The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-07
FLORIDA MURDER TRIAL.
THE THRAS ASaER-wITKoUsKI CASE
CALLED AT GAInESvLLE.


Flaws in the Indictment Delay the
Opening of the Case Proper till
Tuesaay--A formidable Array Of
Counsel-The Story of the Sensa-
tional Tragedy Retold.
GAINESVILLE, FLA, Feb. 6.-This morn
ing at $50 o'clock the case against A. B.
Thrasher, indicted for murder in killing
Louis Witkouskl of Starke, was called In
the circuit court, Judge Finley presidins.
States Attorney Wigg and J. L. Fraser ap-
peared for the state. Judge Ashby, Mr..
Davis Of Palatks. Mr.. Davis of Gainesviile,
Mr.. Liggett of Virginia, and Hon. s.
l.. Carter appeared for the defense.
After the reading Of tho indictment
Judge Ashby demurrsd on some techni--
cality, when the counsel for the prosecution
admitted the defects Of the Indictment and
asked that the judge nolle PROSE- It, remand
the prisoner TO 1ail and allow the jury to
bring IN a new indictment, all Of which was
done. A new indictment was found this
afternoon and the case set for Tuesday.
STORY OF THE CRIME
Dec. IL, 1889, A. b. Thrasher, q lawyer
connected with one Of the leading law firms.
and q man OF good family and prominence,
surrendered himself to tho authorities after
fatally shooting Louis Witkouski, mayor OF
Starke. The high standing of the parties
concerned and the rumor that the fair namo
OF lady was involved made the case one
OF special Importance.
A preliminary trial was held. It was
shown that AFR. Witkouski had come TO
Gainesville the night previously. Early on
the morning Of the day Of the tragedy he met
Mr.: Thrashsr ON the street, shook hands.
q nj fxfn kt.... -
when he could see him at his office Shortly
after they walked there together, and
entered the private Office. This was
about $3.50 O'Clock; none Of the other mem.
bers OF the firm were yet there, and Thrasher
and Witkouski were alone ia the house.
WHAT OCCURRED.
As bo what occurred there, the lips OF one
are hushed In death. The story OF the other
is as follows: In his sworn statement
Thrasher says they took chairs, nearly fac
ing one another, three or four feet apart.
MIR. Witkouski began the conversation by
asking II Mrs. Brown was at his house, and
then asked Thrasher TO advise her to return
to his store, as he had offered her a good
salary. Here Thrasher interrupted him, re-
fusing TO do anything Of the sort, saying
he had seen letters from Wltkouski to Mrs.
Brown which convinced him that he was a
soouudrel. Angry words followed on both
sides. Witkousd told Thrasher he had heard
be would shoot, but he was not afraid of
that, to which fhrasher replied that be had
"heard of him, also, but hoped il would never
be necessary to shoot 1t OUT" saying, also,
Don't pu* your hand In your pocket, or
attempt to do so, or shalt certainly shoot
YOU" Witkouski then said, NOW is the
time to settle it," making motion to rise
as he spoke, and carrying his right band
behind him.
THE SHOOTING.
Believing bis own life was
threatened Thrasher pulled out his pistol
and fired twice, both shots taking effect In
the head. Either would have been fatal.
He then went to the door, looked out, and,
seeing no one, walked back, picked up tho
pistol and went out and delivered himself
up to the sheriff.
The Mrs. Brown referred to Is cousin.
and also a sister-in-law Of Mr.. Thrashers
wife, who Ia daughter Of J. p. Brown, for
many years mayor Of this place. She is
also said to be q cousin of Mr. ThraBher-
She had been for several years in Mr.. Wit.
kouski's employment, but left because she
claimed that be had insulted her. After
some months, absence she returned TO this
place, her former home. ana sought the,pro,
lection OF Mr. Thrasher, at whose house she
was staying at the time of the fatal occurs
renee. Many letters were written by MIR.
Witkouski TO Mrs. Brown during her abb
sence, in which, she claims, he renewed his
unwelcome attentions, and his meeting with
Mr.. Thrasher was the result of a note
written to her the night previously. in which
he begs her Ito see him for a moment, and
not drive him to extremes,n adding "a word
from you may sat everything all right"
A CLAIM THAT SHE OWED HIN MONEY.
The lawyers for the prosecution claim
that she was In his debt for money and
goods, and that his anxiety to soc her,
which led him to follow her up with letters
for months, and finally seek her personally
In New York, was caused by his desire Ia
force settlement from her.
After an investigation Of several days,
during which many witnesses were called,
and arguments we're heard on both sides, on
the 10th Thrsshar was admitted to bali in
the sum Of $4,000
On the 18th the grand jury, then in ses.
sion, found an indictment against
him for murder in the first
degree, upon which he surrendered
himself TO the sheriff on the day following.
At the spring term Of the circuit court.
which occurred in May. after being Ia
session for two weeks, it was decided thai
the jury was illegal, and all of It's acts Of
that session ana the ons previous were void.
including this indictment. He then made
application for bail, which was refused.
Since Dec. Q, 1889, up to the present time,
Thrasher has been confined ia tho county
jail During the summer his friends were
allowed to furnish for his use lower room
in the same building, after being inspected
by the jailer and other authorities. Here
he enjoyed measure of privacy and was
allowed to see his wife and mother. But
upon the appointment Of a new sherid
about Jan. l, be claimed that it was not So.
cfire aud Thraehar waa tran sfarred tn tha