The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-25

efterooon, was committed to Jail today
by the coroner upon the 6odiDg of the
jury that heard the testimony at the
inquest held this morning.
At the inquest the prisoner was
represented by Mr.. j. N Nathans, Jr
and Huger Siukler aud they will prob
ably appear before judge aDd make
application for bail.
The testimony was heard By the
coroner at j M. Coonelly's undertak
taking establishment on Meeting Street.
Several witnesses were examined, but
not one stated that be had seen any OF
the shots fred.
A. j. Pitman was present. having
been brought there by Lieut.. McManus
and Private ]. B. Luby from the police
station, where be spent last night. He
opeos quiet night. aod this morning
wheo breakfast was offered him he
refused. saying he would take it later.
he, however, did not take any oourish-
mens before being taken before the
eoroner's inquest.
Daring the entire Investigation the
prisoner displayed little interest in
what was being said. Occasionally he
would whisper word to Mr.. Nathans.
and at times there was nervousness Of
his hands, which appeared rather as
habltoal than as resulting from any
special emotion. He was apparently
the most Indifferent man present at the
inquest.
The inquest developed no new facts,
and all that is known of the case
already has been substantially given in
The State. The witnesses who were
examined today cast no new light.
The tragedy was without witnesses, as
already stated. aud the facts leading
Immediately to the killing will never
be known. positively. Much was ex-
pected Of j. c. Graham, of Gourdins,
S. c.. the mutual friend. but he kept
the confidence imposed in bin. and the
sensational developments. which be was
expected to give out, were not given.
A. E. Lomady, travelling salesman
Manager G. A. Stoner AID Steward
John E Heffron, of the Calhouu hotel
testified to responding to the reading
room in time to see the slayer leaving
it. This was practically all they knew
Of the tragedy of their own kuowl.
edge.
Manager Stoner denied the statement
in Charleston morning paper, credit.
ed to him, that he saw A. j. Pittman
standing over his brother and fire the
shots. Graham was not asked to di.
vuTge the dead mans secret, as this
was not necessary to coroner's verdict
A number of police officers we're pu'
on the stand, but they could tell moth,
ing of interest The only new ligbI
that they furnished was that Pittmau
desired to report at the police station
unattended by an officer.
The sympathy in Charleston is al
with the dead man. The affair ii
greatly regretted. especially because o
the prominence of the parties. The
cold indifference Of the slayer is amaz.
ing
The general belief is that the killing
was the outcome of business transac,
tious between the Pittmaos, for it II
known that there had been i'll feeling
between the men for some time. Wber
the two men we're in business here
/ some years ago and failed. both suffered
6uaucial Losses. but Mr.. N. T. Pistmar
started out with renewed energy, open
ing up business at Gordin, his old
home, where be met with success His
object was to make money. aud 10 busi
ness transactions be had the reputation
of being very shrewd.
A. j. Pittman has been unsuccessful
iu business since bis failure in Charles
tou. He is of liberal nature. aod
spent money freely. His brother, it is
said, helped him 10 money matters.
The prisoner has relatives in Charles
ton. but since his arrest none Of chem
bsve visited h;m
HIS counsel has forbidden him &c
talk about bis case