The Forrest City times., 1905-07-28
BENTON ON TRIAL.
4 Strong Case Made Out Against Him-Negro Tes- timony Strongly Cor
 roborateo.
BENTON DENIES HISGUILT.
s. p. Nc Daniel. a Strong Wit ness for State, interests
 the Jury.

One hundred and ten citizens of St Francis county left Saturday and Sun day for Searcy 10 attend the trial of Gus Benton. charged with the murder Of Walter Gray. Most of this large body were summoned a. witnesses. the others being composed Of officers, relatives and friends Of accused. spec tators, etc.
 SK4RCY, July 24.-The case Of the state against Gus Benton. which came 10 this county on change of venue from st. Francis county, was called l this afternoon. Both sides announced ready for trial and the selection of q jury was immediately gone into and completed. The evidence will be taken tomorrow. This is case where the defendant is charged with killing W. L. Gray near kinton. St. Francis county. June 6. IL is alleged that he was sleeping with Gray and about II o'clock at night. together with Berry Minor and Bob Martin. took an axe and brained the deceased. John Davis, a negro. was left on watch and now appears against the defendants as a States witness.
 The prosecution is represented by Prosecuting Attorney P R. Andrews of Augusta and Hon. R. J. Williams Of Forrest City. The defense is rep resented by Hons. N. W. Norton and Walter German Of Forrest City and Brooks Norfeet of Memphis. The defendant is all uncle Of Hon. Brooks Sorfieet.
 The case will take up the week. there being more than loo witnesses.
 The case was called Tuesday morn. ing, and the State introduced about 10 witnesses. John Davis. Benton's self-confessed accomplice, was on the witness stand for several hours, and made good witness for the State.
 He detailed the whole horrible plot and told exactly how it was done His relation of the circumstances oi the homicide was corroborated in every detail by other witnesses. The eour, house was packed almost to suffoca tion. A large number of the ladie. } of Searcy were present and greatly in terested i'll the horrible details.
 SEARCY. July 27.-The taking of ey
 idence in the case of the State agains
 Gus Benton was continued to-day The defendant was on the witnes
 stand for more than three hours anC f he told straight story of his where | abouts on the night of the homicid' , which could not be shaken unde
 cross-examination The case will no'
 go to the jury before Saturday noon <. r. Mcdaniel went on the stand 9 and detailed all the circumstantia |, evidence which he found upon anC [ around the premises. He lad the bef l upon which Gray was asleep when ht
 was murdered. and the axe witl which the fatal blow was made. Ht : gave the Jury a lucid description c l the surroundings. of the blood spou
 here and there. Of the track to tn ' river of the impression iii the sofi
 ground at the brink of the ~ate.
 where the body must have lain for
 few moments. of the finding Of th, comfort and other things which hat T been sunken in the river. NcDanie g was cool and deliberate. and tht jury gayehis evidence their undivided attention.
 , Al direct evidence was finished
 yesterday Evidence in rebuttal wa.
 taken this morning, and it was be
 lieyed that the arguments would be gin about noon to- day.
 s There seems to be little or no doubf 3 that Benson will be convicted. as tho
 negro is so strongly eorroborated b, , eircumStantial evidence. and the eyi
 dence of other witnesses.
 Sam Yoffie's Party.