The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-04-10
NEGRO STR0THER ON
! TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE
AN IMMENSE CROWD HEARS TESTI-
MONY IN STROTHER RAPE CASE.
Nearly all the Testimony Concluded Yes
terday and the State ClOSed-StrOther
TeStifleS - Great Interest,
No Excitement.


the trial might be concluded in one day,
but owing to the fact that the attorneys
for the defense were appointed only on
Monday, they were not able to have all
their witnesses ready yesterday, and at
five O'Clock yesterday afternoon court
took a recess until 80 this morning.
The State had closed its case and for
the defense both Strother and his wife
had testified. 1t is probable that ver
dict will be reached today.
The court is special term called by
Solicitor Sease after thorough person.
al investigation and on request of rela-
tives of the prosecutrix.
ARRAIGNED ON MONDAY.
Strother was arraigned OH Monday, at
which time he pleaded not guilty and de-
Inanded the three days allowed by law
in which to prepare for trial. Messrs o.
l.. Schumpert and Fred III. Dominicls
were appointed attorneys for the defence,
and the court was adjourned until II
O'Clock Thursday.
COURT ROOM CROWDED.
Fully all hour before the time set for
the trial yesterday morning every seat i'll
the court room was taken and the aisles
were crowded with those determined to
hear even though they must stand
throughout the day. Owing to the rush
the sheriff allowed no one but lawyers
and two newspaper reporters, one for
of tYuD i,,t t1,a oifxy i,,c11a
the bar. III the large crowd including
representatives of every section of the
county, there was not the least trace Of
any excitement at the beginning of the
trial. About thirty negroes were packed
in the left-hand corner of the court
room.
STRoTHER BROUGHT INTO COURT
1t was exactly 1890 O'Clock when
George Strothcr was brought into court
by Deputy Johnson and placed i'll the
dock. The prisoner displayed no out
ward sign of any emotion, but it could
be seen that he was extremely nervous.
He sat with his right hand resting OH the
railing of the dock, and his chin re ting
OH his left hand. Occasionally his gaze
wandered around the crowded room, and
at such times he nervously thumped the
railing with his right hand. Again his
stare would become vacant, and wander
off into space. His appearance was
greeted only with interest by the large
crowd
AS the time for the converting Of the
court came near, the room became more
crowded, and by II o'clock not even
standing room in the aisles could be OBJ
tanned. The good order, however, con-
tinued, and the hest of spirit prevailed
ALI. UNDER 81 REMOVED
AT II O'Clock amid All intense silence
in the court room, the court was called
Sheriff Buford asked the large crowd dur
ing the progress Of the trial to preserve
order, saying that order was his rule and
must be observed. Judge Bellinger said
that while il is q rule i'll the courts of
South Carolina that all proceedings must
be open, still this does not include all
classes at all times and he ordered all
boys under II years of age removed from
the room.
MISS BOWERS IN COURT
Immediatly after the opening Of court,
Miss Emma Bowers, the lady upon whom
it is alleged the crime was committed,
was brought III upon the arm of her
brother. She wore black skirt and
white waist, and wore a heavy brown
veil, entirely concealing her face and
features.
3 w. III Carwile was excused from ser.
.tyice as juror upon certificate Of ply
steal disability from physician.
The prisoner was brought inside the
M bar of the court in order that his attorneys,
Messrs. Schumpert and Dominick might
confer with him. While here he was
within ten feet of Miss Bowers but did
not FOR an instant look III her direction
GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY
The drawing of the jury was then pro
ceeded with and the following jury wa:
empannelled, after objection by the pris
oner Of J. M. Johnson. Thos w Folk, d
=, Walter Wicker, Van Smith, ID. w. Neel
J, Carl Dennis, J. will Wilson. jefferson
D. Sease, Willie p. Leaphardt, Thos p
Pugh, and by the State to A Nj. Lester
Jno c: Paysinger, w. Hub Enlow Ben
nett A. Connolly. r d. Smith, and Abne
w. Sheely being excused by the court o,
account of relationship, d Julius Hent
on account Of opposition to capital pun
ishment, and Geo. T.. Hawkins on &C
count of relationship
The jury follows:
Jno. A. Nichols, Caleb ID. Buzhardt
JAS M. Bowers, ]. Dan Brooks. Edw. X
Hipp, VIM. c. Norris, Jno. S. Ringer
Richard Swittenberg, w. Ed. Wallace
J. Pink Davenport George Richardson
L. Press Pitts.
THE INDICTMENT
The indictment was then read to til
jury, charging that George Strother, o
the 10Th day of February, I9o3 wit
force of arms uDon the person of Emnl