Crawfordsville Review, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 28 March 1891 — Page 1

1

ork

.For a few days.

-ploml

11 lit' if fi'1. in lib'-

|n\i!

man.

'W

air Ornaments

All the latest style# from I cent up.

kinds at lowest prl«e«t. Youshould see them.

A FULL LINE OF

ssware, Queensware, Tinware,

-All Bargains. At-

CARLSON'S 5 AND 1 Oc STORE

122 W. Main street, opp. Y. M. C. A. Cniwlordsville, Intl..

O.OK! LOOK!

And Do Not Forget.

A Bis: Cut in Prices

.argest assortment in the city of tlren's footwear at the

2 DOOPS EA.ST OF ELSTON BANK.

Men's Women's and Chil-

IMPERIAL

OLIVER STEEL

PLOWS.

ithe Jewelry Line. It is always a pleasure to give prices and show goods.

W OTTO.

THE JEWELER.

(.'AT. Ill AUK SHOP.

J. S. MILLER & CO.,

MAHCFACTUUEllB OP

mages, Buggies and Spring- Wagons.

Eents lor all eastern standard makes of buggies, etc. Repairing done enslioof notice. C3ff~Work warranted oneyear. Factory north court house.

ring

Harrows.

DISC

ili

I Claim to Have the Largest

^Hardware

Of All Kinds at

LOWEST PRICES.

MARTIN

*-"V

YEAK-NO. CRAW FO RDSVILLE, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH, 28. 1891. TORMTST^^^

2nd Edition.

ISSUED KVBKY SATURDAY.

W. K. flENKEL, ISunlness Manager

Abe Levlnson was in Louisville this week.

Max Tannenbaum was in Cincinnati this week.

"Lost in London" at Music Hall Monday night.

Mrs. G. W. Allen is in from Joplin, Mo., on a visit.

Paul Hughes and wife are confined to their beds with the grip,

A very Btriking likeness of Hon. John R. Courtney adorns a page this week's Police Gazette.

Wheat is in demand In this market at 95 to $1.00 per bushel, and corn is strong at 60 to ti3 cents.

William Dowlay and Mary A. Nictaoe», of Liuden, were married by Judge Cbumasoro last Thursday morning.

Ed. Voris, of this city, and Congressman Bynum, of Indianapolis, have been killing dueks en the Kankakee this week.

At the last teachers' examination, out of thirty-two applicants, eleven succeeded in securing licenses. Another examination is in progress to-day.

If Charlie Coombs should save bis g«od time in the Northern prison he will be released In thirteen years and two months from the time of his incarceration.

Herman McCiure, of thiB city, has been ap: painted Duputy U. S. Surveyor at the Red Lake Indiana Reservation in northern Minnesota. He reports for duty on April 1st.

Newton Beer's great spectaeular melo drama. "Lost in London." willbe presented at Music Hall next Moaday night. This is not Mr. "Beers first appearance in Crawfordsville and It is safe to predict for him a large and appreciative audience Monday night.

John Morten sned Win, Morrison in Judge Chuinasero'* court last Thursday morning for $100 for services rendered as bartender in William's gin mill on Market street. The Judge could not see it as John did, and in consequence rendered decision agaiust him,

Crawfordsville will soon own aud ooerate her own light plant, at leabt the coutract for the dyuamo and other apparatus was let to the Western Electric company this week. A sight will soon be selected and the work of erecting the buildings will begin as soon ns the weather permits.

Mrs. Louisa Pierson died at her home' in this city, corner of Walnut aud Jefferson streets, Thursday night last, at the age of 63 years. The funeral will occur this afternoon at two o'clock from the missionary Baptist church, Elder i. P. Fusou officiating. Inter ment at the Masonic cemetery.

Democratic Committeemen.

Pursuant to a call the democrats of the city met in the small court room last Tuesday night for the purpose of electing a committeeman from each of the ten voting preciuts aud to map out a plan of aetiou for the coming election. The meeting was well attended and ai. unuBual amount of interest manifested. W. H. Johunton was made chairman and W. E. Heukel, Secietary. Short speeches were made by M. J. Carroll, ('has. Johnston and others dwelling particularly «n the Haltering prospects for the democracy thispringand urging each aud every democrat to do his duty in the contest. The following committeemen were then choosen:

First Ward:—Precinct No. I, Fred Manson Keciuct'J, W* K- Henkle precinct George Chester: precinct 1, Milt McKee.

