Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-10
THE SMOOTH CASE.
A SISTER OF THE MURDERER READS
LETTER IN COURT
Which She Had Sent to Her Brother on Account Of
Stories Size Had Heard Concerning His Talk
About Miss FerrellS-The Hear
ing Still in Progress
suseial Tslsaram to tas Rsqstsr.

SBseidI TslsOrdn TO The Bsgtsrsr.
CHARLESTON, w. VA, June Gin the
Smooth murder case to-day, a. 5. Dand-
ridge testified that about September last
the prisonec came to his place and stated
that before Z o'clock that evening he
(prisoner) would be dead. He showed the
witness a let ter and stated that he
had sent such letter to the father Of the
deceased, who afterwards told the pris-
oueri II he did not retract certain statements
contained therein he would kill him. The
accused said he would not retract. The
witness said Mr.. Ferrells asked him to let
the matter drop, that they all considered
Smootz crazy on the subject oflove for Miss
Ferrells and they would try to get
him 10 leave town. Ferrells consented 70
this. Cross examined, the witness said
SmOOtz came to see him three times and
talked about his troubles with Miss Fer
rells. Witness never had any suspicion OF
his insanity and thought him perfectly sane
Mrs Chas. Grant, sister of tho accused,
testified that she received O letter from him
last September ia which he said that when
the letter reached her he would be dead
man That Mr. Terrell would kill him be-
fore then if he did not retract certain state
ments made by him in a letter 10 Mr.. Fer
rell, and he would not retract.
sS-examined the witness said she did
not answer that letter, but sent the same to
her brother Charles, who destroyed It,
Witness said she forbade her brother her
house because Of certain things told her by
Mrs. Shaw, which she afterward learned
were untrue. Witness did write the fol-
lowing letter TO her brother, September q:
Harry have heard of your nice be-
havior, and l am ashamed Of you, and
don't believe one word you say about
Susie. did not think you would stoop TO
lie on anyone, and If l was Susie's father
or brother l would thrash you until you
would be glad TO keep your mouth shut
and II YOU come over here talking about
shooting anyone l will have you arrested
myself. Now about your coming over here
tonight you stay at home and let all hands
have a rest Now you cannot come to my
house. Now l mean what say. What
would mother say 70 know you would ruin
a nice girl like Susie. You are no gentle
man and am done with you. Yours,
JULIA"
Witness explained that she wrote this
letter because Mrs. Shaw had told her that
Harry had talked about Miss Terrell. He
never talked 10 witness on the subject
When the accused received the letter, he
went at once to see his sister and denied
all Mrs. Shaw had said, and witness
afterwards learned that Mrs. Shaw had
been misinformed. Witness said she knew
Miss Terrell TO be pure woman with a
sDotless character. Her brother told her
he loved Miss Terrell and wanted to marry
her aud witness received him again into
her home and went to see Miss FerrelPs
mother concerning the marriage, but Mrs.
Ferrell would not consent and said TO wit
ness My daughter IS not as crazy as
Harry"
This closed the testimony and Court ad-
iOurned.