Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-06-25
EIGHTEEN YEARS FOR GILLIGAN

EIGHTEEN YEARS FOR GILLIGAN
The jury in the case OF A. c. Giliigan
char ed with the murder Of G. Beverly
Turner, brought in verdict Saturdal
afternoon at Isle OF Wight Courthous,
OF murder iu the second degree, will
eighteen years In the penitentisry. Th'
courthouse was packed to suffc cation
BIT there was no demonstration. Tn,
prisoner was commanded to stand
Gllligsn, we'll built, stheletic, good
looking young man, arose, took pos
lion beside table, on which he placed
one hand, and awaited his fate with
blancbed face. 1t was the only time ht
dad shown much emotion during The
trial. His limbs trembled slightly wher
the verdict was announced. He did
not expect it. His hopes had been
bouytd up with the plea OF self defence
bu. his facorelapsed into it's usual look
OF indifference. He will take his case
to the Court of Appeals The trial o.
Andrew Carter Gilligan for the murder
% the night of December q, 1899, Of
C. Beverly Trrner created more inter
est in Virginia than any trial since Gu
yerius was hung 10 Richmond for the
murder of his pretty cousin, Fannie Lii
ian Madison.
Mr.. Turner, his wife and daughter
Isabel, were at home on the night o
December 81, when Mr.. Turner tooR
his lantern and started toward his
stables, having stated that he might
pay a visit to q neighbor who lived
near him. A short time after his d.
parture his wife and daughter heard
the discharge of q gun, but having nt
thought of danger they attributed the
explosion to some belated celebrant ol
the Christmas festivities.
Hours passed and Mr.. Turner did
not return to bis family. Then in their
minds fear found lodgment, and they
summoned a boy, and, mastering up
courage, went out into the chill win
ter's night 10 search of the absent hus.
band and father.
A short distance from the door they
discovered the body, with his life-blood
dyeing the snow about him. while a
sanguinary trail over the drifted sur
face led to his hst end lantern at spot
near the barn. There he had doubtless
stood when the gun that caused the
fatal wound was fired. 1t was evident
that he had dragged his lacerated body
nearly to his doorway, but the loss OF
blood was too great, and the failing
strength succumbed before he could at
tract the attention of his loved ones
within.
The neigbbors were speedily sum'
moned. and there was a mystery as 10
who could have murdered the popular
man in the shadow of his own home,
and in the quiet tenor of his unt b.
trusive life.
10 casting about for motive for the
crime suspicion fell upon Gilligan, who
was known to have been forbidden the
freedom OF Mr.. Turner's home, which
he once enjoyed as a visitor to bis
daughter Isabel,
Gilligan was missing. His usual
haunts were visited, and his home
watched, but no news Of him could bt
obtsined. Finally word came that nt
had surrendered to the sheriff IL
Petersburg, and he was kept there unit
his trial.
G. Beverly Turner was for years one
of the most prominent citizens OF Isle o.
Wight county. He was man OF eau
cation and refinement, and belonged u
family which has been prominent IL
VIRGINIA for many years. He married
Miss Agnes Thomas, q niece OF Dr
William E. Peters, the distinguished
nrofessor of the Latin language and
literature at the University OF virginia
Mr.. Turner was also connected Witt
the Pilkinton family which bas held
nigh position in Virginia Tor many
vesY,. He was an uncle OF Dr. "
Tnrner. one of the best known physi
clans In that section of Virginia and
nroroinent member OF the Medica
Society of Virginia and also q mem
bsr If the Westmorelsnd Club
of Richmond. Mr.. Turner'S orotne
ia also well-known Duslne'
man of large interests, owning lare'
nnmhar of lumber mills whose outpu
ba ahins to northern markets In yessei
he,onoing to himself. The Turne
fsmiIv has been exceedingly popCli
in that section Of Virginia for seVera
generations. soroa NJ,
Young GiIligan, who murdered osi,; mi
Turner. is a son of Cd overseer. Gill
oan,s father was fsitbfnl man In IN
smnloymept of Mr.. Turner and was
man of considerable executive ability
Young Giligan was reared on the plac
and came and went at will since he wa
a obild He grew up to manhood, an
became a tall. athletic, hne-iooKlnl IL,
fellow with olesr-cut features. II
dressed we'll and had good manners'
Mr. Turner's daughter Isabel promis
al 70 he an exceedingly besutifpl won
on Wnen she was sixteen yesrs {
&c 90 she was sent off to Hollins lust
'nte near Roanoke, end would nav
cra6uated with the class OF lsoO' On
SSas AT home for the Christmas hohuaS
when the tragedy happened. q.
She ia a tall, graceful girl. Her hs
gure is willowy, and has a mass Oh SUI
nv hair. deep blue eyes and fsir skai 81
| She Ia girlish In carriage, ana her ~
ure is 1.-THE and exceedingly graceful: :,
Her demesuor has been extremes !
modest during her appearance at VI
trial. and as a witness she made sple'
did impression. She Is nineteen yea