Second. Ward:—Precinct 1, J. A. lirennen precinct 2, Charles Shleppy. Third Ward:—Precinct, 1, R. F. Beck precint, 'J, W. H. Johnston precinct, a, Will Sideuer precinct, ), M. H. u'Neil.

After the meeting adjourned the committeemen remained and organized by electing W. H. Johnston chairman, and J. A. Brenuau, Secretary. The committeemen will meetagaiu on next Tuesday evening at tS o'clock at the office of Jonnston & Johnston.

What The Snyder Brothers are Doing at Joplin. The following from the Kansas City Times refers to Frank L. Snyder, formerly secretary of the Crawfordsville Fair association:

F. J.. Snyder, of Joplin, one of the owners of the famous Snyder mines \yi's in the city last night. He was enrouto to St. Louis where he will remain a few days. He denied the rumor recently circulated through the mining regions that the Snyder brothers had disposed of their miniug property in Joplin to an English syndicate. He says that there is, including the ore taken out, at least .-61.000,000 worth already assured on the twenty acres on which they are now working. They have leased 100 acres in all aud only twenty acres liasyet been touched by pick aud drill. Mr. Snyder considers that he has only fairly started in with his mining property, though the Snyder Brotheta have been considered the most successful niineis in Missouri. They have beeu operating only about a year but experts have pronounced their mines to lie the most admirably arranged in every detail of any of thu properties in Jo[lin. Mr. Snyder said last night that miners told him when he went to Joplin that should he succeed in striking miner"i in one shaft in ten he might consider himself fortunate. He has put down eighteen shaft in all aud in every instance lie has found the ore.

A Case of Man Hunting.

^Yesterday morning .James beckner, an old and substantial fanner of this county, residing two miles weftt if Harrington, came to this city in company with his son Sam and a colored man. Mr. Beckner's errand to this city was for the purpose of paying his taxes and he brought with him about $100. The party alighted at the Truitt corner and the old gentleman started, ostensibly, for the Treasurer's office. This was the last seen of him. At noon the son became quite uneasy in regard to ills father, who had been quite feeble all winter, and instituted a search lor him. Soon the police were notified and a general search began and continued until dark without effect. At this time the son gave up and broken spirited started for home to break the sad news to his aged mother, (in reaching there the first sight that met his gaze was the old gentleman seated in a big arm chair in front of a large fire place and seemingly enjoying life. The old gentleman, SO years of age, had walked from this city to his home, a distance of nearly eight miles.

TWENTY-ONE YE0RS.

The Limit Prescribed by Law Is Given Charles Coombs for the Murder of Walter

McCiure.

A VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER RETURNED BY THE JURY-A RESUME OF THE EVIDENCE AND INCIDENTS IN

THE TRIAL.

Last Monday morulng the first case on the docket was that of the State of Indiana vs. Charles Coombs, charged with the wilful murder of Walter B. McCiure on the moruiBg of January 30,1891. At 9:30 o,clock the room was well filled with witnesses, spectators, etc., and at 10 o'clock Officer Brothers and the prisoner entered aud occupied seats directly in front of the judge's dt-sk. On entering Coombs looked neither to the right or left but kept his eyes steadily on the lloor. On being seated be dropped his (ace into the palm of his bands until tears began to flow when he applied his handkerchief. In this position he remained during almost the entire day,, and at no time did he manifest the least interest in the proceedings. Deputy Sheriff Davis then called the roll of witnesses, of which 33 were for the piosecution aud 32 for the defense. The regular jury was then impaneled hut nearly all of them were excused. The work of securiug a jury occupied from 10:30 a. m. to 2 o'clock p, in., at which time both sides seemed satisfied to trust their case to the twelve men iu the box, as follows:

B. M. tialey, Brown's Valley Amazon Ward, city R. (i. Crist, New Market Wm. H. Montgomery, Linden: Wm. Bromley, city (ieorgo Guntle, Darlington Capt. H. Talbot, city Levi Martio, Union township Edward Golf, Coal Creek township Jacob Swank, Union township Samuel R. Fisher, New Market S. S. Imel, Garlield.

