This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BIRD, BLANDFORD, BYRD, COLEMAN, CRAWFORD, INGRAHAM, McCAHEY, THOMAS, THRONTON, WIGGINS, WILLIAMS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Xd.2ADE/1458 Message Board Post: “PRELIMINARY TRIAL.—Ben and Finn WIGGINS, for the killing of Wm. BIRD at Clapp’s Factory, were before Justices COLEMAN and McCAHEY, at the Court-house, yesterday. The examination consumed about four hours. The testimony of a number of witnesses for and against the accused was taken down. What of the evidence we heard went to show that deceased, in company with his brother (Jack BIRD) and Ben. WIGGINS, left town about dark Saturday evening, with several drinks aboard and two bottles in their pockets; that deceased and WIGGINS passed some angry words on the route; that after reaching their destination the parties took several other drinks, attended a party, and subsequently Jack BIRD and Ben WIGGINS got into a quarrel in the road. Deceased was in the house intoxicated; upon hearing the fuss he got up and went out, and was met by Ben WIGGINS, who stabbed him in several places, and that he died shortly afterward from the effects of a gash in the throa! t. The evidence against Finn WIGGINS not being sufficient to convict him of being accessory to the murder, he was discharged. Upon the evidence the Justices found Ben WIGGINS guilty of murder, and committed him to jail to await his trial before Muscogee Superior Court. BLANDFORD & THORNTON, INGRAHAM & CRAWFORD and C. H. WILLIAMS for defense; G. E. THOMAS, acting Solicitor, for the State.” [From the “Columbus, Georgia, Daily Enquirer” newspaper, Wednesday, 23 NOV 1870, p. 3, column 2, third article from top.]