Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-10-14
rsyCIRoU1r CoUar. -BEgoRB JUDaE CA1p-

UgLL-TRIAL OF JAMES COLLINS FOB THE
MURDER OF JOHN W. LEwIs.-A jury COM
posed exclusively of gentlemen from the
country was empannelled. To the indtct-
ment charging him with the murder of
Lewis the prisoner plead not guilty.
Judge Kennon, of st. Clairsville, Col.
Ben. Wilson, of Clarksburg, and N. Rich
ardsou, Esq, appeared for the prisoner,
and Major Flesher and Attorney General
Caldwell appeared for the State.
Mr.. Richardsoa opened the case for the
defense and Major Flesher for the prose-
cution.
The witnesses were separated and one
was not permitted to hear the other.
Elijah Day, coroner, was the first wit.
ness called. he testified that be was sent
for, to go to Eas Wheeling on the 2nd day
of May, 1868 found Lewis dead he had
been killed by bullet, which entered his
breast aud came out near the shoulder
blade of the right shoulder; the chest of
the body was full of blood, which flowed
freely from the wound when the body was
moved; the body was found on Zane street,
not far from the East Wheeling bridges;
it was rather late in the afternoon when
the inquest was held upon the body.
John Doyle testified that he resides in
East Wheeling, on Zane street; was ac-
uuainted with John w. Lewis for several
weeks before his death. On the said day
John Purcell, Lewis and witness were
coming out of the witnesses house, when,
Collins passed by driving COW; the COW
was little refractory, and Collins drew
up as if to shoot the animal; witness told
Collins if he shot the COW he ought to
shoot her in the toe.nails; Collins then drew
up his gun aud said you black abolition
son of a bitch I'll shoot you if you say
another word; witness said all right Cap
tain, we'll talk about that another day;
Collins said, sob yes, you black abolition
s-n of b-h, you want to do all the
talking and other people to do the fighting;
witness told Collins he didn't want any
more of bis slack; Lewis then stepped out
and said, ''Doyle is no black s-n of
b-h;" Collins then said you are another
black s-n of a b-h and If you come an
ether yard I'll shoot you;" Lewis said ''Oh
guess you won't shoot, am not afraid of
your gum" Lewis then raised his foot to
90 towards Mr.. Hogg's house, and before
he could set his foot down Collins raised
his gun and shot him; Collins then loaded
ms uII- aIIL-sSeo.psl,p .,sI,l 0l.s,ot th0 next
black s-n Of b-h he met; Lewis never
spoke word; he opened his mouth once
or twice only, but coulf not speak; Lewis
could not have gone to Mr.. Hogg's house
without going towards Collins. as ,HOgg
lived on the opposite side of the bridge;
Collins never moved from where he stood
when he shot Lewis until he deliberately
loaded his gun again; some woman cried
shame at him for shooting au Innocent
man, when he replied that he would shoot
the next id black abolitionist he met.
Cross Examination. Witness did not jeer
at Collins for carrying a musket; never
called Collins a liar the cross examination
was quite lengthy, during which the wit
ness displayed q good deal of native Irish
wit; he refused to give his opinions as TO
distances and time, and said he wished he
was woman for then he could get chair
to sit down upon I; being offered q chair he
declined to accept it. ~
Colonel N. Wilkinson, who was sum-.
moned on the part of the defense, being
anxious to leave the city, was permitted by
the Court TO testify as to the character of
the prisoner. He testified to the general
good character of the prisoner.
Clarissa Cruddis testified that she wit
messed the shooting of Lewis, and proceed
ed to corroborate almost word for word the
testimony of Doyle; Lewis did not appear
10 be a bit angry he was smiling all the
time and he was smiling when he was
dead; Collins reloaded his gun and saying
he would shoot the next black abolition
s-u of abb he met, walked over the
bridge.
Mrs. Mary Lowder testified that she saw
Collins shoot Lewis but could not hear
much of what passed between the parties !
witness lived on Zane street; didn't know
whether Zane street was in Ohio county or
not; saw Collins reload his gun and walk
away across the bridge.
Rachel Bier, q German woman who spoke
English very indiferentiy, saw Collins
shoot Lewis and saw him reload his gun,
but did not hear the conversation between
him and Lewis OF between him and Doyle.
Catharine Ruth resides near the Zane
street bridge; she heard the fuss in the
street, looked out and heard Lewis cureing
and damning the black abolitionists he
then went aud shot Lewis; he then loaded
his gun "and say he shoot the next .aboli-
Zionist if he ketch 'em, .~s5.t- q
Miss Allen was passing along Zane street
and heard the alteration between Collins
and Lewis heard Collins say that he
would shoot Lewis; the latterlsaid 1t Col.
Inns would lay down his gun and wanted
to fight, he Lewis would fight him Col-
ilins then raised the gun to hisefac and
fired; Lewis stood still until the smoke
cleared away and then he fell ~ 4
Hugh Wilson knew nothing of the shoot.
ing; he was notifie that a man who had
shot another was going by; witness follow
ed the man Collins 10 the Crescent Mill;
took hold of the gun and attempted 70 take
it away from Collins, who resisted, VIM.
q. Smith then came up and presented anf
other gun at Collins, aud ordered him to
let go the gun; he did 50 aud then wit
ness knocked him down Coilihs said he
knew that he had shot q man aud said he
would go Wtthr4itness he acted rational
enough and did not appear TO be drunk
witness was shown a gun which he reeog-
nized as the one he had taken from Col
Inns: the milit were alt under arms at TIT