The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-04-30
FULL TEXT OF THE TESTIMONY IN
THE CASE.

tu0 Suiioiy WI sho oPp"Sto S'uo VI Wv
hall at the door near the head of the
stairs. He asked Hayes about hav-
ing moved some furniture. Hayes
started to answer but did not say any
thing, when Butler commenced to
shoot. Hayes ran up the hall to the
front door, but could not get out, it
being bolted. He then ran to the
room of his half sister, Miss Daisy
Hyams, who is sister of the wife of
the accused. Butler followed him in
there. Witness being frightened
jumped ont of the dining room window
and saw no more Of the shooting.
Mrs. Ella Hayes, wife of the de-
ceased, testified that she did not see
any of the shooting but heard it, be-
cause she was in the same house.
She saw the smoke from Buffers pis-
tol which was in his hand. Her hus-
band did not have on coat or even a
vest at the ii Sc, nor was he armed.
Thomas G. Wheadon, a merchant
at Mooreiand was not there at the
time of the shooting, being at his
store, distance of about three hun
dred yards. He reached Hayes house
in short time, where he found Hayes
lying on his bed stripped down to his
shirt. When he walked in Hayes
spoke to him, saying, "Butler has
killed me for nothing. l spoke to
him politely and he asked me what |
took that furniture for. / started to
answer, but before | could do so he
began shooting me. l am dying"
Wheaton, spoke of sending for a ply
sician, when Hayes said, at is no use
sending for physician, he cannot get
here in time to do me any good; l
would like to see priest before die"
Wheadou then left to send for priest
Miss Emma Hyams, half sister Of
the deceased, was in Mrs. Hayes
room at the shooting. Saw nothing
bnt the smoke from the last pistol
shot. Knew of no difference between
Butler and Hayes. Lived in the house
with both of them. Heard the shots.
Ed. Collins, colored, testified that
he had been in the Moore family
since Hayes was born. That Hayes
was grandson of Governor T. O..
Moore, aud, as executor, had the man
agement of the plantation. The fur
niture mentioned by Butler belonged
to the succession of Hayes grand
mother and grandfather
For the defense DR.. Smith Gordon
testified that he was attending Butler
last December, and made three visits.
He found his patient nervous and rest
less, saying that be could not keep
still lying down, sitting or standing;
that he had roaring in the head and
bad not slept for three weeks. On
December 18th he.sbronght the pa
tient to Alexandria, where he could
treat him better; on Jan'y 9th got him
so be could sleep, then he discharged
him. On Jan'y 7 or s Butler started
for home, his system much improved.
ANY sudden or powerful excitement
might possibly affect his mind for a
moment. On Jan'y 90 the day after
the killing, the prisoner was brought
to Jail by the sheriff Witness was
sent for and found Butler in nervous
commissions, which lasted for six days
bis condition was that of a case oil
hvsteria. He said that the excitemen,
of q nervous character did not neces
sarily indicate any mental perturba
ton of permanent character. Saw
no evidence of mental alteration.
Sheriff Stafford testified that he
went to Mooreland for Butler on the
night of the killing. Arrived there
about II o'clock; took him in charge
and watched him to prevent him from
doing anything he should not. But
Ter spoke nationally, but the converse
ton ran continually in the direction O
the tragedy. Saw no indication o
insanity. He acted queerly, but dit
not know whether it was affected. o.
his way to Jail with tue prisoner tn
next morning Butler had convulsiol
in the buggy.
The prisoner stated on the stand il
bis own behalf that on the night o
the killing he went from the kitche,
to his wife's room. Met no one blu