The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-01
MORRIS HELD FOR MURDER.
CASE AGAINST THE ACCUSED LOOKS
RATHER WEAK.

He Proves by Several witnesses THAT
He Was in His House and Undress@
ed When the Shot That killed
Spring Was Fired-Dr. KiIpatricJs
on the stand for CrOss-Exnmina-
tiOn when the Hearing Was Re-
sumcd for the Day.
Midwife. Ga, July 31-The trial of FranIr
Morris, accused of the murder of Joe
Sprnz, was resumed this morning by
oss-eXaminlng Dr. Fitzpatrick He re-
told about his money. the finding Of the
body, his trip to Macon with the remains
and of conversation at Wadley with
Messrs. Wooten and Battle about the kill
ing. He told them only one person knew
of the money, besides Sprinz and himself,
and that was Minoek Sapp, a negro, whu
heard them talking about It in the store.
He denied having an engagement with
Sprlnz on the night of the murder, but
c. T. Wooten Of wadley stated emphati4
cally that DR. Fitzpatrick told him If he
had gone to SPRINGS house that night.
as was his custom and as he had prom
ised to do, the murder would not have
occurred. Mr.. Wooten Is a young law
yer and stands high In ths section, and
his statement was received with surprise
by the prosecution, who we're not looking
for such evidence against DR.. Fitzpatrick.
While DR.. Fitzpatrick has been kept Out
of this case as much as possible by both
sides, at the wind up he has been made
more prominent than was desirable.
The defense says a strong card to-day
a.a
peach Tom Thigpen. Several men testI~
fed that they would not believe him on
oath, while for the state equally good olti-
zens were sworn in rebuttal that theY
would believe him.
Thigpen gave his testimony In a verY
straight manner. showing either careful
drilling or absolute truthfulness.
The large audience is still about equally
divided on his evidence.
Or. Harris occupied large portion OF
the morning with his testimony, but be-
yond the time Morris was seen at home
undressed. which. he said, was o'clock.
me same hour Thigpen said he saw him
in Morris house, nothing new developed
T. G. Murdock and Percy Murdock who
live across the street, from Morris, and
two negroes, also testified that they saw
Morris at his home at 0 o'clock In his
night clothes, end that he had got up to
investigate a pistol shot near his house.
Mrs Morris was visiting at Murdocks .
house when he sent negro for her TO
come home al $40 o'clock and shortly after
he had retired pistol was fired.
The defendants statement was told In a,
calm, deliberate manner, and impressed
every one as being true, and was as foi-
lows: Il came down town after supper
May 6. my wife coming to the front gate
with me, and going over to visit Mrs.
Murdock. Sprinz lived next door to me,
and Just after passing his house l saw
Spring in the middle OF the road, and he
asked, Is that you, doc?' / asked what he
said and he recognized my voice and said.
oh, It's you, Is 1t, Morris7 and then he
said he was expecting DR.. Fitzpatrick that.
night and that he thought II was him..
as he said he was coming that night. L
then came on down town, bought soma
medicine, went to the arte-
sian well and then returned home.
When passing Mr.. SPRINGS house / no.
tlced the door was shut. but heard hiKi
and some one talking on the inside"
The defendant then described how he's
went home and sent for his wife and them
retired for the night. but got up and
went 20 the front door when he heard the
pistol shot. DR. Harris and others told him
whoever II was had escaped, and he went,
back TO bed. This ended the testimony for-l
both sides.
Col. Floyd Scales opened for the defenses
In speech of one hour, in which he out
lined the defense in a mastery manner.
and only paved the way for Col. f. H.,
Satfold, who spoke two hours after supper
for the defense, regaling the large au-
dience with a full resume Of the evidence
and facts. His fiery eloquence and delicate
word pictures captivated every one and itl
was the speech OF the case.
Col Phil Johnston closed for the stata
and made a fine speech Of an hour filed
with pathos and humor.
Morris was bound over to the October
term Of Burke county court tonight at
1880 o'clock by Justices Tandeford and
Mccullough.
The decision was expected by many but
a great many others believe Morris in
nocent. His devoted wife still clings 10,
him with that faithfu.ness characteristic
Of true womanhood although penniesa
and without kindred TO whom she may
appeal. Sympathetic friends will see that
she does not suffer.
Many women were in the audience to-
night and were enchanted by the iow oe
elOquonce
Philip Johnston defended Dr. KilpatrlcIe
at the former trial, and. while refuting
an assertion by Col. Saffold, he paid a
glowing tribute to the doctor. which was
received with audible groans from part OF
the audience.
Few people believe Morris will be con-
victed before the jury.
Farmers living thirty miles away came
early yesterday and remained til the close
or the trial tonight. A thousand peopla
were here to-day.