Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-23
Trial of Lewis French for the Murder Of
WrFIFfaua ing.

/ This case, which was disposed OF during
the present term Of Court by the acquittal Of
the accused was, not only in the details of
the evidence, but in the manner in which it
was developed, one of unusual interest.
King, negro, was killed year sgO, on
the evening of November q, 1862, and the
case continued on the application of the de-
fsndant to enable him to procure the tesi-
mOry Of a woman whom he alleged to have
been present at the time the fatal blow was
struck. The State claimed that King was
EsntonIy murdered in the absence Of Witnett-
es. French admitted the killing, but claim
ed that he was set upon BY King in Kinsman
street, just above Eagle, in furious manner
and did the deed in self defense.
King was found lying on the open ground
in front of the Butcher Exchange, dying,
and never spoke after being discovered.
French left the city Saturday night, re-
turned Saturday night, and gave himself up
the next day.
We append an abstract of the evidence in
tAe case, giving tho facts ELECTED for the
State and for the defence.
William Potts testifsd that about nine
that evening French entered his saloon on
Miami street, frightened, breathless and al
most speechless, and chased by King, that on
Kings appearance French ran away
again, that he saw King was bleeding and
sent him off to go to a surgron.
Mrs. Clemens testimony showed that
French entered Lees saloon, on the corner
of BoliTer and Miami, dozen rods below
Potts, about nine O'Clock. He bore knife
in his right hand and concealed it in his
sleeve. Talked with Lee, and went out the
back way. Lee is now in the army.
B. White testified that, meeting French
being taken TO Jail, he asked him how the
thing happened, aud that French told him
that, while on his way down Kinsman street
that evening, he was approached by the de-
ceased, who said TO him Where are you
going, you I'D son of a b-h," and
struck him blow lathe face, bruising his
lip, which bore the mark, and that he then
struck K. with his knife.
Sherif..C added that French said that
after tne blow they ciinehed, and, King be-
ing too heavy for him, he cut him.
Dr.. Mayer described the wound, and ssid
that it wonld cause death in from i've to IF
teen minutes. There was no other mark on
the body.
Tee principal witness for the defense wes
Miss Anna Farley, an interesting girl Of
twenty, the woman who saw the struggle. It
appears that she was a dress maker from
MentVille who had lived in the city two
years, and was stopping at Mr.. Warmers on
Kinsman street, above Perry. On the night
in question, she was going home from place
where she had been for work, and when 60
ing up Kinsman a man preceded her a few
eLs
out: " Is tina: you, you dirty son Of a
b-h." On the other asking if he
meant him, he repeated the language, and
struck the other, and a struggle ensued.
Witness was frightened, tried TO cross the
street, was prevented by railing, and was
passing by the combatsnts when the man
who came down the street, who Uas borne
back against the fence, broke loose and run
rapidly down street, followed by the other
The night was dark and she didn't know
either of the men. She told Mr.. and Mrs.
Warner, but didn't hear of the murder as
W. didn't take the papers.
The witness was able to fK the date from
the fact that on reaching Warmers she
found that younger sister had left town,
and wrote to her the next Tuesday, recalling
her to the city. The letter had been regain
ed and was produced in court, 1t bore date
November 25th, 1882. She had never
seen the defendant or his father until the
trial. Mr.. Riddle had called on her week
before to find out what she knew.
The witness was examined at great length
By Mr.. Palmer and sustained herself adni-
rsbly, making an excellent impression on
the court and jury.
Asher Warmers testimony eorroborated
Miss Farley's as to-the sisters boarding at his
house, The date Of the younger sisters leav-
ing, which his diary showed to be November
21d, and ss to her having mentioned the
fight. He had never heard of the murder
until last spring, when he heard NJ. S.Castle,
Esq, read French's affidavit for continuance.
AfterWard Miss Farley spoke again Of the
fight, saying that she dared not hire room
in that locality, Of which they were speaking,
and telling him the circumstances OF the
fight. The coincidence struck him and he
spoke Of it to Miss F.
Mrs. Warner confirmed the preceding tss-
timOny.
a number Of witnesses swore that before
Saturday his lip was without mark but that
after Saturday it was badly swollen.
1t appeared that he was rather quiet and
yielding man, while the negro was power
ful and qusrrelsome fellow. The young man
is only about twenty and appeared well dur
ing the trial.
Mr.. Palmer argued the case for the State,
Messrs. Riddle and Castle for the defense, to
the jury. We had not the pleasure of hear
ing Mr.. Palmer but the speeches of the gen
tlemen for the defense were most admirable.
Mr.. Riddles effort did full Justice to his wide
reputation as criminal lawyer. The charge
of Judge COfinbery is spoken of as one Of
great clearness and ability. The Jury, after
an absence of fifteen minutes, returned YER
Iink nR nat ,.riItu