The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-30
YOUNG HARMON ON TRIAL.
The Most Sensational Murder Case In the
States History.

The Most Sensational Murder Case In the
states History.
LEXINGTON, G. H., Sept. 23.-When
court opened this morning there was
a large crowd present to hear the
Harmon -Caughman murder trial.
Judge o. w. Buchanan is presiding
at this term. Upon the opening OF
the court the case was Immediately
entered upon and the following jury,
after various challenges, was empan'
elled: J. @. Glover, j. M. MalpaWs,
George Lewis, H. H. Chapman, +.
W. Shealy, J. P. Kook, JEFF Price,
Geo. T. Haltiwanger, j. Z. Kelser,
w. M. Wilson, Geo. FL. Koon, VIM.
D. Riser.
The killing CT Caughman occurred
but a short time ago and is still fresh
in the minds of the public. Young
Harmon, who did the shooting has
been in jail ever since the killing. He
is about 81 years old. The defense is
ably represented by Judge Andrew
Crawford Of Columbia, Col. Geo.
Johnstone of Newberry, A. NJ. Booz:
er, of Columbia, and Q. NJ. E6rd and
Frank E. Dreher, of Lexington. So
licitor Nelson is conducting the pros.
ecution and is being assisted by Meetze
& Muller a1d G.. T. Graham of Lex
ington.
Much of the morning session was
consumed in the empanelling of the
jury and the first examined was Miss
Flora Harman, sister of the young
prisoner. The court adjourned for
dinner at Q o'clock, but reconvened at
g o'clock. Miss Harman took the
stand and Solicitor Nelson resumed
the examination. Many letters from
Miss Harmon to Caughman were In
troduced. Many of the letters were
identified by Miss Harman. The com
munications all tend to show how the
arrangements for the meeting OF the
couple were made. The following is
specimen OF one of the many letters
introduced. 1t is to Caughman from
Miss Harman:
"City.
"My Only Precious: My darling, write
every eve to you. 1t is so much pleasure to
me, | have nothing else to care for and think
about but you my darling; but poor me has not
seen you in three days until today and it
seems like year to me. Precious darling,
my precious, I've been awful sick and you
don't know how | did wish myself with you
in your arms. Angel, l knew if was
would be well girl all the time, but I'm
feeling alright now. don't know how
long it will last though, and my precious, on
top of being sick, had to 60 try and turn
my arm off. My darling, think you are so
sweet. And precious, you cant let me come
to you on Saturday eve? Darling, 1 wish
you would let me. have something want
to ask you. My "angel one" won't you try
now. Darling, love you to death and you
kissed your hand so sweet to me today.
Precious, I'll close for this time and please
darling, let me come 10 you Saturday. Well,
goodbye. / am yours always.
Y.O.D. Wife.
Many sweet kisses l send 10 you and to
get many soon, my precious"
Miss Hartman testified that she wrote
the above and that the signature ''Y.
.. d. Wife" meant your own darl-
ing"
The following note was also identi-
fled by Miss Harman to Cal Caugh-
man:
darling: | will meet you at 4 o'clock this
evening at our old place if it don't rain.
"Your, Y. X. W.
She testified that "Y. K. W., meant
"you know who" Miss Harman's tes-
timony given during the morning
hour of the court was to the effect that
the deceased, Caughman, had accom-
plished his purpose on her by force
and he was in the act of accomplish
ing his purpose on the day of the kill
ing.-State.