The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-30
TILLMAN'S TRIAL.
The Jury Empaneled-Dcfen Ar
raigncd-Witnesscs Being Exam
inet for the State.

ined for the State.
Lexington, Sept.-2s.-Jaa. H. TilIman, some
time lieutenant gov ernor of South Carolina
and charged with the murder OF n. q: Coma
les. editor Of The State on the 18th OF January
last. few days before the expiration OF bis
term of office, was today placed on trial Tor
his life.
At ii a. m. Solicitor Thurmmond announc-
ed the State ready.
I've NAV safely say that we shall be ready,
though some of our witnesses are not here
vet " said Congressman Croft OF Aiken, TIL
mans leading counsel and Edgeheld law
partner. 49,,
far from crowding, scarcely filled 1t, coulc
scarcely realize for a moment that the trial
would actually begin, SO frequent nave been
the predictions OF further delay. Two ses.
sions courts have INTERVIEWED IN hlcn lana
since the homicide, the defense obtaining con-
tipuances at both and change OF venue at
the last. Again the spectators were agree.
ably disappointed when d jury was secured
by l5 D. M. from the original pauel II
would have been secured in half In hour
save for the contest over Murray Parnell.
The hearing of testimony by the State Was
commenced afier the recess. II was mainly
confined 10 policeman Boland,s story nt tue
arrest OF TiIlman, to the Identification OF
Humans pistols by sheriff Coleman and
Clerk OF Court Walker, together with the
bullet from the German magazine pistol
which pierced MIR. Gonzales through and
through, and TO the Identification OF the
clothing worn by him, with lis bullet holes.
Oh the day that he was mortAlly struck; Tue
latter being sworn to by Messrs. Hoyt. w Wood
and Wallace of The State. Nearly II not all
the iurymen were placed on their Voir dires,
and without exception, they swore that they
had expressed no opinions and were con.
scious OF no bias Tor or against the prisoner,
an attitude remarked by some as singular In
lis unanirnity. considering the wide public
ity the case has received. Alter Phrneil had
answered tue usual questions the sollciCor
inquired II he had q registration certincate.
Clerk OF Court George and Introduced the
county registration books and on them Par
nells name did not appear. ~
lengthy argument ensued. The defense
presented testimony that the original regis
tration books had been lost or not returned
when used IN an election concerning the an.
nexation of u part OF this county 10 Richland
county. 49,,
the name might have been omitted from the
books and the state having propounded the
question O on the voir dire bad waved the right
10 appeal to the books as the highest evil
Judge Gary held. however. that to be q
legal Juror one mus, be qualified elector and
directed the inquiry TO that point. ne was Was
about TO allow Parnell to 90 10 his home IL
miles distant and search for the certlacaIe Q
when Mr. Thurmond consented to accept his
ruling with the evidence at hand. w
His honor ruled that taking Parnells
apparent irreguIarity ofthe books he would
admit bim 10 be sworn, whereupon the So
licitor excused Parnell and so yielded one OF
mis- five ch allenges. Parnell was the secono
man drawn and after his case was disposed
of the remaining II jurymen were rapidly
secured.
The State had exhausted Its challenges
when eight or nine had been sworn and the
defense had utilized all OIL lts Ten before tne
Jury box was full.
THE JURORS.
-Four OF the Sc, A. d. Fallow. Joel H. Geiger'
r. W. Dreher and Simon Corley were excused
by the court for one or another cause. o ,,,,or
Leitzsey, Koon, Sharpe, Shealey aud Price
are faTrners; Wood. Lybrand, Corey and
Jumper are cotton raill operatives, and HICKS
is carpenter. Wood Is a boss OF a weave
room. ~ ,
The following jurors drawn were challenged
by the defense: Nj. Nj. kleckly, Eugene q.
Williams, Luther j. HooK, J. Laurence Jump
er, John i. Stack, l.; Q. Wilson, g. NJ. Lewis
rhos. r Roof, Geo. W. Derrick.
The following were challedged by the State
John B. Reed, John j. Yonnginer. Noah d.
Tay Ior, Murray Parnell and ]. Eugene Lorick.
THE OPENING.
When the court onvened at 10 a. m. the
counsel for the prisoner were present as fol.
lows: G. w. Croft, P. II. Nelson, Q. W.
Buchanan, George Johnstone, Edrd d Dreher
w. H. Sharpe, G. T. Graham. &. K. Rembert
and c. l.. Blesse. For the State, besides
solicitor Thurmonh, we're G. D. Belllnger,
Andrew Crawford, VIM. Elliott, Jr., l. l..
Asbill and l.. 7. Sur kie.
The prisoners mother, Mrs. g. d. Tillmap,
his vile and several lady friends, were IN the
court room most ofthe day. Senator Tillman
was present.
THE FIRST MOVE.
Attorney Graham, as soon as the Judge en-.
- fkffT
and said Il think II my duty to call 10 the
courl's attention an article entitled 'Jugglery
With the Courts II object" interpolaled
The solicitor. We are here Tor the trial Of this
case and such matter is not proper nor rel
Judge Gary said: my impression IL that
Mr.. Graham desires TO make a statement IN
oenalf Of the Lexington bar, and as such l
think II proper to hear him."
MIR, Aspili of the States counsel addressed
the court and said: II consider myself d
member OF the Lexington bar ana nave
heard nothing ofa statement ON the part oi
the bar"
Judge Gary-It would not be proper to hear
Lne statement unless IL comes from the whole
Mir. sharpe remarked that it came from
The majority OF the Lexington bar"
THE PRISONER BROUGHT IN.
recess Of half an hour was taken at the
solicitors request during which the priaoner
was brought In by Sheriff Caughman. When
he solicitor announced the State ready, MT.
Croft inquired, Is Mr.. Ambrose 4. Gonzalez
10 court and If IN response to subpoena
duces tecum issued Tor the defense had he
brought the files of the Columbia State from
April Is. 1902, TO Septemb Der l5,, 1913. Counsel
for The SlaiG replied aft1rmatiVely, anu Mr.
Croft declared that though some OF hls VIII
nesses were still absent they would be here
and he could safely announce the defense
ready, ,, ,,-,
nal dock, which is elevated about II .lnches
from the floor, and stood in IT for arrain'
Inent, On one side stood MIR. Croft and on
The other Mr. Nelson. Clerk Of Court George
ead the indictment in matter OF fact way
and the prisoner replying To the usual cues
lion, said, mot guilty" In voice audlole
throughout the room. He was then granted
10 take seat with his counsel.
After the jury had been drawn and charged
Judge Gary directed the sheriff TO have Two
OF his constables sworn, whom he Instructed
TO take charge OF the jury and keep them TO-
gether In the recess and TO allow none to ap'
vroach them with regard 10 the case.
said "While no literature bearing on the
case should 90 into the jury's hands l tnlnK
IL proper TO request that In view OF utterances
in the Columbia State last Saturday ana 70,
day they be especially Instructed not TO read
that newspaper during this trial.
Judge, and he so Instructed the jury. The
court then adjourned until p. m.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Policeman Geo. Boland was the first wit
ness 10 take the stand when court reconVeneo
and his, with the testimony Of other witness
es, Is given in the stenographic report oeloW.
Sheriff Coleman was next called, and Inc
prisoners two pistols were exhibited as was