The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-24
Skinner Struck Him, says
SimmS.
CONTINUED from First Page.)


situated would have been talking wildly
and raving. perhaps saying things that
would be used against him, but Ernest
Haywood's chief concern seemed to be
getting ready TO prepare for his defense
in what he knew would be one of the
most celebrated criminal trials in the
history OF North Carolina. Before he
was in jail-before the body of the dead
man had been prepared for burial-the
full line of the defense had been talked
over. and he had given his attorneys the
line upon which they have since been at
work.
1t was at first currently reported that
the defense would be insanity-this
when nothing appeared but that Mr..
Skinner has been shot before Mr.. Hav-
wood or his attorneys had intimatod the
line of defense. But there was
never any foundation for any such
rumor. The defence will be that the
deed was done in self defence. The con
tention Will be that he killed Ludlow
Skinner in self defence Here is the
theory: Haywood will swear in substance
that he met Skinner shortly after he
came out of the Register of Deeds Of
flee, and that without any warning Skin
ner knocked him down, that he WAS so
astonished as not at first to know what
had happened, and to have said. "Lud-
low, what on earth is the matter with
your" and that Ludlow said: The time
has come to settle this matter making
"a motion as if TO draw his pistol. lie
says he drew his pistol first, that Skin
ner with his hand on his pistol pocket
backed off, all tho time trying to Graw
his pistol, and that when he nred the /
second shot at him. he did so think |
ing that Skinner was preparing TO shoot |
He claims that 1t was the first shot that |
killed Skinner and that they were then |
face To face each one trying to shoot. |
He says he fred the second shot because |
nc thought Skinner was coming back to |
shoot him.
Furthermore Haywood claims that lie |
will be able TO prove by witnesses that |
there was a scar or slight bruise on his |
cheek made by Skinner when, as he al |
Ieges. Skinner knocked him down. As
to the testimony in support of thece al |
legations, Haywood's counsel say that
they will introduce three witness g 70
support it, one of them a member Of
the Legislature, but they refuse to dis
close all names, and diligcnt inquiry has
failed to place more than two.
AS TO WITNESSES.
There were more witnesses to the
shooting than have yet developed. Sonta
who saw it arc mum. hoping not to
be drawn into the trial Sooner or ia
ter. however. when the case is sifted to
the bottom, they wiz betray Themselves
by act or word. and will be forced to
testify. So far no witness who has been
examined or who has been seen saw any
thing before the shot was fired. But Mr.
II n. Sims and at least one more wit
ness. 4 negro named Ned Barnes, says he
saw Haywood and Skinner in an altcrca-
tion.
Here is what the defense will undertake
to establish: That Skinner indignant be- |
cause of a note Haywood wrote Skin
ner's wife with reference to 1nonev he |
had sent her sisters children sought the |
meeting with Haywood with the inten- |
ton of killing him. but that after the |
encounter he lost his courage or lost !
his head and could not carry out inc |
plan he had executed. They claim that !
they will be able to demonstrate this |
is the real theory to the satisfaction |
of any jury. and it is upon this theory, |
together with the evidence of the al |
legged assault upon Haywood prior TO the |
shooting that they count upon an acquit- |
tai on the ground of self defence.
CoRoNER'S INQUEST.
Last night DR.. T. M. Jordan, the coro
ner, empaneled jury, composed OF !
Messrs. C. B. Edwards, Fred Habel t. H. |
Murray, Thomas S. Stevenson, John |
Duckett and w S. West They viewed |
the remains at the residence and took |
the testimony of Susan McCullers, Mr.. |
SINNERS cook. as follows:
SUSAN McCULLERS: Il cobk for Mr.. |
j. L. Skinner. This was my evening off |
and / was on my way home. / live in |
the Fourth Ward. l have to pass the
postoffice on my way home. l was be-
tween the postoifice and court house. |
Mr. Skinner stepped off the pavement in
front of the postoffice at the middle door.
He was going toward Johnson's drug
store. l was going toward the court
house, and was induced to look back by
mon laughing and talking. and saw M.
Skinner when l turned. He was in the
middle of the street when the first pistol
shot was fired, and l saw Mr.. Skinner
lean to one side. His face was toward
the drug store. | don't know Mr.. Ernest
Haywood. Mr.. Skinner was moving
rapidly He was going diagonally toward
Jehnson's drug store. Mr.. skinner was