The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-03-03
g FAIR PLAY MEN
PLACED ON TRIAL

lie didn't see any OF the events sur
rounding the beating of the negroes
or the killing Of Green Gibson. The
witness stated that at the time he
signed this paper he knew the state
mems were not true
Second Star witness.
The second star witness put UP by
the prosecution was Edgar White.
WHO. the former witness swore. was
olc of the three negroes who we're
compei.ci to apply the lash to George
Gibson and Tom Spights. Edgar White
told practically the same story as that
told by AlonZo Anderson. lie testi-
fled as TO the party OF white men go
ing TO Tom Spights house AMI taking
him out OF bed. taking him To the
store across on the Georgia side and
beating him with a buggy trace. He
said that he would not have applied
the lash to Gibson T. he had 1ot been
told by the white mea that they would
get him" unless he did. The other
portions Of the negro'c testimony were
practically the same az tha: given by
Alonzo Anderson.
Gross Exnmincd.
These being the main Witnesses Of
the prosecution. the attorneys for the
defense naturally centered their sever
est cross examination fire upon them.
Both negroes We're pat through
thorough grilling, and while they
were tangled UP in some instances,
their story. In the main. was not 3hak-
en-. IL was brough: out on cross ex-
animation that counsel for the defense
had had both negr oes put In jsil, and
that while In prison afiidavits were
gotten from them With reference to
what happened during the rioting
period. Both witnesses swoIs that
they had not been promised immunity
from indictment on condition they
made these affidavits, and that they
had been offered no Inducements OF
any other character 10 give the testi-
mony that they offered then.
V nereabOuts OF Negroes.
1t e'an not brought out at the near
ing yesterday what became of Tom
Spights and George tiibson after they
were beaten in the store. tho supposi-
tion being that they Tore left there
while the members of the party pur-
sued Green Gibson and the other two
negroes who had advanced upon them
with shot guns while they were in
the house administering the wlippings
to the two negroes. George Gibson
and Tom Spights. u was not brought
out what became Of the two negroes
who were with Green Gibson wien he
advanced upon the party OF white men
at knox's Bridge.
The testimony only chowed that
Green Gibson fled back 10 the South
Carolina side after the exchange of
shotB ut the bridge and that he was
engaged by members OF the white
mems party several miles back on the
South Carolina side and killed In o
duel with several members OF tho
party. two oftwhom took his shot guns
away from him, after ne had fallen!
and broke them over his head.
Other Witnessese ~
Other witnesses put UP by the BROS
ccution, and in the order In which
they were called, were Carris Spights.
wife of Tom Spights: Maria Spights,
stepdeughter OF Tom Spights; Andy
Bowers. s. n. Wilburn, John SWING
or. Anna Swtnger. A1onzc Anderson,
Mayor ]. II. Godfrey, OF Anderson;
Edgar White. Prof. Harry Sheldon.
Abraham Swinger and w. S. Camp
bell.
Other Testimony.
she testimony oHered by Alonzo
Anderson and Edgar White Summed
up practically all that was produced
by the State on the first day OF the
trial. Other testimony was given by
other witnesses, but It was not of an
extraordinary nature nor very i'm
po-tant to the case. One OF the wit
nesses testified that when the party
OF white men met George Gibson in
the road they searched him and .nuIili
pistol In his pocket, Thereupon,
they took him on to! Georgia, with
Tom Spights, and beat him! sS
Wednesdays Preee.lnre.
1t is impossible Just at this junolure
TO predict Just when the case will be
brought TO close. " Is probable.
however, that all OF the testimony will
be In by tho adiournmanr OF court to-
night, This being the case, tile sargu-
ments and the charge should be made
sometime Thursday, dilowinS the rnnt,
ter to. so 70 the Jury late that after,
Crowded Courtraoni.
The trial Of the six residents az
the Fair Play section Is attracting
s.,.. ..na .sla crab attention ti,rourhout
Oconee and Anderson counties. The
courtroom was packed all day WITH
spectators. q Number OF than having
come from Anderson.