The Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, W. Va.
Saturday Morning, December 7, 1912

STATE CLOSES CASE IN SIDNA ALLEN TRIAL

Dying Statement of Beckie Ayers, Who Said Dexter Goad Shot Her, Ruled Out by Court.

Wytheville, Dec. 6. --After the examination of two minor witnesses, the state closed its case, in the trial today of Sidna Allen, for the murder of William M. Foster. The presentation of evidence for the defense was immediately begun.

It was shown that the prisoner, just previous to the tragedy, made a deposit of a considerable sum of money in a bank at Hillsville, and that this money still remained there to his credit.

Several traveling salesmen were sent on the stand to testify as to merchandise sold the accused up to within a few days of the shooting. These facts were brought out to refute the commonwealth's theory of a conspiracy.

Thomas Gardner, of Carroll county, told of an alleged statement by Deputy Clerk Quesenberry. He said that the deputy told him that he (Quensenberry) had expected trouble with the Allens. The defense is trying to show that the court officers prepared for the difficulty and that with them rests the blame.

The dying statement of Beckie Ayers, the girl who was shot during the court house fusillade, was not admitted by the court. A young woman who was with Miss Ayers at the time of her death would have testified that she stated that Clerk Goad shot her.

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, W. Va.
Sunday Morning, December 8, 1912

SIDNA ALLEN TAKES WITNESS STAND IN OWN BEHALF

Denies Positively That He Shot at Judge Massie, Foster, Webb or Fowler.

ONLY RETURNED FIRE OF GOAD AND GILLESPIE

Several Witnesses Testify for Defense in Support of Contention That Court Officers Had Prepared for Trouble With Allens and Were Responsible For Hillsville Courthouse Tragedy.

Wytheville, Va., Dec. 7. —Sidna Allen, on trial for the murder of William M. Foster, when the Allen clan shot up the county court house at Hillsville, Va., today was a witness in his own defense. He stated that his presence in the court room was due to the fact that he was under bond to appear as a witness, and not to any conspiracy. He denied that he shot at Judge Massie or at Commonwealth’s Attorney Foster. His flight to Des Moines, where he was captured, he stated, was made with the intention of waiting until the excitement over the shooting had died down when he intended to return and give himself up. His testimony did not materially differ from that given at the former trial. When the shooting commenced he drew his revolver, and fired five times at Goad and Deputy Sheriff Gillespie, for the reason that both men were firing at him. After shooting five times he dropped to his knees and reloaded his revolver.

He denied positively that he shot Judge Massie or that he fired at Foster, Sheriff Webb or at Juror Fowler. When he left the court house Goad followed him, shooting him through the left arm, the bullet lodging in his left side where it is to this day. He returned the fire of Clerk Goad on the court house steps, but says he did not shoot at Treasurer J. B. Marshall. After the shooting he went to Blankenship’s stable, where he met the other members of the family. He left Hillsville with Claude Allen, Wesley and Sidna Edwards. They did not travel the public roads, but went to their homes through private property. He had heard the officers were dead before he left the stable. He remained at home several hours, and heard that bloodhounds and detectives expected to shoot him on sight. They hid in the mountains for several days then made their way to Mt. Airy, N. C., going thence to Salisbury, and on to Asheville. He and Wesley Edwards then made their way west, and finally arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, where they obtained employment, but were later arrested by detectives and brought back to Virginia.

Allen denied vigorously, the existence of any conspiracy to shoot up the Hillsville court, and explained that when he made his flight west, and finally arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, where they obtained employment, but were later arrested by detectives and brought back to Virginia.

Allen denied vigorously the existence of any conspiracy to shoot up the Hillsville court, and explained that when he made his flight west, after the tragedy, he expected ultimately to return and surrender himself, after public sentiment had quelled. He denied that he made any threats against the Hillsville officials. Sidna said he was worth $30,000.

Emmett Bolen, a son of D. W. Bolen, who was the state’s chief witness, testified that he saw Friel Allen and Wesley Edwards in a drug store after the verdict in the trial of Floyd Allen had been announced. This, the defense contends, shows that no conspiracy existed.

That Deputy Sheriff Frank Fowler stated after the shooting that Sheriff Webb fired two shots at Floyd Allen was the statement made by Peter Allen.

Cameron Montgomery testified that he heard Deputy Clerk Quesenberry say that they had been prepared for nine months for the shooting, while Walter Webb, of Pulaski, stated that he heard Clerk Goad say that he had drawn his revolver before the first shot was fired. This evidence is in support of the contention of the defense that the court officers had prepared for trouble with the Allens and that they, and not the Allens, were responsible for the tragedy.

Marion Utt was a new witness, who testified to hearing Dexter Goad say that it was the best thing that ever happened in Carroll county, as the would get rid of the Allens. This corroborates the testimony of Supervisor Westmoreland.

Perry Waddell said he was at the corn shucking and close to Sidna Allen when he was alleged to have made threats against the court officers to ex-Deputy Sheriff Branscomb. He declares that Allen made no threats.

Only four more witnesses remain to be examined and argument in the case is expected to begin Monday.