The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-15
EISENHOWER PLEADS DEFENSE.
SAYS THAT HE FIRED AT BUL-
WARE AFTER OFFICER HAD
TWICE SHOT AT HIM.
oase Nears Close and Verdict Will
Probably Re Reached To-Day-Tcs-
timony Conflicts as to When Isen-
hover Planned Death OF Negro.

attorneys will try to prove for the
prisoner. He stated that ne fired two
shots at Raleigh Boulware, the deputy
sheriff, but that these shots were fired
after Boulware had fired at him. He
swore that he acted in self-defense,
that he was free from any malice or
animus toward either Boulware or
Sheriff Hood and that he would not
have fred at all had he not though.
Ii imperative. He does not know, he
said, that either of the shots struck
Boulware.
Court convened at $50 O'clock. T.
j. Rabb was first called and owing 10
the questions asked by counsel the
jury was excused from the court room
until Judge Rice ruled upon what the
witness had to say. Mr.. Rabb testi-
fed that he saw Clyde Isenhower
about two hours after the shooting,
that Isenhower had sustained IS bull
let wounds and appeared to be at
the point OF death, that Isenhower re-
marked: God has forgiven me for
all of my sins. did not want to shoot
the sheriff but I did want to shoot the
negro and 1 did do so. 1 shot the
negro first then Hood shot me and
shot Hood. / felt that God had di-
rected me 20 kill the negro" This
testimony was not permitted by the
court TO go to the jury.
The Rev. j. p. Isenhower, a brother
OF the defendant and brother Of the
dead man, was called. He testified
that he Is a Baptist preacher In charge
OF three churches In Fairfield county.
He testified that he talked to his
brother, Clyde Isenhower. as Clyde
was In dying condition and that
Clyde Isenhower said: IT want you
to take my farm and work 1t as best
you can. see to 1t that my debts are
paid and see to II that my life in
surance goes to my baby. I am shot
all to pieces and can't get WELL"
In cross-examination by the State,
Mr. Isenhower was asked IL he did
not ask his brother not to raise any
trouble. He did not remember having
done so. Counsel asked II he did not
Try to persuade his brothers not 20
create trouble. The witness claimed
that nc did not remember. The wit
ness at last said thot nc did tell Clyde
Isonhower not 70 start trouble but to
feep quiet He testified that Sheriff
Hood had always been personal
friend OF the Isenhower family.
I. j. Rabb testified that Clyde Isen-
hover. as he lay desperately wounded,
said to him (Rabb): God told me to
kill this negro and I did ard an
satisfied"
AT 1o.45 o'clock Ernest Eisenhower
took ths stand. He was perfectly COM
posed. He seemed to be sure of his
facts and did not falter. He answered.
In a clear tone every question asked.
Isenhower testified that he is 80
years Of age and that he Is school
teacher. He says that he has taught
for several years in Florence county.
At the time OF the Winnsbore tragedy
his school had a holiday and he was
spending the vacation period with his
mother in Fairfield county, a few miles
nom Winnsboro. On the day of she
tragedy he left home shortly after
sunrise with his brother, who Is a
rural policeman for Fairfield county.
Before leaving he took his pistol from
the bureau and dropped 1t in his
pocket. without any motive. Upon
reaching town. he held a conference
with Solicitor ]. X. Henry. this being
done ut the request of his mother.
and asked Mr. Henry not TO have
clyde Isenhower's wife placed on the
witness stand because OF her physical
condition. The witness testified that
when he completed his conference
with Mr.. Henry he walked to the
court house and there was "a gang I'm
the yard. As he arrived at the court
house he saw his brother. Clyde Isen-
mower, with a pistol In his hand and
saw Clyde Isenhower fire the shot at
the negro, Jules Smith. Said the
witness; IL attempted to get to Clyde
but was pushed back from the gate; I
tried again and again was pushed
back. Finally 1 gained entrance to
the grounds and saw Raleigh Bout
ware on the steps of the court house
Ho pulled his pistol and fred at me,
two shots One shot missed me en-
tirely and the other went through the
shoulder OF my coat. As Boulware
again turned towards me. fred but