CCLHP: Deposition of Orlando B. Fricklin
The undersigned affiant being first duly sworn deposeth & saith on Monday the 26th day of March 1864 he was sitting inside the Bar of the Court House in Charleston when the first pistol fired near the west door of the Court House on the outside. Not having had any previous notice or warning that a fight was likely to occur, I felt no serious concern when the first pistol fired. In a short time however the firing became general and the west door of the Court House was forced open & two men were engaged in a struggle for life or death, each having a revolver & striking or shooting at the other. A few seconds after this I saw Dr. York making his way towards the Bar in the Court House where he fell and in a few moments died. I passed out of the Court room at the south door and went up into the grand jury room from which point I saw a good deal of shooting on the south side of the Court House & saw two soldiers fall. I then went to a window on the east side of the grand jury room & saw Bob McLain, Henderson OHair & others shooting from behind the brick office occupied by the County Judge. I did not speak to John H. OHair on that day & saw him only while in the stand during the session of Court, at which time judging from his general appearance & voice he seemed to be highly excited.
James OHair Senr I saw sitting on the railing at the west gate and I spoke to him & passed him afterwards several times while sitting there.
He appeared to be greatly agitated but I made no enquiry as to the cause. This was some considerable time before the shooting commenced, and further this deponent saith not.
Orlando B. Ficklin (signed)
Subscribed & sworn before me this 2nd April A.D. 1864
M.C. McLain, M.P.
