Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-10-18
LOCAL NEWS.
The Outrage on Little Octavie Rousseau

The Outrage on Little Octavie Rousseau.
TRIAL OF LUsBY.
CRIMINAL COURT, Judge Wylie.-The trial
of John +. Lusby, indicted for the murder of
Octavia Rousseau, aged six years, in Noyem-
Der last, was resumed this morning, when the
evidence for the defence, commenced yester-
day, was continued by calling
DR. Edpdrd Curtis, who being sworn. testified
that he is an assistant surgeon in the army on
duty in the Surgeon Generals Office. Witness
recollects that he, with DR.. Erni and Assistant
Surgeon Woodward, made an examination of
stains on clothing. DR.. Woodward is not at
present in the city. Witness read the report
made by Dr. Erni, and said it contained a cor
rect report of the analysis. 1t was tolerably
well established that one of the stains on the
shirt was blood: There was no appearance Of
semen either on shirt or coat. The microscope
magnified over nine thousand times. The test
was that usually applied. The examination
had negative result; what was looked after
not being found Witness was unable to say
whether the blood was human or that of a
higher order of animals. --r- .-r
Charles Watkins, sworn.-Witness resides on
railroad track by the depot, and knows Wesley Y
Taylor Witness recolleets on ThaRksgi wing
day they were carrying q column to the Capt.
tol, and between five and sax O'Clock had got il
near the horse railroad Witness recollects that
about the time mentioned he saw man wear
ing soldiers clothes, SLOUGH hat and blue
oyercoat withsa cape came up the street. The
past when they were at work sa. on the Stone
at the corner. Witness saw the man sitting
there when he left at six O'clock 1t was after
pearance. Witness was working at the time in
the middle of the street, and the man was on
the pavement merely saw his face, but did not
take particular observation of his face; he had
his coat collar turned up; could not say that
he had beard or moustache. A remark was
made by Taylor which caused witness to look
at the man. Witness was before the grand
jury on this case. At the time he saw the man
there little girl was playing around. Lusby
was here brought before the witness, and the
latter said he could not say that he was the
hs xxyaS +ho
man.
Cross-examined:-The lights were lit when
witness stopped work. The little girl was
playing about MI Donaldson's door.
clothes.
George Henry Boswell sworn-Witpess re-
sided on M street, between Sd and ith streets
and is boiler maker; has known the prisoner
for about five years, and before his arrest saw
him every day in the same shop in the yard
witness saw the prisoner last THANKSGIVING
Day on G street south. crossing 9Th. towards
his house on 5th street apparently. Witness
could not tell the exact time, but ii was between
sundown and dark. Lnsby was tight at the
time, and witness would call him a drunken
man. He had on glazed cap and a soldiers
blue oyercoat. Witness never saw the prisoner
without a beard, and that was in the same
style as now. The work in which the prisoner
ana witness was engaged is black and dirty
and sometimes Oil was used about it, The ac-
cused was in the three months service and
with this exception he had worked in the yard
for several years.
Cross examined:-Witness had been drink
ing THANKSGIVING day, and was lively, but not
drunk, but the prisoner was staggering
BY the Observation-Disclosures did NOT sneak 10
Lusby because he was drunk.
BY the observation-disclosures and prisoner
were working on guuboat when they used
Oil. Usually left their overcoats at the shop.
the work.
BY the Defence:-Some took their overcoats
on the boats. In working on old boilers there
was old ashes, sc. .'0..s#.
Mrs. Ann Ellis sworn.-Witness knows the
prisoner, who is her son in law. and is the
mother OF Mrs. Rowland. Has known the
prisoner from boyhood. The accused has been
married about six years, and has a wife and
one child. The accused lived in the same
house as witness for two years and over after
he was first married.
Mr.. Bradley offered to prove that the prison.
er is subject to bleeding at the nose.
Mr.. Phillips objected, as 1t was irrelevant
Mr.. Bradley argued that the case was one of
circumstantial evidence, and was perfectly
proper for the defence to prove anything teud-
be Snrt 4n;dn5 %nat they called blood
Bile, and the counsel took exceptions.
Mr.. Bradley asked if he was not subject to
occurrence; and ii was decided as the pre- yious
one, exception also being taken to the ruling Of
the Court.
Witness left Lusby's house in January pre-.
vlous. Witness did not see the accused for
about one week before and after the occurrence
He wore a beard then as now
Mr. Bradley offered to prove that Mrs How
land stated to the witness that she hated the
very ground he walked upon.
The offer was oyerruled
Thomas Donohue sworn.-Witness lives on q
street, between 5th and 9th, Navy Yard, near
where Lusby lived. Has known the prisoner
about five years. but not to speak TO him. The
prisoners yard joined the yard Of witness
mother Witness is now under arrest and con-
lined in jail. Has not been tried or had any
notice of his indictment. Is charged with bur-
eiary. Witness saw the accused on Thanks
giving day a little after sundown. and saw
Lusby In his own yard, in his shirt sleeves and
stocking feet hat his wood shed door, and 20
over towards the priyy and return to the house
Witness recollects the day because friend was
there, and remark was made at the time
Lusby was intoxicated at the time - -
Gross Recommendations has been in ,a,l
two weeks last Tuesday Has not bean nre
viously examined In this case Was at home
in December last, near Mr.. Lusby's. Witness
was arrested last Sunday two weeks and was |
aportion OF the time confined in the same cell
WIN the prisoner-about q week, and Is in the
same cell now. Witness told Mr.. Burgess about
a week since that he saw Lusby on Thanks.
giving day. Burgess is a prisoner. Did not
aIk 70 Lusby; don't speak to him. The young
man with witness on Thanksgiving day was
John Collins. who is now soldier. Saw him
about I'VE months ago, in a restaurant on ath
street The fenoe between the yards is small
paling fence, about four feet pailings Wituess.
was speaking about a dog at the time Thinks
1t about O'ciOck Witness bna-