Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 290, Decatur, Adams County, 17 December 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

EVIDENCE IN THE MURDER CASE

Mrs. Osborne Testifies Against Her iiusband. Ira Richards First Witness Called bv State.

MAKING PROGRESS Much Interest Manifested in the Case. The Defense Are Closely Crossbe. “Gm Examining the Witnesses ter,” said last n. for the State. Mai’ HEARING OF EVIDENCE. IRA RICHARDS—Lived in Preble, for two months. Prior to that time lived on Osborne-Bnsenbark farm in Union township, before that lived in Grant county, four miles from Point Isabelle, work by day, knows defendant, met him last February in Grant county, employed by Osborne at 75 cents a day came here March 3, 1903, with Osborne, met Busenbark at same time he did Osborne. On the farm we moved to where two houses, 1 occupied one and Osborne and Busenbark the other. Began work March 10 and built October 14. On September 8, was hauling manure east of l>arn. Busenbark was home in the morning and at Decatur in after noon, arriving home about three o’clock. During afternoon Osborne was busy with S. W. Peterson, a hay baler. Saw Osborne and Busenbark come from house to barn near where I was loading manure, they • limbed over fence, Busenbark rtood up on fence and pulled his coat off. then came over and sat on a board that projected from rear of wagon. Joe came up and said “If the farm ’aint worth <75 an acre and yon won't give that for it, why not have Judge Erwin have it" and Busenark said, “well, sell.” Joe asid ‘ 111 take it to court," ,the old mun said alright. Osborne said, “you brought ine hero to get me in some kind of a snap and you think you've got me," then Joe struck the old mun in the breast. Ho slid off his seat, struck at Joe twice but didn’t hit him. Joe began beating the old man and kept it up until 1 got there and took him off. Joo went to the pump, washed blood off. Joe mud have struck him five or six times. Mrs. Osborne came then. Dale Osborne was there and cried. Mrs. Osborne begun rubbing fathers face, J went got hay and put under him, he was lying on the manure pile. I went to Mrs. Walters, a neighbor and told her to telephone for a doctor. Elijah Walters and Mr. Roop came with me. Joe was standing by I>arn, Mrs. Osborne was with her father. We carried Mr. Busenbark to the house. On the way he strangled and emitted a quart of blood. Dr. Clark came soon. 1 saw Joe and tol l him to go to town and consult someone who knew more about law

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than me. Next saw Joe in jail, told me he was sorry, asked about wife and said, ‘How on earth can she stand it.” Have seen him there three or four times since. When coming to town at Clover Leaf station Joe complained of roads and Busenbark joked about the matter and Osborn said if we can’t agree we can disagree. He heard Osborne say to Busenbark,“if it hadn't been for you my trouble in Grant county wouldn’t have cost me a 110 bill. They quarreled once about a sow. Osborne is about 35 and Busenbark was about 68 years old. Cross examined by attorney Smith, Mr. Richards told his story over about the same as before. He is an earn-1 est looking young mun and told his story in a modest and convincing manner. In cross exaimnation Mr. Richards said that Osborne’s face had no color in it and his eyes were' glaring, while Mr. Busenbark was seated on the wagon he had a small black handled knife in his hand. As he struck at Osborne he tried to sjM'ak but the sound was no word simply being, “Gur.” Court adjourned at 5:30. The jury was placed in charged of a new bailiff, John Bogner, who will have charge of them during the trial, O. N. Tyndall having suffered a nervous chill and was forced to resign. MORNING SESSION. Prisoner Osborne was in his accutsomed place in the court room this morning a half hour before court convened at nine o'clock. His face is not as pale as at his first appearance and begins to look more j like his old self. Ira Richards who was on the stand lust evening was; again called and attorney Smith I resumed his cross examination, 1 again going over the conversation which took place just before the attack. On reexamination Rich- 1 ards described the coat which Busenbark had on, saying it was a thin; linen scat, again went otter ' part of the story and said that dur ing other quarrels he had heard Os ' borne had apiieaml to lie ungry, < said Busenbark died following day after assault, saw him after he was dead, he was a large man, six feet tall and would weigh I*o pounds, j attended the funeral, remembers coroners inquest. After short re-cross examination, witness was excuses 1. LETTIE SOHN EPP Lives in Union township, wife of Soloman Schnepp, knew Osborne six months, lives quarter of mile east, was at home Sept 8, Went to Osborne home about four o'clock when she hoard children screaming. | Saw Mr. Busenbark lying on! ground east of barn. Mrs. Osborne , was there washing her father's face. Joe was standing near. 1 carried water to wash Mr. Busen bark’s face, his face was swollen and cut and eyes looked like they had lieen knocked out. Joe came up und said" What tempui will do." Went home, came back next day, saw Mr. Busenbark just when ho died, a few moments before four o’clock Si*pt. 9. Cross-exam inn-! Honed and told the same story.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 1903.

