The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-16
THE YOST MURDER TRIAL.
THE MOST DAMAGING TESTIM0NY
A0AINST THE ACCUSED.
what n Fellow Prisoner Heard st Midnisht
in the Jail-"My God IL IL Possible that
KILLED Ed. Yost V'-The Tell-Tale Coins.

what n Fellow Prisoner Heard at MidniGht
in the JaiI-"My God I IL IL Possible that
Killed Ed. Yost V''-The Tell-Tale Coins.
JoHNsrowN, N. " Feb. 15.-The most
interesting and vital part Of one case OF the
prosecution against Smith was reached to-
day. Up to this morning forty.one witnesses
had been sworn, and many Of them recalled to
the stand. Much time was consumed In follow
ing the respective movements OF Iost and Smith
about the time Of the tragedy, which, though
most important, were subjects OF positive testi-
mony about which there was little dispute. The
main points contested have been the alleged
untriendly relations OF the prisoner with Yost,
and the one concerning the coins, which was
not finished yesterday. rhe completion Of tho
history OF the various silver pieces from the
time they were paid out by Dice until they were
put into the hands OF the prosecution was the
FIRST business this morning.
Earl Dunn testified that Yost had two silver
dollars, with some smaller silver pieces, which
he was In the habit OF carrying In his panta-
looms pocket. lie had seen these at tate as a
week prior to the homicide. lie had never
seen any In possession Of the prisoner until the
Monday morning after the murder. whom Smith
was seen tossing silver dollar at the market.
Dunn testified also that Yost W % In the habit OF
carrying another pocket piece, which other
testimony proved to be spanish mllled doll ir
bearing the dste 1914, and carried by Yost fer
Miss Stevens then testified that she had re-
ceived piece OF silver from the prisoner subee-
quent to the affair at the bank, which Is now In
the hands OF the prosecution.
John henson OF Conklineville testified that he
was confined In the Jail with the prisoner from
the Mode Of March until the May term Of the
court In 1870, on sentence of sixty days. ten OF
| which were committed for good behavior.
About week or ten days after he was COM
mitted TO Jail he was put, with Smiths consent.
into the latter's cell. They were on friendly
terms. About one week atterward, between ii
and II At night, after both had been quietly ly-
| Ing In bed Tor two hours OF more, nothing being
said between them, Smith suddenly rose up In
| bed and wrngng his hands said, My God Is
It possible 1 killed Ed Yostl" Witness then
asked, what is the matter2' Smith replied,
| answered, Nothing that amounts to ANYTHING"
just previous to the expiration OF witnesses term
| Smith asked him " he hal any money Witness
replied that he had not. Then smith gave him a
note to his mother, telling her tn give him two
hves, which she did, and urged him To make
| ther house his home as long as he wished, and
| witness did remain there two weeks after his re-
lease. Smith also desired witness to get hun o
| revolver.
The cross ex animation OF this W illness was the
most searching and severe TO which any one has
| mination to break him down at any cost. lie
was questioned as to his knowledge OF an at
tempt to bube him and other fellow prisoner:
| to convict Smith and share IN tn reward, which
| he denied ANA as to having repeatedly asserted
that the prisoner was as innocent as himself
| which he also denied, though admitting that lac
| had ayOwed his belief IN smiths innocence Il
avoid being called to testify against him.
| Lew Lcner was next Cilleu, ana testlneu 10 " {
| discovery Of two cartridges ana the Spanish
milled dollar previously belonging to fost lying
In front Of smiths house, near the cemetery
Five more cartridges were the next day (Aprl
| IL found In the same place by another witness
I ne pistol and watch found In the tank at the
gas house were introduced IN evidence over the
objection that the pistol and watch were neithel
Of them shown To be connected with the pris
oner, and the pistol with neither the prisOne
nor YOst. Experts were called, who testified e
the correspondence ~ the balls found 10 th'
brain Of tie deceased TO both the plsSOl Ia tn
bank and the one found in the tank, and tn a
there was nothing In the condition Of the arti
Giles found to indicate the time they had lain II
the sediment at tue bottom OF the tank. II tn,
evidence presented to-day cannot be reiuted
ana the connection between the prisoner anC
the secretion Of the silver piece, the cartridges
the watch, and the revolver Is maintained, tn
Q sc, II would seem, might rest here but thi
involves precisely the point where tue battle 4
to be fought. 1t certainly looks very dark 70
the prisoner until the lght OF the defence shal
be thrown upon the mystery.