Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 31 January 1884 — Page 1

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PERRY MAHIS.

His Trial

Before the Argument Begins He Offers to Take a Sentence For Life,

li&t

MRS. NELSON'8 JEWELRY I* £LF

he said he could prove where he .got "all oiit I asked where he got his money he said he would say no more, as they (tLeaning the officers) had fooled him and brought men there that they represented to be attorneys who were ot I told him I was trying to get at the bottom of the matter and that it he was innocent it would be for his own stood, as I would •etify the statements he made he finally told me he got ths money from his father and mother, and said "That's the last now. I've told you all I know

«j, 8» »$*»£

For Murdering Susan Nelson. -,

The i'haii of IMdenw WoQfld Around the Prisoner,

Who Rests His' Case Without Offering Any Evidence in His Own Behalf,

And Who Was Afraid to Take the Stand Because He Would Convict Himself.

.*,i.

Which is Accepted, and He is Sent Away to His Living Tomb at Jeffersonville.

Tie great Manis murder trial began Thursday last and ended abruptly Tuesday evening aa the arguments to the jury were about to begin, when the prisoner •greed to take a life sentence in the penitentiary. Special piins have been taken to present the readers oi the WEEKLY GAZETTE with every scrap of important information in connection with the famous case, which caused such a thrill of horror to ruu through the community when the bones of the murdered woman were founi in a lonely ravine in Sugar Creek township. On the second and third pages will be found a report of the proceedings for Thursday (when the casefcegun), Friday and Saturday $

THrtn'Monday'• D»il jr.

The Maois murder trial was resumed this morning in tho Circuit Court. The jurors were not allowed to separate yes. terday, bat were kept under the care of Bailiff Tolbert and took meals and slept at the National House. The court room this morning was densely crowded. The jury appeared from an ante-room at 9:05 and court was formally opened five winutes afterward. The pr ieoner presented the same cool appearance which has characterized him trom the start. C. E. Vandever was the first witness. He testified as follows: "I have been chief of polioe of this city my term ended last May I have interested myself in icrretimr out the murder across the river Cleary aud myself went to Cape Girardeau and arrested Jasper Nelson I have been at Anderson while there I saw Manis and had conversations with him there he was in jail I told him who I was as soon as I saw him he said he knew he was accused of the murder I told him they accused him of having some of HI

""•'"I'ia.A.*- 1, -&

&8f *.3*

ESTABLISHED 1869.

--.Wfcfc

I said

they say on shaved about the time you were suspected in order to change yotir appearance he said it was bis habit to

SHAVE ONCE A YEAR

about the time he did for the'paet six or seven years a few days afterward 1 went to Andersois to bring him here, and he laid then he wasn't alraid ot anything but the Bronnenberg's money on the 5th of January, while confined in jail here, he seat for me I went and,bad a conversation with him he said he had made up his mind to tell the straight of how the old woman was murdered he said he had waited awhile to see if we couldn't find it oui ourselves and said he gave us credit for being smarter lhan we really *e for not discovering anything about Mr?. Nelson after the 6th of Septemberhe said if we

TOOK HIM TO NOBLBFCVILLE

he would find us letters and money there that would tell everything he said two men and a women were also in it that two of the parties lived at Noblesviile and another across the river near Terra Haute h® said "1 know I'll get six or eight years myselt for the part 1 had in it. butT don't careI asked him to tell iae then, but he insisted that the letters

we would find at Noblesviile would tell the whole story 1 got Cleary and Manis repeated the same thing to both of us: adding that of the money, which he said would be quite a large sum, he would give me me $100 and pay tbe expenses of the trip he said "I want you to understand that 1 got no money from my parents and I don't want them brought into it he said he wanted to get into Noblesviile at night, as he was known there, and if he was seen tbe parties would suspect something he also requested that no arrests be made until he had been brought back and placed in jail, as there were thiee of them and they would