FRANK ROOP. Lives in St. Marys township, farmer, knows Osborne, lives mile and three quarters away from Haugk farm, was also farming part of Walters farm near Osborne. On Sept. 8 was there, saw Osborne day before, went to Osborne’*about four o'clock afternoon of Sept. 8 when Ira Richards came after men, and my boy, Lige Walters came soon; saw, Mrs. Osborne, two boys and Joe was standing in horse field, saw Busenbark lying nearby and he was bloody and strangling, face swollen nose mashed couldn’t see his eyes took him to house the hand and Lige helping Im coughed blood up twice should judge was three pints his breathing was short and quick. Osborne went with us and opened gate and doors in house and turned down covers. All the way Joe said “If I had kept my little piece of land in Grant county this would not have happened, I was aggravat-

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JOHN C. MORAN Prosecutor, twenty-sixth judicial circuit, and who is one of the counsel for the state in (Isborut- murder case.

ed to do this." I stayed there ’till midnight. Siw Busnebark next morning at s;3O, did some errands for Mrs. Osboine was present ut post mortem. Cross examined he said Osborne looked wild ami his eyes staring. ELIJAH WALTERS. Lived in Union township fifty years, lives about seventy rods ; from Osborne, met him once at ■ Sehnepps. On Sept, N, was about homo when Richards camo alter, incn went over to O- borne, saw Mr. Busenbark, Mrs. Osborne and Joe Mrs. Osborn*' was taking care of her father. His face was badly cut and bleeding and > .ollen, he j was strugling. helped carry him to house, he bled continually. I remained until Dr Clark came, heard Joo say “That’s the way it goes when a man can't contol his tern i per..” Saw stones and clubs of all kinds lying near where Busenlxirk was. Stayed until ten o'clock.went back at. two next morningjmd stayed until day light, was present at coroner’s inquest. Cross examned he said he knew Busenbark who was a big man, met him three times. Mrs Osborne o]H*neil doors and gate and arranged the lied. JAMES L. GAY. James L. Gay, undertaker, lives in Decatur went to Bnsenburk's home Sept. 9 and took charge of body, examined face anil body, has had experience in the business for fifteen years. Bus nbark' fuco was blacken,■ 1. bones of face were all broken, roof of month was caved ! in, helped to move hones at post I

mortem, has them and same were produced, neck and throat were I lack, finger marks, eyes were closed and tall of blood. Arrived at home about five o'clock, body was not yet cold, Busenbark wore full beard and mustache, quite heavy, cuts on each side of face inch and a half long, also several on forehead, face was scratched, cuts were ragged. Post mortem was held September 10 from ten to four o’clock. Cross examined by attorney Amsden. The witness said he had prepared bodies for burial where people had died from injuries similar to this but not so badly disfigured. Mr Gay told where the various bones were taken from and identified each. Said he believed the murks were made with left hand. DR. J. S. COVERDALE. Lives in Decatur, physician for thirty-two years, graduate, was called to Osborne home by coroner, saw body of John Busenbark, assisted in postmortem examination at inquest, assisted by Drs. Schenck, Clark. Mr. Gay, others were present. Condition of Busenbarks face, skin colored, sane swollen, cut from nose on right side mouth, another Continued on page four, column two

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Two Dollars Will be Paid for a Live Pair of Rabbits. The Democrat is authorized to | pay the sum of two dollars for al pair of live rabbits—an blemished—delivered at this office not later! I than twelve o’clock tomorrow. We i are not permitted to let you in on I the secret, but if the rabbits are I forthcoming wo already guarantee to give you a round of fun not on- ' joyed since thedays long since gone ' by. The offer is in good faith and the cash will be paid in cold dink 1 I ers as s ion us the bob tails are in sight. This is easy money and ' should be inducement enough to guarantee a prompt delivery. THE NEW ROUTES. I Monroeville Patrons Appreciate Their New Service. The new rural route out of Mon- 1 < roeville that touches the northern |. part of this county, 'vent into full i < 'ct yesterday morning. Several along the route were in the city to- 1 day and talked about it in a very | affectionate ';y, t*r.:s showing how nial route pntrins appreciate ; the comforts and bit sstngs that arc afforded by these new additions. All the routes started without a, hitch and soon they will settle down and people generally will not know I but what they have been in opera- ’ II ion for a hundred years.

