The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-26


on the motion for a change Of venue
in the case of James II. Tillman indict- |
ed for murder, was concluded at 81
o'clock this afternoon and Judge Town
send at once announced his decision
that the change would be granted.
Counsel disagreed concerning the coun-
ty where the case should be sent, and
this was left undecided for the present.
The days proceedings opened with
the argument of Andrew Crawford of
the prosecution. against the motion.
He spoke for an hour and a half. He
was followed by P. H. Nelson for the
defense who devoted himself largely to
| the law of the case. @. Duncan Bel
| linger. formerly attorney general, next
addressed the court for the prosecu-
| ton, first answering the arguments on
| the other side. Solicitor Thurmond
| closed for the prosecution In a clear
| cut speech.
The sensation of the day followed
when ex-Judge o. w. Buchanan, the
| defendants brother-in-law, addressed
| the court It was not thought that
-
| ~ as the defense had left only about
| fifty minutes of the time allotted that
side, which il was presumed would be
| occupied by Congressman George w.
| Croft. Tillmans law partner. But
| Judge Buchanan spoke for thirty min
| utes and delivered a bitter arraignment
| Of the press the commercial interests
| and the people generally of Columbia.
He asserted that commercialism had
| supplanted the old Southern standards
| and that the press was now at liberty
to abuse and villify any man who spoke
his honest convictions. He charged that
The State had goaded the defendant to
| desperation by it's abuse of him and
said The State had now cracked its
| whip and Iashed the citizens of Colum-
bia into signing affidavits for the prose
| cution under fear of The States pow
err He charged that the capitalfstic
interests and the press were allied and
that men had been intimidated into
| signing those affidavits lest they lose
| their positions or their business be in
) jured BY the gods, exclaimed Gov.
ernor Buchanan, if they don't like thl
let them lump it."
Judge Townsend interrupted thu
the time of the defense and leaving TO
!, Mr. Croft, Mr.. Buchanan took his sea
and court adjourned for dinner
, with fifteen minutes remaining of tn
, | allotted time This was extended an
V Mr.. Croft closed the argument afte
e dinner in a strong speech of abou
. twenty minutes.
g At it's close the court announced It
g
l, counsel for suggestions concerning tn
d place to which the case should be trans
ferred Mr. Croft suggested Saluds
. To this Solicitor Thurmond objecte
o on the ground that Saluda court hous
q is fourteen miles from the railroad an
j. accommodations are too meagre to er
q tertain the two hundred witnesses VIII
: would have to be transported there.
Mr.. Crawford also spoke in obJectlo
II to SaIuda. stating that the defendant
= father. the late Congressman Geore
d D. Tillman. was the father of Salud
% county. and that until recent yea
SaluGa was part of Edgefeld, the d.
% PENDANTS home.
is Mr.. Nelson spoke strongly in fav'
OF sending the case to Saluda, alleglr
W that the defendant was entitled to
~ speedy trial. MT. bSllIllSSi lepAAcu
v. the remarks of Messrs. Croft and Ne
in son with much vigor, asserting that
j. transfer the case to Saluda would
III unwise and unjust to the prosecute
as as we'll as inconvenient. He said tn
20 the defendant had waived his right
a speedy trial by asking for contn
ns ance at the last term Of court Wn
he | the prosecution was about 20 procee
OF There were several lively tits betWe
&c Messrs Nelson and Bellinger. y
AZ Croft closed the Argument, assertl
bv that there were ample Accommodate
Id at Saluda and that il is not Tlllmal
a stronghold. Judge Townsend then |
on structed the attorney to make an orc
e- for a change of venue and leave I
county blank for the present.
a. 1t is supposed that he Will annour
in his decision on that point by tomorro
The case must be tried in this Ju
mt cial circuit in which there are f
pl- counties. This county, Richland, is n
.,y eliminated by today's decision. Eds
- 1af