Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 292, Decatur, Adams County, 19 December 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

OSBORNE EMBRACES HIS WIFE'

The Prisoner Creates a Scene. Testimony for the Defense Still Being Heard.

THE FIFTH DAY Osborne’s Friends Still Loyal to Him. The Audience Growing, Many Ladies Being in the Throng. Prisoner Joe Osborne caused a) -•■erne at noon today and while it was witnessed by only a few people it caused considerable talk. The j affair occurred alxmt 11:30 when I Sheriff Butler started from the i court house to the jail. Joe has been a nickel prisoner and is given the liberty of walking to and from ; the jail without being handcuffed . or without an officer holding him. As he came down the steps today I 1 noticed his wife, Laura Osborne, standing on the sidewalk, near the corner. A sudden impulse seemed to seize him and quick as a flash he darted to her side and threw his arms about her. Mrs. Osborne cast one glance at him and whirling in stantly escaped from his grasp and hastened in another direction. Joe was at once taken in charge by the Sheriff and returned quietly to jail. The prisoner.it is said worries more over the fact that he is enstranged from his wife and family than of his other troubles. JAMES H. CONE Green township, Grant county, is a blacksmith, known Osborne family for number of years, has had numerous conversations with Joe and observed his ac tions. One night in October, very cold, camo to my house barefooted, no coat on, shirt unbuttoned, stayed fifteen minutes, then jumped up and went out in road, whistled, ran home < arne back in half an hour with gum boots on, rubber over coat, cap pulled over his ears, said he was going to Dakota. Another timo 1 went to his place to get a bundle of fodder, Joe ran out and lairrowcd thn*e dollars, looiced wild, came to my shop same day looked better and paid hick the money. He oiune to my house* one time and wanted to borrow a pound of sage to put in his sausage. Have heard him holler out, spoke to him and he refused to answer, never looked right to me. Believe he was of un sound mind, reputation was good. Busenbark was hid. Saw Jane Snook week ago. she is of unsound mind. Knew Dore Langston, he was of unsound mind. GEORGE GRAVES. Lived in Green township, Grant county three years, known Osborne twenty years, hive visited each

The Daily Democrat.

other and exchanged work, talked with him frequently, he seemed restless, eyes wild, can’t give any conversations, some times he seemed alright, other times he was off. Remembers when he moved to Adams county, came to my house just before. Believes ho was of unsound mind, reputation was good. Knew John Busenbark when ho lived in Green township, reputation was bad, knows Osborne family. Jane Snook is insane, so is Dora Langston. Cross-examined he said Joe was a good worker, had reputation of being a rapid and good fence builder, he attended to his business. ALBERT HINTON. Lives in Madison county, near north county line, formerly lived in Grunt county, knows Osborne and Busenbark. Latter's reputation for peace and quietude was very bad. On cross-examination he insisted that the reputation of Busenbark was very bad. On account of the court room becoming chilly an adjournment was neces s ny at 5:30 o’clock. MORNING SESSION. When court convened at nine o’clock this morning only a dozen or two spectators were seated in the room, but during the next hour a continual stream of people kept coming in and good seats were soon ata premium. Mrs |(>sliorneeame|in about 9:30 with Mrs. Schnepp an they took seats at the rear of the room and in Ja place obscured from the view of the prisoner. Joe was in his place a half hour before court opened and sat in the same old position, his left hand covering his lace and his head shaking sideways nearly all the time. The first witness called was JAMES LEAR. Lives in Green township. Grant county, knew Busenbark, lived adjoining farm for seventeen year*. Knew Joseph < tsborne well Busen bark’s reputation for jieuce und quietude was pretty bad. Osborne's was good. Joi* has acted queerly taw him once very nmcb excited when he drove his team ten nxls off the road after some steers. Don’t beleive he was just exactly right, would call him of unsound mind. Cross examined und talked, with witness some little about the! case. MARTIN KILGORE. Marimi. formerly trustee and justice of peace of Green township, was memlxT of legislature in 1891, knew Jie Osborne since he was small boy. Knew John Busenbark reputation liad, Joe’s was good. One time Joe came to my store at Point Isabelle and asked for work, I employed him, he worked until noon cutting weeds and then went to work for another man across the Helds he was about fifteen years old at the timo. He was always uneasy. Believes he was of unsound mind. Cross examined. WILLIAM FLENOIi. Lives in Madison county on line of Green township, lived within half mile of Busenbark knows him ind Osborne long time. Busen lurks reputation was very bad. Joe’s wa.-good, never talked to <>s-

