The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1897-08-19
MURDER IN FIRST DEGREE
Is the Verdict of the Jury in the
Sims Case.

tbs best that the law be allowed to
take its course. A few weeks ago when
young Walter Galloway was SO brutally
murdered by the negro Sims it was
feared by some that respect for law
would be made subservientto the thirst
for vengeance, and little wonder this
feeling OF unrest exists in face of
the many avenues of escape made posi-
BILE by the laws delay. In the present
case the prompt trial and conviction of
the guilty wretch has indicated that
justice is not to be thwarted and that
the murderer will be punished for his
crime, and it is hoped the supreme court
will not interrupt the execution.
The killing of Galloway was horrible
enough of itself, but when it is remem-
bered that one and perhaps two other
deaths-that of Miss Fife Boring and
young Galloway's mother-are directly
the result of the tragedy, it is clearly
apparent why speedy justice should be
meeted out to the criminal.
When court convened in JonesborO
on the 9th inst. an unusually large
crowd was present, attracted by the
trial and the interest felt therein. The
case did not come up Monday, however,
and not until Wednesday was the trial
commenced. A jury was secured Mon
day forenoon after about 140 persons
had boon empanelled, and in the after
noon the trial proceeded. But few
witnesses we're examined, but all the
evidence pointed conclusively to pre-
meditated, cool blooded murder.
Mrs. W. D. Boring testified that
Galloway, the murdered man, arrived
at their home about supper time. He
asked Sims to put up his horse. telling
him he would give him five cents,
Sims replied that he would not put the
animal up for five dollars, much less
five cents, "All right, them" said
Galloway, 81 can put him up myself.
He sat down and ate supper, going i'm
mediately after the meal to put up thu
horse. Sims took some milk down Il
the cellar for witness and when ht
came back, he got the shotgun, loaded
it, and started toward the barn. Wit
ness went into the house and told hel
sister, Fife, Galloway's sweetheart
about the negro's action. She (Mis
Efie) called Sims and asked him what
he intended to do with the gun. HI
replied that he was going to shoot Gal
loway. Fife then ran to the barn
where Galloway was, witness going
out on to the porch, She soon heard |
gun shot and heard Fife say: "Don'
don't shoot him again-you have kill
ed him now" Witness ran to the barr
and found Galloway lying under she,
with his left hand shot off and hole il
the left side of his head. He die
next morning, never speaking after sh
saw him,
All the other witnesses for the stat
testified to practically the same effect
three men of undoubtcd good characte
? swore that Sims had threatened to XII
Galloway. 1t was also sworn tha
Sims was meditating over the matter
from the fact that he had inquired du
ring the day as to whether Gallowa
,, would be there that day. The prisone
] did not at any time deny the killing {
l his victim, and his only defense wa
that be thought Galloway had stOope
,, down to pick up stone at the time b
, was shot.
. The jury, composed of Jno. Whitse
W. A. CARRIER, Joseph Hunt, Carl Nj
Curry, G.. w. Cash, James Hale, Gee
! McPharson, Samuel Blair, Samu'
: Ball, Elbert Morrell, j. A. Hartma
and @. II. McAdams, received th
charge and retired to the jury room
J few minutes before II o'clock Thurs
a day, and at lis announced that the
had agreed upon verdict. Sims Wa
brought into the court room, and i
: his presence and that of dense crow
q the jury handed up their verdict, whic
was that the defendant is guilty {
murder in the first degree" Sin
I heard the verdict with stolid indifel
8 ence, msnifesting not the slightest col
Germ in the matter.
Friday Judge Campbell pronounce
sentence Of death on Sims, designatin
Tuesday, September 81, 1897, as th
, day on which he should be executed.
: An appeal to the supreme court hs
: been taken in the case, and until th
,, result of this is known it can not be d.
termined when the execution will TAX
place, though it may be the suprem
court will pass upon the appeal befol
+, the day set for the execution and allo
: the sentence to be carried out.
States Attorney Harmon was assiste
in the prosecution by John Bowman
while A. s. Deaderick and A. r. Johl
d son conducted the defense, having bee
appointed by the court. Argumei
! was concluded on Thursday morning
I and Judge Campbell charged the lur.