The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-31
TROY ON THE STAND
HE TELLS wBN HE SHOT GEORGE
 NEWCOMB.
swears He Vas Drinking Alone When FiOrida Men Entered The Plase And Assaulted Him
 Trial Is slew.

Jacksonville, Fla. Dec, 30-(SpeciaD The trial of Thomas w. Troy, charged with the murder of George Newcomb at West Palm Beach Is near ing an end at Miami.
 Troy in his statement to the court in his own defense said that he was on his way from Honduras to New York on board a steamer owned by the company he was associated with and got of at Palm Beach in order to get to New York before the steamer arr rived there as the little war In Cen. tral America had detained him about two weeks in that country, and he plete- arrangements before the boat arr rived.
 After landing at Palm Beach Troy related that he hired negro who had one of those baby carriage businesses in front of a wheel to take him to q hotel, the negro stating that as all the large hotels were closed lie would take him to the Seminole Hotel When he arrived at the hotel Troy said he went to the counter and asked the man behind the bar if he had any wine. He answered he had. He asked for 8 quiet place to sit. Troy said he en- quired if he could sit at the table in an enclosure and have his wine brought there. This was done and he
 
 Propably half an hour after going into the saloon Troy said big man whom he said afterwards proved to be the man he shot, came in the bar room from the back and had some transactions to which he (Troy) paid no attention. Later the same man came in and asked him (Troy) to have drink. Not receiving an answer he said the second time ''Will you have drink?" Troy took it that he meant him and answered No. I have some thing"
 Newcomb then went out. Troy stayed and after a while Newcomb came back with five or six men three of whom came up to the railing where he was seated, one being Newcomb. another Earnest A. Burkhardt and the third Joseph Burk. At this time. Troy stated. Newcomb came up to the rail- ing and said You're putting on a dam sight of airs in here" To this Troy said he was not bothering them and did not wish to be bothered. To this remark Newcomb answered, You -
 open your head and I'll wipe up the floor with you" At the same time Burkhart and Newcomb made a rush for him. After grabbing him, Troy stated Newcomb slapped his face and cursed him while Burkhart held him by the collar. = In the scuffle. Troy said, his grip Tell and his revolver tumbled out with lot of cigars. Troy bent down to get them. when~Burk- hart said Put your hand on it. damn you. and I'll kill you" at the same time pulling him back into the chair, At this time young Zapf called over from behind the bar to Newcomb saying: Let him alone. George"
 Troy stated that when Newcomb and Burkhart were bothering him he called to Zapf to have, the men let i'm alone After being thrown back in his chair Troy said. he put his cigars and pistol back in his grip when Newcomb ad- vanced toward him pointing to him and saying: You shoot and I'll do you up"
 In demonstrating this MT. Troy stood up and held out his left hand. with his right hand on the right hip stating that was the position of New comb
 As Newcomb did this Troy said he grabbed for his pistol and quickly as possible shot Newcomb.
 When questioned why he shot New comb. Troy stated that he thought Newcomb was going to kill him.
 This practically ended Troys testi- mony as to the vital facts of the oc- currence.
 At times he was much affected while giving testimony, especially when re lating the shooting.
 The case will probably go to the jury Wednesday.