SW^AR IT ALLOSTO HIM

he said if we wanted to make it public to have his attorney, Mr. Mack, go with

I went to Mack's office, but could not find him ire got to Noblesviile about 10 o'clock at night he said we would have to go six miles in the'eountry asked him if we needed a

shOTel,

to'which he said

"no" asked him if it was at a house,and he said "no" said we would have no trouble in finding it I went alter a conveyance and was coming back with it when I observed Cleary holding Manis in the railroad track and heard Cleary say he had tried to get away: I ran up Manis said he wanted Cleary to kill him right there that he didn't want to be taken back we then wanted Manis to go with us, and he refused Cleary told him he would give him $500 if he found tbe letters we brought the prisoner baek t& Terre Haute on the way he said to me "you have fixed me now and I

MAY AS WELL TELL THE TROTH

about it. I will tell you all about it when we get back. Tell Mack I want to see him and when he leaves I will tell you" told Mack that Manis wanted to see him, and when I went to Manis he told me to wail a few days have had no conversations with him since there are four passenger trains that pass through here daily on the I. A St. L. going each way St. Mary's is a station on the I. & St. L. it is about a mile and a half from St. Mary's to tbe place where the remains were found tbe nearest elation on the Vandalia to the place is Macksville, about 2% miles.

John Cleary, sherilT of tha county, testified in corroboration of Mr. Vaudever's testimony in regard to the Noblesviile visit, which he corroborated in every particular. He said Mams said he tould ''lay his hands" on the letters and tbe money. He described how Manis tried to escape during the absence of Vandever, handcuffed as he was how he stumbed and fell as he was running and how, when he was recaptured, he still fough,t to get away and exojaiimd 'SHOOT MB! SHOOT MB! .. I don't want to go back

John Craig, an inmate oi the county jail, testified to conversations bad with Manis sin«e he was incarcerated. Craig pleaded guilty early this month to a charge of stealing a coat and was given a year's sentence. "He is far more intelligent tnan a person would be led to believe from these facta. He proved a lucid and ready witness. He testified that tbe first day he (Craig) was put in he and Manis talked about his (Craig's) case and the next day they began to talk about theology, fatalism, hereditary^ traits of character and as to the responsibility of persons possessing inherited traits Manis, he said, was fond of discussion. From these* things their conversations drifted into a talk about Manis' case. Manis said if he could die a natural death like a child

AND go T6 GOO

he would lie down now rather than be in the trouble he was in. He said his whole life had been one of trouble and disappointment, and that his troubles arose from women. Charles Green was a fellow prisoner serving fifteen days for drunkenness Green was let out the day Manis was taken to Noblesviile. When Manis got back Green came to the jail and sent up word that he wanted Manis'overcoat Manis wouldn't give it to him the day after Green came in with a package of something and slipped it to Manis it was quinine Manis threw it in the8pitiooc. Manis said he had made an agreement with Green to

HKINO HIM SOME MORPHINE

and that he was to give Green his overcoat for doing so, but that Green hadn't fulfilled his promise that Green had told Vandever all about it and had come in with quinine, lie f»id if Green had done what was right he would have given him the overcoat. When Manis came in lrom Noblesviile he said to me ''I'm in a bad fixhe told me all that had happened while he was gone 1 told him I thought he had done a bad thing. He •aid he thought

ALL WAS VI' WITH HIM

liB

vl4.

we were aloue. He asked my advice if it would'l be the best thing to send for his attorney, Mr. MackJ and have him see the Judge and Prosecutor and have him plead guilty for him. I told him be might as well say then that he killed Mrs. Nelson. He said "They know I'm the man, any way." 1 told him he had better send for his attorney Mack came and when he had gone Manis said Mack told him he would see tbe Judge and Prosecutor and do the best he could for him, but tha« it wouldn't be known as coming directly from him. He said the only mistake he made in

PUTTING ON SUCH AIR8

at Anderson, where people knew he hadn't any money. He said that he failed to take the advice of his father and the girl he was going with that they wanted him to go away. He said he was arrested two months and a half after Mrs. Nelso

was murdered and that two weeks before he was|arrestfd he had a presentment that he wonld be. He said if he knew things were going to turn out as they did he might as well have had joined Jesse James, for he'd be no worse off he said he wu sorry that he said he got $235 from his lather as he wouldn't swear a lie to save him from the gallows hs said bis trunk was at Aodersou and that he was afraid they would tamper wilh it said he had i. FIXED THE MONET and things so if he was convicted no one else would get the benefit of it he told me every day sinoe the trial begun bow the^case was progressing said he was sorry Mr. Mack got so mad in court at Helms Manis said all that Helms had sworn to were lies.

