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CITY AND COUNTY. Frank Humphries’ Trial. Frank Humphries was brought over from Macon on Sunday, 1st, to under go his trial for the murder of Mis 4 * Carrie Raines and Miss Eila Hum phries on the 4th of March last, on 8 country road something like a mile from his own house. The former was his wife’s sister and the latter was the daughter of his half brother, Elisha Humphries. He had enticed them to start from their home at the house of Elisha Humphries, by telling Miss Raines his wife was very sick and was very anxious to see her, having something very special to tell her, and Miss Ella Humphries accompa nied them at the earnest request of Miss Raines. The killing was done when they had nearly reached Frank Humphries’ house, about the 'hour of sunset. The case was called in t*he Superior Court', Judge Lawson presiding, last Thursday morning. The prisoner was brought into court by Sheriff Ennis and exhibited by his pale complexion the effects of his long confinement in the Macon jail, but was otherwise ap parently in good health. His wife and his three children, a daughter some ten years of age and two good looking boys who were younger, were present throughout the trial and the former, evidently, at times, suffered great distress. His brother Jehu was also present and sitting at his side, exhibited great in terest in the proceedings. His deportment throughout the trial, in the most exciting por tions of it, was remarkably cool and collected, amounting almost, in the opinion of some to callousness of feel ing. The making up of a jury was ac complished with much less trouble than was anticipated and took up comparatively but little time. The following named citizens composed the jury, viz: C. W. Ennis, Jr., Herman Gumm, Thomas Smith, J. H. Simpson, John Scogin, J. A. Buck, E. K. Champion, Harry Erwin, Thos. N. Willis, C. L. Moran, A. R. Bloodworth, W. O. Finney. “This jury was empanelled to try the defendant for the murder of Miss Ella Humphries, not including that of Miss Raines. The first witness called was Mr. Eli sha Humphries, who gave the fol lowing evidence: I am father of Ella Humphries and half brother of defendant. Lived four miles from defendant. Ella was killed on 4th of March, 1886. That evening I went to the field about two o’clock. Left Ella, Carrie Raines, Mrs. Moore, and Henry Lane and wife at my house. I returned at 6 o'clock. Ella and Carrie had left Avhen I returned. Frank had been there between 2 and 5 o’clock. I knew nothing of what had happened until I received the note next morning from Frank. I wa6 in the field plow ing when Henry Lane brought it to me. I took out my mules and went straight towards Frank's house, my son, Jim, followed me. The Monti- cello Roe J leads towards his house 2 miles, and a neighborhood road branches off from that to go to his house. Had ridden three quarters of a mile down the neighborhood road, Avhe 11 saw blood on the ground, and v r here efforts had beep made to con ceal it by raking dirt over it. Look ed to one side and saw the bodies, about 47 yards from the road. Went up to them. Saw my daughter was wounded in shoulder. Felt so strange couldn’t examine her. Saw she was dead. Tried to arrange her clothing which exposed her person. Sent Louis Vinson after Mrs. Stiles, and to get something to cover them- with. Felt so badly couldn’t do anything. Looked aboy.t on the ground. Found Ella's false teeth in the road. Found unloaded shells and one loaded. were wet and muddy. They were un der some bags of cotton. Saw Frank about 11 o’clock. He was in a crowd where the deed was committed. He pointed out the places the killing was done. Showed me his wriaj slightly bruised ard a small scratch on it. Said ‘It’s mighty bad, and he wished he could have given his life for this/ Said he would never forget the looks of Miss Carrie as men w r ere carrying her off. No marks upon him except on wrist. Witness on cross-examination said Frank had liquor with him. Didn’t think he was drunk; only smelt tho liquor. Court then took recess for dinner. After dinner Mrs. Raines testified. Was at F. Humphries’ house. Frank came next morning after murder, wet and clothes torn and bloody. He told of four men who struck him with something like an eel .skin. .He shot six Found Ella’s ear-rings. Looked like there had been a struggle from signs all round. (The witness was shown a small box of trimming, and he recog nized it as Ella’s.) Found the box 100 yards away from bodies, by the side of a pine tree. I was by myself there, and was Avalking about. Fol lowed the seme direction, which was towards house, and saw track*. Went on further and found six or seven tracks^in a place where the hogs had rooted up the