Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-15
Especial to virginian-pllot.)

Especial to Virginian- Pllot.)
Suffolk. Va, June 1.-THE feature of
the day of the Gilligan trial was the
evidence of Detective John j. S. Branch,
better known as Hurricane" who told
of decoy letter concocted to entrap
Andrew Carter Gilligan, and which let
ter was written in the presence of five
persons. four of whom assisted in its
preparation. Branch declined to relate
the details of business which he con-
sidered private. and lie would not do so
till ordered by the court
The evidence is drawing to n close.
Thomas y. Batten was sworn. and
said the prisoner came to his house on
the night of the killing in company
with Chester Hundley. Gilligan then
mad on light shoes, which the witness
identified. Both the shoes had the
same sort of toes.
Judge Hinton wanted to ask the wit
ness II Gilligan had stated that there
were any improper relations between
himself and Miss Turner.
6etore the answer came Colonel Boy
Kin objected TO the question.
defense insisted, and claimed that
Lhey wanted to show Gilligan had never
4h!SS uIllsT y character.
The court ruled that the testimony
was irrevelant
Exceptions were noted
counsel asked If Gilligan had in
CURED whether it would be safe for him
10 surrender himself.
Prosecution stopped the answer and
conferred.
AFRAID OF LYNCHING.
Defense announced. they wished to
show thar Gillian
keep from being lynched.
Eiillsan told witness that he meant
TO give himself up. Witness advised
MN not to surrender for awhile. as he
thought public opinion would be en-
daged. and there would probably be
danger of lynchlng.
Witness had learned from his wife
that people next day came to their
home by the dozen
Witness said he did not know of Rev
erly Turner's death till Gilligan's had
come 10 MS house that night. He did
not remember the time of the night.
a; ;: Harlow. who said he lived near
oinithield, was put on. He saw Gill
gan December ~ at . o'clock n
m. He saw his shoes and thought those
III evidence were similar; he did not
notice them particularly. Other evil
dence of this character was not intro
duced
ID. II. Eppes was brought into court.
lie was member of the coroner's Jury
defence counsel asked if either Mrs.
or MISS Turner had stated that they
TOOK no gun or pistol when they went
oown to the shantY-after- naNy- Cot
ton on the night of the killing
Inc prosecution objected to the ques-
ton. and the jury was sent out.
BEFORE the jury returned the wit
ness was allowed to say to the best
OF his knowledge and conscience he
old not remember that either of the
ladies said she carried n gun when they
went after Davy Cotton.
stand.
He said A. c. Gnigan surrendered to
him Sunday, January II. He and the
prisoner went with Rob Ferguson to
Mr.. Weeds home and then to Sheriff
Ben Edwards. of Surry county. Sheriff
TOOK the prisoner TO Petersburg.
Witness said he. Barham, took
drink and so did Sheriff Edwards and
Nick. He only saw the sheriff take one
drink. Witness gave the sheriff n seol-
ed bottle Of liquor. He did IT unso-
licited. - u''''
Witness was asked about Sheriff Ed
wards expecting the reward.
The court ruled that the question Of
reward so far as 1t related to Sheriff
Edwards statements was colIateraI
Exceptions.
Witness asked If he ever heard
Gilligan utter any aspersons aeainst
Miss Turner's character
He was not allowed to answer. Ex-
ceptions.
A DECOY LETTER.
John j. S. Branch (Hurricane). n do
tcctive, who had hunted Gilligan. wac
asked about a decoy letter which was
written in his presence.
Colonel Boykin told the witness moi
to answer. The jury was sent out. The
witness said he would not reveal prI-
waite matters uOless forced to.
Judge Hinton wanted to show that
five persons helpl9 about the letter
Rnd four of them tsid been witnesses:
ne wanted to show that a conspiracy
10 arrest Gilligan had existed
The FIVE persons who helped write th,,
letter are Miss Isabel Turner. Mrs
turner, DR.. Turner Mr.. Brouch and w
P. Wilson.
Branch took all the blame for the let
ter, and said the ladies didn't know
what was wanted of them till they had
been asked to attend the conference.
They wanted Gillgan captured. and
helped the scheme along.
Witness said Miss Isabel Turner die
tated the letter. There were two let
ters begun.
wintess positively refused to answer
question from Judge Hinton asking
for the contents Of the letters.
Prosecution objected to the question
Aodp e. ry-S-ed Persecution also 0biected