The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-07-16
THE MARSElllES ARSON CASE.
END OF THE TRIAL.
VERDICT OF mot GUILTY

OnySatufoay morning J. '. Henry, OF New
Brunswick, N. J., was called for the defence.
He was present at Chicago, where a converse.
ton occurred between Howell and Arthur
c. Allen. Howell didn't weep; didn't say
he couldn't get his insurance, and now had to
fight to keep out Of the walls of the penitentiary
Howell was at New Brunswick on the 9th Of
September. The Foster letter was shown
witness, who swears he knows Howells hand.
writing; and don't think Howell wrote it
doesn't look anything like it. He identified the
Shaw letter as being Howells writing. On cross.
examination, said he was out here on the first of
January; was at Marseilles on visit to Mr.
Towel, an old friend came to see the country.
Had no interest in Howelrs affairs, except as a
friend, and never had anything to do with this
suit. Did not hear Zigler's testimony-or maybe
did hear q portion of it. Did not hear Frank
Ziglers testimony. Heard Frank Zigler's con.
versation at the Beckwith House, in Marseilles,
and did not hear Howell ask Frank about affida.
Wit. l haven't been here giving Howell sssis.
tsnce in this case am not lawyer did not tell
Ziglsr to go away. Did take Zielers affidavit
in N. j.; but did not write it. Zigler pulled
the affidavit out of his pocket already written,
and said he wished to swear to it. read it twice
to him when he subscribed and swore to it.
would never suppose this Foster letter to have
been written by Howell.
VIM. Amin, of New Brunswick. called Have
been in business since 1S45 until recently, in
New Brunswick. Know Howell went with him
into the country from Marseilles, to see farms
offered for sale. We had friend in New Jersey
who wanted to buy y stock farm. We looked at
Smiths. should think Howell had never been
to Smiths before, we lost the way and went
past the house. Smith was absent Howell left
. card there.
Tuesday morning the 18th day of the trial,
there was large attendance in court, owing to
the fact, generally understood, that the defence
would introduce undeniable testimony that
George Beattie was mistaken in swearing that
Howell went with him to Chicago on the Sd day
of September.
Cornelius Ten Eycke, Howell's partner, swore
He addressed letter to Howell at Marseilles,
dated the Both of August, asking Howell to come
to Chicago and assist the firm in getting funds
to pay the rent Of the building that they were
occupying as their salesroom in Chicago, and
that Howell came to Chicago and was there on
that day, and paid the rent; and his check and
letter, in response to Ten Eycke's letter was in.
troduced in evidence, and the date found TO cor.
respond with the witness testimony, and support
the theory of the defence Mr. Beatue swore
that he went to Chicago on the Sd of September
with Mr.. Howell, the accused and that Joshua
Norton WAS on that train with them, and they
conversed together. Mr.. Norton was called ,hi,
morning, and swore positively that he did not
90 TO Chicago on that day: that tina. was the
day on which he paid his men, he being paper
manufacturer and his books sustained his recol.
lection. This closed the testimony.
Charles Blanchard, tho prosecuting attorney OF
this district, then addressed the Jury in very
able speech which occupied the attention OF the
court and large audience during the entire day.
He closely anslyzed all the testimony offered,
and in powerful manner spread all the facts
clearly before the jury As more than 60 wit
nesses had been examined. and the testimony, as
written out by Geo. Buckley, the official reporter
presented such voluminous mass Of matter l,
seemed impossible tor any one man to retain the
entire chain of evidence in his mind. but Mr.
Blanchard comprehen.ively grasped the entire
subject, and IN q forcible manner presented the
theory OF the prosecution.
On Wednesday, thirteenth day of the trial.
there WAS larg. attendance of people, who came
to hear Geo. ". Stipp, Of Princeton. who has
high reputation as speaker. He made the open.
ing speech for the defense, commencing at 9
o'clock this morning, and concluded at half.past
IL. His speech was characterized by the keen.
est logic, the most bitter sarcasm, finest flights
of eloquence, and the broades. burlesque that
could be imagined. During the entire time the
largo audience present was kept in uproarious
laughter or carried away by his quaint eloquence,
and gave to him their unwavering attention.
This afternoon H. X. Boyle a rising Young attor.
ney Of this city, made an able speech in behalf
Of the prosecution. His speech has elected much
public commentator, and starts him fairly on
an honorable legal career The testimony in
evidence has developed this fact: That it is
either master fiction worked up against Mr..
Howell by the insurance companies, in the su.
borning of witnesses, or it is deep-aid plan Of
crime on the part Of the defendant to wrong them
out of the insurance. So Mr.. Boyle was assigned
the srduous duty of working up the case. How
we'll he performed that duty will be determined
when the jury shall have rendered their verdict,
which will either send forth from the courtroom
the defendant disgraccd, impoverished convict,
to home at Joliet, free, honored, and useful
citizen.
On Thursday morning very large audience
was again present The interest in the case CIV.
ing to the immense amount of property involved,
and the character and wealth of the accused, at.
traoted larger audience than on any previous
day besides it was known that julius Avery,
Esq, an attorney who has been identified with
this case for the defence since it was instituted,
and who bears, in our community and abroad a