The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1917-01-02
THORNTON HELD
TO GRAND JURY
Big Crowd Attends Trial of Men
Charged With Being Implicated
In Harris Creek Killing

John Thornton and his sons, Tom
Thornton and George Thornton
were held to await the action of the
grand jury next month by Judge
Bailey at their examining trial in
the Lincoln county court, as result
of the shooting at the Harris Greek
schoolhouse Christmas night, which
resulted in the death of Willie Bene-
dict. George Thornton, who is
charged with having fired the shot
which killed Benedict was placed I'M
der $500 bond; John Thornton IN
der $500 bond and Tom Thornton,
under $500 bond. Bail for the three
was furnished by Messrs. Frank
Martin, George Gaddis, Mike Gaddis
and James Hanson, and they were
released.
Testimony introduced at the ex-
amining trial was very conflicting
A great deal of interest was mani
Tested in the hearing, and a large
number of people who were present
at the Christmas celebration, when
the trouble occurred, came down TO
the trial. In the absence of County
Attorney w. S. Burch, who contin-
ues i'll, Attorney X. S. Alcorn acted
for the prosecution, while the de-
PENDANTS We're represented by Alter
ney T. ]. Hill, Jr The gist of the
testimony given by the more impor-
tant witnesses was as follows:
James Gordon
James Gordon who lives three miles
back of Milledgeville, told of going
to the Christmas tree with the Rev.
Shouse. He said the BenedIcts and
Rev. Shouse sat in the same seat.
They heard Tom Thornton doing some
loud talking, which got worse. His
father walked over and took him out
the door. He soon returned and came
up in front of the platform and the
rumpus started. Tom Thornton acted
as if he were drinking. Some got up
and left as they suspected trouble.
Sam Benedict was in the center of
the house, sitting on top of part of
bench with his wife and little girl
the aisle and some yelled to ''take
him out" the next thing he saw was
George Thornton with pistol cry
ing turn him loose" They took him
out and there was quiet for while.
After George Thornton went out, he
came back around the stove with his
pistol in his hand and said to VIM.
Benedict who was leaning on bench
care you the man who wants to
shoot this out?" Benedict told him he
was the man, and started up. George
Thornton fired. Benedict didn't fire.
Benedict was sober. He said he and
his family had been mistreated there
several times and that he was going
to try to stop him.
On being crOsS-eX2mlLed by At
torney Hill, he said he didn't see
Benedict's pistol; he saw men holding
Benedict; didn't see him draw gun;
prior to the shooting, saw nothing
wrong out of Thornton. Geo. Thorn
ton fired the first shot, right after
asking Benedict the question.
AFrt F0sehart. well known far
-rcr o. the West End of the county
te=tif- ext: he didn't see the
shooting: he saw Tom Thornton come
in md ask where was Santa Claus;
he was drinking; John Thornton took
hin, out; he heard noise at the back
Of the house and went to his children
to take them home; met George
Thornton at the door with revolver;
helped to push him out of the door;
tool. children home; met George com
ing back with pistol; told him not to
do that: George said: 'Let me go;
I'll Kill the son of a b. saw Bene-
dict sitting on bench with his baby
in his lap; they had had previous
difficulty from some cause.
On discrimination, he said he
was on the doorstep when the shots
were fired; he did not see Benedict
with a pistol; John Thornton tried to
quiet things in front of the house;
did not hear Tom say any thing to
Benedict; didn't know what Benedict
was doing.
Marion Galloway
Marion Galloway was at the cele-
bration and saw the shooting. He
testified how the trouble started; Tom
Thornton started to come in and hol-
loed; Bill Benedict was standing up;
George Thornton was acting Santa
Claus: Tom Thornton was put out
but Bill Benedict did not help the
men who did so; George Thornton
came in the door: 81 said Bill be
ouiet;' he said Marion, Pm Just as
quiet as | can be-" George Thorn
ton shot Benedict three times and
Benedict sunk forward; heard no
wordS between them; four guns were
crackirc; Tom Thornton and others
scuffling; did not see Tom or John
Thornton fire; Gaddis did not shoot
but had his gun out after George
shot: said Mike Gaddis had gun
ranged at him and little boy.
On cross examination he said he
was on front seat and saw Tom
Thornton create a disturbance; and
his father took him out; Benedict
was in middle of the house; Tom was
| out about three minutes and came In
again cursing and crying about some
body mussing his hat up; was walk
ing bumped over but not staggering.
He did not see Bill Benedict draw a
pistol: saw Steve Benedict but did
not see him draw knife; Bill Bene-
! dict had pistol after Thornton had
shot the first time, and staggered
around the stove and fired three
times and then fell; Thornton shot
three times; Mike Gaddis had his PTS
! toll pointing toward Galloway and a
boy; saw George walk down an aisle
and say "They got to let Tom alone"
| Didn't hear him say anything to Ben
| edict; he PUT his little boy who was
shot out a window; his girl also but
she wasn't shot; saw six shots fired
ond hoard lnfc moro oil on fhQ in