Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-20
TRIED FOR MURDER
IN THE OPEN AIR

CLEVELAND, Ga, April 16.-Bright
Gillstrap, who killed William Nix on the
night of January 10, 1909, about o'clock,
has been found guilty of manslaughter,
and sentenced to Is years.
One of the unusual features of the case
was the fact that the trial was held in
the open air on the court house grounds.
Quite a large crowd was in attendance,
and as the court house building is not
entirely safe, it was deemed best to keep
the spectators out.
Judge Kimsey presided over the trial.
Attorneys b. P. Gilliard, of Gainesville,
and c. S. Kyle, of Cleveland, represen-
ted the defense. Solicitor General Char
tiers and C. II. Edwards were the prose-
cutting counsel.
Most of the court house furniture was
put into use on the court house campus
and the scene as presented was perhaps
the most unusual in Georgia court trials.
William Nix, son of F. M. G. Nix, was
stabbed to death one Sunday evening
about dark by Bright Gillstrap, son OF
the late Lewis Gillstrap, near the home OF
Joe London. who lives in Mossycreek
district. about two and one-half miles
south of Cleveland.
The cause of the murder is unknown
further than what Gillstrap says. He
claims that Mr.. Nix came riding past him
$3.50
called out to him to go back there and
get his hat which had just fallen off, but
as Gilstrap could not find ii he called
to Nix to bring a match, whereupon
Nix got off the mule and went back to
Gillstrap and cut at him cursing him,
when Gilstrap says he drew his knife
and stabbed Nix over the heart the
first strike, and then inflicted fourteen
other wounds before he ceased.
or
screamed he said that he did not
After the killing, Gilstrap went to the
home of George Adams and told them
what he had done, ate his supper and left
after washing the blood from the knife
and giving il to Mrs. Adams with the re-
quest that she return it to the dead mans
wife Chis sister, from whom he had bor-
rowed it only a short time before.
Upon going to the place where Gillstrap
said he would find Nix found the state
ment true, and the unfortunate man died
very soon afterwards.
Upon leaving Mr.. Adams Gillstrap
headed for the mountains, and upon his
arrival at ]. NJ Suggs' wanted him to
drive him to Tesnatee Gap, telling Mr.
suggs what he had done, but he refused,
and Gillstrap started on foot and got as
far as Joe NJ. Nix's, about four miles
north of town on the Blairsville road.
He was up bright and early next morn
ing and left without his breakfast or
taking time to put on his shoes, telling all
he met what he had done and that he
was going to Ducktown, but as the sheriff
pursued him he met him at the foot of the
mountain retracing his steps, and the
sheriff arrested him, brought him to town
and placed him in JAIL where he seems to
be perfectly contented, except that he re-
grets that he did not kill another.
A coroner's inquest was held the fol-
lowing Monday morning and that verdict
was that William Nix was murdered by
Bright Gillstrap. 1t was further found
that Gillstrap had at different times
threatened to kill Mr.. Nix as soon as he
was grown. Nix's knife was found in
his pocket with no appearance Of having
been used
The remains were inferred in Cleveland
cemetery in the midst of a large crowd Of
friends and relatives.
The burial expenses were met by the
public, who contributed literally, leaving
after all expenses were paid, fund for
the widow and little children.