Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-05-03
THE DUNcAs MURDER TRIAL
osnvietien 81 The Prisoner.

The principal business Of interest Oc
fore the District Court ct the presen
term, was the trial Of John r. Duncan
for the murder Of Edward, Kennedy, q
Hopkinton, Delaware county, in January
1871, the case being brought here ON
change OF venue. The circumstances O.
the murder, a. published at the time
arc theas:
Med" Kennedy, = good natured and
benevolent old bachelor, lived alone on
his farm about ~ miles west Of Hop
kinton. Being missed for several days
his neighbors became anxious about him
and commenced search, finally break
ing into his honsc, which was closed
There Kennedy was found dead, and
tumbled into his cellar, with mortal
cash on the side of his head. His money,
clothing, and some other articles were
missing. The door was locked on the
outside, and everything betokened the
cool and deliberate murder of the old man
for his money. Suspicion was, after a
time, fastened upon John P. Duncan, the
prisoner, . nephew of the murdered man,
worthless vagabond and loafer, who
had received many kindncsses from his
uncle. This suspicion was heightened
by the fact that Duncan shortly after left,
| with NO clue to his whereabouts. This
WAS afterwards furnished, however, by
his own indiscretion. He wrote to rcla-
tive in Delaware county, giving his local..
ty-in Fremont county, on the Missouri
and how he Jared. This information Was
conveyed to the authorities, and officers
dispatched for him. As before stated, u
change Of venue was taken to this coun-
ty, and Duncan has been in Jail here for
some months.
The trial came off this week. The
State was represented by District Attor-
ney Powers. Col. J. II. Peters of Della
ware, and J. s. Woodward, Esq. of In
dependence. and the defense conducted
by Maj. A. E. House, Of Delhi, and James
Jnmison. Of this city. Tuesday was con-
sumed in impanneling jury, and
Wednesday and Thursday occupied in
the examination Of witnesses, and argu.
nents Of counsel. A large number Of
witnesses were present from Delaware
county, and the testimony very direct
and conclusive rs to the guilt Of Duncan.
The case WAS given to the jury Inst even
ing, who after short absence returned
with verdict OF murder in the first de
gree. Upon the rendition Of the verdict
the prisoner displayed the same reckless.
hardened demeanor which has character
lied him at every stage Of the proceed
ing, showing him to be IN ingrai ned VII
lain. The sentence has not yet been
pronounced Of course. but AZ the enact
meut Of the Legislature abolishing capt
tai punishment is not operative until
July. we presumc the sentence Of the
court cannot be else than hanging. Not
that Duncan will be hung; something
will be done to save his neck until hang
ing goes out Of fashion. though the gen
eral sentiment OF the country il tina. he
deserves it.
OLDEk's SMOw-Yhe exhibitions at
this establishment here ut home seem IA
lcd to i'll luck AS regards the weather. 1t
almost invariably rains ON the occasion
Of its appearance in our city, and last
Monsdsy WAS no exception to the rule.
Both the afternoon aud the evening per
fDrmsmces were partially broken up by
the rain and wind, and the receipts were
accordingly much curtailed. Enough
was seen, however. to demonstrate that
the show il much more complete in all its
arrangements and has superior attractions
than those ofany former season. The whale
and the monsters Of the deep attracted
much attention, the baby elephant and
wild animals, the. monkeys and other oh
jects Of interest n the museum and me.
nagerie also coming in for their full share
Of notice. One thing struck US rs some
thing singular. and that was that the van
containing the Cardiff Giant was never
without its curious crowd Of interested
and specializing observers. A natural i'll
ference would be that this card had been
before the public long enough to have
played out. but it is not 80. The air of
mystery and romance about the gypsum
image dug up at Onondaga. yet invests it
with interest to certain class of people
The establishment started on Tuesday
via. Qu.squeton for Cedar Rapids where
the company, horses, wagons and entire
impedimenta will be shipped by special
train ON the Northwestern road for
Omaha, where the actual season will com.
mence.
SAcRILEaE-Someth more than
year ago, allusion was made, in thccOl-