Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-05-06

the reLorts OF the shors and saw the
flashes. but couldn't recognize any one
owing TO the darkness. Didn't see the
elder Clifford fire any shots, although
he saw him hnrriedly approach the
scene with gun in his hands; saw a
number of people on the street. but
after the word got around that the
elder Clifford was coming with his
gun, the crowd went past him so fast
he didn't, have time TO recognize any
one; hears four revolver shots from
Paul Clifford. His Story was straight
forward and lengthy. but he did not
develop ANYTHING new.
The next witness William Brown,
who lives close to the scene of the
trouble. and who was summoned to
the assistance of Young Clifford by the
latter's signal of distress, they being
members of the same lodge. Saw
the Cooks and Clifford struggling in
the street. and heard the Cooks say,
He's got a gun, take it away" grab
bed at the gon, when it went off; he
then started on a fast gallon down
the street, admitting that he was
badly frightened. and ing 1t ain't
no disgrace to run when you are
skeered;" said he got as far as the
colored church, when he saw the elder
Clifford approaching with a gun in
his hands. when he lodged into con-
veDient yard aud remained there until
the fracas was over; was so badly
"skeered" he couldn't tell how many
shots were fiyed, nor who fired them !;
admitted that he was a friend of the
Cliffords said Jake Turner, the dead
mau, was not in the street. thus COR
roboratlng the evidence of the state
that Turner was not engaged in the
quarrel. Browns testimony did not
help the defense any.
Miles W. Thompson. the next wit
ness for the defense, was peach,
and his evidence did much to strength.
en- the case against Clifford. He was
nervous and i'll at ease on the stand.
got all balled up oil ross-examination.
and was SO obviously endeavoring TO
tell tale that would help Clifford
that made distinctly bad impression.
He is brother-in-law of John Dixon.
and said he was at the gate Of the
latter's home when the affray took
place; but he utterly failed to see
Dixon, who swore only few moments
before that he was also standing there
throughout the whole affair; went
across the street to watch the sracas,
50 he could get summoned as a wit
ness: saw jake Turner run ont and
kick Clifford, but failed to see
William Brown when the latter ran
out to help Clifford; saw J. r. Cliff.
ord when the latter approached with
his gun. but didn't see him fire a
shot; saw the Cook brothers run, as
well as Turner, and heard the report
Of the shot that brought Turner down
said at first that he had visited the
Cliffords at the Jail but didn't say a
word to them about the present case,
then admitted that he had talked
about it and promised Clifford he
would "do all he could for him. ="
Thompson was verv lavish in his use
of "Mr., - lady" gentleman, 3"
etc., and was seemingly endeavorinQ
to give the impression that thew were
all ladies and gentlemen in the case
One Of his expressions was. II seen
n lady and two gentlemen talking.
aud the lady she saws you're id
liar, and the gentleman he saws TN
beat HI out of you. - He was ex.
cused, much to his relief.
The next was J. r.. Clifford, father
of Paul Clifford, and who is jointly
indicted with his son for killing
Turner. He said he was informed on
the evening of the fracas that the
Cook brothers were killing Paul, he
ran up stairs, grabbed his shotgun
and started on run for the scene of
trouble; met William Brown, who
told him the Cook brothers were after
Paul; saw three men struggling with
Paul, but failed to recognize any one
in the darkness; called out, LET loose
of him, every one of you tends"
when the men broke and ran, throw
ing Paul to the ground; Paul arose.
when the revolver went off and one OF
the men fell to the ground; this he
presumed was Turner; was within
eight or 10 feet of the struggling men |;
had a shotgun. but did not fire a
single shot; never owned a rife. and
the only one around his premises was
a small cat-rifle belonging to young
son took Paul home after the fracas.
He was under cross-fire for awhile,
but stuck to his story, although a
trifle confused on few minor points.
Paul Clifford was the last witness of
the day. He told OF alleged threats