The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-22
OLEARY'S TRIAL.
The Story Of the Killing AS Told by the
Witnessed for TIE State.

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SYLvASIA, GA, May 21.-As stated in
the MORNING News yesterday the jury in
the case Of the state against George W.
Cleary for the murder of John G. Harris
was obtained without trouble, and the evil
denoe for the state is all in. The introduc-
uon OF evidence for the defense has begun.
Inc story Of the killing, as told by the
states witnesses, was about as follows:
There had for some time been i'll feeling
between George W. Cleary and John G..
Harris. United States deputy marshal.
Cleary had heard unfavoraDle reports con-
corning Harris fidelity to his wife. whom
ne mad married IN Scriven county, and his
character as a man generally, and had
taken occasion to circulate thse reports
whenever opportunity presented itself
ABOUT this time Harris made application for
membership to an alliance lodge to which
Cleary belonged Clearly gave notice that
whenever the application was taken up to
De acted upon he intended to black ball
Harris. IL seems that the application was
referred to an investigating committee, and
that the committee failed to report it
Dack 10 the alliance prior to the fatal meet
ing at Oliver. On July 25 there was big
picnic at Oliver. There were to be speeches
on various subjects by State School Com
missioner Bradwen and Assistant Commits
sioner OF Agriculture Hunnicutt, who were
tnen canvassing the state, and by other
prominent gentlemen.
OLD SORES REoPENED.
During the day Ethe bad blood between
Cleary and Harris began to boils Harris
would be informed of some remark made
concerning him by Cleary, and Cleary
would be be told something tnat Harris had
said about him. These reports were no
doubt magnided by the informers of both
parties, and soon the feeling Of the two
enemies had been worked up to a high
pitch. So affairs stood up to the dinner
hour. Not long after dinner.
while the picnickers were listening
10 speech or longing about enjoying
themselves, Cleary and his son John and
harris met near lemonade stand. Some
pltter words were exchanged. so the evil
dence goes, when friends OF both parties
attempted to adjust matters by getting the
two men away from each other.
HARRIS STARTED TO LEAVE.
Harris was inclined to listen to his friends,
and started to leave, when Cleary ran up
behind HIM, caught him in the coat collar
and turned him around, at the same time
cursing him. Then a pistol shot rang ont.
Here there is some variance in the evidence
OF the states witnesses as to who shot first
Jonn Clearly, who had run up with his
tather, had pistol, as did also George
Cleary and Harris. Immediately succeed
ing the first a second shot was fired. and
John Cleary fell to the ground. While
lying down John Cleary shot at Harris. and
George Cleary followed this with another
shot. Harris reeled, and, supporting him
self In STOPPING posture on a pine tree
which had been felled, was gasping for
breath when George Cleary poked his pistol
at his breast and fred twice.
DIED IN THREE MrNrrTrs
Harris fell over the tree and died in about
three minutes Five pistol balls were
found In his body. John Cleary was at
tended to and his wounds were of such a
nature that they came near producing
death.
The shooting naturally caused intense
excitement. The tragedy cast a gloom
over the crowd. who soon dispersed for their
homes.
George W. Cleary was arrested and
brought to Sylyauia and placed in jail.
Ball was refused, and he has remained in
close confinement ever since.
Cleary is an old man of about So years of
age, wears heavy, bushy, iron gray beard
and mustache, and has long, wavy hair.
The state closed at o'clock yesterday
afternoon. The examination of witnesses
for the defense proceeded and will be con-
tinued to-day,