Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-06-16
GILLIGAN'S TRIAL.

The defense got down 10 real work in
the Gilligsn trial, ct Isle of Wight
Courthouse, yesterday. Counsel had
two hours close conference with Gill;
gan, Gilligan, mapping out the line of
the procedure. Yesterdays witnesses
were principally women, who were put
on to weaken the statements OF Mrs.
Turner aud Miss Isabel Turner regard
ing things said and done about the time
of the murder and Immediately after.
Mrs. William E. Howle was the first
witness. She heard Isabel say that she
thought that Nick killed her father on
the fatal night. Witness said Isabel
had also made statement that she was
afraid that Nick would also shoot her
mother. The witness was asked if she
heard Mrs. Turner say that many q
night my poor husband and have
watched for Nick, with gun across his
(meaning her husband's) lap." Witness
said Mrs. Turner did make the state
ment alluded to.
The witness declared that Mrs. Tur-
ner had made statement about not
knowing what to do about the affair be-
tween Nick and Isabel, Nick having
been lurking about there eighteen
months. Witness said Isabel stated
shat when she heard the gun she
thought Nick had shot her father, be-
cause she had seen him with quo.
When asked by counsel whether Isabel
also said she thought that way at first,
and then dismissed the matter, witness
said she did not hear that remark.
Witness stated that Isabel, after SUI
per, saw someone open the shutters, aud
later saw toe same person at the garden
gate. 1t was Gilligap. Witness did not
hear Isabel say Nick meant to shoot
her mother.
Mr.. Holland sought to weaken the
testimony of the witness by asking II
she did not take narcotics, and If she
was not under the Influence on the
night 10 question. The defense objected
20 the methods of counsel for prosecu-
ton and peppery arsument took place.
Mrs. Mary Thscker was sworn. She
was told that Miss Isabel Turner had
denied making a statement in the pres
aoce of witness and others that she
Qssbel) had stood between her mother
and the gun to protect her father. wit"
ness was asked whether Miss Iurner
had made that statement, and answered
IN the affirmative.
Miss Edmonia Bagwell was told about
the statements of Mrs and Mics Turner
and she contradicted those ladies.
On cross.examiniDg Miss Bsgwell
said Miss Turner: explained that it
would be better for her if Gilligan were
not caught, because she had written
letters and unpleasant things might
come out. The witness heard Ned
smith say to Mrs. Turner: "You do
kuow why he (me aiming Gilligan) is lurk-
inc around here" :,
While Miss Bsgwell was on the stand
court adjourned for dinner.
Court was reconvened shortly after
three o'clock. Miss Bagwell took the
stand and was asked by Col. Baker !:
Please state to the jury whether you
can recall an engagement with Miss
Isaoel Turner to take her to church
some time last fall, and If so, when it
was and whether she went and why Z"
Prosecuting counsel could not see the
nertinency OF the question. 1t wss
withdrawn without being answered,
and the witness left the stand.
Charles II. Moody said he was intl-
mate with A. c. Giligan. whom be hal
known siuce they were small boys.
Thew went to school together. "Dld
Won ever hear him say anything 10 the
world derogatory to Miss turner's
charscter-sDytbiDg affecting her puri'
~ and virlue?"
Prosecuting counsel stopped the wit
ness. The Jury went out, and the W.T.
ness said he bad not heard Gilligan say
ANYTHING of the sort. Witness asked
GiIlioan to 90 to Pocshontas. and ne
said he could not. On being asked
why, Gilligan said: "Miss lsaOel
squeezed my hand and gave me sign
TO come to her window" Later Giih,
Gan went 10 the Turner house and tleo
his team three hundred yards away.
He went to see Isabel.
The court ruled out Moocy's evil
dence. and exceptions were noted -,
Wnen the jury returned witness sald
he saw Gilligan at Fergusson's wharf
December 81. Gilligsn seemed mao;
was mad with Captain Marshal, VINO
had trouble with Jim Gilllgan. VIII
ness saw both Gilliean and Miss Turner
a. Bayview Church. They did not
come together. ~, H.
Robert Ferguson was calico. ne
said he lived al Ferguson's wharf; knew
Mr.. Turner. Witness said he had Dor
rowed Mr.. Turner's gun. The break
was on the lett side. Witness, on cross
examination, said that similar guns
we're common 10 the earlier days. :,
d. H. Cameron was put on the stand'
He ia an expert surgeon of Brooklyn,
n Y. who hes had eleven years ex-
nerience in surgery. He gave techni-
psi testimony, based on hypotheses. de
sa;d there was nothing 10 the character
Of Of the sort of wound OF the deceased 10
Ursvept him going twenty or thirty feet,
He tboucht the wound was caused py
a sbot fred directly from the side, OF
perhaps slightly in front. - ,ho
The stsnographer read from ne sne
record to show what other wltnesses
had said The witness deduced Iroui