Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-02-24
JURY VERDICT
SELF DEFENSE
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ties that were going to do me vio-
lence. brought this pistol out
from home to my boarding house I
never thought anything about using
1t until the night I came back. Mr..
Lowry was up to Mr.. Fish's board
ing place. and seemed to be very
angry. He told them that I should
have said something about them In
a disparaglng way, evidently trying
to turn them against me. Oae OF
the members of the family told him
that they did not want him to come
there and raise trouble. I was
somewhat informed that he was to
the school house Saturday to see
me. BY the way of explanation 1
will say that can study better at
the school house. I am there of an
evening go down early In the morn
ing and am there Saturday. Some
time In that time I practiced few
violin lessons. This was done so as
to not interrupt anybody at the
house. Mr.. Lowry and everybody
knew I was there every night ex
cept when I had business elsewhere.
he had heard me playing there I
expect when he passed and wanted
to see me that day or he would not
have been there. From what I
could find out from general appear.
ance of things, by his actions, and,
as I thought. truthful peoples
words, he was really wanting
to do me violence. Monday
morning while sitting In the
kitchen at Mr.. Fish's at
early breakfast, about daylight or
before hesitating about going to the
school house, as I had heard con-
siderable, and being afraid I
thought I would take my pistol
along that I might deter anyone
from bothering me. I hesitated
about going to the school house
but knew it was my duty to 60.
1 could not stop public business
about trou Die, so being afraid and
knowing Mr.. Lowry's previous life
as to stabbing a man and drawing
a gun on several others, l thought
I had better try and make myself
secure as possible.
Q When you left the school
house door Mr.. Lowry came out Of
the entrance of the school house
lot, did he not?
A Yes.
Q Now where did you cross
through the fence; how far from
where Mr.. Lowry came through?
A Not exactly sure how far. Mr..
Lowry came through and stood a
little above and I was trying to be
firm with him. I thought If was
little firm and after I got through
I could persuade him to 60 on
without any trouble. While stand
Ing there he kept watching me
closely, his hands placed at his
pockets, and I knew that If I turn
ed around that he would have the
advantage of me, that Is If I turned
my face from towards him.
Q Will you take that drawing
and say If that represents the
building and situation there?
drawing of school house exhibit.
hd)
A Not exactly. No. AS I said
before I kept my face toward him.
1 knew 1t was dangerous to turn
around. I went up along the fence
on the inside, took In the situation.
l intended to get across up above
MIN Just above us was a raise
going down grade. l saw In a min
ute If I got up there could get out
OF his road and at the same time
get him to 60 to town. 1 thought
I would talk to him kindly so as to
appease his wrath, so I climbed
over the fence up there.
Q But how far up the fence did
you cross over from where he went
through?
A Probably something like IL
feet.
Q How far did he advance from
where he had went out, towards
your
A Pretty we'll up.
Q Then you must have ad-
vanced towards him?
A Just slowly while we were
talking.
n Hold he receded anv from