The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-17
THE CASE OF THE zElGLERS.
THE STORY OF THE FAMOUS
SCREVEN COUNTY FEUD.

Solomon and COrrie ZciGler 10 he
Put on Trial at the Term of Court
Now in session-How the Trouble
Between ZeigIer, ST., and Brook eF
Began-TragIc End of the Negro
About whom They QuarrelIed.
yanis. ga. Nov 1.-THE case of the
Zei rler boys. Solomon and Collie, who are
about 10 be put on trial in the superior
court now in session here, for the murder
of Sheriff Brooker of this county has be-
cone a very celebrated one in the state
and almost unprecedented in the history
Of The country, from the fact that with
reward of $1,000 offered for their capture
they remained unmolested at their home
nav. went about in their neighborhood and
visited over the county for nearly eight
months after they shot and killed the
sheriff. The affair has been written up in
all the papers of the state, and many 9th
ers over the country, time and again, but
a short resume of the principal incidents
will perhaps not be amss, now thai they
are about to be put upon trial for their
lives.
It was tv o years ago last September that
Sheriff BROKER and Mr.. George Zelgler,
1atp.r of tie two boys, were coming out
toet Their ever the Sylvania railroad. Mr..
BROKER bound for Sylvania and Mr. Zeig-
Ter for his home at Zeiglers station, about
six miles from this place. Brooker was
democrat and Zeigler a populist. Ihere
was also on the train, in the other END OF
the coach. negro named George Bellln-
ger. a prominent democratic worker.
BROKER and Zeigler were good FRIENDS up
10 this time. and were chatting together as
they rode out. Bellinger was taking rather
1oudlv to some other negroes about the two
nolitical parties, and finally, it Is SAID,
made this remark: Il had rather be tried
nv a Jury of bull frogs than a populist
jury"
When Zeigler heard this he arose to re-
sent il. He started towards the negro,
when BROKER interfered. Some words
passed between the two men, ana they
came at last to blows
They were quickly separated, however
and about this time the train rolledup to
Zeigler's station. Zeigler alighted from
fine train and walked out on the platform.
Inst here the testimony is conflicting as
to the events that then transplreu. Iels.
ler's friends say that when he stepped or
the car Brooker cursed him and told him
he was afraid to go out to Sylvania, and
that when Zeigler unarmed, started back
10 the car. BROKER fired at him from
the car window, which shot took effect
and caused Zeigler's death
On the other hand, the friends OF
Brooker claim that as soon as the tram
stopped at the station, Zeigler got off and
went into the warehouse, where he Sc
cured pistol, and, accompanied by ms
son, Sol who was also armed, started
back on the train; and that while advanc-
ing toward the sheriff, BROKER fired
through the car window. These are the
two different versions
George Zeigler, though shot, boarded
the car with his son Sol, and there were
a number of shot fired. Sol Zeigler was
shot in the arm, and BROKER was shot
in the mead and shoulder, and was thought
to be killed. The train came on, bringing
BROKER to Sylvania- His wounds did not
prove fatal, and in a short while he was
out again. MIR. Zeigler, the elder, was
found to be shot through the lung, and
died a few days after.
AS soon as the superior court convened
the matter was brought before the grand
Jury. They inquired into the killing, and
returned mo bilr' against BROKER, but
found a bill against the two Zeigler boys,
Sol and Corrie, for assault and battery
upon Conner Williamson, who CHANGED
to be on the train. and being a nephew of
BROKER, took a small part in the ARRAY,
and was afterward severely beaten by the
eAiN~N
father on the day he was shot by
Brooker.
This action of the grand jury in failing
to indict Brooker greatly incensed the
younger Zeiglers, and from that time, it
is said, they swore they would revenge
their fathers death.
BROKER was repeatedly warned that the
Zeiglers had threatened to kill him on
sight but still he did not seem to fully
realize his danger The months rolled on,
and 1t was more than year afterwards.
the second Sunday in October, 1895, that
the sheriff attended the Baptist Associa-
tion at Goloid church, five miles from Syl
vania, and about two miles from Zeiger's
station. The Zeigler boys were also there.
in the afternoon, while perhaps two hum
dred people were standing around on the
grounds, Brool1er started off down the
hill toward his buggy with two friends,
intending to go home. Directly after he
had gotten out from among the crowd,
Sol and Corrie Zeigler, in full view of ev-
erybody, were seen following him, with
rifles in hand. When they got within
thirty or forty yards, they both took aim
and fired simultaneously. BROKER had
no warning, and fell forward on his face
just as he was walking. and died in a few
seconds. After he had fallen they ran
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