The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-01-29


led. Men with Winchester rifles and douD-
le-harrcl shot guns are standing all about
the court room, ready to suppress any DEM
0nstra!iOn.
THE DEFENSE.
The defense commenced on their testi
mony this morning. The first witness in
troduced was Craig Miller. He knew moth
ing about the killing, but said that he
heard Hylton say about year before the
killing that. owing to some trouble in hs-
den county Kentucky several years ago,
il he and Hall ever met, one or the other
Of them would have to die.
TAFT HALL TEsrlFIEs.
The accused was now called to the stand
and his advent az q witness caused con-
siderable sensation. He appeared rather
nervous. but answered the questions OF
the counsel promptly and told his story
in Il straight forward manner. During
most Of the time lie sat i'll stopped po-
sit ipn with hands on his knee. Once or
twice, however. he rose to his feet, nc he
tricd TO demonstrate his position at the
time Of the shooting. He said: lie and
Bates were going down track TO take the
train to 90 TO Coburn AS We got near
thc depot. Hvltou pitched at Miles Bates
and said, consider Yourself under arrest.
Bates told him to show his authority. |
have got no authority, and arrest you on
suspicion. Niger was with Hylton and
he said that Bates was not the man who
had his watch and pistol then stepped
up and said if this amt the man, what
arc YOU bothcring him for. You let him
90. As | SAID this; Hylton turned on me
with revolver in both hands and said,
Damn YOU, owe it TO YOU anyway
pulled my pistol, knocked his down with
my LEFT hand and shot him in the breast.
knew that had shot him in the breast
and shot 1T him again, but Bates or Hyi-
ton knocked my hand down and the ball
went in the ground | was standing with
ny face to The east, and Hyton was tncing
vest, my left side TO his left side.
On cross examination Hall said, thai
after Tie shootin. he took to the woods,
laycd down while, then got up and went
eastward Oh the railroad track, and kept
going about the country until he reached
Memphis. where he was captured.
lie said that he had never had any dlth-
Guilty with Hyl,on nor made any threats
AGAINST him. or knew Of any lIylton had
made
How many men have YOU killed." ask
I'd Lawyer Ross.
IL won It answer no such question" was
the quick response.
The evidence Of Hall practically closed
:hc defense Several other witnesses was
examined on minor points, but nothing OF
Importance was developed
The Commonwealth introduced several
witnesses to rehut the testimony OF Hall,
but their evidence was practically the
same as that given in The evidence in chief.
ARGUMENT.
At 4I0 p. m. the evidence WAS all in
and argument commneced
Geo A. Ewing of Scott county opened
for the Commonwealth. He commenced
| by saving.
This is case of grave mpo1ancc not
only to the prisoner ut the bar but to ev-
cry citizen OF. this commonwealth. DO
NOT want YOU to coyict because this is
fall; Hall. because he is brought before
this court from Il cell weighted down with
menacles. Nor would ask Il conviction
because ofthe widow who sits here drap-
ed in mourning nor of the bcrcaved broth
cre who here mourn the loss OF 4 brother
who died in discharge of his duty. Nor
would | for one moment ask this jury to
convict because the citizens of the town
OF which the deceased was an officer ask
! for his blood. ask justice and nothing
! bul Justice. Let the unyicldine justice OF
the law take its course and We will be sat
iShcd.
II. is hard for any lawyer said Mr..
F.! Ewing "to vigorously prosecute III case
like this, where the prisoner stands so ut
tcrly helpless without one excuse for his
foul deed but his ntcntionwas to send Enos
iIyllon to ctnrntv without one moment to
make pcace with his God. a verdict OF
murder in the first degree would be more
mcrcitu than he was TO his victim He
gave Hvlton no time to even bid adue to
the companion Of his life who sits here
dressed in widows weeds"
Mr.. Ewing made an able orgucmcnt and
~ several points in his speech waxed
eloquent
He was followed by H. G. l.. Richmond,
Of Gate City, for the defense. Mr.. Rich
momd is young man and did well III thus
which is probably his first effort in an i'm
portant case.
!. s. Ross. Of Norton was the next
speaker for the prosecution. de is good
sneaker and made 4 good immpcssion on
the jury.
THE VERDICT
WISE G. r., Jan. 30--Thc jury came
in this evening at two O'Clock, and an
nounccd that they had reached verdict,
and were ready to render the same Much
excitement prevailed and all were anxious
to hear il announced, although il was what
everyone expected, when the foreman read
ont.
''MuEpER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
After the verdict was announced, Hall
was interviewed by your reporter, He ex-
pressed hope of a new trial, and II secnr-
cd he says lie will be acquitted.
He stood up under the trying ordeal re-
markedly we'll while the finding OF the J"-
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