The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-13
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FOR E. s. BLEASE
TIFF SENATOR FROM SALUDA
EXONERATED BY JURY.
The Trial Tok But One Day-The
Defendant Swooned as he Left
the Stand After Telling His
Dramatic Story.

Saluda, April 10.-When court was
called this morning rush was made
to the court room, and soon every
available seat was occupied, and the
aisles were filed.
It was known that the case against
Eugene S. Blease, charged with the
murder Of Joe Ben Coleman on the
streets Of Saluda, in September last,
would be called for trial. The defend
ant, accompanied by his attorneys, by
his aged mother, by his sister, Mrs.
Eison and by his brothers, Cannon
and Cole, and by his little seven-year-
old daughter, an only child, Saluda
Belle, reached the courtroom IN few
minutes So.
inside the bar sat Mr.. G. ". Cole
man. ST., the aged father Of Joe Ben
Coleman, while nearby was hs
brother, William Coleman, and his
kinsmen, NJ. A. Coleman, W. L. Cole
man, R. W. Coleman and others:
AT the request Of Solicitor cooper
:Jndee Prince granted half-hour in
which to allow Mr.. T. S. Sease, coun-
sci for thep rosecution, to arrive. He
reached Saluda promptly at 1o
O'Clock, and after a few minutes Oh
consultation with Solicitor Cooper,
the State announced ready. MI.
Baease was Immediately arralgned, a
deathly stiffness pervading the court
room during the arraignment. with
emphasis and with steady voice the
prisoner answered, II am not gull
sty. ,,.>ss How ! will you be tried 2" ask
ed the clerk. s:ByHGod.aaa- my eeun-
try. ,, was the answer, in a firm and
distinct voice. The following jury
was then placed in charge of the case;
H. P. shealy, A. H. Stephens, George
" Long. r. B. Bouknight, B. D.
Leopard, B. J. Waits, ". D. Holston'
W. R.. Quarles, J. A. Bledsoe, D. L.
Gr;esby. A. B. Hallman, J. ?. Bodle.
The State exhausted it's challenges.
Defendant made four objections. The
selection of a jury consumed just ~
minutes. 49,:
All Of the jurors are mar1ed men,
oH1N
B. D. Leopard is the Oldest member
of the panel, and the only one above
30 Mr.. J. P. Bodie was appointed
foreman. The following are tne
counsel in the case: For the proseeu-
tion. Solicitor Cooper and Mr.. I. s.
Sease, Of Spartanburg; for the de-
fense.. Messrs.. J. William Thurmond,
4 Evans, C. J. Ramage, 3. W.
Able. Daniel & Daniel and B. W.
Crouch. .} -,
DR.. J. J. Kirksey, who held the
most mortem examination, was the
frst witness sworn. He testified as
to the entry and direction OF the
wounds. One would in the right slde'
and another in the shoulder. Bullets
penetrated the lungs. Wounds caus-
ed death. On cross-examlnatlon
..that the wife of Joe Ben Coleman
had long lines at Blease's home ana
died there. :Blease. and Coleman mar
RCD sisfers@gT7fhe relation: Coleman
and Blease was the closest l ever
knew not to be brothers. Soon after
shooting. witness reached the. deceas-
al and deceased said, "Doctor, he
has killed me-has shot me through
the bowels.'' Deceased was con"
scious up to short time before DEATH
The State objected to the inquiry as
to whether the deceased at any time
made any statement about the cause
Of the shooting. The objection was
overruled, and witness said deceased
never alluded to the cause OF the
shooting. He only said, ''Doc, 60 out
and get him and let him come and I'M
ish me. I wish he had killed me on
the spot and kept me out Of this sui
fer;ng.'' Coleman knew Mrs. Blease
used morphine, and Coleman knew
Mr.. Blease objected, and treated Mrs.
Blease for a number Of years. l OBJ
iected to giving Mrs. Blease NOR
nhine. Witness stated that the use
of morphine would cause one to lose
their will power"
Dedirect-Witness testified that ne
Informed Blease that his wife was