WANT TO LOCATE HERE Albion Manufacturing Company Want to Come.

CLUB MEETING Carnegie Library Scheme to be Investigated. The Commercial Club Will Inaugurate a Social Evening. The Albion Manufacturing Company of Tremont, Ohio, has written the Commercial Club accepting their proposition made several weeks ago, agreeing to move them to this city, and set up their machinery ready for business. The Albion Manufacturing Company, make cupboards, wardrobes, stands and tables, and while they are not a fat and sassy corporation, yet they are a comfortable manufacturing concern. organized under the laws of the state of New Jersey, andure doing a clever business with a capital of SIO,OOO or <12,000. At present they employ some thirty people, but are located in an inland town without the convenicne of even a single railroad. They de.-dro better shipping facilities and other luxuries that go with a good railroad and brisness town, hence their desire to change. At a meeting held

WELL ATTENDED — Medical Society in Session Yesterday. Drs. Bulson and Sweringen of Fort Wayne Make Good Addresses. The regular meeting of the Deca-' tur Medical Society was held yes-j t irday afternoon at the office of Dr. J. M. Miller and from all reports 1 the meeting was a pleasant as well as a beneficial one. The meeting ' was well attended and the society enlightened on two subjects which were ably handled and read bv Dr. , Bulson and Dr. Sweringen of Fort Wayne, their respective subjects being “Iritis" and “The General consideration of Common Heart Lesions." Both being well learned and educated and having a very • wide reputation, their subjects 1 and thoughts were eagerly devour l ed by those present. Dr. Bulson is |an eye specialist and gave some ( very good information from his ! subject, white Dr. Sweringen is a 1 1 loading physician of our neighbor |mg city. The meeting took up the j further business of discussing the advhibility of affiliating with the State Medical Society but furth ’V than discussion no definite action Avus taken The next meeting will be held at the office of Dr P. B. Thomas on January 6th when i ' Dr. Beavers will entertain tb.e soci ! jety on snbji et of “Pneumonia."

NUMBER 290

at the Commercial Club lust evening it was arrange for A. Van Camp to visit their institution at Tremont, make an estimate of the worth, stability and value of their plant, and the cost that would accure in moving them here. On a rough estimate it is thought that this expense will not exceed <3OO or <4OO, which would be a cheap figure to calculate upon a concern that agrees to employ from thirty to fifty people at a minimum wage scale of <1.50 a day Mr. Van Camp will make the trip the first of next week, and upon his return will furnish the information, upon which the club will either endeavor to move them or reject the proposition. Two members of the company were here some weeks ago, and both bore the ear marks of honest and honorable men, who would be ideal citizens of the best town on the map. Should they come they will occupy the oldLynch 1 factory building now owned by A. 1 Van Camp, and which could easily be arranged for their business > needs. At the meeting of the Club the Carnegia Library project was also discussed in away, and Judge Erwin, Mayor Coffee and Janies T. ; Merryman were appointed a comi mittee to confer with Rev. E. A. I Allen and to bring the matter he- ! fore the club at some future meeti ing. An endeavor will be made to add a social feature to the many j other privileges of the Commercial Club. A social evening every few weeks will bo attempted and French Q inn. F. M. Schirmcycr L. G. Elilngham were named to prepare a program and arrange for the first social evening in the very near future.

GIFTS FOR BOYS. Have You Thought of Any of the Following. Perhaps its a boy for whom you are searching your brain for a ' present that will please. Here’s a small bunch of gifts for a dollar each or less. The very thing .you are hunting may be in the list. Blackboard, a kite, a game, magic j lantern, a megaphone, pair of gloves,handkereihefs, boxing gloves, pair of bath slippers, a yacht that sails, good strong wheelbar--1 row, footbull of real leather, a I muscle building striking bag, trim case for his collars and cuffs, pocklet comb in a convenient case, a gold (more or less) collar button, i hat brush in handsome wood., u needed gold stick, chest lull of useful tools, all sorts of inechan- . ical toys, pair of mittens. FOR VAGRANCY. Geneva Oil Driller is in Jail for Seventeen Days. Marshal Whitman of Geneva made another trip hero last even ! ing. bringing Lewis Drain to the . county jail, where ho will serve | out a <16.40 tine, requiring seven- . teen days of servitude. Drain is un nil mun and has Gen on a protracted spree. Atfcr spending his nonvy he began begging dimes of everyone on the street. He linul ly became such a nuisance that the marshal ai rusted him for vug I runcy. He >vus tritxl befnro S’qnire F. F. Armuntrout with J above, results.