The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-30
WIDE INTEREST IN THE TRIAL OF SALE Taking of Evidence 5egins at
 Columbus, Miss. HISTORY OF THE CASE John B. Sale Was Indicted for Man slaughter, It Being Alleged That
 He Shot and Killed
 J. 3. Bell.
HISTORY OF THE CASE

cial)-One of the most important cases
 that has ever held the attention of circuit
 court in this county, that is if public in- terest throughout the state at large and
 the prominence of the parties concerned
 of the state vs. John B. Sale, who is now
 on trial on the charge of "manslaughter."
 The jury In the case was completed this morning at II o'clock and the evidence was then begun
 The evidence of the prosecution has consumed today's entire session and many
 more witnesses for the state will appear before they close their side of the case The evidence today is practically the same as was introduce at the preliminary
 trial of Mir. Sale last summer. A brief history of this interesting case
 and story of the trouble will serve to refresh the public with the important points in regard to both trial and tragedy which led to the killing.
 On July last, John B. Sale, defendant in the case now on trial. and Joseph B. Bell met in Streets drug store on Main street and had pistol duel which re- suited in Bells instant death by a shot from Sales revolver and Sale being
 shot In the shoulder from Bells weapon There were not two more popular young men in Columbus; two promising men who were able to count their friends, rela- lives and acquaintances by the scores: two young men who had every path of life from both a business and family standpoint strewn with every hope of suc-
 cess and promise in every way; and witt. the startling announcement that they had met and had this encounter and the result been Gn in nd in this entire city and countless relatives and friends from a distance were shock ed at the awfulness of the calamity. J. B. Bell was up to the time of his tragic death manager of the Columbus hosiery mills. He was about 2S years of age and unmarried. He is the son of Mrs Eloise Bell; grandson of Harrison John ston, one of the wealthiest men in Mis- sissppi. who lives in Columbus. and is re-
 lated to the many Johnstons and Bells in l this large and influential family connec- tion.
 John B. Sale is the son of Mrs. Annie T. Sale of this city: nephew of J. T. Thrower. a wealthy planter of this sec-
 ton, and closely related to the late Dr.
 Sale of Memphis and all that family con- nection and relation He is 23 years of age, unmarried and has made remarkable success In the cotton business. Last year
 
 ricks & Co. in Birmingham.
 Preliminary Trial Held. The preliminary trial of Sale was held in the court house few days after the tragedy and was conducted by Mayor
 Gunter and Beverly Matthews, justice of
 the peace in this district At this trial one of the largest crowds which ever assembled in a court room in this county was present and every bit of the evidence
 was eagerly and attentively listened to. The causes which led'up to the tragedy | were given full exposure. The state was represented by Capt. E. T. Sykes of this city, while 7. P. Landrum defended MT. Sale. The trouble was caused and started
 over business correspondence between J. B. Bell, killed by Sale, and Mrs. A. T.. Sale mother of the defendant. This cor respondence was pertaining to the house formerly occupied by Mrs. Sale which house Bell managed for his mothers in terests and welfare Sale. defendant, saw , one of these notes and construed 1t as being decidedly refectory upon the busi- ness integrity and veracty of his mother and addressed communication to Bell | asking for a full explanation Bells re- ply contained an apology for his remark, | if it had been calculated to impress Mrs. Sale in this manner. but in the same note l he also stated that Sale could make a personal matter out of 1t if he cared to 1 do so. This was followed by other com munications. each one becoming more bit ter and sarcastic In It's general tone until one afternoon while Bell was sitting in Streets store Sale passed and called him | to the sidewalk. Only minutes conver-
 sation ensued before pistol shots rung ! out. Bell staggered into the drug store and Sale was shot In the shoulder. The trial lasted two days and Sale was admitted to bond in the sum of Sl2,5O0; an exorbitant amount as alleged by his counsel. but Mayor Gunter refused to | lower the sum.
 Sale made this bond, which was signed | by many of his friends and appeared | here at the opening of court for his trial. Indicted for MansIaughter. 1 The grand jury had been in session only few days when they returned bill charging him with "manslaughter." This was followed by plea from Sales at torney asking that the amount of his bond be lowered to what was reasonable
 amount in consideration of the bill as
 returned against his client. Judge Rob-
 bins accordingly complied with the re- quest and had Sale make a new bond In the sum of $25Oo.
 The case was called yesterday afternoon at o'clock and the jury was not com-
 pleted until this morning.
 The evidence as introduced today was
 not different from that given at the
 preliminary trial.
 Sale is defended by z. P. Landrum of this city who is making hard fight for
 his client The state is looked after by District Attorney Mitchell, who has as-
 sociated with him Betts Sturdvant of
 this city, who were employed by the fam
 fly of Bell to assist in the prosecution.
 The prosecution will probably complete
 their evidence tomorrow and it will re- qure about two days for the defense to submit theirs The trial will hardly be
 completed until the middle or last of next
 week.