After they were duly sworn Prosecutor Moffett arose and began tha opening statemeut for the state by reading the indictment, and making a short statement of what they would prove by the witnesses. He was followed by J. M. Seller, for the defense, who said the defense would piove false the most important charges made by the state. Ho spoke at some length. The first wituess called was

A. V. HAS 1'Al.L,

Of Shelhyville, who was a student in Wabash College on the 29th of January. He met Walter McCiure at Scott Steele's after the dance between 12 aud 1 o'clock. Witness left with Ha. Eusminger, with two other young men ami Walter McCiure, ail going to tho Clipper saloon. Between 2 and 3 o'clock left the saloon with Eusmiuger and McCiure and went to the Mutt House to get some cigars. Next went to Lida Birchtield's, remaining about live minutes. It was 3 o'clock then and witness, with the two companions went to Madame Jennie Bailey's. Came south ou Walnut street after leaviug there. McCiure stopped to do something to a fence in front of house just north of Coomb's house and thus wituess aud Eusminger got in front of McCiure. Witness and Eusminger did no loud talking or hollow, ing in front of Coomb's house, nor did Mc. Clure when he passed along. Ho did, however, strike on the fence with a club or picket Next heard a shot and McCiure called out that hewas shot. "When Walter fell on the ground Hal aud I hastened back aud asked him what was the mattter. lie said he was shot. Wo asked him where. He said 'near tho heart.' We asked him if ho could walk to the hotel aud he said ho would try. We helped him up and walked as far as across the street in the middle of Spring street coming south he fell again and couldn't go any farther. As soon as he fell the second time Hal immediately started after the doctor and said 'you remain here.' I stai:! there with him about a half a minute. 1 then picked him in my arms and thought I would carry him to the hotel. He complained that I hurt him. Something Hashed through my mind to feel hN pulse. I did so and he he didn't have any. At least if he did 1 could ii"i iind it. I knew the circulation had stopped and it was not safe to carry him any faither. 1 went to the sidewalk aud laid him down right in front of .Mrs. Blue's gate. Immediately went iu aud knocked on the front door. Mrs. Blue let me in and asked what was the matter. I told her that Walter McCiure had been stint and I wanted a pillow for his head. After I laid him down on the ground I took off my overcoat and the coat I have on and covered him up. He asked for a pillow and it was then I went after it. Mrs. Blue dressed and came out. When I put the pillow under his held Walter complained of his limbs being cold. He was very restless and kept begging me to take him home. 1 told him we would not move him until the doctor came. 1 rubbed his limbs to keep him warm. Then a neighbor came and with his assistance we carried him into the north mom of .'Mrs. Blue's house and laid him on a sofa. Soon as Dr. Eusminger arrived we carried him into the bedroom aud upon examination he pronounced the wound fatal.'' liige Bayless was sent after P. F. McCiure and witness went after (Jeorge (iraham. Afterwards helped get Walter home. It was a light morning aud a human being could lie seen two or three minaret away. When witness saw McCiure he was seventy-fiy» feet away. McCluro had on Unlit colored overcoat and trousers. When witness looked around after the shot McCiure was about seventy-five feet from Coombs' house. McCiure, Knsmiuger aud witness were all sober.

Cuoss.—Went immediately to Scott Steele's after taking young lady home from tho dance, not stopping .at the Clipper then. The crowd drank nothing hut beer at the Clipper. Wituess took a bottle of beer from the case, but

intended to pay for it. Did not take more than five or six beers. Did not try to get in the Nutt House bar. Don't remember of stopping froDt of Mrs. Bine's and inviting her to come out and get a licking. Did not have any trouble at Mrs. Birohfield's, but did plead guilty to the charge preferred by her of provoke. Did not know Charley Coombs then. Did not break bricks on the sidewalk or slam the gate in front of house north of Coombs.

HAL ENSMINGEB'S STATEMENT Was very similar in point of facta and details to that of Randall. On cross examination he said: After leaving Nutt House went to Mrs. Blue's but could not get in. There was no blackguarding, and Mrs. Blue did not tell them they could not get in because they were drunk. Witness and his two companions probably would not have visited those bouses if they had not been drinking.

TUESDAY HOBNING.

