W.P. Newton, charged by warrant with the murder of James Peel, on the Daugherty bridge road, near the Kaufman county line two weeks ago, was given a preliminary hearing by Justice Edward S. Lauderdale yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Clark, who live near the scene of the tragedy, were the principal witnesses. Mr. Clark testified that Newton and George Hamill visited a strip of timber on the Lindsay farm where James Peel was cutting wood. Hamill rode up to the spot where Peel was engaged and said: "Let us settle this matter,: and Hamill and Peel went behind a pile of brush. For a time they were not visible to the naked eye of Witness Clark. Then the shooting began and when the men reappeared Hamill was bleeding from a pistol shot wound. According to the witness, Newton became involved at this juncture and then the shooting became general. Peel was killed and Newton and Hamill were wounded.

After hearing the testimony Justice Lauderdale decided that it was a bailable case and fixed the amount of bond required at $10,000. Newton made a gilt-edged bond, according to Justice Lauderdale, four well-to-do citizens of Kaufman county, Dr. W.M. Garrett, J.L. Wilmarth, John M. Lewis and T.S. Gilkey, qualifying as bondsmen. Mr. Newton went home last night.

George Hamill will be given a preliminary hearing Friday morning at 10 o'clock.