The New York herald., 1878-09-26
More Testimony Tending to Establish
an Alibi for the Prisoner.
NEARING THE END.
A Hatless Fugitive Seen fleeing from the
Scene OF the Murder.
BILLINGS WHEREABOUTS SWORN TO-
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BALLsroy, n. Y, Sept. 25, 1878.
The populace OF Northern New York, and espe-
cialy OF Saratoga and the adjacent counties, con-
tnues TO evince intense and increasing interest IN
tho trial OF Josse Billings, Jr., for the murder OF his
wife. This case mas become tho most famous of any
that ever transpired At the Court House in this vii
lage, tho county seat Of Saratoga county Twenty
threo murder trials have occurred The building
where Billings Is now confined, the result OF which
has been three executions for the crimes com
mitted but none of these havo presented such CON-
plicatcd or unusual circumstances have marked the
grounds suspicion against Billings the domestic
pecularitics that resulted in his arrest The tracks
form damaging clcw; the presence OF the gun in
the we'll after his inquiry regarding its Whereabouts
two days beiore; the quarrel with his mother-inlaw
the afternoon OF the homicide; his absence from
home ut tho time and lack OF proof regarding his
Whereabouts; the prolonged quarrel between himself
ana his wife since last January: tho impending d.
OF Mrs. Billings against him and the slander
OF Curtis against wife, that would bo called
on the day after the murder. All these constitute
network OF facts that would be strong proof
against him. II Jesse Billings, Jr., not cognizant
the perpcIrator OF his wc's violent death was
then has he been most unfortunately surrounded with
eliminating iacts Tho array OF indications aud prob
Abilities that cnveoped his transactions that event.
tu evening forms OF the most Intricate and
vincng arrays OF clews that ever characterized
. murder trial, Billings is fortunate In hav-
ing at his disposal The thousands OF dollars
necessary call to his aid experienced and shrewa
legal advisers ana to bring court hundred wit
nesses, besides employing surveyors 10 map out his
footprints present them to jury ir manner so
conclusive to DEFY contradiction. He is fortunate
In being capable OF fsummoning experts to present the
results of their experience and experiments 10
counterbaanco those advanced by the prosecution.
II Billings had been poor aud frendess ana the
District Attorney evinced such elaboration In
collecting the proofs against him 1t would be
NO reflection the jury to assert that his
chances Tor life would have been poor and meagre.
When tho District Attorney caused his arrest
Northumberland, two days alter the murder aad two
hours before the Coroner's jury declared Mrs. Billings
came 10 hor tho hands OF person per-
sous 10 them unknown, Billings turned 10 the dotec-
uves who wsro hsndcuffidg him and remarked: H.
"Gsntlemep, this is an unfortunate affair tor me. |
admit the circu look dIsc0uragug, but you
have got the hanaman's rope around my neck
ma never will until have m aoe lgh to prove nv
ipnocencen The revelations OF lrIai have proved
The strength ana determination OF his defence. The
pourso OF the case has been pervaded with dramatic
and sensational events.
NEARING TIM BND.
Tho court has now been sitting fifteen days, with
eight hour sessions every DAY. The case Is rapidly
drawing close The witnesses Tor the de fence
oil exhausted except few experts. The rebulta tcs-
summing up BY the respective counsel viii snsue.
Thesc expected TO be mastery efforts. GeAse91x
Hughes has u high reputation heresbouts as aq
fcciive and eloquent forensic speaker, -
especially a. pieader before juries. In pre-
has been very successful feature OF his practice 1t
Is anticipated plea Tor Billings will be his greatest
people, is noted criminal prosecutor District All
torney In Albany county, aud has a very ingenious
o. von 81 @
pride IN the OF their case, their
speeches III THIS case wili be carefully serutnlzed;
pated Tho estimate madc by the defence to-day is
that Judges charge to tho jury viii bs given
MONDAY.
Tho proceedings To-day have consisted principally
OF the idence OF witnesses Tor the defence whose
statements directed toward CONFIRMING the light
of along the canal shortly after the shooting,
and The presentation and Identification OF the hat
wnic nc lost the highway when stumbling
pile The Under OF the hat recognized IL In
court. Seven witnesses have sworn 70 having plainly
observed mysterious person, to denotng the
color and style OF the clothing lie wore, ana his
wh,skers ProIopr cd reference was also made by the
lady VINO man with gray ciot hes, whiskcrs and
souched black hat lurking about The Billings
promises two days prior to the murdsr. Her descrip
lion corresponds with jennie Billings assertion.
Another witness testified TO seeing Billings entcr
Wsshburne's house before the report OF the shot
heard.
Tho nrst witness this morning was Wilfred Pass
bow. aged tbireen:-l i've near Gorham's grocery;
heard oil the Billings murder; tnsI night saw
running down the tOwpath from the drcction OF the
not nave hat on when saw him; he came within
twenty- i've ieet OF me; he was medium sized man.
ross-cxamined-ou the lock, near where We i've,
there large light tbcrc another light
the grocery; both oi these shine brightly the
towpaIn; did not notice whether or not no had hrs
hat in his hand; he was bareheadcd aud wore gray
coat and gray pantaIoons; The man that run
nipg a thin wh,skered man.
Redirect-fhe man ran past me on the towpath
he won't on down tho towpath and did not stop near
tho lock; l him 20 beyond that; mel man
ancr, whc asked me if l had seon man run
ming: told hm yes
Jules Cannop, a French Canadian, sworn ;--Lite at
Nortnu mbsrian was there tue time oi the nom-
eide: heard oil started the Billings house; when
opposite H. chards' shod saw man across the road;
he was running ana coming from Tho north; there Is
puadle there aud wood pic; he ran through the
puddle ana over me flood wood unti no reached The
towpsth; II was qaite hight; saw the man plainly;
he light coored clothes
LEGAL TILT.
The succeeding question caused General Hughes TO
address the Court:-'l dcsre as counsel In this case,
10 repuuiatc repei tho remark OF tho counsel 1t
seems TO me that such n,nps ABOUT our witnesses
be,ug brought here, IN THIS way, are unjust anu un
worthy OF tne eminent gentleman who made them. "
Mr. Hughes took his scat with evident ruflc his
mind. Another discussion arose between the counsel
relative TO insnuaons by the prosecutor that Messr
Deyoe anu Baucus had been attempting to color
the testimony Tor the defence Mr.. Lamoreaux
maintainca that such inierences were unjust MI.
Moak replied that ne desired go show that thcsc
pioy6s oI Billings mad been aware OF these facts
when the UoroDcr's jury was In session, and they
failed TO inform tho officers or Investigators OF the
murder about .bsir knowledge OF seeing inns man
considered the jury sufficiently intelligent 10 deter
NINE and weigh such question. Ii the testimony had
been coored the jury would discover II. IL,
as Mr.. Hughes, asserted Mr.. bnucus and Mr. Doyoo
bad aono ali IN their power to and Nj. Billings that
honorable and high minded gentlemen would TO aid
friend whom they believed 10 be unJusIy IN danger,
the Court said me jury would "properIy construo
their action aud then decide It's relative bearing
the case, and added Judge LandoD, I'll DO not pro-
pose hereafter to permit the indulgence IN such ats
sussons or disputes between the counsel, which
probably very effective and interesting forensic Ell
lorts. tut seemingly altogether unnecessary and mn,
proper
the YLEyiSG STRANGER
Charles Yorta a halLbrecd Indian, was called next
l was at Northumberland Oh inc night OF June A.