The Cairo bulletin., 1904-03-01
0'NEAL-
TELLSHISST0R
Says Sheehan, Egan and Bridges
Assaulted Him.
AND HE SHOT MIKE EACAN FIRST
A Day OF Thrilling Interest in the Circuit
C0urt---=Arguments Will Begin
This Morning.
AND HE SHOT MIKE EACAN FIRST

The defense in the O'Neal murder
trial had its day in the circuit court
yesterday and made stronger show
ing than was generally expected. The
defendant himself went on the stand,
also VIM. Grimes, the acquitted dc.
fendant, both telling plausible stories
of the tragedy, as did also a woman
named Belle Worth and a farmer /
named Henry Bilman. Their testi |
mony was that the dead man and his |
companions became disorderly and as
saulted O'Neal when he ordered them
out, and were attempting TO do him
further bodily harm when he shot.
The prosecution succeeded in break.
ing the force of the testimony some.
what in cross examination and by ov-
idence in rebuttal. This was partic-
ularly true in the matter of O'Ncals
| physical condition on the morning at
ter the tragedy, as to evidences of
| having been assaulted so severely as
he had claimed to have been 1t seems
| that on some Of the main points In the
case the jury is likely to be guided
by the comparative credibility of the
testimony In determining what
course to pursue The defense was
not very successful in proving that
the deceased's reputation for peace.
ablencss was had, although several
/ witnesses testified that way with ap-
! parent reluctance. Against these the
! prosecution found long list of reput
able citizens who stated positively
| that Sheehan's reputation was good
There were points in the testimony OF
both sides which seemed unreason.
able and inconsistent with the maia
facts as shown. but which may be ac-
cUunted for ON the hypothesis that
different people have different view
points and that even the best Of rs
may fail TO see arl remember every
thing just as il really is, when under
great excitement ONeal made his
statement 1ucntiy and IN steady
voice and his manner was such as
would inspire confidence under or
dinary circumstances. HIS statement
that he had been soldier in the
American armies, both in Cuba and in
| the Philippines, seemed 10 impress
the jury favorably But in many of
the main points at issue his testimony
and that Of Grimes and of Belle
Worth was in direct contradiction
with that Of Egan and others on the
side of the prosecution
A little sensation was caused by the
evidence of Phil Brennan, Mobile &
/ Ohio engineer, who stated that Ef
Galligan. one of the prosecutions wit.
nesses, had told him that Sheehan
had struck the first blow IN the af
fray. This was not entirely broken,
the witness adherng TO his belief
that Galligan did say this. although in
subsequent conversation he denied
il.
When court convened yesterday
morning the defense at once resumed
it's testimony, presenting their wit
nesses In the following order
Henry Biiman.
Questions by Attorney Lee. Reside
about three miles from Hodges PARK.
on the county farm. Was in Cairo dur
ing the street fair; was in Brewery
saloon ON the night of Sept 20. 1903
when the difficulty occurred, was
/ In tho hall when the men stepped into
the wine room and went to the bar
I room Fred Smith was In there bu;
was not near me; saw O'Neal: did not
know Sheehan and Egan. was IN bar
when shooting took place; before
shooting O'Neal said get out Of the
[ house" Saw the folks in the ball
/ three or four; seen them folks facing
O'Neal when he shot they we're NOV
/ ing towards the rear. Before the
ehooting saw O'Neal come out of the
hail, with clothes all in pieces; the
uovf WAS shut behind him-the door
/ from the bar room TO the hall ! was
sr.bpoenacd AS witness for the pros.
ecution; had talk with Mr.. Green
and Mr.. Wilson; they told me to get
on my mule and go home. | had no
business here. said No. sir. ! will
not 90 home, but will stay till the
case is ended"
Cross examined by Attorney Green.
came to sec the sights. worked
with Fred Smith. drank no beer. had
called for one but had net .tsuehef Il
,..,g,r,'s when the ',fDs Baum
to susisri Hebsacker, Drug Store
- = lice Of The Bulletin