The cross-examination by Mr. Mack was sharp and very lengthy. He said he was drank at the time he took the coat for wbich he was sentenced. When asked why he gave Mania away he re* plied: "Becausehe told me enough to convince me that he was the man that murdered Mrs. Nelson and I thought it was my duty."

C. E. Vandever [recalled] testified that Manis told him that Green had been at tuejail and wanted to give hira something, but that it he wanted to have committed suicide he could have used some vitrol Green had previously gtven him. Green had been telegraphed tor at Danville.

Mr.' Coates, freight agent here of the I. & St, L, testified as to the hours ot arrival and departure of tho four passenger trains going each way daily on his road last September. He testified that the 4:55, p. m. train leaving Anderson, whioh connected with the I. & St. L. for the west at Indianapolis, reached Indianapolis at 6:05 m.and arrived here at 10:05 r. M. This train, and all others on the road, going west pa*s St. Mary's.

Mrs. Flora Paxson, of Anderson, lor the defense, testified that Mania brought a trunk to Mrs, Antrim's on the 10 of September and that there was nothing in it.

Cross examination—It was a new trunk it came on a dray Manis unlocked it on the porcu and dusted it it was a common-sized yellow trunk.

Wm. TalImage, of Anderson, testified to seeing Manie at Indianapolis in the forenoon of September 8th and speaking to him. He was only with him five or ten minutes and saw nothing more of him.

Adjourned.' THIS AKTKBKOON Court met at 2. It was some time before any witnesses were examined. J. C. Park ins,, proprietor of ^restaurant at 16dranaprli3,'produced his register and testified that Manis did not stop at his place from, the 23d ot last May up to the 28th of Oqtober. Manis claimed, it will be remembered, that he stopped there along about the 7ih. Mr. Keppler,. Mr. Pt-rkins'partner, testified to the same effect.

A1X10UKNBD.

Court adjourned till to-morrow morning oo account of abseit witnesses. ..wiiij'' I

Fiom Tuesday'* »aLlj\

The Manis murder trial took a sudden and surprising turn this morning. Afcer the state had anuouceed that all the evidence tor the prosecution was in, and a witness had given unimportant medical testimony as to the fracture on the skull, Mr. Mack quietly announced, withoat rising from his seat, that the defense rested. For the moment the spectators could "hardly believe their ears that tbe defense had submitted their case to the jury without testimony, but soon that fact dawned on the disappointed crowd, who had lain up fond hope* all the while of the rich scenes that would occur when the prisoner took the stand, aad who had conjectured widely as to the story he would tell the jury in his own behalf. The jury also,'it could be seen, were somewhat taken back with the unexpected announcement. Co'urt adjourned till -two 0 ciock, in order to give the attorneys time to prepare their instructions, and the court handed the jury over in charge 01 the Biihff, instiuctin? him to give them all the exercUe that was needed.

THK l'ROOBEDINUS IN DKTAII,.

When court met Deputy clerk O.Reilly read the record of the case for each day's proceedings, and it was signed by Judge Scott in open court.

Marshal Coburn (recalled) identilied a trunk that was brought into court as one the that was taken from Manis' possession.

At 9:2o Prosecu tor Sheltoa announced that the £tate rested its case. D, 11. W. Taylor was then called and gave his opinion that from the condition of tbe skull it would not warrant a positive statement as to whether the fracture had been made before or after death. The cross-examinatiou ot the witness was exceedingly tedious, and at times rather exciting, but nothing material to the case waselicted.

At 10 15 Mr. Mack announed that the defense rested their case. The prisoner, when this announcement was made, had his head resting on his arm, bent over the table. His eyes were cast on the floor and he presented a car

IfllSSSlil

TERRE HAUTE, IND.—THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,1884. $1.50 PER YEAR

worb, if not really alject, appearance. When court adjourned he put on his overcoat and was taken back to jail, anxious crowds waitine on the street below to get a glimpse of him.

