The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-09

Tense in the Haywood-Skinner murder
trial began the examination of their
witnesses today. two who allege that
they saw it all and one whose atten-
ton was tract by the first shot.
Besides these, there We're a very large
number of character witnesses for
those heard.
Willis Briggs, a Raleigh newspaper
reporter, saw only after first shot and
when Skinner was n the street. He
was with r. Z. Simms. who said moth
ing Of any blows between the men.
The next witness was R. n. Simms,
a lawyer of Raleigh, who testified that
he was close to the men and saw Hay
wood n Skinner in conversation at
the end of the p~ostoffice on the day of
the tragedy. Skinner struck Haywood
and sprang back about eight feet and
left the sidewalk with his back to
Haywood at the time OF the first shot.
He did not see Skinner at the second
shot as he had passed behind a wagon.
Bernard Schmitz, lawyer Of Balti-
more, testified that he saw kline
grasp Haywood by the coat and then
strike him. He then sprang back and
at this time Haywood shot, while
Skinner was using his hands as if r
ing to draw a pistol and had started
to advance again. At the time of the
second shot Skinner was out of his
sight in the street.
The state rigidly cross examined
Schmitz as to different statements
from the one Just made, alleged to
w been made 20 prominent parties
at Southern Pines and on a boat from
Norfolk to Baltimore. in which SchmitZ
is represented as having said that he
did not see any blow struck and that
it was a cold blooded murder. Schmitz
denies these conversations and said
that his remark was that there was
| no fight.
Dispositions from many prominent
men Of Baltimore, including Mayor
Latrobe, were read. these giving
Schmitz a good character.
STAR WITNESSES FOR THE DE-
TENSE.
Especial to The Messenger)
Raleigh. n. c October 5.-The de-
Tense in the Haywood murder case to-
day introduced its star witnesses, Rob
ert n. Simms, an attorney Of Raleigh;
Willis G.. Briggs, a newspaper report
or of Raleigh. and Bernard E. Schmitz
an attorney of Baltimore
SAW SKINNER SHINE HAY
WOOD.
Simms testified that he met Briggs
coming out of the postoffice. While
they were talking he was looking
south, Briggs looking the other way
He saw Skinner strike Haywood and
knock him partly over. Skinner
sprang about five feet back and il
getting away seemed to be sideways
When Skinner was near the curb the
first shot was fired, Skinner then leav-
ing with his back towards Haywood
Skinner paused an instant nea the
curb, passed off into the street be
hind a carriage, then the second shO1
was fired. He saw no movement OF
SINNERS hands. and did not see hin
attempt to draw a pistol. He though
Skinner was abou Is feet from tn
curb when the second shot was fired
After Skinner jumped back after strik
ing Haywood. Simms did not see Skin
ner's hands. Simms a no exclama
ton to Briggs when the struggle
was going on. Later When Brigg!
asked Simms some question abou
the matter. Simms made some answe
: that he did not know that he saw i
| all, as he did not care to tell Brigg'
what he did see. He spoke to Docto
Skinner. the father of the deadman
the next morning about seeing Skinne
strike Haywood. He first gave tn
statement to the public on Monday at
ternOon.
, BRIGGS ON THE STAND.
Biggs' evidence was that he cam,
out Of the postoffice. going north h
met Simms and they talked together
; Sfmn1s facing the south. The first pis
l tol shot caused Briggs to look arount
I The first thing he saw was Skinne
= leaving the sidewalk. his back beinj
rather towards Briggs. The onl.
movement of Skinner which Brigg
noticed after he turned between tn
shots was the turning of Skinner
head. About the time Skinner steppet
off the walk. he looked around. Brigg
did not observe any movement of Skin
ner's hand at that time. He saw tn
flash of HavwOOd's second shot. thel
looked at Skinner. who WIS going a
Il quick walk. not a run and had hi
! hand pressed to his back. He circlet