The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-28
SCRANTONS CAUSE CELEBRE.
FORTY CITIZENS IN THE DOCK FOR KILLING
THREE RIoTERs-THE TESTIMONY CLOSED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEEALD.l

FORTY CITIZENS IN THE DOCK FOR KILLING
THREE R1oTERs-THE TESTIMONY CLOSED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEGALD.l
SCRANTON. Pa, Nov. q, 1877.
The trial Of the forty OF Scranton AZ Wilkes
barre, before Judge Harding. on charge of man
slaughter for the killing OF Love- Laugan and Duplavy
this city the LIST Of August which oponcd yestcr
day, creates great excitement aud the court ID
crowded at each succeeding session The forty prison.
crs pleaded "Not guilty." ana then came the work Of
emparellng jury, which occupied the creator portion
OF yesterday, nearly all who were called had formed
opinions. Tho opoacd for the Common
wealth by Mr.. q. Smith, Of Scranton, who has
been retained as counsel by tho friends OF
tho deceased He set forth tho facts briefly and
claimed that tn, crowd retiring from public
meeting whom they were met by the armed posse
posed OF tho defendants, who, without Justification,
hrcd upon them, killing three instantly The
was evidently Tor tho punishment and not the pre-
veuti0n of crime. and tho defendants had taken The
law into their own hands
rEHriMoNY.
Tho Arst witness called Was Mt. p. Mahon, Alder.
OF the sixth ward Of Scranton, who the
shooting ana SAID he stood the street three
paces frou Patrick Langan when the latter killed
several others corr0boratcd Tits witness, and do
scrned the crowd mcsting with The Vigilance Commit
tee at the fatal crossing
Dor OF witnesses for the prosecution wero examined
by District Attorney Rice, and testified TO the cream
stances oil tho klIlhk VI LAngan Love ana
Identifying several OF the defendants as having been
In tho shooting party on the LIST OF August
OPENING DEFENCE.
Tho prosecution rested It's case Al eleven o'clock,
and tho defence was opened In brilliant speech by
Judge Ward, who was present when the shoot
ing occurred. After u forciblo Justification
OF tho action OF his clients he pro-
cecded TO call Witnesses for tho defence,
who wcro examined by II. W. Palmer and cross
examined by Z. smith. About twenty persons
called. tho nrst OF whose testimony 10 the ofoct
that crowd tho the LIST OF August was
u boistorous, threatening and unlawful assembly.
MAYOR M'KuNEs TESTIMONY.
Mayor Mckune's appearance on the witness stand
created general interest In tho 1t Will
emembcrod that hts jawbono broken IN the
melee. In which he rushed preciptately under tho i'm
prcssion THAI his influence would still the storm.
His testimony was gwen Ia n mclOdramatic manner
AteT she examination oil several others the defence
closed their case.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS.
The argument behalf OF the defendants was
opened by Colonel Stanley Woodward At nine O'Clock
tonight lie delivered iorcible and eloquent speech
IN Justification OF tho actton oil his cents upon
respeciabiy and standing In society no laid special
stress. Court did not adjourn until nearly midnight
The will probably close this forenoon The lead
ing citizens oil SCRANTON including physicians, doctors
Of divinity merchants, capitalists anu coal operators
In constant attendance and no trial has been held
IN this county Tor many years which has produced
such profound Interest among all clAssee.