I_ HOW IT IS BEOABDBD. There is scarcely a doubt but that Manas' failure te take tbe stand in his own behalf is the worst admission he has yet made. It is conceded universally that be has a bad case, and probably he was prevented from testifying himself because he would make it worse than it is already. The state itself cannot make a witness of him unless be choees to mak4 himself one. The action of this morning practically leaves him without a ehied of evidence before the jury. The alabi that he was expected to prove failed to materialize, and his voluntary failure to show how he got all the money he had and bow he same in possession of the bracelets, neckchaina and Other of Mrs Nelson's articles brands him with guilt trom the soles of his leet to the top of his head. The prosecution say he would have convicted himself if he took the witness stand and give Mr. Mack, his attorney, credit for his shrewdness in keeping him off.

ARGUMENTS ON THE INSTRUCTION?.

This atternoon both sides submitted their instructions to the court and a lengthy argument ensued on them, tbu jury being absent. Theie was a great rush of spectators wheu tbe doors were opened. Mr. Hueton and Mr. Mack will speak for the de-* fense and Messrs. Taylor, Kelly and Shellon for the prosecution, in the order named. It is probable that the case will go to the jury to-morrow afternoon or evoniog

Another Sudden Turn.

At 4 l*. M. Mr. Mack, acting for llaais, made a proposition to Prosecutor Shelton that the prisoner was willing to take a life sentence in the penitentiary. I'

The agreement was stated to the court and jury by both Mr. Shelton and Mr. Mack amid a death-like silence. Manis kept perfect composure.,, Mr. Mack was tewtain. it would-end in conviction, and that life sentence was satisfactory to the prisoner.

Judge Scott recommended lo the jury that they accede to the request cf the counsel and sent the jury out, telling them, however, that they were the judges and could, in their discretion, inflict a life-sentence.

The jury were out but a few minutes They elected E. t\ Freuch foreman and then returned a verdict of life-aentence into court.

,*rj'-:lf'JQk*v

The prisoner stood up and sentence was passed on him by Judge Scott. The prisoner, handcuffed and between two ofheers. was removed from the room out through the ante-room.

Great throngs crowdod the sidewalk to see the prisoner. He bad his, overcoat thrown loosely about him. H.

Jasper Nelson was one of those who viewed him at the corner ol Third and Ohio. „,ir

From. Wednesdays Daily.

The preposition of Manis to plead guilty to the charge of murdering blind, feeble, old Mrs. Nelson if he was given a life sentence in the penitentiary, after all the evidence had been subuittcd in the case yesterday and arguments were about to be proceeded with, and the acceptance of the proposition by the prosecution and the sentence of the pri.-.oner, were all giv^n in the GAZETTE of yesterday, though the proceedings happened later than the usual press hour. When tbe prisoner was asked by the court if be had any statements to make before sentence was passed upon him, he replied, in substance, that he was not guilty of the crime charged against him, but that circumstances were against him and he could not do better. He thanked his counsel Mr. Mac*, for his able efforts in ^is behalf. and declared that

THE WHOLE TRUTH

would be known some day, and that he hoped to see the time when he would be a free man again. Judge Scott pronounced sentence in a voice that trembled and shqwed that he was affected by the scene. The prisoner was also overcome, though he tried hard to suppress his nervousness and keep cool. The suddenness of the proceedings for a while dazed the spectators The silence that prevailed was oppressive. The court room at the time was crowded almost qs full as it had been at any stage of the trial. The proposition to plead guilty first intimated by Mr. Mack to

frerers before accepting it. The prisoner realised the utter hopelessness cf his case and that

THE DEATH PENALTY

might be the sentence of the jury so that the proposition was really in the nature of an anticipation of the higher sentence. The crowd surged out on the sidewalk aB the prisoner was removed nut tbe back way in order to get a glimpse of him as he passed, a condemned murderer, on his way to jail. The case stands out a? one of the shrewdest pieces of detective work that the west has ever seen. At the time the unidentified bones of a human being were found in a dark, lonely spot across the river how many persons were there who then thought that in a tew short months a man would receive a life sentence in our county court for being her murderer? They were very few indeed. The clues the officers and detectives had to work on were at the start very irail and flimsey, and only the