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, 1903.

born much, my brother who was subpoened here fell few days ago and broke breast bone, can’t come. Cross examined said my brother s wife was related to Joe. She is dead and Busenbark ordered tombstone. J (). HINES. Lived in Green township twenty one years, knew Busenbark also Osborne, formers reputation was bad, latters good. Talked to Joe many timesl, ho acted queerly was nervous and excitable, talked loud, looked wild, beli. ve he was of unsound mind. Cross examined. JBFFERSON KILROY. Recalled knows Dan Osborne, second son of Joseph Osborne, soen him many times, back of head is flat, head narrow, breast is sunken face has sad and pitiful expression, he is nervous and acts peculiar, several times when I have entered the house he has run at me und struck me, his eyes are close to-

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CLARK .1. LUTZ One of the counsel for the prosecution in the Osborne murder ease.

getber and have dead look. He is about five years old and believe he is of unsound mind. Cross examined said Ix>y wasnf very strong and had cramps many times, was up to jail last night to sec .foe, Ed Ballis and Frank Osborn were there , und some one else, left lieforo nine o’clock. LEE HIENH. Lives in Madison county* is broth er in law to Joe Osliorne married his youngest sister, knows Dan. ' young son of Joe. his eyes are sunken in, ho never heard him talk, saw him last, day of Joe’s sale in Grant county, ho looked silly, lx*lieve the I boy is of unsound minu. Has i known Joe 17 years visited each I other. His talk was strange, often I talked of going into other business and selling his farm, often excited, ! always hud wild look out of his I eyes, lieleives he is of unsound | mind. Cross exumimal said Joe I made Jots of money, s|x»nt lots, 1 never saw any bixly else look wild bnt. Joe and June and Dore Langston, Inis hvn uwuy from home lx*. jfore. MARTIN JESTER. Green township, worked one full for grocery in Toledo, Ohio, known ! Osborne six yours, has observed peculiar actions. In fall of 1902, met Joe near bridge, walking at half gate, stopped and turned around, said, “Mart I’ve got a notion to eat my throat, no one about here (Links anything of me." I «uid yes they do Joe or they wouldn’t have helped you build your house, talked him out, looked wild, heleivcs he was of unsound

mind at times, wasn’t excited , when 1 mi t him on road but appeur'cd melancholy. Cross examined ' said am nervous too, have transacted considerable business with Joe, some times ho was of unsound mind, other times can’t say. This I witness was a dotcrimned one and l caused some amusement for the ' audience, it. being necessary for Sheriff Butler to quiet them. JOE HAUNA. Green township, Grant county lived there 47 years, knows Joo j Osborne, reputation good, knew Busenbark, reputation bad. noticed Joo act queer, in September he was I hauling gravel for me and hud wild I spell when he pulled iron piece off tongue. Recalls no other act. Be- ' leives ho was of unsound mind, when he lived in Grant county. I Cross examined. PETER LONG. Lives in Lee wood, formerly lived in Green townshipb, is a stock buyer, knows everybody in the township, has been acquainted with Joe 10 years, observed his actions. He was flighty, nervous talked rapidly, looked, talked disconnectedly, don’t recall any particular act, believes he was of unsound mind, reputation was good knew Continued on page four, column two

TERRELL’S FATE. Arguments will be Completed at Six O’clock. The Bluffton Murder Case Soon in Hands of the Jury. Special to IhniiorrHt. Bluffton. Ind.. Dec. 19.— Arguments in the Terrel murder cwie will close at six o’clock this evening, Ralph Gregory of Muncie, inuking the closing spee di for th** defense, and Prosecutor Burns for ! the state. Since the arguments be gan s]n culntl m and interest has Iwcome i'.u nc-t, the opinion gener ally prevailing that but a light sentence will be given the prisoner, who is charged with tin* murder of I his son in law. Fifteen days was j consumed in hearing the ev.dence.

COURT DECISION The Supreme Court Good to County Clerks.

