The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-15
TRIAL BEGAN YESTERDAY
Stoneking Has Preliminary For
Killing J. G. LalIande.
HARGROVE is ON THE BENCH
Thirteen Witnesses Examined During the Day,
Ten For State and Three For the Defend
ant-Defense Closes Tomorrow.

special to The Age-Herald.
Tuscaloosa, Oct. 1.-THE preliminary
triad of A. Stoneklng for the killing Of
]. G. Lallande began today in the city
court room, Justice Hargrove presiding.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the sheriff es-
corted Stoneking into the court room.
The defendant had been freshly shaved
and was smoking a cigar. He has lost
considerable flesh since his fmprison-
ment but spoke pleasantly to those
about him, saying he had been well
treated. Said he was feeling we'll.
The state announced that it was ready
and the defense followed few minutes
later. States testimony closed at 400
o'clock this afternoon. It introduced ten
witnesses. Three witnesses testified to
Stoneking entered the hardware store of
Allen & Jemison shortly after 8 o'clock
and asked first for trace chains, then
said he wanted-a pistol to take to camp
as he had some bad negroes to deal with.
He purchased a 3s-calibre, blued steel
Colts and also got some cartridges. The
pistol was loaded for him and he put it
in his pocket and went out.
The remaining seven states witnesses
testified as to the facts of the killing,
and stated that Stoneking and Lallande
had bean having angry words all day,
and that they were in the saloon together
off and on during the day. The first
trouble arose over treating to cigars
in the morning, Stoneking refusing to
pay for ten-cent cigars taken by La1-
lande. After this Lalande refused re-
peated requests by Stoneking to drink
with him until he paid for the cigars,
and abused him very much, applying
opprobious epithets. A few minutes be-
fore the shooting Lallande and three
others, all drinking left the bar and went
into the front vestibule of the saloon to
purchase cigars.
They had not been there but a few
moments when Stoneking came out
through this screen and called to Lal-
lande, cursing him. AS Lallande start
ed towards him Stoneking drew a pis-
tel and fired one shot
One witness who was standing beside
Lallande, and as he saw Stoneking draw
a pistol, also started towards Stonaking
| to prevent the fatal shot, but was too
| late. Lallande was within three feet of
| Stoneking when he shot. He was adj
| vaneing towards Stoneking as the lat
ter stepped back. Directly after the sho;
was fired Stoneking turned and ran out
on the sidewalk, where he was taken In
custody and d,sarmed. This was the
substance of the states evidence.
AL the states witnesses admit that
Lallande abused Stoneking considerably
cursing him frequently during the day
The defense introduced but three of the
fifteen or twenty witnesses when court
adjourned tonight. They all testified tc
| Something's being drunk, stating THAT he
was very drunk. All Were in the saloon
| and heard many epdthets applied to
| Stoneking by Lallande.
l. The witnesses so far examined show
evidence OF self defense and extreme
provocation, and this, together with
Something's drunkenness is the line OF
defense. The defendants attorneys say
they win bring out evidence tomorrow
that will entitle the defendant to bail
The court will convene at O'Clock in
themorndng, and it Us expected the de-
Tense will close tomorrow night and the
| case will be argued ON Saturday.
i 49,