SHREWDEST DETECTIVE WORK

revealed the coil of evidence that came so near choking to death the hypocritical, cowardly murderer of a woman seventy years old for her money. The credit of bringing the murderer to justice lies with Messrs. Vandever and Cleary, ot this county, and Marshal Coburn, ot Anderson, and the skillful management of the case in court by Prosecutor Shelton, so ably assisted by Mr. Taylor, Mr. Kclley and Mr. Kittenger, of Anderson. All of these gentlemen entered into the prosecution of the case with a vim and vigor scarcely before equalled and to their earnest, tfnited efforts the sentence of yesterday must be attributed. There was a time when the skeptics about here hooted at the idea of Manis being convicted, but it was not their privileged lot to know the chain of evidence that was being woven around him.- The greatest interest centers yet in

HOV AND WUBBE THE MURDER was committed. The circumstances are yet lacking. There is a well-founded belief that Manis was the only man in the crime. But even then, how he got her over to the lonely and remote spot where her bones were found is a question that the public would give almost any thing to ktiow. Where was she killed Did Manis drag her to the spot where he concealed her, a mile and a half from any railroad, and both strangers in the vicinity and knowing nothing of the locality? Did he kill her before he got tKtere? How did he get her across the river at all? All these questions are as dark, as mysterious and as'hidden as they were the first-day, and will remain as dark as ever unless Manis, from

HIS LIVING TOMB

in tbe Jeffersonville penitentiary, sheds the light upon them which he alone can. The theoiy that others were in it is not generally credited, nor does it, from the facts in the murder already brought out, look reasonable. Neither does it look reasonable that Manis, himself now a condemned felon, would screen other guilty parties and suffer alone and in silence for the crime in which others shared. There is about one chance in a hundred that he would, and that is about all. All the talk about the case only being just begun is the merest bauble and is apiece of sensationalism that is only too well understood.

MANIS WONT GIVE IT AWAY. Manis claims he is the victim of circumstances and that he is innocent. He refused yesterday to take the witness stand in his own behalf, when he had a chance aud when his life and liberty was in the balance, so that a cock-and-bull statement he made last night to the efect that the old woman gave him some of her money before leaving

IndianapoliB

for this city that Mrs. Nelson came on here and was met here at a hotel by three parties—two men and one woman—one of whom afterward killed her and who was a witness in the trial, and that he (Manis) didn't know anything about her death until he read it in the papers, is simply "STUFF" and is entitled to no consideration whatever, hardly the space that is here given up to refer to it. Manis has told so many lies now about the case that he would hardly be believed if he did implicate other parties and give their names. His capacity for lying is only equalled

his deep, subtle "hypocrisv

and his canny professions of piety. The opinion is, that being the only guilty party himself, he will never divulge the circumstances oi the crime. "U •I* -. wr.

WOULD THE JURY HAVE HUNG HIM?

That question is not hard to answer. They would not, but as one of the jurors said he would have "rubbed it close." Three or four are understood as being in lavor of inflicting the death penalty and the rest were for a life sentence, so that the ultimate conclusion is not hard to arrive at.

THE REWARD.

The Lronnenbergers reward of $500 will go to Coburn and Vandever. Mr. Mack's fee for defending the prisoner is allowed and paid by the court. Coburn and Kittenger returned home at 1 o'clock this morning. The case was on trial five days and will cost the coudty quite a handsome sum, wnich cannot be aggregated yet.

JASPER NELSON INDIGNANT. Jasper Nelson made the following statement this merning in regard to a publication in a morning paper that after the trial was over he carried his mother's skull down stairs under his arm and didn't seem to give it any more thought than if it was a ball of wood: "I haye stood enough abuse from this paper and I don't intend to stand anymore. Such a slur as that was entirely unnecessary and

1»$

unjustifiable. The skull was lying en the table up in the court room whm the case was finished and my uncle told Me to go back and get it afraid someone would make off with it. I got it, wrapped it up and carried it down with me, it is true, but as to my feelings or reverence nn that subject one can speak for me but myself, and I don't want to be talked about in that way any longer. I've had enough trouble lately, God only knows, without casting such a reflection on me as thai" Jasper further stated that his nncle Henry and himself were going to send back all the remains of his mother they could find and have them respectably in* terred at Anderson. He said he intend* ed to go to Danville, 111., this afternoon, where he bad a stock of goods.

