The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-02-23
Continued from 4th page
THE REA HOMICIDE.


the Philadelphia aud Reading railroad in
1868 was running an engine at Mount Car
mel remember the day Rea was killed
that morning drove from Mount Carmel to
Ashland was in top buggy it was just at
the break Of day met some persons on
the road who at ttracted my attention it was
between the toll-gate and Germ antown was
nearer the toll-gate than was to German
town there were six or eight men in the
crowd knew only one, and that was Patrick
Hester the rest Of the party were evidently
Irishmen passed them on the road they
were about two feet from the buggy when
passed them I did not speak to them had
known Hester two or three years previously /;
knew him only by sight, and not to speak
to him had lived in Mount Carmel two or
three years first came here to town as wit
ness at half past twelve this noon first was
notified last evening that l was wanted
as witness officer Buckner cane after me.
His cross-examination was not important.
Mr.. Thomas B. Fielders, reporter for tho
Shenandoah Herald, was the first witness for
the defense. He stated that he had reported
all the Mollie Mcguire trials, and his notes
taken at the preliminary hearing Of Hester
and Graham before Squire Reed in Pottsville,
where Kelly,the Bum first told his story were
allowed to be read in evidence. They made
Kelly contradict himself in some slight par
ticuars, bat in the principal and most DANA
gug features his version of that murder was
substantially the same.
John McEliese, one of the witnesses for
the prosecution was recalled by the defense.
Was justice Of the peace in 1870 knew
Daniel Kelly; his character was bad; the
coliery I worked for always paid on the Gt-
teeath daO Of the month, they all generally
paid on Satuday.
Cross exaninasion-K lly was god pee
linen Of the Moliie Maguirer never lea.
his character for truth or veraci,y talked Of at
all Mr.. Draper, the coal operator I worked
for sometime, pad his men ON Friday the
collieries in that section generally paid off on
Saturday.
Question by Mr.. Ryon.-What did you
mean by saying tha. Ksly was good speci-
men Of Mo y Mcguire.
Il. | meant that he was o good specimen
of the kind Of Mollies they had there.
| Q. What was Kellys character as person
of truth2
A. never heard it questioned.
Anthony j. Gallagher was then called and
swoln:
| l live in Ashland; in 1868 I resided at
Mount Carmel.
The prosecution objected to Mr.. Gallagher
answering question in regard to a warrant
having been issued for Daniel Kelly, the de-
fense having offered to prove that Kelly had
been hunted out Of the place by the authori'
ties at the time he tKellyI testified that ht
ran away to avoid trouble on account of tht
Rea murder. After short argument on botl
sides the court overuled the objection art
Gallagher continued
Kelly's reputation for truth and veracit,
was bad; would not believe him unde
, oath.
, George McEleise, Thomas Mcdonnell
James McAndrews and other witnesses wer
, called to the stand, who testified to the bat
character borne by Kelly the hun.'
Benjamin Thomas sworn:-I know DAME
Kelly met him at Yatesville, Pa, 10 Octo
ber, 1869 was confined in the eoanty Jail
was in the same cell with Kelly was il
custody for not paying the fine 10 case 70
, divorce Robert Helmes told Kelly one day
you are the man that killed. Alexande
Rea )" Kelly turned red and wIlksd away
went into the wash room and had Il talk viii
Helmes, (obieeted toy; Aaa talk with Kel
ly when kerrigan was slueaEng be sal,
!, "kerrlgan was mean------ but do no
blame kerrigan for would ssicd on Jesu
Christ Himself to st out of here )" Kell
, also said. "HesteR was innocent OF the mur
der Of Rea; tia party who committed tn
! crime went aver to Hesters house in tn
woods so Hester would be suspected )" h
I also ssiskthat the watch WAS buried near a p
pen between the two railroads. close to He
g aar's house, be said he did not care for a
' oath and be wanted to get oct OF the cell, an
' to get out he would swear on Jesus Christ
. he told me be changed his name from Man,
e Gull to Daniel Kelly; he said he had con
. mitted 20 many crimes in the old country ar
). at Wiikes-B Barre and at other places that
v had to make change in his name he all
!, said he committed an indecaH assault at Be
l yer Meadow while be was in Jail he told n
o he would swear the mlrder Of Rea on Heste
n he said Hester had been tried once for IL
crime and he would swear against him
}. the matter; never knew Hester was
# loan Kelly some money as soon as my pensi,
N money came, and he was s)ing to try and 2
v pardon.
r. Cross-examinaion.-- was once arrest
ar and placed in the Jail at Pottsvile upon t
.e charge Of having passed a forged order
es was.not found not guilty; had to pay fine
IS fifty dollars; | said would kill Kell
e. testimony might have said that was I
ia most important witness on Hester's side, a
10 think ! am did not tell any one in 4
b. town that'l am here to kill y0ir man Kelly
,e but might have said II will kil your IN
be Kelly" might have said .oCaptain Line
,e that was here to kill his Linden 81 IL
"a Kelly, and SO l am; meas to kill his q
dence l reside in Mahanoy City, Pennsyl
MIA; lived at St. Clair when came ho
from the service, 1864 4, lrecollect being b
at Minersville Agot cut Of jail on Septe
~ Der 10Th, 1885,; have been staying arounG
- ~ various places since got out Of jail;
~ ~ living or nay money; got my money
- fighting for this government (; get pens
~ '. money; was going about booking for wo
~. the conversations between Kelly and in
"' eeI at pottsville in regard to the Rea mur
~ occurred on the 5th, 9TH and 7th Of A
,' 1876 no one else was present Z, he CAV,
ave .....-,. IL, L. ..aI, ~, hia nnrhdont i.