Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-06-09
ATEYANDRIA IAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.
GILLIGAN'S TRIAL.

Sensational developments marked the
Gilligsn murder trial at Isle of Wight
yesterday. The summary of the days
proceedings renders the outlook, unless
the defense offsets some of the evidence
offered for the State, somewhat darker
for the prisoner.
Sheriff Edwards, OF Surry county, re-
lated Gilligan's confession, made the
day the prisoner surrendered, 10 days
after the tragedy which cost Isabel
Turner's father his life.
The admission of the confession az
evidence provoked impassiOned speech
ca from counsel on both sides. Col.
Boykin, for the Commonwealth, de-
clared that the State, however painful
it might be TO himself to do so, would
seek to have justice melted out even at
the risk of sacrificing young woman's
reputation.
Eight witnesses finished Yesterday,
making a total OF IL out of 81 Ooe OF
Miss Turner's letters was read incident
ally, aud threats made by Gilligan
against the man he killed were devel-
oped.
Gilligan's confession, as related by
Sheriff Edwards, was substantially az
follows: Gilligsn was at Bsoon's Castle
Monday or Tuesday preceding the kill
ing. Miss Turner called and he went
70 her side. She said; Mick, come to
my house, want to see you" Gill;
gan obeyed on Wednesday, the night OF
the killing. 1t was showing, so he met
Isabel on the wharf aud said he bad
best not 20, as Mr.. Turner had objected
to his being around, and he was afraid
OF him.
Isabel replied: "If you don't come ]
will drown myself" Gilligan prom
sel 10 come. While Gilligan was
waiting In a secluded place the farmer
entered the house, and Isabel came
out with a light. She greeted him
with Hello, Nick, are you here 80
soon ?"
Gilligan noticed the lantern and said:
"Whst are you doing with the light ?
| am not fool enough to come where
the light is."
Gilligan stayed, however, and they
stood near a tree. He had his right
arm about her waist and her left arm
was around his neck. A shotgun was
in his hand.
They heard approaching footst ps.
1t was Beverly Turner. Gilligan start
ed to run, but Isabel held bin. Gill;
gan heard click as Mr.. Turner raised
mis- gun, and he quickly fired, without
aim. Turner fell. He breathed hard,
out never spoke.
Isabel replied: "Ob. Nick, you have
killed my father" She promised not
TO tell, and went into the house. Gill;
gan peeped through a window to see II
everything was quiet, and that she was
keeping her promise.
Tre jury was excluded while the T.
toroeys discussed whether it were ad.
Missile 10 ask witness what else was
said by Gilligan about what happened.
The Judge admitted further testimony,
which is not fit for print.
GIlligan told witness that bis rela-
tious with, Miss Turner had been too
intimate.
One of the notes, supposed to have
been written by Mics Turner, but
which was neither dated nor signed,
was read in court to rebuff statement
by w. p. Wilson, who testified about q
threat Gilligan made against the de-
ceased six or eight months before the
killing.
Giligan was exhibiting a bunch OF
letters, and when warned, said, accord
lug to witness:
AZ Beverly Turner ever crooks fin
ger at me, will drop him." The note
read:
"My Dearest One: Cannot allow you
70 come to the window, because | think
this negro knew you were here the
other night, and he is on the watchout.
Motner is going to stay 10 my room to-
nigh'. l don't know when | can see
you unless you come to the fence by the
woodbouse as soon as you can."
DR.. w. l.. Warde, coroner's physician,
gave technical testimony about the
wont stating the person who shot Tur
ner was not ia the line of Identification.
D.. w. d. Turner, nephew of the
dece .sed, did not believed his uncle
knew what hit him.
f. Angus Turner told of blood hsv-
ing dropped on the ground. J. w.
Slot, acting coroner, showed shot taken
from the body and others of the same
size, No 6, t,ken from the guns other
barrel.
Elliot Thomas told Of lending Gilligan
the gun, which be said he wanted foi
hunting, and of his refusing S. to carry
GIlligan three miles after the murder.
Davy Cotton, negro, the first person
who found the body, and who heard the
gun shot, testified in detail.
Miss Turner may 90 on the stand to-
day, but most likelyit will not be un-
til Alon0aV