The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-17
Witnesses on Character.

William Vaughan was the first witness called by the defendant. He testified that he had lived in Birmingham about sixteen years; that he knew William Wise and that his general character was exceptionally good.
 At this point arguments were made at some length regarding the competency of the testimony of character witnesses at this stage of the case. The counsel for the defendant stated that they had 1fty-five witnesses present who would testify to the good character and truth and veracity of the defendant The states counsel maintained that the defendants s truth and veracity had not been brought into question and therefore the evidence was not admissible al this stage.
 The counsel for the defendant stated that MT Wise would later be put on the stand and that his testimony would f1atly contradict that of three witnesses intro duced by the state, T. w. Cox, Jim Vas sar and Burrel Wilksey.
 The court held that testimony as to the defendants general character was com potent at any time but that the witnesses
  and veracity at this time. The following we'll known Birmingham men testified that MT. Wise's general character and his reputation for peace and quietness were good:
 B. Steiner, John W. O'Neil, Ed Flynn, A. O. Lane, Frank H. Gafford, J.W. Da- vdson, Jacob Fies, Frank Cahalan. Felix Drennen. James R. Adams Tom Rens ford, John w. Davis, A. Latady, J. R. Bryan. T. c. Mcdonald. pr. J. E. Ded- man, Chief J. T. Mullin. E. Lesser, H. E. Warner. John G. Housman, R. D. Bur nett Edgar Adler. T. NJ Dyar, Frank Gafford, Jr. John Burgin. T. J. Hickman G. w. Merritt, William Reckling. Dave Meyer, J. H. Wallace, Eugene F. Enslen, M. M. Ullmari, P Sid Jones. Officer R. G. Waldrop, E. Solomon. J. F. B. Jackson. Herman Saks, John Antwine. John F. White, Frank Arrico, Chief w. E. Wier T. F. Parker. w. w. Crawford, John H. Miller, c. H. Williams Henry Beck. H. A. Chamblee. c. W. Ross, Alex T. Klein.
 Jim vassar Recalled.
 Jim Vassar was recalled by the defend- ant for the purpose of laying a predi- cdte lie teSuned that Tom DaVleS was employed in the pool room at the Morris hotel on the day of the killing; that he did not tell Mir. Davies that he was in- side the toilet room during the shooting; that he did not tell him he ran when the first shot was fired. He testified further that he did not tell Frank Leon- ard that he saw MT. Wise strike Lathem. but that he did not know whether he struck him with anything or not; that he did not tell him that he saw Lathem draw pistol before any licks were struck; that he did not tell MT. Leonard that I.athem drew pistol first but did not have nerve enough to shoot.
 Burrel Wilksey was also recalled, and said he did not tell Mir Leonard that Lathem drew his gun and had time enough to kill both of them; that he did not tell him that he ran into the elevator when the first shot was fired and did not see the others fired.
 T. G. Davis was called at the opening of the afternoon session and testified that Jim Vassar told him on the day of the shooting that he saw MT. Wise strik- ing Lathem. but did not know whether he had anything in his hand or not; that Vassar also told him that he was in the toilet room when the first shot was fired and that he ran as soon as he heard it. lathem Ran Towards Him. On cross-examination he said that