Coombs walked into court arm in arm with his wife, who remained seated near him during the remainder of the trial. Coombs looked more cheerful and hopeful than on Monday. The first witness was

WM. E. HOWARD,

Who lives in the north part of the house occupied by Charley Coombs. Was awakened the morning er January 30 by noise is if something struck Mr. Coomb's part of the house. Was sleeping in rcorn next to the street at the time. After the noise heard some one get out of bed in Coombs' room then some one running on the side walk, then the door opened and two er three sbots were fired. Heard some one say, "Now you d—s-o-a-b, I reckon you know I live here and will protect my property." The next was some one moaning aud a voice said, "Can't you walk?" Tho voices seemed to come from about the Spring street crossing. Wituess retired and arose again about o'clock. After building a fire Coombs came iu and said, "Did you hear the little racket this morning?" and said he was only protecting his property, and wanted wituess to testify as to what occurred. Charley said they had been throwing clubs at his house, but witness did not see any missels lying around. When Buck Brothers came ho asked

Charley about the shooting, aud Charley said he did it and would do it again under the circumstances. Brothers said he would have done so also. Mrs. Coombs was present aud in a sick and nervous condition. Coombs has two guns.

Ckoss.—There might have beeu other disturbances that night without wituess and family keariug it, as they had lost a good deal of sleep ou account of a sick child. The distance frooin Coombs door to the sugar tree is. 100 feet. From tho tree to Spi iug street is at least 50 feet. The reason wituess could not see the parties was because it was too dark. Told his wife that Charley Coombs had been shooting aud was afraid he had hurt some cue. Made uo particular examination for clubs or missels arouud the house. While Brothers, was there and after Charley had learned that

McCiure was hurt he said that he had aimed at no one. Brothers'first remark about the shootiug was "Charley, do you know you have killed a mau?'' Charley then dropped his head and Ota Jordau asked who it was.

J»H. S. I„ IiNSMINIiKtt

Was called to the house of Mrs. Blue at I o'clock in the morning. Witness immediately saw that Waller McCiure, who was there, was in a dying coudition and he told those present. He was conscious and almost pulseless. He was wounded by a bullet which eutered through the eighth rib about four inches to the left of the backbone. He asked for something to relievo the pain. Saw him taken to his father's house. lie died from the effect of the wound. Mado a post mortem aud found a 22caliber bullet had cut the largest artery leading from the heart, called the aorta. This caused the loss of blood to be gradual aud the internal cavities were filled with blood. The bullet penetrated the body iu a horizontal direction aud obliquely toward tho center of the body. Told Walter when conscious that his wound was fatal. He was iu fact conscious up to the moment of his death. McCluro said he was on the sidewalk when the shot wss fired and it came from the door. He said he had not struck tho house but did strike the fence onee. Then he said he started toward the boys but could not make it. Witness was present when the dying statement was made to Judge Chuinasero. He said he tried to pull a picket olf the fence north of Coomb-' hut could not do it, so picked oue up olf the sidewalk. Saw no evidence of intoxication.

HICK HAYI.ESS

was called about 1 o'clock by Tade Conner to go for D. F. McCiure. Took him to Walter. Took thein both home about ti o'clock. The morning was rather cloudy, but the moon shown and wituess could readily see people across the street. Saw Hal Eusminger at the barn while hitching up and he was sober.

JOHN BKOTIIKKS

was aroused about five o'clock. Went to Bailey's aud from there to Blue's where McCiure was. About six o'clock went to .'Joonib's house. Two pickets had beeu taken from the fence next door and they were lying in front of Coomb's place in the guttei. Went iu and asked Charley if tie had heard the racket and tho shouting. He said he had heard it and had done the shooting. Witness asked him if he knew he bad shot, Walter McCiure. Ota Jortion asked what McCluro it was and lie said he had done it as he could not see any one. He further said if they seut him over the road he would come back and do the same thing again. Witness took Coombs to Marsha' Ensmingei's, then to the jail. Witness got the gun with which tho shooting was done four or five days later. It is a target ride. It was a lur/.v. cloudy morning but tho moon shone and a man could be seen a square away.

HKNKY HKOWN

jive1! south of Coombs, next door. Was awakened that morning by two gun shots and heard conversation. Saw three forms at the corner of Spring and Walnut streets from witness' door. Helped Bandall carry McCiure into Blue's house. Heard no other noises.

