shot" and fell. Fowler'did no, draw or at
tempt to draw o weapon
y. Fowler was my brother-in-law. I was
pushing Goings back when he fired--Fowler was
drinking-I was not much excited, as | didn't
realize, at the time, my danger; Fowler was
cursing in tho yard and came in the house
'cursing.' Defendant was about six feet from
deceased when the pistol 6red; didn't know
that Fowler and Goings were enemies; Fowler
never told him so GoinSs married my neice-
she is dead There has been some unpleasant
ness between Goings and myself concerning his
children.
+. NJ. Adams sworn. l am q resident of
Union County; was at Farr' s store OH Christmas
dny-was coming down the road towards the
store and saw Henry FowlerNi in the yard in
front Of said store and from his actions he
looked like he wanted to fight somebody. Heard
him give somebody in the store the God dam
lio'-didn't stop-saw FowieS go in the store
and heard pistol FIRE; didn't see Goings until
after the shooting-he came out after the shoot
ing with pistol in his hand, and went off walk
ing pretty fast.
Y. was about 75 yards from the house when
l heard Fowler cursing and pistol fired when
l was in about 35 yards of the house. Mr..
Fowler was u powerful man and was heavier
than Goipgs.
John Arrowwood sworn. knew Henry II.
Fowler; have known Brooks Gsings about three
years. Was ut Goings store on day before
Christmas; heard b. B. Goings say that he
would shoot Fowlers heart strings in two, if he
didn't quit fooling with him.
y. l live on II. Il. Fowler's place-Goings
and my brother had difficulty last fall; Gongs
had my brother arrested; The conversation
above was back of Goings store; wasn't drunk;
took two drinks-one With Brooks Goings and
one with Wash Gongs. Mentioned tho conver-
sation to Asa Iutson Christmas morning. l
have always been friendly with the defendant
am still SO.
Asa Hutson sworn. l knew the deceased
have known the defendant fffe or six years.
Lived on Fowler's plantation last year; had
conversation with Goings af Smiths black
smith shop lastfall he said Fowler had caused
him to pay ST, 500 more on some property than
should have been paid, and said he ought to be
killed and that he (Goings) intended to do II.
T. w. Giles sworn. have known the de-
ceased twenty odd years-have known Goings
about ten years. Ina conversation with Goings
last fall, he said to me that Fowler was n rascal.
The State here rested, and the defense put
upon the stand the following.
F. r. Cudd sworn. I live near Mt. Tabor.
about two miles from Mr.. Fowler's; knew him
well: His general character was that he
not peaceable man-quarrelsome and fussy;
especially when he was drinking; he was also
fussy with man who he had anything against.
He said to me last fall that no Ess going to beat
H' out Suppose 81 SSssi there /. Very dia.roue.
in weight between deceased and defendant
Fowler was about GO years old Hes changed
como in -hie iaate~ yeess-- Id the ReputA-
fists.
y. Mr.. Fowler had fight tomc years ago
with Mr.. Wiley Wood and he pdlled Wood seye
out.
l.. F. Vaughn sworn. knew Fowler in his
lifetime-lived about miles from him. His
reputation was that he was very quarrelso me.
especially when in whisky.
Dr. Robert Little sworn. live in the same
neighborhood with Henry Il. Fowler. Have
known him for % years or more; considered
him quarrelsome man when drinking, when
sober, good citzin. lie was man of vindic-
tive spirit
w. L. Askew sworn. Mr.. Fowler's reputa-
ton was, that if he was friend to person he
would stick to him, if he hated . man, he would
hate him with all his will; he was quarrel
some man. He would weigh about 10 or Is
pounds more than Goings-cond whip two such
men rs the defendant. lie was very power
full man.
DR.. Little recalled. Mr.. Fowler was much
Of man physically ly-Yeighed about 100 lbs.
The defendant coull not compare with deceased
in physical power. l believe Fowler could
whip two such men as Goings.
W. l.. Askew recalled. / believe Fowler
could whip such men as Goings oil day
long one right after the oker. Saw Goan day
after shooing-he was sitting down without
any oyercoat on-sad he could not put his
coat on because his arm was sore Looked and
saw large bruise on his arm, made with n fiat
piece of something. Goiugs said, tell r. NJ.
Adams not to say anything about q scuffie he
and his brother had the morning before.
l.. L. Sprouse sworn. | was raised on Pea
Ridge, near where Fowler was raised. He was
n very quarrelsome man and that was his rep.
utation; he was much of man; he was an over
bearing man and was so from a boy to his
dcath-hadn't changed much in his latter
years: once had fuss with Fowler.
a. \. Oault sworn. lived in the same
neighborhood with Fowler during his lifetime;
his reputation was that if he had anything
against q man he would let his predjudice get
ahead Of him; he was quarrelsome when drink-
ing and was very yindictive-we once had
difficulty.
Robt Gregory sworn. knew Fowler in his
lifetimei .heard him cursing Goings. Said If
Goings fooled with him he would knock his
head off; cursed Goings for ID rascal over
two years ago.
Ed. Sinclair sworn. Iknam Enwler in hi.