The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-12-09
KILLING ACCIDENTAL
is INQUEST VERDICT
ATTORNEY GENERAL PEOPLES To
STAND TRIAL, HOWEVER
Tells Jury of Tragedy.-Had no Diff
Guilty with Negro Cook, According
to the Testimony,

Columbia, December THAT Robert
Marshall, the negro cook at the Elks
Club, came to his death last night from
the accidental discharge of pistol in
the hands Of Attorney General Thomas
H. Peoples was the verdict Of the
coroner's jury that investigated the
shooting tonight.
This means that the Attorney Gen
eral will be brought to trial at the
next term of court for accidental homi-
eide The Court convenes during the
first week of January. The formal
bond will be arranged tomorrow be-
fore Coroner Scott. The Attorney Gen
eral was released tonight on his own
recognizance. The trial in January is
regarded a mere formality, but is nee
essary under.t the law of the State.
All the testimony brought out at the
inquest tended to show that the shoot
ing was an accident. Attorney Gen
eral Peoples himself made statement
to the jury in waich he explained the
discharge of the pistol, his reason for
having it and all the matters leading
up to the unfortunate occurrence at the
club.
In effect Mr.. Peoples stated that he
had placed the pistol in his automobile
Yesterday when mis- mother went with
her brother to Lexington. The return
trip was made by Mrs. Peoples with a
strange chauffeur and he desired that
she should have the pistol for protec-
ton. When he went to the Elks' Club
at 10 o'clock last night he took the
pistol out of the car and carried it up
stairs to the club rooms with the in
tention of leaving it there.
Says He Does Not Carry Pistol.
q do not carry a pistol" said Mr..
Peeples. "and wanted to leave the
weapon at the club" He said that as
he walkel behind the buffet to place
the weapon near the cash register
Capt. ]. H. Weaver, who was standing
behind the counter, asked nim to let
him see the pistol. He stated that he
was handing it over when the pistol
discharged, killing the negro cook, who
was standing in front Of the buffet at
the moment.
From the testimony of otner wit
nesses it was brought out that the
pistol was cooked Mr.. Peoples stated
that he did not know of this.
sMy Cod, what have done!' eX-
claimed Mr.. Peoples when he saw the
negro fall after the discharge Of the
gun. 81 felt like blowing out my own
brains" he said. All witnesses testi-
fed the attorney general was dis
tressed and Sheriff Mccain said ne
wept as he told him OF The ShootinS
few minutes after it happened.
The supposition is that the hammer
of the gun struck the counter as Mr..
Peoples handed the gun to Mr.. Weaver,
and it was thereby discharged. Sheriff
Mccain made an examination OF the
room that bore out the statements OF
witnesses with reference to the range
of the bullet, and the doctors testi-
mony also confirmed this.
No Words with Negro.
All witnesses agreed that no words
passed between Mr., Peoples and the
negro before the shooting. The other
negro help in the club also testified to
this.
Capt. J. H. Weaver, conductor on the
Southern Railway, bore out Mr., Pee
pies statements with regard to the
discharge of the gun. Capt. Weaver
says he was standing right next to the
attorney general.
Assistant Attorney General Fred. H.
Dominick appeared as counsel for Mr..
Peoples and questioned witnesses
briefly. Solicitor Wade Hampton Cobb,
of this circuit, appeared for the State.
He will be the prosecuting officer at
the trial. Governor Blease was present
at the hearing tonight, but took no
p&r. IN the proceedings. The little
room at the undertaking establishment
was crowded. The pistol that did the
shooting was curious affair being
c-o of ne o!A-t!ma Colts 4 43-calibre.
The inquest was postponed from $50
until : O'Clock this evening, when it
finally took place, lasting one hour,
Awaited Arrival of BleaSe.