The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-14
FRED HORTON ON TRIAL.
Indicted For Burning Central Railroad
Bridges.


Bridges.
SANDERsvmLE, Ca, Sept. 1S.-Fred
Horton, indicted at the last term of court
for burning bridges on the Central railroad
in October, is now being tried. VIII Hor-
ton. convicted and serving life sentence
in the coal mines, is here as a witness for
his brother. He duplicates Tom Taylor
one of the best farmers in the county as
being guilty with himself, and swears Fred
was not with him when the bridge was
burned.
At Wills trial In March Taylor testified
that Horton told him that he and Fred had
done the burning and had written threaten
ing letters to the Atlanta express office to
release Horton, Braswell and Thornton,
convicted OF express robbery near Forsyth.
Horton had said that when he was
pinched he generally pinched back, and
sensational developments were expected by
some at the examination of witnesses this
morning. The prosecution was represented
by Solicitor Evans, Harris a. Rawlings, and
Judge Hines. The defense was represented
by Judge Twiggs and Marion Harris. The
TESTIMONY AGAINST FRED HORTON
was the same as against his brother. Their
threats, proximity to the burning bridges
aud the fact that they had bought tickets to
Ooonee, where the burning commenced, and
haA buA hoA hlA DobWtoh bACT0 huu Tue ubtsf-
est point to where they lived to the rail
road, showed that they bad walked
back from Oconee and burned
as they went. Judge Twiggs drew out
| Horizons story Of the deed inch by inch, and
from the testimony IL seemed that he was
| putting up good defense for his brother
had any one believed his testimony Hines
shattered this testimony and showed clearly
| the improbability Of the convict's tale.
said Horton: "I did that work myself and
Fred was not with me. He knew nothing
Of it.o He admitted having boarded the
train at Sun Hill with Fred, alleging that
they were searching for runaway brother,
but claimed to have got off at Tennille. He
also wrote those letters, hoping
lease his brother and companions.
When he found the company would not do
It he hired two negroes 90 assist in the burn
ing. Judge Hines made him tell the entir Q
story over again and asked
WHO WERE THOSE NBGRoRsl
| Horton hesitated. finally answering: "Henry
Dixon and Joe South, who had been work
ing for me-" He could not tell where the
negroes are, but said he paid them $40 to
assist in the burning. Judge Hines asked
who the friend was he said had aided him
In his torchlight procession. Horton ap-
peared loath TO answer and asked several
YES" "Wsll, then,n said Horton,
shat man was Tom Taylor" Intense In
terest was shown by the audience, but
when Taylor's name was called no one be-
lieved 1t or anything else in the conoocted
story. Taylor was present In the court
room. He bears a good reputation and can
easily prove an alibi. Horizons story was
manufactured for two purposes --oue to Inn
plioate Taylor, who was she main witness
against him, lust for spite and the other to
shield his brother. Taylor and Horton are
connected by marriage. Taylor was called
in the court room after Horizons
testimony and said there WIS
not word Of truth In it
he said: "Will Horton wrote me note
asking me to swear to a lie just after bis
arrest, and his mother took that note from
a sewing machine drawer IN my house.
am ready to be investigated" There will
be two speeches by tue opposing counsel
and the case will go to jury tomorrow.
Fred will doubtless be convicted.