The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-19
TOM WATSON WILL DEFEND.
CASE OF TWO PoPuLiSTs WHO
KlLLEDA DEMOCRATIC SHERIFF
Brilliant Array of Counsel and the Poll
ticai Color of the Tragedy is Caus-
ing Great Excitement.

SyIyania, Ca, Nov. 1S.-The case Of
the State against Sol. and Corrie Zeigler
for the murder OF Sheriff l.. g. Brooker,
OF this (Screyen) county in October, 1895,
was called in the Superior court this
morning. The case, in many respects, is
the most remarkable ever heard in Geor-
gia. The feud in which it originated,
and which has already resulted in the
killing Of two men, had politics at the
bottom Of it and in the trial now OH,
political feeling promises to play promi-
nent part. Thomas f. Watson, late
Peoples party nominee for Vice-Presi-
dent, is lending counsel for the defense
and it is expected he viii make the effort
Of his life before the jury. The first
shooting in the series OF tragedies was the
killing Of the father Of the Zeigler broth
ers in September, 1894. Sheriff Bro0ker
and George Ieigler were travelling to-
gcthcr over the Sylyania railroad.
Brooker was a Democrat and Zeigler a
Hopulist. There was also on. the train
a negro, George Bellinger. a Democratic
worker Brooker and Zeigler were good
friends and We're chatting together.
BeIHnger was talking loudly to some other
negroes about the two political parties
and finally made the remark; II had
rather be tried by jury of buH frogs
than a Populist jury" Zeigler heard this
and resented 1t. He was angry and
started towards the negro. Brooker in
terfered, dispute ensued and the two
men engaged in a fight.
They were separated and in a few
seconds the train reached Zeigler's sta
ton, the home Of the Zeigers. Zeigler
stepped upon the platform and the dis
pllte was resumed between the two men,
one on the platform and the other at the
car window. Zeigler started back in the
car and was shot dead by Brooker. Brook
er was not indicted on the ground that he
acted in self-defense, as Zeigler had got
ten arms from the warehouse when he
stepped off the train. The action OF the
grand jury in failing to indict Brooker
incensed the younger Zeiglers and they
swore they would have revenge for their
fathers death. One Sunday in October,
1895, Sheriff Br0oker attended the Baptist
Association ut GOloid church The Zeig-
Ter boys were there. While two hundred
people were standing around the grounds.
the Zeiglers shot Brooker with rifles AZ
ter he had fallen, the Zeiglers ran up and
fred twice more into his body, all the
bullets taking effect. A warrant was
sworn out for their arrest, and for eight
months under the Populist county admin
the warrant WIS not executed !
The boys openly defed the law. In May /
they voluntarily surrendered. George
the negro who was the cause
Of the dispute, was shot and killed by two
unknown white men several months after
the death OF Zeigler The grand jury
found true bills against Solomon Zegler
and w. j. Walker for the shooting Of
and Walker is now in jail. /
The case was called to-day, but owing to
the absence Of States witnesses it had to
be postponed. There is n strong array
Of attorneys present. The State is repre-
sented by Solicitor-G General Beverly
Continued on Eighth pags.)