INCREASES THEIR WEALTH Allows Them Per Diem in Excess of Salary. Gives Estate of J. H. Lenhart SISOO and Elmer Johnson $1950. The reading this morning of yes- | terday’s supreme court docket was i the means of making happy sevreal ! Decatur people, besides affording ! a topic of conversation for many I who for several years have I been watching and waiting for this 1 same decision. It was in relation Ito the fee and salary law in regard |to clerks of circuit courts, and the allowance to them of the per diem lof two dollars a day for attending and recording the proceedings of (the court. The decision in question was taken up from Tip]>ecanoe GHOSTS WALKED’ Epworth League Entertainment Last Night. It Was Unique and Was Enjoyed by a Large Audience of Leaguers. Perhaps one of the most novel social affairs that has evre been held in the city was given last evening at the Methodist church under the auspices of the Epworth League and was called an evening with the ghosts. From all rt ports the gho-l I did certainly walk. At ptecisely eight o’clock the lights were all turned down dimly and all present wore seated around on low benches. In the center of the room was a large kettle with an electric fire beneath to give it all the appearance of culling the ghosts and the room was decorated with hideous looking scare crows. A weird piano solo was played by Miss Blanche Carrol and during the rendition of that Mrs. Floyd Brittson up|ieareil all robi*d in white and gave the rendition of the ghost scene in Mcßeth. 1 Again the piano ponied forth a weird solo played by Miss Francis Merryinn and liehold Mrs. John S. Peterson appeared in the ghostly attire and recited to her eager listen ers the John Smith ghost story, and after she had mysteriously disappeared the piano again lielched forth in a weird solo played by Miss Dessie Berry and Mrs. C. M Kenyon appeared before her audi cnee in ghosty attire, her subject was the Legion of Sleepy Hollow which she rendered in a fine man ner. After the last performance • ho lights were turned on und a fine

NUMBER 292

county and in their decision the supreme court say that by section 111 of the fee and salary law of 1895, page 342, the county clerk, is entitled to the pre diem allowance in attending the sessions of court, in person or by deputy, lor his owu use und not for the court. In other words the county clerks get this per diem of two dollars a day in excess of the salary as allowed by law. In this county as well as in every other county in the state this per diem has been charged up. bu it simply went into their salry fund and went to make that up should a deficiency exist, which did not in this county. The decision eflects. the last term of four years in which John H. Lenhart was clerk of the ! Adams circuit court, and the presI ent term of Elmer Johnson. Investigation of the records finds that | the estate of Mr. Lenhart will receive $1,500. the amount of per diem during four years of his term, while it will net Elmer Johnson $1,050 fcr his term which ends the last day of this year. It will give the incoming clerk, David Gerbei an increased of nearly SSOO a year in his salary, so it can .plainly ba seen that at least Jseveral in i.id uals welcome the decision. The decision created considerable gossip around the court house and among the members of the bar. all of whom have been watching the case with much interest. luncheon was served to which all the ghosts and onlookers did justice. Al ft r the debris was cleared away three or four others volunteered to entertain the audenix* with ghost, stories, after which all repaired to their respective homes. About, eighty members of the League wore present and the event was voted a success by every one presen . EUCHRE PLAY. The Euchre Club Enjoyed a Play for Prizes. The Euchre Club met hist evening nt the home of Miss Bessie Congleton and from all reports a delightful time was had by all the members present. Play was started at exactly eight thirty o’clock and from then on until eleven it was a hot contest to see who would capture the prize. At the ringing of the lx’ll announcing the dose of the last game it. was found that, Mrs. John Peterson had captured the first prize. Alter the excitement had subsided a tine two course luncheon was served after which all adjourned to meet Monday, Decomber the 28. at the home of Miss Rose Christen. GOOD TIME. The McConnell Home the Scene of the Fun. The social ]x*opli* of Monmouth had another round of fun lust night Mt the home of Frank McConnell. The occasion was simply the get ting together of socially inclined people there, and this includes the whole population ol Hint section of Root township. Fun was hud in job lots, and during the evening an elegant luncheon was served and enjoyed by all present. The McC mnvll home is a most <*'>m>'<>rtiible and pleasant one as was fully demonstrated by the occasion of last night.