The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-19
The GilligaN TRIAL.
TESTIMONY coNTRADloT1NG MRS.
AND MISS TURNER.
GILLIoAN TELLS HIS STORY.

Isabella Turner were not put on the
witness stand Friday as was expected.
The first witness was Mrs W. H..
H0wle Her testim my was Intended
by the defense TO break down the evil
derce Of the prisoners former sweet
heart Miss Isabella Turner had denied
that on the day after che killing Of her
father. and in the presence OF Mrs
Howle and other lady friends, she had
SEATED 20 her mother that when she
heard the gun fired che knew that some
thing had happened. as when she had
left Nick " Gilhgan no had gun IN
his hands. Mrs Howle stated that
Miss Turner had surely made that re-
mark Mrs HOwle also said that on
the same occasion Mrs Turner had
stated Many a night / and my poor
husband have sat (he with a gun across
his kuee) watching for Nick Gill
gan TO come from some secluded spot.
Miss Turner had also denied this re-
mark and the foundation for these con-
trRdictiOns had been laid in she CROSS
examinations
Miss Eddie BRgwell, q pretty, bright
little woman, was the next witness
OU0 MNh hAnO llNecnN OF -AN a IA NAa
during the days Of mourning She
stated that Miss Isabella Turner said in
her presence the day after the tragedy
that il would be better for her II Nick
were never caught Miss Turner denied
that on the stand. Miss Bagwell further
cOrrub0rated Mrs Howle as 20 the state
ment denied by MIS-. Turner in regard
TO the fact that she and her husband
had sat together. fearing that Gilligan
would come from some secret, secluded
spot She. however, did not hear any
thing about tho gun on his knee. ~
These ladies stayed there from Thursday
morning until Saturday afternoon, after
the burial Of Turner
On cross examination Miss Bagwell
said Miss Turner explained that IL
would be better for her If Gilligan were
not caught because she had written let
tiers and unpleasant things might come
out. The witness stayed until Sunday
at the Turner home The witness heard
Ned Smith say 80 Mrs Turner. You do
know why he meaning Gilligan) Is
lurking around here.
The most interesting testimony &C the
evenings session was that Of Charles
II. Moody, Of Ferguson Wharf He
was at Bay View Church on Christmas
Day, two days before the tragedy, and
saw Miss Turner and Gilligan there
Mr.. Moody said Invent out to get my
horse and saw Gilligan and Miss Turner
in the schOolhouse. Nick came out. l
called aud asked him 60 90 20 Pocah0n-
tas with me. Nick came where was
4 ~ hQnQnEn IanhnIla.
has squeezed my hand, which means she
wishes 20 see me at her window TO-
night Gilligan finally got In my
buggy and we went to POcahOntas and
afterWard wentt0 Turner farm. When
we had passed Turner'S farm Gilligan
got down. tied his mule, which We had
behind the buggy, and went back in the
direction of Turner's residence.
GILLIGAN's STORY.
Andrew Garter Gilligan went on the
stand Saturday afternoon and told his
story of love, romance, and tragedy
His plea was self defense lie claimed
that he had TO shoot Q. Beverly Turner
to save his own life and that Of the dead
mans pretty daughter Isabel, whose
arms, he said were around his neck at
the instant OF the killing
Gilligan said he was twenty-siX years
old. and worked for the deceased &C his
home and at his mill They got on to-
gether like father and son. At times
he cared for the home when the family
was away, and was trusted agent. IL
was common thing for him to take
meals with the family He said re left
Mr.. Turner Ia 1895 When asked why,
he said: " Isabel and Iwere in love. l
told her il would be better If it were all
broken up. She could do better than
marry me she could marry man who
was able 70 take care Of her. She would
not release me from my promise. She
said no one else could make her happy
u knew Miss Isabel was showing
her love to her mother. She told me
her mother had found out, and had
blown her up 7 said / couldn't help
It, That's why left.
q used to meet her about the place
very often tried to break it of but
could not. Isabel begged me to come
and I went to crafty her. "
Witness told Of his being shot at one
night. He informed Isabel that he
should not come again. She replied
that il would soon wear off, and begged
him TO stay away for while and then
return.
The prisoner told Of incidents con-
nected with some OF the letters and sup
piled missing dates. He said the last
letter was written September 10 or 10,
1899 when the correspondence had
ceased, because they were afraid OF de-
lection. That was when she last left
for school. Witness claimed that he
left forty or fnrty-fYe letters in his room
before he went into c0ncealment. where
as only twenty five have been produced
in court. He said some of the letters
were signed " Elizabeth " and otheTs
"Lucindy." The defendant related
many incidents that proved lsabePs
great love, and continued
Many and many time have
pleaded with her to release me. She
cried and pleaded aud begged me to
come. loved her and yielded. love
her yet "
Gilligan said that Isabel had squeezed
his hand at Bay View Church and had
begged him to come to BacOn's Castle
30 hear her sing, saying she would
"look real sweet. A" At Bacon's Castle,
witness said, Isabel urged him TO come
to see her.
Gilligan denied that he had fred
pistol about the Turner home, and said
he never owned pistol Witness told
Of his meeting Miss Turner on the
wharf the afternoon which ended ID
Mr.. Turner's death. He said Isabel
nodded TO him twice, and begged him
TO come to see her that night
He hesitated about going, but said De
would meet her under the same old
pine" She told him that If he did not
come, she would jump off the wharf and
drown herself. He told about the bor-
rowing Of a gun 90 90 hunting, and re-
lated that ne afterward went to the
Turner home. He did not ar anything
of Isabel, but Mr. Turner went out to
get wood, He was waiting by tree
when he heard Turner'S buggy.
Mrs Turner got out and told Isabel
to sake out the horse Mrs. Turner
went into the house. The defendant
helped Isabel take out the horse, and