Defendant indicted for felonious assault for attacking and wounding O. C. Pierce with a knife in Sept. 1898. Also indicted for attempted murder in the 2nd degree & attempted voluntary manslaughter. Defendant stated his actions were justified as Pierce had insulted his wife by singing a vulgar song ("Rye Straw") in her presence. Pierce maintained that he was singing "Bill Jones" which was not a vulgar song & had not realized Mrs. Scearce was insulted.