ground. Found no evidence of where four masked men were there. Shells K were lying by Carrie. Ella Avas dragged from the road to the woods before the rain, and Carrie afterwards. One was dragged one way around a tree and the other on the opposite side. They were killed 18 feet apart. Thought at first they were dragged by the feet, but now think they were drag ged by the head. Ella was lying with head to west and Carrie east. Effort was made to conceal tracks and blood by drawing dirt over it. found tucking 4 comb belonging to Miss Carrie; it was covered up. I kick ed the dirt and found it. Ground was damp. Some sand in road, but outside of road was pine thicket. Had a struggle taken place between Frank and four men could have seen signs of it. No further evidence was pro duced by cross examination. Henry Lane testified. I married Ella H’s. sister. Was at E. J. Hum phries on evening of March 4th. Had started off to get some shoes half-sold, and when 100 yards from house, saw Frank’s dog and Frank coming. He came up and he told me he was going to Lawrence Green’s to bird hunt next morning. He decided not to but went to the house, I with him. He had gone. He told Miss Carrie the ‘old lady’ was poorly, and wanted to see her. Had to tell her, asked her to go l him. She refused giving She went out of the heard her and Ella talking. Carrie refused to go without Ella: said Ella, ‘you know Frank is in the habit of drinking.’ The girls then fixed up and left with him. i staved at home. Next morning re ceived note brought by negro, and ran to field to inform Elisha, and then f oilowed him to the scene ot murder. Assisted Ennis that evening to search Jor clothing. Found shoes, which both gun barrels—-didn’t know wheth er he bit any one. , Miss Carrie’s last dying looks at him he couldn’t stand, and didn't intend to stand it. Didn’t know where he staid all night. He Avas unconscious. When he found himself he was in the thicket. He changed his clothes up stairs. Didn’t stay long thereafter. She saw him Avrite the note: Didn’t write it ’till the family were going to send for others. The gun was Avet and bloody. She and Frank’s Avife spent the previous day at Win. Webb’s and Frank knew of it. They left Frank at home. He told them he was going to hunt. Cross examination—She said she was Frank's sister-in-law. She Avas at Frank’s from Sunday till Thursday.' Saw Frank drinking—didn’t know how much. Drank every day except Tuesday, when he didn’t have any. Whiskey was brought there in a jug. They went to Webb’s, and came back at sundown. He was no drunker than common. Couldn’t tell if he was drunk. She couldn’t tell if a person was drunk unless they lay down. It A\ r as not long after Frank got home before he Avrote the note. Frank Avas friendly with both murdered girls. He told them he Avas knocked sense less and didn’t know where he staid all night. He undressed up-stairs, and left his clothes. She never saw 1 them afterAvards. She saw a place in his coat Avhere he said he Avas cut. SaAv no other plaees Avhere he Avas hurt. She saw him drink some little; couldn’t say Iioav much. Re-direct.—Coat Avas only cut in one place so far as she saw. Re-cross. Didn’t examine it. Didn’t remember seeing him stagger; seemed and talk ed as usual. By Stfte. He said he carried off a quart and drank off it all day and all night, and brought back half a tea cupful and he said they knew he couldn’t be drunk. Mrs. Joe Sitles sworn—By State— She Avas first to get to place of kill ing. She and Elisha made first effort to straighten their clothing. Their persons were exposed indecently, Witness has grown children—is fifty- five years old. Ella had suffered vio lence. Miss Ella was badly wounded. Re ferred to wounds on shoulder and neck. But her reply in regard to her suffering violence had a different meaning. Mrs. Kate Webb.—She knew Frank drank some. But he never drank so much as not to knoAV what he was about. She had heard him say so of ten. Dr. Jno. Hardeman—SAvorn by State—Practised medicine 20 years. Was at place of murder in the even- evening, Dark, cloudy evening. Shots heard go, i. ~ri< that she .something back wit! several excuses, room. Witness ing. He examined Ella’s body and found she had been, violated. The wounds about the neck and shoulder were mortal. First thought the wounds Avere gun-shot, afterwards thought another instrument had been used to lacerate. Thought she had lingered some time. Made examination after dark of day after they were found. Gun-shot wounds on both girls. Could not tell where murderer stood. Impossible to tell how long they had been dead. Redirect. lie was certain Ella was violated. Gave all the details of signs where it Avas done in the road, and the examination of body confirm ed it. • • Shade Banks (colored) sworn.