Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-09
Especial to virginian- Pilot.)

NOPSCidl W ilot.J
Suffolk. Va. June S.-This was the
fourth day of the trial OF the celebrated
Giiligan murder trial at Isle of Wight
courthouse. It was also the hottest
dn temperature and the most sensa
tiopal in character thus far. Taken
as a whole the evidence was against
the prisoner.
Gilligan's confession was given into
court through the mouth Of Sheriff Ben
ID. Edwards. of Surry county. If &C
cepted as true in detail 1t tends to
strengthen the plea OF selfdefense.
One of the letters alleged to have
been written by Miss Turner got into
court incidentally and was read. Tech
nical testimony was given by doctors,
and more dtailS were given of finding
the body.
Threats made by Glllgan six or eight
months before the killing were brought
out by Little Boy Wilson" Dave Cot
ton, colored, the first person who found
the body and screamed, told about 1t,
and Coroner j.. w. Stott introduced
shot
Eight witnesses were finished with,
a total of thirteen out Of 81.
In brilliant speech Colonel Boylsln
said the ends of justice should be met
even If they had to risk the name of
fair young woman. He had arrived
at that conclusion, and had been sup
ported by the opinion OF his associates.
That speech was made while urging the
Introduction OF testimony concerning
the Gilligan confession.
The trial was late beginning this
morning. The jury got into the court
room about on time and they were the
first arrivals. They had gotten up at G
o'clock after eight hours sleep. The
crowd came in slowly. The spectators
wero quiet, but keenly alive to the pro-
ceedings
Sheriff Edwards brought the court to
order about 1912. The jury was polled
GILLIGAN'S CONFESSION.
B. d. Edwards, who is now serving
his second term as sheriff of Surry
county. was sworn. lie was the most
important witness thus for put on the
stand. He had known the prisoner
since January 18th. The prisoner had
come to the sherff's home about S
o'clock In the morning and taken break
fast. Gilligan surrendered through Rob
FergusoU's advice. The witness had
been searching for the defendant sew
eral weeks. The witness took the prs-
oner to Scotland wharf and then to Jail
in Petersburg.
Gilligan made n confession to the
sheriff, and made II without any in
ducement or promises. Here Is GILL;
CAMS confession as told by the witness:
Gilllgan said he was at Bocon's
Castle Monday or Tuesday preceding
the killing. There was an entertainment.
Miss Isabel Turner. called Gilligan while
he was passing. He went to her. She
said: mick come to my house; I want
to see YOU
Gilligan went there Wednesday night.
He had been on the wharf the same
day. 1t was showing. He met Isabel
on the wharf Gilligan said he had bet
ter not go. She replied, IF you don't
come L will drown myself" Gilligan
promised to come. He was somewhat
afraid because Mr.. Turner objected to
his coming.
Gilligan went He was not standing
In an exposed place. but was waiting.
He heard a buggy which he recognized
as Mr.. Turner's. There We're Mrs Tur-
ner and Miss Turner in the buggy
When Mrs. Turner was in the house
Isabel came to him saying, Hello Nick.
are you here this soon?" Nick said he
had better go on, but Isabel asked him
to stop awhile. He did wait and took
out the horse.
Isabel came with Tight. The pris-
oner said: what are you doing with
light? I em not fool enough to come
here where the light Is"
Gi1ligan stayed. They were standing
the girls waist. and her right arm was
around his neck. Gilligan had a shot
gun in his hand. The muzzle was rest
ing on his toe.
Gilligan heard footsteps approaching.
Both heard. He turned and would have
run. but Isabel held him. He heard n
click, and saw Mr. Turner raise his
gun. Gilligan raised his gun and fired
without aim. Mr.. Turner fell to the
earth He did not speak. but breathed
few times very lowly and died
KEPT HER PROMISE.
Isabel said. 30. Nick. you have killed
my father" He replied, Yes" Isabel
promised she would not tell. She went
into the house. Gilligan went and
peeped through the window TO see if
Isabel was keeping her promise. She
was attending to her usual duties. and
everything was silent.
That was Gilligan's confession.
The prosecution asked the witness
what else Gilligan had told him was
said there that night.
The defense objected 10 the question
and the jury was excluded. There fol-
lowed an argument which was one OF
the most brilliant yet brought out. The
attorneys talked for considerable time
The court ruled that the question was
proper and that every part OF the con-
fesslon OF Glligan could be admitted.
Judge Hinton noted exceptions to the
courts ruling.
The Jury was brought back. Witness
was asked the same question. and re-
peated part of the confession not Mt
for print
When Gilligan had been asked by
witness whether he loved Miss Turne,
The replied he had loved her once The
StJEENl " AnuED