The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-19
MURDER and POLITICS.
Beginning of a Celebrated Trial
in Georgia.

State against Sol and Corrie Zeigler, for
the murder of Sheriff l.. b. Booker, of
this (Screven) county, in October, 1895,
was called in the superior court this
morning. The case in many respects is
tke most remarkable ever heard in
Georgia. The feud in which it origi-
mated, and which has already resulted in
the killing of two men, had politics at
the bottom of it and in the trial now on
political feeling promises to plny prom
inent part.
Thomas e. Watson, late Peoples party
nominee for Vice President, is leading
counsel for the defense. and it is expected
he will make the effort of his life before
the jury.
The first shooting in the series of trag-
edies was the killing of the father of
the Ieigler brothers in September, 1894.
Sheriff Brooker and George Zeigler were
travelling together over the Sylvania rail
road. Brooker was II Democrat and Zeig.
Ter II Populist. There was also on the
train Il negro, George Bellinger, Demo
cratic worker. Brooker and Zeigler were
good friends and were chatting together.
Billinger was talking loudly to some
other negroes about the two political par
ties, and finally made the remark: II
had rather be tried by II jury of bullfrogs
than Populist jury
Xeigler heard this and resented it. He
was angry and started toward the negro.
Brooker interfe"cd, II dispute ensued, and
the two men engaged in fight They
were separated, and in II few seconds the
train reached Zeiglcr's station, the home
of the Ieiglers. Xcigler stepped upon
the platform and the dispute was re-
sumed between the two men, one on the
platform and the other ut the car win
dow. Ieiglcr started back in the car and
was shot dead by Brooker.
Brooker was not indicted on the
ground that he acted in self-defense, as
Ieigler had gotten arms from the ware
house when he stepped off the train. The
action of the grand jury in failing to in
dict BROKER incensed the younger Zeig-
lcrs, and they swore they would revenge
their fathers death
One Sunday in October, 1895, Sheriff
Brooker attended the Baptist Association
Mt Goloid Church. The Zeiglcr boys
were there, and while 200 people we're
standing around on the grounds, shot
BROKER with rifles. After he had fallen
the IeiGlers ran UP and fired twice more
into his body, all the balls taking effect
a warrant was sworn out for th.ir ar.
rest, and for eight months, under Popu-
list county administration. the warrant
was not executed. The boys openly de.
fed law. In May they voluntarily sur
rendered.
George Bellinger the negro who was
the cause of the difficulty between
BROKER and George Zeigler, was shot and
Killed by two unknown white men sew
eral months after the death of Zeigler.
The grand jury found true bills against
Solomon Zeigler and w. j. Walker for
the shooting of Bellinger, and Walker is
now in Jail
The case was called to day, but owing
to the absence of States witnesses, it
had to he suspended. There is II strong
array of attorneys present The State is
represented by Solicitor General Beverly
Evans, Judge ii. d. d. Twiggs and T. X.
Overstreet. The defense is represented
by Thomas T.. Watson, g. NJ w. Will
liams, ii. :. White, Oliver & Overstreet,
W. l.. Matthews and ID. II. Clark.
The court room was crowded The
prisopAs were brought in looking none
the wSFse on account of confinement in
Jail They seemed to be in good humor
and greeted their friends pleasantly Mrs.
Brooker, widow of Sheriff Brooker, came
into the court heavily yelled. The State
moved for IL continuance, owing to the
absence Of Henry b. Mills and Charles
l.afette, Jr. Mills, it is claimed, was
with heriH BROKER when he was shot.
Judge Gamble granted IL continuance
until the missing witnesses could be
sent for. There is great excitement
here, occasioned by the trial, and politi-
cal lines are closely drawn.