TO LE TA.KBN AWAT TO-NIGHT.

At 1 o'clock to-night Sheriff Cleary and Deteetive Vandever will take Manis te hie future abode in the Jeffersonville penitentiary, where he will join Kendrick and the others who compose the noble army oi life convict* lrom this county.

MANIS TALKS.

The prisoner talked considerable te persons who were allowed to visit him this afternoon. To G. B. Vandever he said he got $505 of the money and that Mrs. Nelson's trunk never went beyond Indianapolis. He said in the presence of the deputy turnkey that Mrs. Nelson was alive when she crossed the river. Other statements made by him are unimportant He is very nervous this alternoon. He asked Vandever if he thought Jasper had anything to do with it, and when Vandever replied that ot course he hadn't Manie laughed knowingly. Vandever told Manis nobody had anything to do with it but himself.

Rev. C. P. Crofts was with the prisoner for a long time this afternoon and it was said that an effort would be made by him to get Manis to tell the truth about the murder. Mr. Crofts is a favorite with Manis and it is thought that if he gives anything away at all it will be to him.

At 4:15 P.M.Mr. Crofts came out of Manis cell. He staled that Manis wa» resigned to his fate and that he thought it was the will of God. He said Manis still insisted|that he was not the guilty party and that Manis said if he was going into eternity the next moment he would say he didn't strike the fatal blow. He still sticks to the two men and one woman theory.

Mr. Crofts said it was his opinion, however, that Manis did not tell all he knew about it.

[For previous proceedings see inside pages.]

A DOUBLE LYNCHING.

"""TP.

Williams and Gray, tbe Marderera of 0rrin Kurtz, Hanged by a Nob. RoeiTA.Cal., Jan. 30.—At2o'cloek thia morning a masked body of vigilantes, 1M strong, marched up te the jail where Frank Williams and John Gray, the mar* dersof Orrin Kurt a, the popular mine boss, were confined, prepared to demand the surrender of the men. Their arrival bad been anticipated, and the moment their leader had announced his purpoae at the outer door of the jail, the guards disappeared, leaving the institution at the mercy of the mob. The vigilantes went to work with the utmost dispatch and ia an instant had found the keys of the cells where Williams and Gray, as well as Wm. Trippe and a brother of Gray were locked up and commanded the men to step out. Gray's brother was turned over to the under sheriff, who had been scoured, with instructions to hold him for trial. Tbe other three, knowing what was in store for them, held back uutil their names had been called four times. Then Williams and Gray came out* begging piteously for mercy. Trippe, however, made a bold break for liberty. Before his captors knew what he was about he had turned a corner aud disappeared. Williams and Gray were ied forth with ropes around their necks. Within 150 feet ot the jail stood a vacant log cabin with projecting beams. This was the place of execution fixed upon by the vigilantes. Arrived at the cabin, Williams was drawn up and swung

lynchers quietly went-home. Later in the day Justice Wilson, who is acting coroner, held an inquest, the verdict be ing that Williams and Gray came t« their death by the

haLds

parties. The crime for which the men suffered was committed at Kyger's saloon on Sunday morning. At a dance at the Town Hall a week ago Kurtz was present among other friends. Williams and. Gray, who were known to be hard characters, were unwelcome visitors at the ball. Presently Williams left the ball, claiming he had been slighted by a certain lady. He returned an hour later with a large knife aad attempted to quarrel with Deputy Sheriff Schofield, who tried to quiet hin. Kurtz took a hand in the row, because he thought Williams had stabbed Schofield. lie knocked Williams down with a chair. This waa the origin of the difficulty which resulted in Kurtz's murder on Sunday morning.

In the attack on Kurtz in Kyger's saloon loon the attacking parties Williams, John Gray's brother and William Trippe. The actual murderer, however, was Williams. Mrs. Kurtz started with her husband's remains for Louisville, Ky., this morn? ing-

An Important Arreat.

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 30.—Anton Linsenmeirk was arrested here last night, charged with forging a large number of postofflce orders, amounting to several thousand marks while he was postaas.

frQm

was

one

end, while Gray dangled from the other. Williams kept up a ceaseless prayer for life, but Gray died bravely. The moment life

pronounced extinct the

'1A*

of unknown