The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-05-09
.ioned as fellows

Total, 2,571 q
There being no further business, or
motion, the Committee adjourned.
W. T. SINCLAIR, Chairman.
A. MYER, Secretary.
Trial of George Wilbur Charged
With the Murder of William John.
stOn, Jr.
This case came up in Court for trial on
Friday, the 9th inst. Wegive synopsis
of the proceedings:
Indictment, Murderi in the second de-
gree.
The following jury was empanneled :,
JOHN GILLESPIE, HENRY ULTscHY, j JAME.
COOPER, ALEX. BUCHANAN, JOHN CLEGG
JR., j. I. CULvERHoUsE,A ANDREW MORRIS
ANDREW MYERS, THOMAS A. WAY, WEST
LY BISHOP, HARVEY I. MITCHELL and
PHILIP RoDEcKER.
The counsel for the prosecution and de
fense were:
State-J. P. SPR1Ges, Prosecuting At
torney, assisted by j. R. MORRIS, Esq.
Defense-HUNrER & HUNTER and JERE
WILLIAMS, Esqs.
j. P. SrKIGGs, Prose cutting Attorney
opened the case by reading the indict
ment, and making statement of the evi
dence the State would offer.
WIN. f. HUNTER, Jr., on the part of the
defense, addressed the jury briefly, stating
that the defense was that the killing, il
proven, was purely az act of self-defense
SILAs TRUEx-By the State-Was
present when the difficulty occurred be
tween Wilbur and Johnston; on Friday
morning, between l and 2 o'clock heard Q
noise and went down to Grimshaw's cor
Fner; after going down further found
Johnston and Wilbur; some one asked
who informed the officers; Wilbur step
ped out one step from the fence and re
piled, II informed them," when j ohnstor
struck him, followed him up, when re
volver went off, both fell, Johnston upor
Wilbur; then one of the Barker's was
standing over them, and at this time the
second shot was fired.
/ Here the Prosecuting Attorney re-
quested the Court to order the Jury, in
charge of an officer, to examine the place
where the killing took place and have The
positions of the different parties pointed
out to them by the witness.
The Court so ordered.
& Wilbur fired both shots from the pis
toll; did not see the pistol before the fir
ing; saw it when the firing commenced
very short time after Johnston struck hin
until he fired; had time to draw the pis
tol; from where the first shot was fired tt
the place the second was fired Wilbur wa
backing out and Johnston was following
him; the fight ended when the secon(
shot was fred went down there with Will
bur; occurred in this county; don't know
what became of the revolver.
Defense-Saw Johuston strike two
blows cam tsay that Wilbur struck Viii
bur was going back all the time j Johnstol
following him up striking at him; wer'
other persons there; FIVE or six They wer,
standing there and swore they would no
leave there; Johnston had his coat off
they were swearing the officers could no
take them, and would not leave until they
got ready very loud talking ;had all beer
drinking; Johnston, Geo. Barker, Noal
Barker, Anthony Reisser and H. Christy
first heard the noise; was on Jones' cor
ner in the public square; walked to th'
crossing at DORIS; from there to Grim
shaw's corner; they had flag planted
and swore they would die defending it
met Wilbur near Deiters; we came up tt
the Jail and called Mr.. Little up and Mr.
Hall and we went down where these mel
were; they were told to keep quiet;
they would not they would be arrested
wanted to know who informed that the,
were there then Wilbur said he informed
and Johnston struck him; good man,
stones about there; several of the me-
had stones in their hands; could not sa
whether the first shot took. effect; it wa
( fired rather down; Johnston did not stoE
but kept on; he threw Wilbur down; Nc
ah Barker was near, on one side, with on
hand down towards Wilbur and the othe
hand raised; had something in his hand
he said kill the d. s. Of b-h; wa
about the time or little before the Las
shot was fired.
By the State-There was tussel b
Wilbur and Barker for possession of tn
revolver after the second shot was fired
Barker got hold of the revolver, after til
second shot was fired, and raised Wilbu
to his feet, when he ran; could not sa
that Johnston staggered; they were nj
informed that Wilbur was acting in ii
capacity of an officer.
JOHN READ-By the Stafe-Wel
o down to Grimshaw's corner with Little
:, Noah Barker said he supposed the Of
n GERS came down to take him; Little to-
k him they did not want to take him, b
wanted them to keep quiet; Christy askt
who informed, Wilbur stepped out ar
said he was the man; Johnston stru(
him; Wilbur was almost down when |
g fired the first shot; then Noah Bark
It rushed towards him; saw Wilbur have
l. revolver near Grimshaw's corner.
q By the Defense-Met Wilbur ne,
Grimshaw's corner; next saw him ne;
DORIS; he was with Little, Truck ar
o Hall all went down; first saw Wilbur 9
d the West side of Main street; tue crow
was down towards the mouth of the q