The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-30
The TILLhAN TRIAL.
Outline Of The Proceedings Of the
First Day Of Trial.
Jury Quickly secured---Taking Of
Testimony for the State Begun
in the Afternoon.

testimony TOT Tue Stdto 6eYuh
in the Afternoon.
lexington, Sept. 2s.-James II.
Tillman, some time lieutenant gov
ernor of South Carolina and charged
with the murder of N. G. Gonzales,
editor of The State, on the 18th Of
January last. few days before the
expiration Of his term of Office, was to-
day placed on trial for his life.
At IL a. m., Solicitor Thurmond an
nounced the State ready.
"We may safely say that we shall
be ready, though some of our witness
es are not here yet," said Congress
man Croft of Aiken, Tillman's leading
counsel and Edgeield partner.
The assemblage in the court room,
could scarcely. realize for moment
that the trial would actually begin, so
frequent have been the predictions of
further delay. Two sessions courts
have lntervened in Richland since the
homicide, the defense obtaining con-
tinuances at both and change of
venue at the last. Again the spectators
were agreeably disappointed when d
jury was secured by 1.15 p. m., from
the original panel. 1t would have
been secured in half an hour save for
| the contest over Murray Parnell.
Judge Gary held, however, that to
be legal juror one must be qualif-
ed elector and directed the inquiry to
that point. He was about to allow
Parnell to go to his home . miles
distant and search for the certificate
when Mr.. Thurmond consented to ac-
cept his ruling with the evidence at
| hand.
His honor ruled that taking Par
nell's positive statement in connec-
ton, with the apparent irregularity of
the books he would admit him to be
sworn, whereupon the solicitor excused
Parnell and so yielded one Of his fve
challenges. Parnell was the second
| man drawn, and after his case was dis
posed of the remaining II jurymen
were rapidly secured.
Nearly if not all the jurymen we're
placed on their voir dires, and, with
out exception, they swore that they
| had expressed no opinions and we're
conscious of no bias for or against the
prisoner, an attitude remarked by
some as singular in its unanimity,
considering the wide publicity the
case has received. After Parneu had
answered the usual questions the soli-
citor inquired if he had registra-
tion certificate. He replied .afirma-
lively. The solicitor swore Clerk of
Court and introduced the county reg
istration books and on them Parnell's
name did not appear.
A lengthy argument ensued. The
defense presented testimoy that the
original registration books had been
lost or not returned when used in an
election concerning the annexation of
part of this county to Richland
county.
Messrs. Croft and Johnstone argued
that the name might have been omit
ted from the books and the State hav-
ing propounded the question on the
voir dire had waved the right to ap-
peal to the books as the highest evi-
dence.
The jury as finally made up consists
of George II. Koon, foreman, former
county supervisor and farmer; Jacob
E. Saylor, merchant and farmer;
Irwin Risinger, farmer; George F.
Leitzey, farmer; Martin L. Lybrand,
cotton mill operative, Lexington
Mills, Milton Sharpe, farmer; Jonas
Corley. cotton mill operative, duck
mill; Marshall Snealey, farmer: j. B.
Jumper, farmer; Willie L. Hicks,
cotton mill operative and police officer;
James E. Price, farmer; Homer
Woods, boss operative in Red Bank
Cotton Mill.
The State objected to these jurors:
John B. Reed, John j. Youngiver,
Noah H. Tayolr, Murray Parnell, J.
e. Lovick-5.
James H. Tillman, as defendant,
objected to these: W. M. Kleckley,
Eugene G. Williams, Luther j. Hook,
j. L. Jumper, Thomas O. Wilson,
George NJ. Lewis. Thomas j. Roof.
John B. Stack, George W. Derrick-9.
Judge Gary had. two constables
sworn in to remain with the jury to
see that it had no communication with
the outside. After the jury had re-
tired and selected Mr.. Koon as its
foreman, and returned into the Court
room Mr.. Nelson arose and addressed
the Court as follows:
"May it please your Honor, since
you intend to keep the jury together,
we have thought it proper to make a
request that they especially be in
structed not to read the articles in the
State paper and editorials. We do
not request that all literature be kept
from them, but especially the articles
mentioned
Judge Gary: 81 think that proper,
and so instruct you. gentlemen. Mr..
Sheriff, you. will allow them all the
latitude you can consistently with
their comfort, but I do not want the
jury to have any connection with the
outside world nor to read the edito-
rials, as requested. They should be
kept from them. You are charged
with the keeping of these matters
from them. Tie Court has thought
it proper to keep you together. The
sheriff will make provision for you
and try to make it as comfortable as
possible for you. Mr.. Sheriff, you
will make provision for them.' -