Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-06-05
Trial Of George Yantis and WIN.
Switzerland.

From the Hagerstown Mail we CLIP
the following particulars in the trial Of
Geo. Yantis and VIM. Switzerland,
charged withe arson, in the Circuit
Court of Washington County, Md
State VS.. George Yantis and VIM.
Switzerland: The prisoners in this
case reside in Harper's Ferry and were
charged with burning the barn and
crops OF J. H. Elgin in the Sandy Hook
district, on the night of the 4th OF last
December. The State was represented
by Mr.. Keedy and the defence by Ma
jor Douglas and Chas Davies, Esq, OF
the Jefferson county, w. Va, Bar.
Sec. of the 3Oth Art. Of the Code
makes the offence charged in this case
punishable by death or confinement in
the penitentiary not less than three nor
more than twelve years, at the discre-
ton of the Court; the death penalty
being attached.
The jury had to be examined on their
voir dire; all were pronounced quaiihed
by the Court. The following jurors
were selected from the regular panel:
Denton Oliver, foreman; David Fouch,
Thos. Taggart VIM. H. Myers, ID: w.
Lyday, w. S. Williamson, V. ii. New
conner, Chas. T. Hamilton, Jacob Wolf
kill and M. H. Fellheimer. Twelve
tolesmen were summoned and from
them Messrs. w. F. Hieronimus and
Jacob B. BOSNIAN were selected TO
complete the panel.
The prisoners were both residents OF
Jefferson county. Yantis gave himself
up to the Maryland authorities without
waiting for requisition, some lime du-
ring March. Switzerland was in Indi-
ana and hearing that he was suspected
telegraphed that he would come on and
give himself up, which he Immediately
did. Since that time both have been
in the custody of Sheriff Maker. They
are both comparatively young men and
are said TO belong to respectable fami-
lies in good standing. Southerlands
mother sat by him during the trial and
Yantis's brother, Mr.. Solomon V. Yam
tbs, sat with the counsel for the defence
by lis brother The theory of the
State was that the prisoners were hired
to burn Mr.. Elgin's barn by gentle
man with whom he had difficulty,
and of whom it is unnecessary for us
to speak in this report. Mr.. keedy
stated in his opening statement that one
of the States witnesses would testify to
a confession on the part Of one OF the
prisoners duplicating this third party.
The witness, man named Brown,
however, OH being called to the stand,
stated that no confession had ever been
made to him.
The testimony. Mr. Jas. II. Elgin
proved that on the evening OF Dec. 4,
1874, his barn, containing 45O bushels
of wheat, 35 tons of hay, two corn-crlbs
of corn, buggy, harness, and some ma
chinery, was burnt. He discovered the
fire at quarter before 7 o'clock, and
was going on to prove threats, NC
against him by the third party before
referred to, when he was stopped by
the Court.
H. Cordell, a miller 4 miles from
uarper's Ferry, testified that he lives
near Switzerland. The night Of the
! Sd Of Dec. Yantis came to his house
and asked for Switzerland, said he had
contract by which each might make
1925. He went to Southerland's house
and called him, his mother looked out
of the window and said he was asleep,
asked Yantis who he was, but received
no answer. Yantis spent the night
with witness and next day Switzerland
came in. They left him together in
the forenoon.
Between 8 and 4 o'clock on the after
noon Of the 4th the prisoners were seen
by a number of witnesses going up the
road past Mr.. Elgin's house; went to
the house of Mrs. Steel and asked
the way from there to Sandy Hook.
Mr.. Heskitt testified that he saw the
fire at Z o'clock and went towards it
and saw two men running from the d.
rection; did hot recognize them.
Mr.. Payne testified that he saw the
two men running from the direction of
the fire, one asked where the fire was
and he thought he recognized the voice
as that of Yantis; they went up short
distance as if they were going toward
the fire and then turned Oft
Testimony for the defence. The de-
fence proved that between 3 and 4
o'clock the prisoners went past Mr..
Elgin's house and returned again to
Harpers Ferry. The toll-taker and
number of other parties saw them going
across the bridge to Harpers Ferry be-
tween 4 and 5 o'clock. Shortly after
wards they passed over the bridge to
the Maryland side, telling the watch
man they were going to Reeds for
whiskey. In a few minutes they re-
turned with the wbiskey and were seen
in Harper's Ferry by largs number of
witnesses during the whole Of the eve
ming. Eight or ten witnesses testified
to seeing the parties at Mr. Reeds store,
opposite Harper's Ferry, Is minutes be-
fore o'clock. The defence also proved
that during the afternoon of the 4th of
December young man was seen smok-
ing in Mr.. Elgin's barn-yard. The
State failed to prove any motive on the
part OF the prisoners, and the defence
clearly proved an abb. About 4 o'clock
on Saturday afternoon the jury render
ed a verdict Of not guilty. Over sixty
uifnpsaea wara axanninad In 4ha oaa.