Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 28 March 1891 — Page 1

VOL 47.

TONGUELESS Hamilton

Cultivators,

With Spring Slide.

LOOK!

AND DO NOT FORGET.

A BIG CUT IN PRICES

For a few days. Largest assortment in the city of Mens' Wpmens' and Childrens'Footwear at the

Curtis Custom Bootand

Two Doors East ot Elston Bank.

5/A

DUSTERS

ARE THE BEST.

100 styles, prices to suit all. W*. AYBES& SONS, PHILADELPHIA# Sold by all dealers.

A A D.

Under a much more successful treabmeot that Dr. Huntsinger has been using for the past seven months, his practice has greatly iuoreased. The Doctor now treats more Ese. Bar. Nose and Chronic Catarrh patients wnh Milder remedies and better and quicker cures ttian ever before. This treatment io especially suited to Children and peculiarly sensitive persons.

Special attention to the L.«igest Standing and moat liiltiouit cattes to Cure. Also aS *nrgicalcanes an Cataracts, Crog* Kye»,Deformities, etc. Operations on the Eye Ball performed without Pain.

A neglected or badly treated Chronic Catarrh is the great cause of so much deafness in the mlddle-agod and elderly people, also of consumption. A chronic discharge from the ear is very dangerous to life, as it is liable to cause blood poison or brain disease. Consultation

S EflT A IF SI People are so delighted AUljXiO! with the quality, l»rlce and Elegant Sight giving properties of the Doctor's Perfect Fitting Spectacles and Eye Glasses that their sale is constantly Inoreas Ing. Still selling at factory prices and fl ling them Free of Charge.

KEKEKENCEs. Geo. i). Hurley, attorney ft law, son Frank, discharge from ears and deafness John E. Courtney,lawyer son,badeye and ears G. L. Mills, deafness etc., twentyyears standing Gus Mayer, daughter confined nine months in dark room with violent eye diseuse, causing total blindness Israel Patton, total blindness from cataract Miss Clara Alston, violent ulceration of eye ball E. B, Smith, wlfo, eye disease A. K. Bay less, mother, eye disease Dr. JameB Thompson, deafness,all of Crawfordsvllle. Hon. Silas Peterson, wife deafness, bad case. Potato Creek: Frank Powers, clirenlc catarrh, banker, Colfax Congressman W. D. Owens, Logansport, discharge from ears and deafness Judge Waugh, Tipton, surgleal operation on eye that restored sight Judg6 Terhune,Lettanop,Ind., deafness Ex-Sei Kent, Frankfort, Ind atarrh and deaf_ J. Linn. Mace, catarrhal deafness, and n' erous others in this vicinity equally bad.

Dr Huntsinger will boat Dr. C. E. Rankin's office, in Crawfordsvllle, on THURSDAY, April and every two weeks thereafter

Will beatDr, Klelser's office at Waveland on Friday, April 18, and regularly every four weeks theroaftef on Friday.

•U A SAMPLES SENT FREE 11°' spring patterns with borders and ceilings to

II match. One half million Hbrollsoffered at wholesale •^•prices. White blanks 4c to

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PAPER

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Hamilton

Cultivators,

With Tongue.

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ABBESTED IN THE SANOTUABY.

Samuel W. Boots In Jail For Stealing Oorn of His Own Father. The last grand jury returned an indictment against Samuel W. Boots, for stealing $15 worth ot corn from his father, Samuel Boots, of Sugar Creek township. The officers went out to arrest him soon after the indictment was returned but he was then absent from home so the warrant was left in the hands of the local detectives for service. Monday young Boots who is about 24 years old, put in an appearance at a church in Sugar Creek township and at the conclusion of the services was arrested. He was taken before squire Lucien Coyner and pleaded guilty. His father refusing to go on his bond he was bound over to the circuit court in the sum of $200 and lodged in jail here next morning. Samuel W. Boots has been the trial of his father's life for years and it was only upon mature deliberation and in the belief that it would be best for the young man that Mr. Boots resolved to let the law take its course. Samuel Boots, Sr. is one of the most substantial and respective citizens of Sugar Creek township.

