The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-12-14


not to get into any trouble. He stated
that W. L. Haynes, peace officer, had
tod him to take Clyde Isenhower away
from the court house in the morning,
and the witness replied that he was not
apprehensive of any trouble He might
have stated to Haynes that Ernest
Isenhower was calm, he testified when
the state was endeavoring to show
that the IsenhoWer men were prepared
to make trouble. However, he went to
the court house, but could not find
Clyde Isenhower.
When the state tried to establish
that there was animus between the
Isenhower family and Sheriff Hood,
the Baptist minister said that all the
Isenhowers were close personal friends
of the dead sheriff; that A. D. Hood
had visited his home on many occa-
sions, stopping with the preacher fre-
quently and often dined with him.
Testifying as to the criminal assault
the minister said that Clyde Isenhower
and the whole community where the
young woman lived were aroused. He
said that he had six brothers two Of
whom were peace officers, both on duty
in Winnsboro on the day Of the shoot
ing.
T. ]. Rabb of Rock Hill, who was
at Winnsboro shortly after the shoot
ing, told how he saw Clyde Isenhower,
wounded, in the Office of DR.. Douglas,
and that Clyde Isenhower made the
following declaration to him:
81 had nothing against Mr.. Hood,
and did not want to shoot him, but
did want to shoot the negro-and l
did God told me to shoot the negro
and I did. Sheriff Hood shot me in the
arm and then I shot Sheriff Hood"
Ernest Isenhower Testifes.
The third witness to take the stand
Thursday was the defendant, Ernest
Isenhower. He is about six feet tall,
and weighs about 180 pounds. His
face is oval, clean shaved and slightly
ford. He has determined chin and
calm placid gray eyes. While under
going a gruelling examination for an
hour and fourteen minutes he showed
little nervousness and his answers
were deli5ered in an even voice He
is man of more than ordinary intel
lect, as shown by his high shopping
forehead and Slight bald head, crowned
with jet-black hair.
He testified that he is a native Of
Fairfield county; was 80 years of age
last May; by profession school teach
ed. Taught school in Florence county,
near Lake City, for the past five years.
When his school broke up he returned
to Fairfield county to spend his vaca-
ton with his mother, his wife being
dead.
The witness testified that he had
seen Clyde and Mrs. Isenhower one
week and four days before the shoot
ing. He received a letter from his
sister, residing in Fairfield county, last
May, informing him of the criminal
assault
Ernest Isenhower stated that Clyde
Isenhower had lived seven miles from
Winnsboro and the only police protec-
ton afforded that neighborhood was a
brother-rural po!iceman-who resid-
ed eight miles away. The neighbor
hood is thinly settled with white peo-
pie, he testified.
Before leaving for Winnsboro on
June IA, the day set for the trial of
julie Smith, the negro alleged to have
committed criminal assault, he slipped
IAS IGNOl' SI, WHICH llS uoU DOuSAG q
year ago in order that he might have
protection for his home in Florence, in
his pocket, thinking should the negro
attempt to escape he would help in his
recapture. He said before the affray
at the court house he had conference
with Judge Wilson and Solicitor Henry
in the endeavor to persuade the latter
not to bring the young woman alleged
to have been assaulted into court be-
cause of her physical condition,
Story of the Tragedy.
At the time of the shooting he was
in the court house yard, he stated, and
saw his brother Clyde with his coat
over his left arm and his revolver in
his right hand. At that time Sheriff
Hood, with the prisoner, was going up
the steps into the court house and was
about four steps up the second flight
of stairs. He swore he saw Clyde