Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-02
THE GAFFNEY HOMICIDE.
George Hasty on Trial For the Murder
of Bennet and Davidson.

George Hasty on Trial For the Murder
of Bennet and Davidson.
The trial of George Hasty, the hotel
man, for the killing Of Milan Bennett
and Abbott Davidson, two actors on
the 18th of December last was COM
menced at Gaffney yesterday and will
probably occupy the balance of the
week.
Judge Memminger Is presiding. So
licitor Sease is being assisted in the
prosecution by Messrs. ]. c. Otis and
]. B. Bell, and the defendant is being
represented by Messrs. Butler & Os-
borne and George Johnstone.
The defense opened its fight with an
effort to quash the indictment on pure
| ly technical grounds, claiming that
the words, unlawful weapon" used
| by the solicitor should, to conform to
| the statute, be concealed weapon"
and there was also objection to the
| inadVerteat omission Of the words
against the peace and dignity of the
state" Judge Memminger overruled
the motion to quash, and next the de-
| Ience tried to secure a continuance
on the ground Of the absence Of al
| legged material witnesses. The prose-
cution produced an affidavit from one
of these witnesses, stating that he knew
nothing about the matter and that he
! had been bound over only because it
was known that he could not be there,
and the circumstance could be used for
what it was worth toward securing a
new trial. Col. Johnstone states that
he was very unwell and asked for a
continuance on that ground, stating
that there were enough other murder
trials to take up the time of the court,
and 1t would be very well to allow this
affair to lie over until public sentiment
had time to settle anyway. Judge
Memminger was firm in his decision
that the case would have to go to trial.
The prosecution opehed with prelim-
mary testimony introducing diagram
of the scene Of the shooting, and evf-
dence Of physicians as to the nature
of the wounds inflicted on Bennett and
the direction Of the fatal bullet. The
state has seen proper to make two
cases of the affair and the killing of
Davidson is not being considered now.
The most important witness OF yes
terday was Miss Verne Sheridan, the
young woman, who was the presuma-
bly, innocent cause of the tragedy, and
who claims to have been engaged to
SNtN
her story of the affair about as 1t has
already been printed and made good
witness. Notwithstanding very trying
cross examination in which defend
ants counsel seemed to be laying the
foundation for a whitening attack on
her moral character. She was asked
if Bennett had not occupied the same
room with her at Gastonia, and when
she denied anything of the kind, coun-
sci intimated that he would prove the
matter by witness who occupied the
adjoining room. There were other
suggestions along the same line.
The testimony of Miss Sheridan
made a good impression on the audi
ence, which applauded some Of her an
swers. The judge had to threaten to
clear the court room.
There was quite number OF Ia
dies in the court house at the opening
of the trial; but the judge warned them
that there would probably be some tes-
timony that would be unfit for their
ears. Some of the ladies left on this;
but others remained until the cross
examination of Miss Sheridan was
commenced and then, as the result Of
intimatioas by counsel for the defense
effect nothing that would be suppress
ed out of Difference to the ladies, all
of them departed.
This Mornings Proceedings.
BY Telegraph to The Enquirer.
GAFFNEY, March 2.-The trial Of
George Hasty continues in this city
today. Miss Sheridan, one of the star
witnesses for the prosecution, con-
cluded her testimony yesterday after
noon and was not examined today.
The defense requested this morn
ing that they be allowed to use one
Strickland of Gastonia, n. c., where
these ladies, with Bennett and Dav-
idson had played. while with the
Nothing but Money" company, de-
string to put him up out of order be-
cause he was forced to return home
on account of a sick child. The re-
quest was granted and he took the
stand.
The defense attempted by him to
attack the chastity of the two ladies'
Misses Bishop and Sheridan. Colonel
Johnstone, for the defense. asking
many questions as to what knowledge
the witness had of the actions of the
ladies while in Gastonia.
The Judge stated at this point that
this case was being tried on legal
basis and not a moral one, hence he
would refuse to allow the questions to
While counsel was especially dwell
ing on the costumes worn by the Ia
dies while II Gastonia and concerning
which tho witness was not allowed to
testify. Miss Bishop arose in her chair
and tearfully implored the court to let
him answer as to her costume. Coun-
sci for the state went to her side and
succeeded in partially soothing her.
For the first time in this trial Miss
Sheridan broke completely down and
left the court chamber sobbing.
Miss May Bishop, one of the ladies
who was engaged to marry Abbott Da-
wilson went on the stand today. Her
testimony was about the same as that
Of Miss Sheridan yesterday. Counsel
FOR defense was not able to disconcert
hsr To any great extent.
Sheriff Thomas Deputy Sheriff Dur
| ham and DIR. Nesbit testified this
morning.
The prosecution closed their case
this morning The defense will COM
m"~ce this afternoon.
The clothing worn by Bennett was
introduced in evidence. A statement
made by Mr.. Davidson before his
death was not allowed to be intro
duced in evidence, the judge ruling
it incompetent
Judge Memminger is proving clear
headed ana ueclSlNe III Ills luiihS9'
n" had occasion this morning to re-
buke both the counsel for the de-
fense and prosecution on one or two
occasions. stating that he would have
counsel to understand that he was
regulating the affairs Of the court. He
has made a most favorable impress
sion.
The condition of chaos Of yesterday
is not apparent today, as the crowd is
not allowed to grow congested at all
When available seats are occupied in
the court room no more are allowed
to enter. while the aisles, etc, are
kept perfectly clear.
The crowd in attendance is posi-
bly, as great as that of yesterday and
the great interest in the case does not
abate.
J. BRIAN BELL.