The Ohair Collapsed.

The other day Miss Bertie Switzer, of near Yountsville, sat down on a rickety chair. It collapsed and Miss Bertie alighted on the floor with great force terribly shocking her nervous system and causing internal injuries. She has been confined to her bed ever since. W

The Soap that Cleans

Most

4f

is Lenox.

FOR HIS LIFE.

0HABLES OOOMBS ON TBIAL FOE MUBDEB.

Twelve Good Men Selected to Try Him and Give a Verdict on the Law.

It was 10 o'clock Monday before the case of the State of Indiana vs. Charles Coombs was brought up. Tlio court room was full without being crowded witnesses, attorneys, reporters and officers making up the larger part of the audience. When Coombs came in, in charge of Policeman Brothers, he looked neither to the right nor to the left, but with a down cast, hopeless air took his seat near his attorneys and buried his face in his hands. He seems now to fully realize on what a slender thread his life and liberty hang. The roll of witnesses for the prosecution and the defense were called by Deputy Davis and all those present answered to their names. There were thirty-three for the prosecution and thirty-two for the defense. The regular petit jury then took their seats and were s:ked by Prosecutor Moffett whether they had formed any oj)inion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. Only three had done so. D. S. Enock, H. II. McDaniel who had talked with witnesses, and Isaac H. Montgomery who had read an account of the murder in THE CRAWFORDSVILLE JOURNAL. None of them were opposed to the death penalty. The State excused Mr. McDaniel. Jonathan Nutt was called, and having formed an opinion which would prevent him giving the defendant a fair and impartial trial was excused. S. S. Imel, of Garfield, a son of Fred Imel, a juror in the Pettit trial was called and answered all questions satisfactorily. The State then passed the jury. M. W. Bruner then questioned the jury for the defense. Wm. W. Steele had read about the murder in THE CRAWFORDSVILLE JOURNAL, but had not talked to any witnesses. R. G. Crist, of New Market, and Wm. Bromley, of this city, had read the accounts in THE CRAWFORDSVILLE JOURNAL. The defense challenged D.S.Enoch peremptorily and J.W.Perry, of New Boss, was called. The defense challenged him for cause. Eli Armentrout was called. The defense challenged J. W. Nicely peremptorily and Asher Wert was called. James Ames, of Coal Creek, was excused by the defense, and Squire Warbritton, of New Market, was called. He had read THE CRAWFORDSVILLE JOURNAL accounts of the murder. The defense challenged him peremptorily and John B. Robinson, of this city, was called. He was challenged for pause. Capt. H. H. Talbot was the next venireman. The defense excused James N. Riley, formerly of New Market, now of this city. Brook Thomas was called and excused. Samuel Fisher took his place and the defense passed the jury.

The State questioned Eli Armentrout and finding him a little shaky on the death penalty excused him. Levi Martin was ushered in by Deputy Davis, but was very reluctant to take his seat and to be excused. Of course the court refused to do this and Mr. Martin with evident disappointment took his place among the jurors. The State excused Asher Wert. Jacob M.Harshbarger was called, and on account of sickness of his family was exoused by the court. It being noon, court adjourned.

During the whole morning Coombs hid his face in his hands, only removing them occasionally to speak to his attorneys, M. W. Bruner and Col. Sellar. At an adjoining table are seated Prosecutor Moffett and A.B.Anderson with D. F.McClure and George Graham near by for consultation. The work of getting a jury proceeded very slowly, because there was no special venire and Deputy Davis had to search the streets for freeholders. John Lockridge was called and excused. Jacob Swank and Edward Goff Were called. The defense asked each juryman if he thought it was even right to take human life in defense of home and property, and also if he had any prejudice against the defendant. Every man answered satisfactorily and the defense passed. In a moment the State passed and the following twelve men stood up to be sworn:

