The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-23
DYER ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE.
CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF
WILLIAM TITCOMB.

Avenue, East, Early Christmas
Morning in 1S06-Evidence for the
state Presented Yesterday-Abe
SmnII's Trial Had to BE Postponed.
Josephine AggIcberger. the Miss
ing Witness, Brought Back TO sa-
vnnnah-Busincss in the other
Courts.
George II. Dyer. young
white man. who has been in
jail for the last year or more on
the charge Of having murdered William
Titcomb early Christmas morning in the
year 1896, was put on trial for his life
yesterday.
This is Dyer's second trial, and the pub
lie is quite familiar with the case. A
nistrial was the result on the former oc-
casion, and ever since that time Dyer has
been in Jail, having failed to secure bond.
He appeared in court yesterday with his
attorneys, Messrs. II. d. d. Twiggs and T.
S. Morgan. Jr. Dyer has an intelligent
and not unattractive appearance, and
would moi impress one as a man with a
murderous heart.
Il was about p O'Clock or later when
a jury was secured, the defendant having
struck twenty. the state seven and nine
having gone off for cause. The taking Of
testimony was begun shortly after j
o'clock Dyer. of course having entered
plea of not guilty.
The scrap which resulted in the death
of Titcomb took place in front of a dis
orderly house on Oglethorpe avenue, east,
between Price and Houston streets. The
first witness told the story so far as he
could carry it. He and his party of five
had left the saloon next door to go TO
the house in question, and were at the top
of the stoop when another party Of four
came along II appeared that all of those
in either party had been drinking to some
extent. This witness saluted one of those
in the other party with Merry Christ
mas" after which he was struck on the
head with stick, the blow telling him
TO the earth. He became unconscious, ne
said, and knew no more of The matter.
one or two other witnesses gave testi-
mony very similar 10 this. Another wit
ness said he saw Dyer strike a man he
thought TO be Titcomb. He described all
parties as he saw them. He afierward
saw Titcomb on the ground, his head to-
ward the northwest and his feet toward
the southeast
There was quite an argument between
opposing counsel as TO the admission in
evidence, through Court Stenogra pher
George T. Cam, of a statement made by
Dyer on the former trial. Solicitor Gen
eral Osborne insisted that IL should be ad-
mitted under the rule of evidence which
allows the admission of any of a defend
ants statements which are against him
self. Judge Twiggs and Mr. Morgan op-
posed 1t on the ground that It was unfair
TO the defendant until he had made his
statement on this trial, and also that il
portion of the statement was put in the
whole of II should go in. Judge Falligant
admitted the evidence. sustaining the
point made by the solicitor general
The evidence for the state was about
concluded last night when the court ad-
Journed. The trial will be resumed this
morning at 10 o'clock.
The trial of Abe Small for the murder
OF Policeman Neve was to have taken
place this morning, but will have to go
over on account Of the fact that the Dyer
trial has not been concluded.
Officer Thomas l.. Kennedy returned
from South Carolina yesterday with 10.
sephine Aggleberger, alias Josephine
Young, who is wanted as one Of the prin-
clpai witnesses in the Small case Here
tofore efforts TO get her have been unsuc-
cessfuf but she is here now. and will
nave TO go on the stand. Small viii he
defended by Messrs. T. p. Ravenel ami
George A. Mercer, Jr.
Annie Brown was granted a first verdirt
Tor total divorce in the Superior Court
yesterday, from her husband, Walter b.
Brown.
In the Court of Ordinary Yesterday en-
order was granted to Justice T e. Bevans
allowing him to change the place of hold
ing his court TO No. 122 Drayton street.
a short homestead was granted to Ad-
die George.
William Cannon. next friend of Mamie
and Nose Hanson, minor children of
Thomas NJ. and Catherine Hanson. de.
ceased, filed petition for a years sup
port for the minors out of the estate of
their parents.
Letters dismissory on the estate of Cath
crime Whelan were granted to NJ A.
OByrne, administrator C. t. "a.
The trial of the DANCE suit of S. /.
Caldwell against the Savannah, Florida
and Western Railroad, for $4,000 damages
for personal injuries, was continued in
the City Court yesterday, part of the
evidence for the defense having been nut
in. The trial will probably be concluded
to-day.