The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-30
THE DEMOCRAT.
TIE BONNER TRIAL.
Coniinned l,on. sec11l pnqe

u CIoFtt tidi4 li"i pCc!i a. any e'ili'
since the trial opened, except Whei
Credle was on the stand, and perhap
as large as at that time.
The cross examination at first REFER
cd to witness attending negro festivals
shooting at vari Jus individuals, to thu
latter Of which questions he answered
in the negative. Witness said he never
was dead drunk but twice. The second
time was at Jim Gardner's the night
cd b. Mr. Warren he admitted that be
had been dismissed from the church Oh
account Of his habits.
"Didn't you and Brantlcy get drual;
il the neighborhood Of BIount Greek Z?
I'VE were drinking together"
"Didt you get in ditch n
y blind horse fell IL the ditch we
had been drinking.
what were You doing riding around
the country with Brantley2"
i went to belp him get employ
ment"
ION what other occasion were you
dead drunk 2"
,.One time in Hyde county"
',Arn't you sporting man and carry
q pistol =
I frolic when get the chance
don't carry pistol very often"
Haven't you been III the habit Of
carrying pistol2'
Yes"
WHY have YOU carried pistol2'
Cant tell have owned one about
two years.
"DIdus you buy from Dudley Hud-
rel 32-cahbre pistol the day before
Mr.. Bonner was killed ?"
4 deny it it is not true bought
one about two months before"
Mr. Warren went INTO the details OF
the Jesse James literature and ques-
toned the witness closely about the
oath in the book. A copy of the James
book ha,i been procured by the State s
counsel from when Mr. Warren read
the awful oath. the great crowd listen
ing with marked attention, ana at the
conclusion asked the witness if he re-
membered that cath Witness said he
did, but had never taken any such oath
nor administered such an oath to any
one Several other parts Of the book
were asked about and the witness did
not remember them. Mr. Warren gave
him the book to read page for him
self. and when he had done 50 he said
ne remembered it.
Again before the James literature
was left Mr. Warren gave him the
book to refresh his memory, and Mr..
Reckwlth. Of counsel for defense, OBJ
iected, SAYING he thought the witness
should not be required to read, let the
State test his knowledge OF the book
without his reading. Court ruled that
the witness could 90 as lie liked, where
upon Mr.. Beckwith said to HIM Hand
the book back to Mr.. Warren, Mr.
Bell. and he did 50.
Didn't YOU hear Brantley tell Mrs
Best that the murder of Mr. Bonner
was kind of Jesse James trick2'
No
DO you remember the signals II
the James book =
other parts Of the book, giving signal:
that the James crowd used, such a
flirting handkerchief and whistIln}
the signals that Creole said Uriah Bel
used for them on their raids
did YOU feel startled when Best toi(
YOU about the murder Sunday mornin;
in your room at his house ?"
Yes, somewhat"
why didn't you SO to Aurora to see
if YOU could be Of some service?"
i was too sick and drunk to thinl
much about anything
"pid BrauGey tell YOU that Mr- Bon
ner was murdered when he came t
YOU in the woods at Best'S Sunday
"He told it to Sheriff.. ! wa
asleep"
Did YOU ask anything about tn
MURDER
No, | was too sick
do you tell that jury that such
shocking murder occurred near yol
and YOU made no inquiry about 1t? -
4 was too drunk to know anything.
WHAT did BrantIey come to Best
for"
He didn't give any reason"
You would tel the jury all abou
anything YOU are asked f it should
hang you Wouldn't you:'
a have not done anything, but j
I had done anything I don't knoy
what I'd do"
He denied Mrs Best's statemen
about the serenade talk IN her Sitting
room and faItIp0 low in her pasSa0