B. M. GALEY, Brown's Valley. AMAZON WARD, city. R. G. CRIST, New Market. WM. H. MONTGOMERY, Linden. WM. BROMLEY, city. GEORGE GUNTLE, Darlington, of the regular panel and

CAPT. H. H. TALBOT, city. LEVI MARTIN, Union township. EDWARD GOFF, Coal Creek township. JACOB SWANK, Union township. SAMUEL R. FISHER, New Market: S. S. IMEL, GARFIELD. Prosecutor MofEett made the opening statement for the prosecution Monday afternoon. It was a short narrative of what they would prove by witnesses, nothing very new being told. At the close he said he would confidently ask for a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. Col. Sellar opened for the defense in a rather more detailed statement denying many important allegations of the State. At the close he read the statute defining murder in the first degree and manslaughter and said he

ORAWFORDSYILLE. INDIANA SATURDAY, MCARII 2«, ism

was positive that the latter was the worst they could find the defendant guilty of if indeed the evidence would not show that he was guiltv of no crime at all.

A. V. RANDALL.

Of Slv'ibyville, who was a student in Waban '. ..lege on the 29th of January. He met Waiter McClureat Scott Steelo's after tho dance between twelve and one o'clock. Witness left with Hal Ensminger, with two other young men, and Walter McCluro all go' ig to tho Clipper saloon. Between wo .md tlireo o'clock left tlii! saloon .vith Ensminger and McCluro and went to tho Nutt House to gul some cigars. Next went to Lida Birchlields remaining about five minutes. It was after three o'clock then and witness, with tho two companions went to Madame Jennie Bailey's house. Came south on Walnut street after leaving there. McClure stopped to do something to a fence in front of house just north of Coomb's house and thus witness and Ensminger got in front of McClure. Witness and Ensminger did no loud.talking or hollowing in front of Coombs's house nor did McClure when he passed along. He did however strike on the fence with a club or picket. Next heard a shot and McClure called out that he was shot. Looking around saw him reeling and in a moment he fell on the north crossing at the intersection of Spring street. He said he was shot near the heart.

Prosecutor Moffett asked the witness to detail the circumstances after the shot was fired and he spoke as follows: "When Walter fell on the ground Hal and I h."stoned back and asked him what was the matter. He said he was shot. We asked him where. He said, "near the heart." We asked him if lie could walk to tho hotel and he said he 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 immedatelystarted after thedoctor and said "you remain here." I staid there with him about a half a minute. I then picked him in my arms and thought I would carry him to the hotel. He complained that I hurt him. Something flashed through my mind, to feel his pulse. I did so and he didnt have any. At least if he did I could not find it. I knew the circulation had stopped and it was not safe to carry him any farther. I went to the Bidewalk and laid him down right in front of Mrs. Blue's gate. Immediately went in and knocked on the front. Mrs. Blue let me in and asked what w^s the matter. I told that Walter McClure had been shot 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 in after it. Mrs. Blue dressed and came out. When I put the pillow under his head Waller complained of his limbs being cold. He was very restless and kept begging me to take him home. I told him we would not move him until the doctor came. I rubbed his limbs to keep them warm. Mrs. Blue said "where are you hurt and Walter replied, "near the heart" and all the time he was begging to be taken home. I asked Mrs. Blue if we could not carry him into the house and she said "certainly." Then a neighbor came and with his assistance we carried him into the north room of Mrs Blue's house and laid him on a sofa. Soon as Dr. Ensminger arrived we carried him into the bedroom and upon examination he pronounced the wound fatal."

Bige^ Bayless was sent after D. F. McClure and witness went after George Graham. Afterwards helped get Walter home. It was a light morning and a human being could be seen two or three squares away. When witness saw McClure he was seventy-five feet away. McClure had on light colored overcoat and trousers. When witness looked around after tiie shot McClure was about sev-enty-five feet from Coomb's house. McClure, Ensminger and witness were all sober.

