The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-20
BHOoKEn'S MnRDEaEHS.
A Witness Gives Some Interest
Ing Testimony.


pected, the defendants attorneys decided
not to introduce any testimony in the
Aeigler trial when the arguments began
this morning. Solomon Zeigler was put
on the stand to make his statement. He
read 1t with but little hesitation. Hts
father had told him on his death bed, he
saiu, that while coming home upon the
Sylvana train he heard George Bellin-
ger make Il statement that he considered
an insult. He spoke to the negro about
1t and Sheriff Brooker took the matter I'M.
Brooker cursed Zeigler, but friends sepa-
rated them. His father LETT the train to
avoid difficulty. When the train reached
Zeigler's station, Brooker called out to
nm from the car: Come on anu so to
Sylvania and I'll fix you, you d.
My father started into the car and
was shot by Brooker l ran into the
depot and Brooker shot at me, the bull.
let grazing my neck. l rushed into the
car and almost before l knew it had
taken Brokers pistol from him and shot
nm. went back to my father His
throat was cut asked him who cut his
throat He told me Conner Williamson.
Two or three days later my father died
Before the death of his father the pris-
oner said. he went into the train as it
was passing Sylvania to see n lady He
looked around and saw man holding n
gun at his head. 1t was Conner Will
Hanson. He took the gun away from
him and beat Williamson severely with
his fist.
after my fathers Death said Sol,
81 went before Justice Jennings and Sc
cured a warrant for BROKER for murder
He was allowed to give bond. went be-
fore the grand jury to indict him, but in
stead of indicting him they indicted me
for assault on Brooker.
"Brooker,n he said, chad sworn to
have revenge; he told Mr. Hurst in the
grand jury room that Sol Zeigler had
nearly done him up and that he would
kill me if it took him ten years to do it.
He told Preacher Thompson he would kill
Corric and | the first chance he got. He
told Mr.. Arnett the same thine | told
Mr. Arnett l wished Brooker would 90
on.and let me alone, rs did not want to
kill anyone
"At Goldad, at the Baptist Associa-
tlon, carried my gun with me, ms l al
ways did after Brokers' threats At
Golidad, | and some friends were in n
carriage when Mr.. Brooker came up be-
hind us. made an excuse to get out of
the carriage and went to look Mt Mr. Eos.
ter's horse. We afterwards went back To
the carriage, but rs Brookcr was still
there we went up to the church The
sheriff followed us there. We separated.
This went on for some time Everywhere
we went he would come. He looked Mt IL.
with unfriendly Chances Mr. John
Hughes reported to me that Brooker had
said that he would kill my brother and
myself before the day was ended; that he
was going to.be the last man to leave the
grounds that day. Some one asked
BROKER what he would do if the Xeigler
boys had their rifles. Il have got rifles
myself, he replied
~ friend of the Xeglers reported to
them according to the statement, that
BROKER had rifles in his buggy. Just
before the killing Solomon said he was
helping his friend to gear up his team
BROKER and n man came up and began
talking low. The defendant heard
Brooker say: Boys, this is our last
chance to get them.n
1t was those threats he said that forced
the killing in."self-hefense
Thomas +. Watson spoke for three
hours defending Solomon Zeigler, and
the case went to the jury ut $40 p. IN.