The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-05-03
THE BUR GIL - az.
THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATiON
OF LEONARD.
HE IS HELD OVER TO ANswER.


John Leonard, who was arrested on
suspicion of being concerned in the
robbery of Keller's gun store, took
place on Saturday before Recorder
Willard. A large crowd was in at
tendance. and much interest was man
ifested. The examination began at 2
o'clock P NJ, Captain FL. Clay Good
ing conducting the prosecution. Many
witnesses were examined, and some
important testimony was elected.
The following witnesses testified:
FOR THE PROSECUTIONS
Mr.. Charles Keller swore that his store
had been robbed during Thur day night,
and that he had lost a number of revolt
vers razors, knives, &c, and that he had
knives in his showcase similar to the one
Edwin Mil, which had been given to
him by John Leonard; and that he be-
lieved defendant Ia be one OF the persons
who robbed him. He also said part OF 5he
goods had been discovered In Altering q
Bromm e. hauS's Stable.
Edwin Mills testified that e knew Leon
ard had talked TO him on Thursday; he
said that Leonard wanted him to go into
meat shop and help him rob the drawer.
He also stated that Leonard wanted him
to 90 with hfaa on Thursday night, saying
that he was going to get into some place,
and wanted him tMills) to watch Tor him,
so as 10 let him know If any one was COM
ing During Thursday Leonard came 70
him and wanted him to take care of q
knife and tobacco pouch, which he said he
had stolen. Witness sail he refused to
take them, but that afterward, when the
Sheriff was after Leonard. he came to him
again, and insisted on his taking the
knife and tobacco pouch, which he did.
He lett Leonard down town about eight
O'Clock Thursday night
Frank Pritchett was cal ed, and swore
that Edwin Mills found a dime, and that
Leonard and Mills had gone into Nc
Cutchan's store, on Main Street, and
bought some peanuts and cakes, and when
they came out Leonard said: There goes
another pistol for peanuts" and There
goes another knife for cakes" Witness
stated that when Sheriff Miller appeared,
Mills and Leonard ran back in the alley.
Gus. Kunkel was called, and testified in
substance the same as Frank Pritchett.
He ais said that they were all standing Ia
front of Keller'S gun store on Friday, and
on noticing big pistol in Mr.. Keller
windo w, Edwin Mills said he wondert d
why the burglars old not take that, too.
Leonard spoke mp and said: +" By God, If /
mad seen II, i would"
Captain Cochran was called, and pro-
duced a new knife. which he said he had
got from Edwin Mills. which Mills swore
had been given him by Leonard, and
which Mr.. Keller testified was like some
OF the knives he had lost
Madison Meyers testified to the same as
KunkeI and Pritcheit, and in addition
SHlu LnhL Wn1AC III AC1uiCUau SLOIo 1nllis
and Leonard went into the corner, and
that Leonard gave Mills sOmethtug, at
which time Mills asked, " Is It loaded p
a pistol in his pocket.
Sheriff Jacob Il. Miller testified that he
bad arrested John Leonard, who actet
very suspiciousiy, and tried TO get away
when he saw him coming.
! seth Priichetl testified to Leonard giving
the knife to Mills, and that he had aided
| in Leonard arrest.
Marshal Hayhurst was sworn. and testf-
| fled that he had been with Leonard part
OF Thursday evening, and thai he left him
about a quarter after o'clock.
Edwin Mi Is was recalled, and stated thai
Leonard had told him that he and Hay
and that they would have an easy
| thing" and wanted him to go along and
keep watch for them.
The prosecution rested here, and
Leonard said that he wanted to send
for some witnesses to prove that he
was at home all of Thursday night
and also that the knife which he had
given Mills had been in his posses
sion for some time. Subpenas were
made out, and the Recorder adjourn
ed the court until seven o'clock in
the evening.
At the time named for the con.
tinuation in the evening, another big
crowd was in attendance, and on order
being called, the following witnesses
were examined
FOR THE DEFENSE.
Maria Leonard, his sister, testified thai
| John Leonsrd was at home to supper; tina
/ he afterwards went down town, and re
turned at nine O'Clock precisely; that he
/ had got up to go to the fire and returned
/ in short time and went to bed.
George Maghee, his brother in-law, swOrE
| that Leonard was at nome to supper; that
/ he remained in tbs house during the even
| ing, and did not go out again, and that he
/ went TO bed about nine O'Clock that
/ Leonard and he went TO the fire together
| and returned In about twenty minutes
| and went to bed. He swore very posi-
| lively that Leonard did not leave the
| house alter supper.
that John was at supper; did not know
| whether he went ont after supper not
| knew he went to bed about min O'Clock
| that he went to the fire and returned. He
| also said he and John slept in the sans
| room, but that, as he wa sound eeper
/ John could have got up and gone OUT
| without his knowing it.
John Watson, Marshall Hayhurst. and
/ George Snip testified in regard to tue
| knife. They said they had seen the knife
in the possession of Leonard a week o.
two before the robbery.
The defense rested here, and Capt
Gooding summed up the case, calling
particular attention to the conflicting
testimony of Leonard's relatives.
The Recorder then said that the
evidence was so conflicting that he
felt it his duty to hold Leonard over
to appear at the Common Pleas
Court, and fixed his bail at $500.
On the way to Jail, after the exam
ination, Leonard said he had no
committed the robbery at Keller's
but stated that he had stolen a lot o
books from Cochran's store, and toll,
where they could be found. TIL
officers went down and searched hi
sisters house, and found lot o
books, albums. &c., and also got som
hair oil, albums, &C., from tn
bagnios Of Jane Coulter and Molli
Manning. which Leonard had lef
there. Other valuable information
was elected, and further develop
meuts will be made shortly.
| We have given the facts in this ex
animation, but make no comments Of
the case. We leave our readers t
form their own opinions, and expec
to be able to give more particulars i
to-morrow's issue.