Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-23
IKE BREWER TURNS |
ON SID HATFIELD.
Testifies His EXC mi a d Q
Threatened to "cut Mayor
in Two With Bullet"
SAW OPENING OF BATTLE
BY the Associated Press

NiuAHlSOn, W. H., req. Z0.-lSaaC
Brewer today told the jury trying nine
teen men in connection with the death
Of Albert G. Felts. a private detective.
last May ~ at Matewan. that Sid Hat.
field told him he would cut Mayor g.
G. Testcrman In two with bullet" II
the latter messed around" Hatfield's
business.
Brewer was one Of those indicted in
connection with the street fight that re-
suited III the deaths of seven private
detectives and three citizens In the little
mining town. Before the case was
called for trial the charge against "Ikc"
Brewer was dismissed and there have
been persistent reports that he would
turn states evidence. When the battle
started Brewer was in Chambers hard
ware store ut the doorway Of which
Mayor Tcsterman and Albert c. Fclts
were shot and killed.
The witness testified that he met Sid
Hatfield. Matcwan police chief, and
now a CO. defendant, shortly before the
fight. Baldwin Felts operatives had
been conducting evictions Of miners
families from Stone Mountain Coal Co.
houses during the day. Brewer said he
met Hatfield by appointment and that
he (Brewcr) was armed with two pis-
tolls. Brewer told the jury that when
he met Hatfield the latter remarked:
'"Tcstcrman is trying to carry water
on both shoulders. further stating that
Hatfield added that II he messed
around in Hatacld's business, he
would be = II he wouldn't cut him
in two with bullet"
swears Hatfield shot FeHs
Later Brewer saw Hatfield In Cham
| bers' hardware store. Felts. Tester
man and G. V. Cunningham, a private
detective, stood in the doorway.
Witness testified that Hatfield cuppod
his hands to Brewers ear and whis-
pcred, Lets kill every one Of them.
4 moment later Brewer said he
stepped back from the doorway, and
Hatfield fired.
Whom did he shoot?" states coun-
sol asked.
Albert Felts." was the reply.
What did Felts do when the shot
was fircd?"
''lIc fell"
Brewer Twice Wounded
Il was pushed forward after the first
shot I heard was fred" witness con e
tinucd. ''and then ! was shot by Gun
ninSham. I attempted to draw my pis .
tol after being wounded. I was shot
again in the hand as I got my pistol
out" His first wound, Brewer said,
was in the right breast.
Brewer said he did not know who
fred the shot that caused Mayor Tcs
terman's 3 death. He declared, however,
that hc heard another shot from behind
him after Fclts fell.
Brewer testified that he fell after
being wounded in the hand but saw Sid
Hatfield and several others. Including
some Of the defendants, pass through
the store.
As Brewer looked out the doorway he
said he saw Hatfield and William Bow
man. also defendant. approach the
SPOT where Felts lay. He testified that
Bowman lcvclpd Il pistol at Felts and
remarked. Now I guess you'll die"
Witness at no time saw weapon in
Feit'S hand. he said.
Why He Turned States Evidence
On cross examination, J. J. ConifT.
defense counsel, sought TO learn why
! Brewer turned states evidence.
Brewer declared his reason for doing
so was because he understood the blame
for killing Felts would be placed on him.
He admitted he was n relative Of Judges
Marcum and Damron, attorneys for
the prosecution.
| Brewer first went to Judge Marcum.
he said. but the latter refused to talk
to him. Later. through "a friend. "
Brewer testified, he learned IL he
would tell a true story" his case
would be dismissed.
Under insistent questioning by Mr..
Coniff. witness testified that he learned
from "Wcs' HolbroOk. a Matewan res
ident. the day the trial started, that
$1,000 would be given a defendant to
turn states evidence and swear he.
Brewer. killed Felts. Anticipating such
action. witness said, he decided to tcS-
tify for the state.