CROSS.—Went immediately to Scott Steele's after taking young lady home from the dance, not stopping at the Clipper then. The crowd drank nothing but beer at the Clipper. Witness took a bottle of wine 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 in front of Mrs. Blue's and inviting her to come out and get a licking. Did not have any trouble at Mrs. Birchfield's, but did plead guilty to 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.

REDIRECT.—The reason the witness plead guilty to the charge of provoke was in order to avoid tl^e publicity of a trial.

HAL ENSMINGER,

Son of City Marshal Ensminger, was called. He corroborated Randall in every important particular and also said that he saw no light in Coomb's house. Heard McClure running immediately after Coombs opened the door.:

CROSS—After leaving Nutt House went to Mr. 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 prob­

ably would not have visited thoso houses if they had not been drinking. TUESDAY.

A large crowd assembled this morning in tho court room, and promptly at nine o'clock with all interested parties presont. Court was called to order and the first witness summoned was

WM. E. IIOWAUL),

who lives in the north part of tho house occupied by Charley' Coombs. Was awakened the morning of January 30 by no. ns if something struck' Mr. Coombs't' part of the houtic. AVas sleeping in room nexi to the street at tho time. After the noise heard some ono got out of bed in Coombs's room then some ono running on the sidewalk, then the door opened and two or three shots were fired. Heard somo ono say, "Nov you d—s-o-a-b, I reckon you know I live here and will protoct my property." The next was some one moaning and* a voice said, "Can't you walk?" The voices seoined to come from about the Spring street crossing. Witness retired and arose again about 5 o'clock. After building a fire Coombs camo in and said "Did you hear the little racket this morning?" and said he was only protecting his property, and wanted witness to testify as to what occurred. Charley said they had been throwing clubs at the houso, but witness did not see any missiles lying around. When Buck Brothers came he asked Charley about the shooting, and Charley said he did it and would do it again under tho same circumstances. Brothers said ho would have done so also. Mrs. Coombs was present and in a sick and norvous condition. Coombs hsis two guns.

CROSS.—There might havo boon other disturbances that night without witness and family hearing it as they had lost a good deal of sleep on account of a sick child. Tho distanco from Coombs's door to tho sugar tree is 100 feet. From tho tree to Spring street is at least 50 feet. The reason witness could not see the parties because it was too dark. Witness thought perhaps his own boy was out there but went up stairs and found him in bed. Told his wife that Charley Coombs had been shooting and was afraid he had hurt some one. When Coombs came in there was nothing said about anybody being shot. Charley however said ho didn't think they could do anything to him. Made no particular examination for clubs or missiles around the house. Met Charley a second time in front of his houso about daylight and he said three clubs had been thrown against the house. Then at Charley's invitation witness went in to see his sick wife. Nothing was said there about anybody being shot. It is a very common thing for drunken men to go by laughing, yelling and dancing but not to throw clubs at houses. While Brothers was thero and after Charley had learned that McClure was hurt ho said that he had not aimed at any one. Miss Ota Jordan then asked what McClure it waB. Brothers first remark about the shooting was "Charley, do you know you havo killed a man?" Charley then dropped his head and Ota Jordan asked who it was.

DR. S. L. ENSMINGER.

A physician and surgeon of seventeen years practice. Was callod to tho house of Mrs. Blue at four o'clock in morning. Witness immediately saw that Walter McClure who was there was in a dying condition and he told those present. He was conscious and almost pulseless. He was wounded by a bullet which entered through the eighth rib about four inches to tho loft of the backbone. He asked for something to relieve the pain. Saw him taken to his father's house. He died from the effect of the wound. Made a post mortem and found a22-caliber bullet had cut the largest artery leading from the heart called tho aorta. This caused the loss of blood to be gradual and the internal cavities were filled with blood. (The bullet was here exhibited to the jury.) The bullet penetrated the body in a horizontal direction and obliquely toward the center of the body. Told Walter while conscious that his wound was fatal. Ho was in fact conscious up to the moment of his death. McClure said ho was on tho sidewalk when the shot was fired and it came from the door. He said ho had not struck the house but did strike the fence once. Then ho said he started toward the boys but could not make it. Witness was presont when the dying statement was made to Judge Chumasero. He said he tried to pull a picket off tho fence north of Coombs's but could not do it, so picked one up ofT tho sidewalk.

