The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-13

~ " Wy Moh!HS tuo SIdCoDlenC)S E. Wn1Cn
was six months before the homicide,
G. c. Mathis testified to hearing the
shots, saw Coleman fall at the cor
ner OF Smith Brothers store; did not
see Blease at the time. Deceased fell
on his back as he turned the corner
went around Coleman and fired twice
at deceased. At the same time Cole
man pulled something from his pants
pocket and present hand-so .(indica-
ting), and then threw it. Very small
weapon Coleman had. Two reports
at first, said witness, and I think
four more. Pointed weapon at Blease.
Remember nothing said. Too far to
distinguish statements. Heard Blease
tell sheriff few minutes afterwards,
"Come here, sheriff; I am ready to
give up Did not see deceased when
the first shots were fired. .. .
The Principal Eye Witness.
H. G. Crouch, who is brother-in-
law Of both ,deponent and deceased,
having married sister Of Mrs.
Blease and Mrs, Coleman, testified as
to seeing Blease on afternoon Of trag-
edy. Soon saw something was wrong
with defendant from expression on
face. Witness inquired if defendant
was drunk. Answered in negative.
Defendant then inquired if witness
was friend to him, and whether a
better friend to him than to Joe Ben
Coleman. Defendant then told me his
wife had made confession Of her, in
timacy with Joe Ben Coleman. Told
witness that defendants suspicious
were aroused months ago and he had
brought the matter to Mrs. Blease g
attention. She denied all. 'Deponent
farther told me Of finding a note in
wife's bedroom reading "Dear Lu-
die: I cannot get you any more Of
that stuff. You know I would do any
thing I could for YOU" Deceased s
name was signed to note. Defendant
stated, that he had gone to. Coleman
and told him Of the note and that if
he wanted IIudie. to take her and lgo.
Defendant had whiskey and stated
to witness that it had no effect on
him, that he had drunk a quart a Jay
trying to drown. trouble.
Witness insisted. that defendant not
do anything rash. Blease was raging
at times like a wild man. At other
times was quiet. Defendant told
witness that he would take his wife
into his home but not as man and
wife, provided she would never speak
to Joe Ben. Defendant asked witness,
eff I kill Joe Ben will you help me
out7" Witness urged him not to do
anything rash. So.
When witness reached store Of Joe
Ben, he saw deceased and defendant
talking. Blease said, "Joe Ben, I
mean what I said. IF you don't leave
and never come back I'll kill YOU
Coleman then said, "Rather than take
life or lose life I'll leave, but I will
not leave tonight. ~" Blease asked de.
ceased if he was armed and pulled
out small Derringer and threw il
down to Joe Ben, and put his hands II,
pocket Defendant became .|excited
wild and was raging. Witness caught
defendant and told Coleman to run
Thought Coleman gone and turned
Blease loose. Defendant reached door
and shot once, then advanced and shot
again. Coleman turned corner OF
Smith Bros. Blease shot at Coleman
on ground two or three times and
threw pistol down, saying, 81 shot
him about my wife,
The Derringers were exhibited tt
witness, and identified and condi
ton Of them described, it appearing
that Coleman had one of them. This
one showed loaded cartridge and that
it had been snapped on but not ex.
ploded. ~.
The Colts magazine pistol used by
Mr.. Blease was exhibited and identi
lied by withsss.#iIts is an awkward
shaped looking affair. III
| Deceased had three children. HI
did not say he could not leave on &C
count Of his children. These children
arc from three to about seven years OF
age. ..r u "
Rev. J. A. Carson also noticed some.
thing unusual in defendants appear