The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1900-01-20
CLOSING SCENES DRAMATIC
After the Verdict Was Rendered
Hiss Morrison Made a
Speech Of Thanks.

The Julia Morrison case, which mas
been on trial in the circuit court az
Chattanooga, was given to the Jury at
noon Wednesday in an exhaustive
charge from the court. Great inter,
est was taken in the closing scenes OF
the celebrated trial. The courtroom
was packed with curious humanity
long before the Judge called the law.
yers to attention and ordered the trial
to proceed.
The morning hour was taken up
with the concluding argument OF coun'
sci, two for the defense and one Tor the
state. The first speaker was William
Cumming, for the defense, who fol-
lowed the same lines pursued by his
associate counsel Of the day before.
The great speech for the defense was
made by Colonel Joe Gift, the patri.
arch Of the Chattanooga bar, aud IN
his time one OF the most powerful
criminal pleaders in the state.
The entire interest OF the morning
conferred in this speech, and when
Colonel Cliff arose to begin his argu-
ment. he was greeted by loud and pro-
louged applause, which brought an
order from the Judge TO the sheriff to
arrest the men applauding.
"I will have to arreat the whole
court ROOM" answered the sherih, and
there was another burst OF applause.
After 4 brief exordial, Colonel Gilt
proceeded to review Of the evidence
which he brought out into powerful
light, and the jury was ut all times a.
tentive and thoroughly impressed
He began with the company OF fseks
Kill. n. Y, where they started OF
their tour and followed them to Chat
tauooga; recited the daily insults an'
foul epithets Leiden had applied =
the woman; his threats to do her bod
iiy harm, aud finally at Chattanoog
his knocking her down and threaten
s ing to kill her.
And then when she was going to tn
stage to appear IN her part, thoug
late on account OF sickness, to %hic
several witnesses had testified, he ao
yanced upon her with o drawn stick o
II to strike her. She had no pistol
her hand as was testified by sewers
witne sses, and no one saw the pist'
until after Leiden had cursed her an
threatened her with his cane.
Then IL was, goaded to desperation
in fear of her life or great bodily INF
nv. that her mind became surcharge
with the weight OF her injuries, 81
Lost control of herself, and drawn
her revolver, which she always carrie
Tor protection, she instinctively as eve
the dumb brute would do, used "
awe herself. No proof had been a
duced TO show that she was vioie
woman; all the testimony was 70 =
contrary, and this was to be taken
her favor. o,..
Al the conclusion Of Colonel Clif
sneech Samuel B. Smith closed for !
state. summing up the evidence q
making application Of the law in su
cases provided. He made no N
points, but argued the case purely
The provisions Of the law.
He made q strong arraignment
,be accused, and made an effort
show by the testimony that MISS M
rison knew what she was doing; u
she had gone TO the opera house
Il the fatal night TO kill Leiden; that
had bided in the lower part OF
stage for an opportunity to kill !,
.yhere Il would not be witnessed,
no opportunity coming to her she
a cone to the stage with murder in
4 heart and the instrument for carry
y out her purpose in her hand; !,
without warning or q word she
t Aired upon defenssless man and
killed him. CT,
AZ the conclusion Of Mr.. Smi'
4 speech Judge Estill. although
noon hour had arrived, procssded
charge the jury, which occupied Oh
an hour. The charge was. long
Vas qiyen to the jury in writing .
Il had been read ct 1880. :,
Court then adjourned until . o'el'