The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-20
SOL ZElGLER'S DEFENCE.
TOM WATSON MAKES A THREE
HOURS SPEECH.
Theory of Self Defence Relied Upon
and the Case Given TO
he Jury.

Sylvania, Ga, Nov. 19.-As was ex-
pected the defendants attorneys decid-
ed not to introduce any testimony in the
Zeigler trial. When the arguments be-
gan this morning, Solomon Zeigler was
put on the stand to make his statement.
He made it with but little hesitation. His
father told him on his death bed that
while coming home on the train he heard
George Gellinger make statement that
he considered an insult; he spoke to the
negro about it and Sheriff Brooker took
the matter up. Brooker cursed Zeigler,
but friends separated them. His father
left the train to avoid a difficulty. When
the train reached Zeigler's station Brook
er called out to him from the car: Come
on and 20 to Sylvania and I'll fix you
you d." My father started into the
car and was shot by Brooker | ran into
the car and Brooker shot at NE. the bull
let grazing my neck. / rushed into the
car and almost before / knew it had
taken Brokers pistol from him and
shot him. went back to my father. His
throat was cut, / asked him who cut his
throat. He told me Connor 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 lady. He
looked around and saw man holding a
gun at his head. 1t was Connor 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 warrant for Brooker for murder
He was allowed to give bond. / went
before the grand jury to indict him, bur
instead of indicting him they indicted me
for assault on Brooker. 'Brooker," he
said, ''had sworn to have revenge. He
told Mr.. Hurst In the grand jury room
that Solomon 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 Corril
and / the first chance he got. He told
Mr.. Arnett the same thing. told Mr..
Arnett / wished Brooker would go on
and let me alone as ! did not want to
kill any one.
AT Goliad, at the Baptist Association,
carried my gun with me, as ] always did
after Brokers threats. AT Goliad I and
some friends were in a carriage when Mr..
BROKER came up behind US. / made an
excuse to get out Of the carriage, and
went to look after Mr.. Fosters morse.
We afterwards went back to the carriage,
but as Brooker wasestill 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 lie looked at us with un.
friendly glances. Mr.. John Hughes re-
ported to me that Brooker had said that
he would kill my brother and myself be-
fore the day was ended; that he was go-
| ing to be the last man to leave the
grounds that day Some one asked
BROKER what he would do II the Zeigler
boys had their rifles. I have got rifles
| myself he replied. A friend OF the Zeig-
lers reported to them, according to the
statement that Brooker had rifles in his
buggy. Just before the killing, Solomon
said he was helping his friend to gear up
his team. Brooker and a man came up
and began talking low The defendant
heard BROKER say: "Boys. this is our
last chance to get them" II was those
threats. he said, that forced the killing in
self-defense.
Thos. Il. Watson spoke for three hours
defending Solomon Zeigler, and the case
went to the jury at $40 p. m.
AT II o'clock tonight the jury is still
out. A mis-trial is not looked for. At
any rate there will be no verdict to-
night.
Xeigler is an ardent Populist.