Citoss—Asked McCluro who shot him and he said he did not know. Mrs. Blue said something to Randall about being there before and cursing her. Ho made no particular answer. Wituess was of the opinion that Handa

•s -.rnrr1»v Oflft*

lobe?' *h'°htiin"

ciOrdsrs 0^**

was drunk aud smelled whUkey on McClure's

C. N. Williams and Wallace Coons] testified to leaving McCiure, Kaudleand Eusminger

0f

at

,he"

were

Perfectly

JKNNIK BAir.KY

lives la the north end. The party of McCiure Randal! and Eusminger w'ere'a? he^e Mr the morning of the murder and stayed

and oL HUJ'

Tbeparty

',rank S* little beer

and played four games of cards. McCiure', couduct was very good and he acted perfectly sober, so did Eusminger. Randall .was dru.,£

~ther6hal a.b0t,Ue0f Wine'

The mH°8

Each one of the

iU8t one

8Wall°w

from it.

Took 'vas "obu on leaving witness' house. Took a glass

wine herself at the invitatioH

of Mr. Ltandall. Randall had a little scuffie with one of the girls on leaving, McCiure did

OKOIUiK (lHAHAM

is a brother-in-law of Walter McCiure. Saw him at Mrs. Blue's a few minutes before five on the morning of the murder. Walter was nbea suffering great pain. Was with htm then almost constantly until he died. Walter said he did „„t touch tho house uor was" he inside the yard. He struck the fence with a picket ln» pjckoii up Irom the shot immediately after. He „M„ made uo noise as they went past the house the first time. Walter was sober. He vomited just after getting home aud there was uo evidence or taint of whiskey or wine iu the vomit. Witness emptied vomit himself.

walk and was. said that they

J. O. CHUMAS15KO

is a Justice of the Peace. Ou theJ morning of the murder weut to David McCiure's to take down the auti-mortenistatement. Mr. Chumasero then read the statement as follows:

I was passiug the house going north. I did not g« into Coombs's yard nor touch the house. I simply made a little loud noise. I did not strike ou the fence. This was Charlie Coombs house. As we started toward town, going south, H,tl KuBiniuger aud Mr. Randall were in front of.ue. As l,came to the fence north of Coombs's house I tried to pull a picket off the feuce, but could not, Fouud a picket lying on the ground in front of the house picked it up and struck the fence with it, Coombs's fence. 1 did not strike the house, didn't touch the house, didn't go inside tho yaid. Immediately after striking the fenco and while I was on the side walk I was shot. It was dark at the time just before 1 o'clock iu the morning of the thirtieth of January.

What I have here stated is the whole truth." Ckoss—McCiure was very weak at thu time the statemeut was made. He merely replied to questions asked him. He was in a comatose condition. The.witness would write a paragraph and then ask the witness if it was correct. Wituess asked, "Waiter, do you thinkyou will ever get well?" He replied, "I dod't know." He was intelligent when be made his statement. He did auswer no as to pulling a picket oil the fence.

He.e the state rested and the defense began. The first witness was

JOHN H. COURTNEY.

Was in tho Clipper the morning of the homicide at 1 :-'!0 o'clock comiug from Lafayette. Saw Randall, McCiure, Eusmiuger and others there. Was there when they left some thirty minutes later. Tho boys were in good humor. Swore that when the boys left the Clipper Walter McCiure wanted to go homo but the others pi inauded ioiu to go elsewhere much against In- will.

Ml«. 'CVI'K If 1.17K

Lives oil north Wal at street between Market and Spring streets. Saw the three boys oil the morning of tho murder at three o'clock. Randall called witness names, up -u not being admitted, the others behaved. Randall did not threaten the wituess with violence. Randall had been drinking but the others seemed sober. Saw them about an hour later. Walter was lying on the sidewalk inoauiug. Witness went out. Randall was walking up and down the sidewalk. He had covered McCiure with his overcoat and was still intoxicated. Heury Brown aud Raudali helped witness carry Walter into the house. Walter seemed sober then. Randall seemed very nervous but soon sat down and when the doctor came he went to sleep.

I.Y1JA MHCHUJKI.li

Kuew the three boys but did not see them on the morning of the shooting of McCiure. Did not learn who they were uutil they had left her house. Tho next day filed a complaint against Raudali. Did not intend to have any one else arrested.

NIC'ITIH I.ONI.'

Isoneof Lydo Birchfield's girls, on tho morning of January 30 the three boys came to tho house. Knew Randall and Ensininger

C. L. fiost,

in if

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2ii7 1-J. MAIN ST.

Will save you money on w.itehcs

clocks, gold pencils, [goltl Eunil silver

headed canes and umbrellas, knives

forks and spoons, and everytlvno you

want-in his lino, lie will

Repair lour Wntcli !r

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others have failed. Civeliim at ia\

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i.

•A11