— Lives on Cobb tract. Near the Hum phries’. On day of killing was plow ing £ mile distant. About sunset heard two gun-shots in quick succes sion in direction where the ladies were killed. At that place could see man through woods 100 yards. Not possible for 4 men to creep on one Avithout being seen. How far from place of killing does thicket extend? As you go towards Elisha Humphries, about 300 yards. There were some large pine trees scattered along. Thick woods in bottom at branch. First knew of killing on seeing people with guns etc., going to the place. Hadn’t seen Frank lately before kill ing. Knew Frank drank when whis key was about. There are places where men could hide themselves, and creep on after others passing along the roam i Re-direct—The place where persons could hide was some distance off. Mitchell Humphries (colored) sworn —Lives 1 mile from Frank and 3 miles from Elisha Humphries. Heard two gun shots in quick succession Where killing was done. He was I mile off. Knows the pine thicket. From gate to place of killing was 300 yards. Borne thick places along 150 yards off. Oak woods pretty thick. Thick woods at Polly corn branch. Saw the mur dered ladies about 12 o’clock. Some pretty large pines and also good sized piles of wood about 50 yards from place of murder. Some pine tree tops near. Fire had been in them. Solomon Vinson, (colored) sworn— Was ploAving day of murder a quarter of a mile off. was in sight of road. Saw a man passing; thought it was Frank, and two ladies he didn’t knoAV. They walked one after the other. Saw a gun on the man’s shoulder. Report of gun Avas in direction of place of murder. It was £ mile from place he saAV them to place of murder. Lived at Geo. Vinson’s. The man Avalked about 10 yards in front. It was a cloudy evening* From begin ning of pine thicket to place of mur der, some places were thick and some thin. Some small piles of wood along there. Didn’t know it was Frank but saw his dog. - He was about | hlile from place of killing. # Piles of. w8pd high as a table,. 18 or 20 yards from road; as many as 4 or 5 piles. Geo. Vinson (colored) sworn.—Saw the ladies on the road. Worked 150 yards from road they passed. Saw dog, thought it was Humphries’ dog. Heard two gun-shots quick after each other. Reports came from direction of place of murder. One-fourth mile 1 from Avhere he worked to place Avhere bodies were found. Persons couldn’t get nearer than 100 or 150 yards with out being seen if persons looked out. Mentioned a thicket these persons passed on the road. Thinks they had passed a thicket before they were killed. Didn’t see Fr&nk that ly * about sunset. From gate to place of. murder, some places quite thick. There were place’s where a person coaid hide on road passed by the girls. Well acquainted Avith Frank. Saw Humphries not many days before kill- iug- .Didn't know if Frank had been drinking hard. Had seen him drink ing. Girls Avere 80 yards on hill from place of killing Avhen he saw them. L. L. Smith, sworn-^Lived on or near Cobb place. Morning after killing went to work on public road, and saw boy going to Elisha Humphries’. He went to place of murder and sent for Frank twice. He didn’t come till 10 o’clock. He got there first. Saw tracks and other signs. Saw dry place Avhere a person lay by Ella Humphries. Tracks Avere going 150 yards towards Frank Humphries’. Only dry place was Avhere some per son had lay by Ella Humphries. Sent a darkey for Frank twice, he said twice, he’d be there directly. He didn’t come till 10 o'clock. He finally came. The dry' place was by Ella. Her clothes could not possibly liaA r e been spread over the dry place, be cause they Avere. dragged up under her. Frank looked strange. Didn’t knoAV if he was drunk. Never saw him before. Not acquainted with him. Miss Carrie seemed to be shot dead. The other had scuffled and left the signs. Isaac Miller, sworn.—Attended in quest. Got there 12 or 1 o'clock. Frank was there. He Avas slioAving his wounds. He saAV nothing but a scratch on his Avrist. Looked as if made by grasp of hand or fingers. Frank tried to show Avound on his head but Avitness could see nothing like a wound. Cross examined—The wound on Frank’s wrist looked as if made by finger nails. Could’nt tell if a bloAV on head by sand bag would leaA r e a sign. Frank looked somewhat as if he was drinking. » Saw no hole in the hat made by sand-bag. A bloAV that rendered him senseless the night before would have left some sign he thought. E. P. Gibson sworn—Was on ground at place of murder. Got thereabout 10 o’clock. Saw track in road. Ward asked him if he knew whose track that Avas? He replied, “yes, Frank Humphries.’ He saw signs of scuf fling. From marks made in ground, etc., believed an outrage had been committed. Cross examined—Not many people there Avhen he got there.. Ennis was not there. Frank was not there when he got there. It had rained on the track lie previously mentioned. Not impossible the holes made in ground might have resulted from knocking a man down. He was oareftil not to ef face tracks and Avarned others. Win. S. Scott, Coroner, sworn—Ex hibited shells, gun wadding taken from Ella’s wound.—6 loaded shells. Got there 3 or 4 o’clock, p. m. large crowd there. Held inquest, Frank was there. Seemed quiet and sober. Verified Lane’s testimony on inquest that Frank was under influence of li quor. Capt. Bill Ennis, sworn—He arrest ed defendant. Jury retired and state introduced a statement made by de- fendent. Coming to town he said “he was sorry he fooled themaAvay from home in order to have some fun Avhen he got them to his house.” It was made with no induce ment or request by witness. He told them his wife was sick when she was not. Wads taken from Ella’s wounds, were just like those found by witness at defendant’s house. He had difficul ty in finding Frank’s clothes. Search ed and could not find them. Went next morning and demanded them, under threats, and Jehu went to old lady’s house and got them. Clothes were exhibited bloody and muddy on knees. There are stains on front of E ants. Stains also on undershirt ex- ibited. Drawers exhibited and blood ori them. Over shirt of cotton jeans. Piece of left sleeve cut off—stains of blood. Shirt sleeve seemed cut off Avith knife. Pieces found in road. Three or four cuts were on his coat. Jehu said Frank’s wife told him Frank had burned his hat. What she said was on motion of defendant’s. coun sel, ruled out by the Judge. Cross examined.—Thinks there was a rain the night of the killing. To On Friday morning, the State re called Elisha Humphries. He said Ella was about 22 and Carrie Raines 42 years old. Ella’s weight Avas 125 or 130 and Carrie about 145. Ella was diagged off before the rain and Car rie Raines after the rain. Witness lives 200 or 300 yards from Monticello road. The road Frank and the girls passed along was a common faeigh- borhood road. Never knew of Frank’s trying to commit suicide. Carrie’s body lay nearest Avitness’ house, the other fartberest off. The defendant was then called to the stand to make a statement and said all he knew was, he was knocked down seqseless; tAvo men*were behind him and two before. Fired his g\m once on his knees and next as he was falling. The rain spattered in his face in the night and he became con scious. He was by himself. He got up and Avandered about and finally got home about breakfast time. The Solicitor General read Hum*- phries’ statement before Coroner’s in quest, Avhich Avas very similar to his statement before the jury, but more full. The State lia\'ing announced that they had no more evidence to pre sent, the counsel for the defense sta ted that they had decided to present no evidence in behalf of their client. This was doubtless done in part for the purpose of securing the privilege of making the last speech in the argu ment before the jury. Hon. Seaborn Reese and Sol. Gener al Whitfield appeared for the prose cution and Judge D. B. Sanford and Col. Miller Grieve for the defense. The argument was opened about 91 o’clock, a. m., on Friday, by Hon. Seaborn Reese for the State. This gentleman’s reputation as an excellent and effective speaker before a jury was well sustained on this occasion. He spoke of the crime as being un paralleled in its'atrocity and he used his poAvers of invective" upon the guil ty perpetrator without stint or mer cy. His speech occupied perhaps for ty-five minutes and was listened to Avitli the closest attention. Col. Rob’t. Whitfield, the Solicitor General, folloAved in one of the most eloquent speeches Ave have e\ T er heard from him and his strong arguments and eloquent appeals, as he encircled the defendant with the strong chain of evidence and painted the- most touching Avord pictures of the piteous fate of the A r ictims of this dark trage dy, made the most profound impres sion upon the feelings of the large and very attentive crowd of his hear ers. His address occupied an hour an twenty minutes. The next and last speaker was Col. Miller Grieve for the defence. It seemed like a most hopeless undertak ing to efface the profound impression made upon the jury and the audience by the eloquent and effective speeches of his predecessors, but the speaker grappled with the mighty task before Aim with a boldness and seeming con fidence in the righteousness of his cause, which was a matter of surprise to the writer and doubtless had its effect on all Avho heard him. He made an earnest appeal to the jury to divest themselves