New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-29

cutting Witness-Pr0bable Acqulftai Of
- the Accused. .g5s - sa17.a
LONDON, Madison County, Ohio, August
24.-The first witness, John Holmes, of
South Charleston, "a school teacher, said be
boarded at Buffenbarger's house. On two
occasions he saw Mr.. Colburn. Colburn
and Buffenbarger seemed intimate and con-
yersed freely on the subject of the war.
Witness argued with Colburn regarding the
war holly. Their opinions differed. He re-
garded Colburn as a gentleman, and saw
nothing to change his opinion. At the con-
clusion of his evidence, witness shook hands
warmly with Mr.. and Mrs. Colburn. "a.
Bill Jones, an old farmer and personal
friend of Mr.. Buffenbafgef said he saw
Colburn at the house twice. He Thought
he saw him there the third time at the
dusk of the evening going around the sta
BILE, this being about three months before
Buhenbarger's death. Colburn and Buffen-
barger seemed good friends. Bufenbarger
was strong war Democrat, and gave
$1,000 to the county ward fund. Witness
would not swear positively that the man he
saw was IColburn. Three or four years be-
fore Buffenbargers death he had sold him six
hundred and eighty-two acres ofland. Mrs.
Buffenbarger suggested to witness that he
should use his influence to have the land
decided to her. He said "Ann has been a
good woman to me, and / think it is my
duty"
Henry w. Smith, while visiting the Buff
fenbarger farm, saw Colburn there. But
fenbarger didn't seem anyways dissatisfied
Gideon Peck testified that Buffenbarger
used to say he had misery in his stomach.
Alfred Stroupe, brother-in-law of Maley
Thompson, swore he used to visit the resi-
dence of Mrs. Colburn's father to see the
girls. On one occasion Mrs. Colburn asked
him what he thought of old Buff. He said
he was pretty good old fellow. She said
if she wanted him she could get him. She
then asked him how long the old man would
live. He replied probably ten years. She
replied ..that's the devil of it." Witness,
in reply to questions on being cross-exam-
ined, singularly was forgetful in regard to
dates, places and persons, relating TO the
alleged conversation sworn to on his direct
examination
Mrs. Ella Haines said she had been en-
ployed on the farm to make black silk
dress, which was not trimmed like mourn
ing. At her cross-examination she said the
dress was trimmed with black lace, not
Grape. It was not cut like a mourning
dress. Z, 49,
Mr. Chapman, the counsel for the prose-
cution called the attention of the court to
an application to Judge Rankin, pre-
yiousfy made, that the body be re-exhumed
and an analytical xamination-chemical
analysis-be made SO as to determine the
presence of arsenic in the tissues and
solids of other organs, so that it might be
definitely ascertained whether poison was
administered prior to, or inserted after
death. This, he contended, was due to his
interest, the interest of public Justice and
the relatives of Mr.. Buffenbarger.
Judge Harrison inquired whether all the
witnesses for the prosecution had been ex-
amined. The prosecution replied they had
not, but that this was the proper time to
renew the metion, and asked the court to
pass upon it.
Colonel McCloud, the prosecutor, sug-
gested that as the examination would in
volye large expense, and as none OF the
relatives of Buffenbarger signifed their
willingness to pay for it, he felt bound to
suggest that the county authorities should
be communicated with. Ii the commits
sioners would consent to defray the expense,
well and good, but he had no authority to
say the expenses would be paid by any
other person. Buffenbargeri during his
lifetime, had paid large amodnt of taxes,
and he thought the county could afford to
paw for the cutting up of his body.
The court decided that all the evidence
could be submitted for prosecution before
motion would be passed ON. The court then
adjourned till this afternoon. =
Upon the reassembling of the court, after
ulnntr, tne rSdi posilion VI lno prosecution
became apparent.
Judge Rankin arose and renewed his
motion for the re-examination of the body
of the deceased Buffenbarger. The case
was met by the defense, who argued that
the evidence had not yet proved anything
against Mrs. Colburn, and that, while they
courted the fullest investigation of these
charges, they did not think it proper that
this examination should be gone into, when
y, ii N he ha
ton that anything would be developed.
The court overruled the request of coun-
sci for the second exhumation of the body
for anatomical examination and chemical
analysis. ea a-slg
Mr.. Harrison then moved to have the
prisoner discharged
Mr.. Rankin said the motion was improper
and irregular, and if entertained by. the
court he must leave the argument of the
facts and testimony it involved to his col
leagues. Mr.. Rankin then Ietired.
Mr.. Chapman then requested time to pre-
pare his argument and to consult with his
associate until eight o'clock tomorrow,
winch request was granted, and the court
adjourned until the hour indicated.
The conclusion is inevitable, as wonderful
ana starulng as 1T may seem, that the whole
charge is an unparalleled piece of villainy
throughout. from mercenary motives and
feelings of revenge. Mrs. Colburn will
doubtless be discharged tomorrow and there
Is not the slightest expectation of any other |
result.
DR.. Vandeventer. the prosecuting Wit
ness, disappeared yesterday, and has not |
been heard from since, and no one knows |
where he isA
Mr.. and Mrs. Colburn were congratulated |
warmly upon the adjournment of the court |
to-day, by many ladies and gentlemen.
The case, in its bearings, is one of the |