CROSS.—Tho ball was found in the outer covering of the vertebrae. Tho holes in the clothing and body gave evidence that tho ball traveled in a horizontal direction. Made an examination while tho vest and shirt wero on. Tho rib could not have reflected tho course of the bullet as it struck it at right angles. The rib was broken in two. Walter did not tell witness why he struck the fence but said ho had been striking tho fences all along the street. Witness went to Coombs's house about five that morning and asked him if Brothers or Connors had been thero. Coombs said they had not. Walter knew Coombs lived in the house.

RE-DIRECT.—Witness saw no evidence of intoxication in McCluro. RE-CROSS.—"Doctor, is it not true that a great excitement will sober a man

ItwasJust In Time.

G. 0. Bartholomew, Kalkaska, Mich., says:

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I Disorder of the Kidneys, 'ifliver or bladdor. Who would bogrudgc the cost, of this modWna ^ono dollar a bottle) for suoh a blessing or refuse this simple though sincere token of gratitude for being perfectly puree I owo overy thing to Dr. Kennedy's Fa\orlto Homedy ami hopo this will induce others who si'Her from any kidney, llvor or blood disorder, to usothls medlolno."

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pretty quickly?" Witness referred that question to an expert. DR. C. A. RANKIN, A physician of six years' practice was present at the post mortem. The bullet entered four inches to the left of the backbono, perforated the eighth rib, breaking it into small pieces, passed through tho loft lung which caused some coughing of blood, toro open the aorta and lodged in front of the spine. There was a slight deflection toward to the right.

DR. E. II. COWAN,

a physician of eighteen years' practice was callod to Mrs. Blue's botwoon 5 and (5 o'clock to soo Walter McCluro. He was fatally woundod and therefore made no examination. Called at D. F. McCluro's after breakfast and found that ho had not rallied from tlioolfects of the wound. In fact he never did rally. Witness described the post mortem.

CROSS—Gave McClure morphia to relieve the pain and rally him from tho shock if possible. Morphia affects tho brain sometimes, but did not give hiin enough to destroy consciousness.

BIGE BAYLESS,

the popular hack man, took the stand. Witness was called about 4 o'clock by Tilde Conner to go for D. F. McClure. Took him to Walter. Took them both home about 6 o'clock. The morning was rather cloudy, but the moon shown and witness could readily Bee people across the street. Saw Hal Ensminger at the barn while hitching up and he was sober.

CROSS—Did not take a lantern to hitch "p by-

JOHN BROTHERS,

Familiarly known as "Buck,"is a policeman. Witness was aroused about live o'clock. Went to Baily's and from there to Blue's where McClure was. About six o'clock went to Coombs's lionse. Two' pickets had been taken from tho fence next door and tliey were lying in front of the Coombs's place in the gutter. Went in and asked Charley if he had heard the racket and the shooting. Ho said ho had heard it and had dono the shooting. Witness asked him if he know' he had shot Walter McCluro. Ota Jordon asked what McCluro it was and ho said he had not dono it as ho could not see any one. Ho further said if they sent him over tho road ho would como back and do tho same thing again. On learning that Mrs.Cooinbs's was sick, witness tried every way of consoling her that ho would do the same thing under tho same circumstances. Witness took Coombs to Marshal Ensminger, then to tho jail. Witness got tho gun with which the shooting was dono four or live days later. It is a target rifle. It was a hazy, cloudy morning but tho moon shone and a man could be soon a square away.

CROSS—Went to Baily's first to soo if the shooting had taken place there. Witness was of the-opinion that on a dark night a light object could bo soon easier. (Hero Marshal Ensminger brought in tho target gun with which McCluro was shot and there was a great craning of necks to seo it.) Tho gun

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