of any feelings that might have been engendered by a rabid public opinion, Avhich was call ing for the destruction of his client before he had had the benefit of a trial and of such defence as Jiis coun sel could make. Without going into any details, it is just to say he made a A'ery ingenious presentation of all the circumstances that could in any Avay be arrayed in his fa\ r or. The charge of Judge Lawson Avas short, but doubtless covered all the points necessary to present to the jury and seemed to the Avriter to be very concise and much to the point. The jury withdrew to consider the case submitted to them and the large crowd which had remainedjso long in the heated court room, ora greater portion of them, dispersed to enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of the outer world. We had not left the court house more than an hour before we were surprised to hear that the jury had brought in a verdict. The verdict was murder, without .recommenda tion to mercy. Although it was what was generally expected, yet we pre sume few expected that a conclusion Avould have been reached by the jury in so short a space of time. We made enquiry of several who were present and all stated that the prisoner re ceived the (to him) terrible announce ment without the least exhibition of feeling or emotion. A distinguished legal gentleman used the Avord “stolid” as indicating the state of feeling of the unfortunate man. DEATH SENTENCE. On Saturday afternoon, Judge Law- son proceeded to pronounce the sen tence of death upon Frank Hum phries. He told him to stand up and after he did so, he asked the customa ry question whether he had anything to say why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced upon him. Humphries replied he had nothing to say except that he-was not guilty. The Judge said the jury had come to a different conclusion and that it now only remained for him to pronounce the sentence which the law affixed to the crime of which he had been con victed. He stated that the prisoner having been found guilty upon cir cumstantial evidence, it had been left discretionary with him to sentence him to be hanged or to be imprisoned for life. He said he had heard all the eAridence and was familiar with all the circumstances of the case, and though painful to him to inflict the severer penalty, a failure to do so would be doing violence to the spirit of the laAv and to the outraged feelings of this community. He then handed the Clerk the order of the Court for his exe cution, Avhich, as he read it, pro\ T ided in substance that lie should be kept in confinement ’till the 24th of Sep tember, Avhen the Sheriff was requir ed to execute him by hanging, the ex ecution to be in prh*ate within one mile of the Court House in Milledge- ville. The Judge gave evidence of being under the influence of much feeling, while the prisoner exhibited the same stolid composure, which has characterized him throughout the trial. the best of his belief there was blood on the knee of drawers. Saw Frank soon after getting there. Would say he was either partly drunk or was getting over a drunk. A. J. Wall, sworn.—Was at place of murder. Found pieces of cloth just exhibited in the road about 300 yards from place of murder. Turner Ben- ford told him where the pieces were. Turner Benford, (col), sworn. Told A. J. Wall Avhere the pieces of cloth were and went with him. They went and found them. On showing them to him witness identified them. Knew Frank Avell. He drank very hard at times. Had seen him on his sprees. In his sprees he acted like men when drinking. Saw him Wednesday be fore the killing. He Avas then drinking. Heard dispute betAveen Frank and Jehu while Avorking road. Frank wanted to order hands to Avork dif ferent from Jehu. Had often seen him in liquor in Milledgeville and going home. In January nis mother talked to him of his going on so and he told her if she did’nt let him alone he would off and never come back. Have seed him sober and drunk. OF ALL— FOR- Cash or its Equivalent! JYow is Your Opportunity. 10,000 yards colored Lawns, at 3£c. 10,000 yards Fancy Lawns, at 6|c Satine aud Linen Prints, at 6£c. Summer Silks, Beautiful quality, at 40 and 50c. Black Goods, In large variety. French Nun’s Veiling, Gipsey Cloths, Etimines, Nun’s Veiling, Cashmeres. Napier and Straw Mattings. Lace Shades Curtains and and Curtains. Bed Sets, Bed and Toilet Quilts, Window Just Opened. 5,000 yards fine Linen D’lndia Sheer, and beautiful, at 10c. These goods are 34 inches wide; the biggest bargainjof tlie season A Big Reduction In Embroidered Eobes. In fact, everything in Summer Goods, can now be bought at a sacrifice. Our Stock of Ready-Made Garments! 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