The age-herald., 1898-12-30
BEGUN IN SEL MkYESTERDAY
Several Witnesses Examined for the Pros
 eCuhOn at the Morning Session.
MAYOR MEYER HEARING THE CASE
w. 0. Billingslea, an Eye Witness of the Shooting, Described the Quar- rel Between the Two Men
 and What Followed.

Selma, Ala, December 29-(Special.)-The preliminary examination in tine Mason- Clark trial was begun today.
 The court was called to order at 1920 o'clock at the council chamber by Mayor Meyer this morning, the room being filled but not crowded. MT. Clark entered att tended by his counsel, Messrs. H. s. D. Mal- lory, F. L. Pettus and F. H. Reese The prosecution was represented by Messrs. P H. Pitts, George H. Craig and City Attor- ney John M. Burns.
 The mayor called the case against Mr. Percy Clarke of murder, and the pea was entered of not guilty.
 The following state witnesses were then sworn and placed under the rule:
 A. E. Mcdonald, A. Aieardi, w. c. Bill- ingslea, pr. J. P. Furniss, Dr. $. G. Gay, Fred DeBardeleben, Charlie Hull and k E. l.. Mel.
 No witnesses were sworn for the defense at this time.
 The First Witnesses
 Drs. Furnss and Gay were the first wit nesses examined. They both testified that they knew Mr. George R. Mason; that he died on the 26th of December, 1898, at his residence, corner Parkman and Mitchell streets, in Selma, and that his death was caused by gunshot wound Dr. Gay tes- tifed that MT. Mason was brought to his office on the 2Sd of November, lSSS' and ne saw him there; he was shot near the center of the right hip pocket, but he took no measurement of the wound at that tune, as he was not his regular attending physi- elan. Neither of these witnesses were eN- amined by the defense.
 w. C. Billingslea was then examined. lie testified that he resided at Brown station, Dallas county, Ala. He was in Selma on the 23d of November this year; saw George R. Mason and Percy Clarke; saw dlhl- culty between them. It occurred in Alcar- dis barroom; he did not know whether that was the real beginning of the dlihcuity. He (Mason) and Clarke had a conversation outside of the bar on the sidewalk.
 Discussed the Election
 While he and Mason were talking Clark came up and joined in the conversation, and the talk was about the last election. They talked for few minutes, when l proposed that we go in and get drink, and the three went into the bar. We then came out and stopped on the edge Of the sidewalk. Clark said to Mason: "ls Al drich going to contest Robbins seat?' Ma son said: "There hasn't been an election without a contest in sixteen years in Dal- las county Clark replied: T don't know on what grounds you would make contest on, the plea that there had been no fair elections in Dalas?' Mason said, "How do you know?' Clark said, Il do know" and, turning to me, he asked, "Captain Bill, how was the election In Brown's? I replied, "There were nine teen votes cast there and Robbins received every one of them and the election was perfectly fair" Clark then said, Mason, you and your fellows had notified the ne- groes not to vote." Mason said, "I didn't do it." Clark said, "The evidence is in the hands of the committee that you did do it, and I don't often say things that l can't substantiate. I will go and see about it now" Clark then said to Mason, I'll bet you suit of clothes that Aldrich does not win this contest" Mason replied, T won't bet with you; I won a gallon or whiskey on Robbins nomination from you and you haven't paid it. Clark said' will pay it." and Mason replied, that's all right, but reckon my family needs all my hard earned dollars"
 Wanted Dollar
 Then Clark started to walk off and just as he left Mason turned and asked him, ..What have you to say about Kings beat election?" Clark made no reply and went on off He went in the direction of Keipp's restaurant I stood there talking to Ma son about five or ten minutes. The next l saw of Clark was in Ike's bar room. He came in while Mason and l were there. l had been in the bar just long enough to ask the barkeeper if he had sent to Ull- mans a bottle of wine had bought when Clark entered. There was no one in the bar but the barkeeper. Clark, Mason and myself Clark came in the front door. When he came in I asked he and Mason if they would take a drink and they refus- ed. Clark asked me if I had a dollar. said two if you want them.
 "No," he replied, 'I just want your sub scription to my paper"
 1T paid the dollar and turned to walk out Clark tapped mo on the shoulder, and told me to wait minute. Then Clark said to Mason: Mason. did you say you didn't write to Martins station to Jim Richardson for the negroes not to vote"
 Clark said, '.you did say 1t on the street" Mason said, 'Tll leave 1t to B'll Billingslea that I haven't mentioned Martins station"
 The Lie Passed
 Clark turned to me and said, wasn't he talking about Martins?' and said, mo,