The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-15
CHARGE DELIVERED
 IN THE PIPPIN CASE
ARGUMENTS WERE CLOSED YEs- TERDAY RNooN-DELE- GATES NAMED TO COTTON MEETING IN MONTGOMERY

Anniston, December 14-(Speciall 1.-The argument in the case of Lon E. Pippin, charged with the murder of J. W. Trigg several weeks ago, were completed in Anniston court this afternoon and after the charge by Judge Coleman the fate of the young man is In the hands of twelve of his peers. Yesterday the trial had proceeded to the stage of argument by counsel both for the state and for the defendant, Judge Tate having led in the argument for the state and Fred Blackmon for the defendant. This morn- ing W. P. Acker, counsel for the defend ant reviewed the testimony in the case, dwelling on the evidences of insanity. In discussing the subject of insanity, Mir. Acker argued that under certain condi- tons insanity was recurrent and inter- mittant that a man might be sane to- day and insane tomorrow, but the cause producing 1t was not matter of inquiry in the trial of this case. This, Mir Acker contended. was the character of the in- sanity possessing the defendant at the time he committed the erime; that the testimony sustained this view of the case, since 1t had been shown that Pippin was both sane and insane at given periods. thus establishing perfect harmony in the testimony of both the prosecution and the defense. This the attorney insisted. was the only true theory of the case now being tried. That every act of the de- fendant, as disclosed by the testimony, showed that he was the unfortunate vic tim of recurrent insanity. The manner in which he performed the deed for which he is being tried was strong proof in unsoundness of mind. MT. Acker concluded his argument at 10:45.
 Following Mir Acker, Solicitor W. C. Tunstall proceeded with the closing argu- ment Tor the state. His contention was that the defendant, in killing Trigg, was just as guilty of murder as If he had slain the man whom he intended to. That insanity, arising from alcohol was not insanity proper, and was not excusable. That voluntary drunkenness was no ex- cuse for homicide These, he said were the principles of law governing the case. In his review of the facts and testl- mony in the case, MT. Tunstall ridiculed the position taken by the defense, saying that they had begged the testimony and set up plea of mercy, but the facts that w. Trigg was killed was not dis puted The solicitor insisted that there existed much conflict in the testimony of the defense, and that conflict had de- stroyed the plea of insanity. The attor- ney insisted that the evidence showed, beyond any doubt, that the insanity of the defendant was from excessive drink ing, and was not excusable under the law. At 5:30 o'clock Judge Coleman had completed his charge and the case was given the jury. The verdict is not ex- pected tonight.
 .f. bama Mineral division of the Louisville and Nashville railway at Anniston will be filled by Hiram P. Salter of New Orleans, who is now making arrangements for moving here January 1 to assume full control of the local office. Mir. Salter, as general agent, will have complete con trol of the traffic of this division suc- ceeding w. E. Knox, and on his assump- ton of control, J. K. Lanning, who has succeeded T. c. Williams as travelling freight agent will devote all his time to that department.
 The commissioners for the court re- moval election in Cleburne county met In Edwardsvlle at noon yesterday and af- ter canvassing the returns declared Hefln a winner over Edwardsville by SS votes. The vote was canvassed by W. U. Almon, w. c. Porter and James Bennett, com missoners. Much interest was manifested in the official count. and Edwardsville was thronged with visitors from all over the county.
 By virtue of the authority vested in him at the meeting of the Calhoun Coun- ty organization of the Southern Cotton Growers association. Capt. James Crook president, has appointed the following del- egates to the convention of the Southern Cotton Growers association of Alabama which assemblies In Montgomery on Jan uary g. w. P Howell, Jesse Vincent. Green Duke, l. F. Greer, w. M. Curry. Thomas Francis. Taply Bynum, Louis Morris, Walter Dean. c. A. J. Hollings- worth, T. L. Harvey W. L. Jones' Thom- N. Watson, Dr. Coke Williams, Gaines Riberts. Iverson D. Watson J. P Storey. Thomas Draper, Canady O'Bryan. There will be another meeting of the Calhoun County organization at the court house in Anniston on the 9th inst