The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-10-18
MACK PAULK CONVICTED.
SENTENCED TO THE PENITEN-
TiART ron TWENTY YEARS.

Judge Expressed Regret That He
Gould Not Make the Term Long
Mack PauIIx Killed His Bro ther,
HiIsnan. on August <s3 Last-Lame
Story Told by the Accused on the
stand-Story of the Crime Recalled.
Triton, Ga. Oct. 1Z-Mack Paulk was
to-day sentenced to serve twenty years
at hard labor in the penitentiary for
the murder of his brother. The
grand jury for the fall ses-
sion of Beriren Superior Court
indicted Mack Paulk for the
murder of his brother, Hilsman, Mon
day, in the first degree. The case was
called Wednesday, but the defense
moved to postpone the case on the
grounds of the absence of Col. w. H.
Griffin, who was said to have been en-
ployed as leading counsel, and who was
absent from court on account OF ill
ness The Judge overruled the motion
to postpone for the term, but allowed
the defense until Thursday to get ready
for trial Coils. Fulwood and Harrell,
of Triton, and Judge H. b. Peoples, of
Nashville, we're employed to defend the
case.
Thursday morning at o'clock the
case was called, and the prisoner, ar
raigned, plead not guilty BY II O'Clock
a jury had been accepted out of fifty
six empanelled.
Both defense and state announced
ready promptly. The state before an
nouncing ready, stated that Jehu
Fletcher, material witness, was abb
sent, and asked that a bench warrant
be issued for hi INTO bring him to
court next term. But they wanted to
try the case and would proceed with
out him. A. d. Ross, another material
witness, who was in Ala bama, arrived
the day before, and all other witnesses
were present.
At IL O'Clock. the examination of the
Witnesses was begun. The state put
up several and their evide nce corrobo-
rated that before the corOner's inquest
Mack Paulk made his statement and
in substance said that he and Hilsman
left Triton together, and that HilSrnan
was riding in a buggy with him. That
Hilsman's horse refused to lead, and
that he got out of the buggy and m cunt
ed. That he (Macbl fell asleep in the
buggy and was awakened by some one
pulling his arm. He asked three or
four times who it was without any
response. Again he asked and was told
to sure nder his money or his life He
then got his pistol from under the bug
gy cushion and fired four times
The prisoners statement was all the
evidence the defense INTRODUCED Col
c. w. Fulwood made the opening argu-
ment for the defense. He was followed
by his partner, Gel. F. s. Harrel. Court
then adjourned for dinner
At 1-3O argument was resumed by
Il e..
the state, who spoke for thirty minutes
Judge H. B. Peoples FOLLOWED, and in
conclusion for the defense spoke for
twenty-five minutes, and asked for
verdict of acQuittal and asked the
judge to charge the Jury on man
slaughter.
Judge Seabrook char ed the jury
and after consideration of forty min
utes they returned verdict of Vrolun-
tary manslaught
Seated by Mack PauIk< in the court
room was his father-in-Iaw, Mr.. S. B.
Dorminy and his little boy, in addi-
ton to his counsel
Several ladies were present at the
trial, relatives of the prisoner a nd of
the prisoners wife
Mrs. 7ilsman Paulk was present. and
testified as she had before the cor
oner's jury.
Judge Seabrook sen fenced Mack
Paulk TO the penitentiary for twenty
years this morning the limit of the
law, and expressed his regret that he
could not give him longer, as the YER
dict OF the jury was too light.
The case will be remer11 bered by read
ers OF the Morning News. The two
Paulk brothers, Mack and HiIsman.
We're in Tifton, Saturday, Aug. %, and
While in town and out on the out skirts
OF the city secured some blind tiger
whisky, and were drinking together.
They left for Hilsman's home in Irwin
county about Z o'clock, and that was
the last time they were seen together.
The next morning Hilsrnan's body was
found about two miles from Triton,
lying several yards from the public
road with four bullet holes in it Sew
eral half-empty whisky bottles. two
hats, and shoe were found near the
scene; one of the hats and the shoe
proving to be that of M ck PauIk. AZ
ter investigation was held as to the
cause of Hilsman's death, Mack was
arrested next day, he having come to
Triton for more whisky He was ar
rested and put in Jail, awaiting indict-
ment OF the grand fury