The New York herald., 1878-10-08
THE BILLINGS MURDER TRIAL.

SUMMING UP FOR THE PROSECUTION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BALLsros. N Y, Oct Z, 1878.
To-day the first OF the fifth Of the Billings
murder trial. Tho prisoner seems caroworn, tho
counsel wearied, and the officers gladly
ticpate tho close. The venerable Or Billings, father
OF the prisoner, came into court this morning with
long black confusion marking his face. He
had started for homo after previous
Of the court when his horse. taxing
fright, overturned the vehicle, throwing out
tho octogenarian, who narrowly escaped death from
contact with curbsloue. The wagon was the same
which the accused used on the night his wife was
murdered. During his discourse this morning Gen.
erai Hughes alluded pathetcaily to attending the fu
neral OF Colonel Lewis who a native of the same
village with the speaker, Sandy Hill, in Washington
county, and met his death on the Plains recently
while lighting with the Indians. Mr. Hughes incurred
the Ire OF Mr. Moak by alleging that the latter was
not only paid by the people, but also by the Harriss
the Flames and Jennie Billings. Mr. Moak denounced
the speech as unproossional and a vile falsohood,
said tho uttcrer disgraced himself and his pro-
fession by sucn assertion. Az noon Mr. Hughes
closed his argument. HIS reference 10 tho facts OF
tho case was as foiows:-
OF HUGHES ADDRESS THE
The prosecution have failed to show motive to
prompt the crime or any appearance OF guilt with
Mrs. Curtis who Is, Tor aught they prove, Cesar's
wife, above suspicion. Please remember that Billings
reached home In fifteen minutes alter the shot
Cured. George WashbuTne's time Is the most rea-
BILE Of all those proven thus lar The prisoner ior-
tunate in having four witnesses who could swear
where he was exactly Al the tine the shot fired.
The Washburne family give evidence that IL beyond
contradiction. and their oaths stand unimpeached.
George Washburne well enough thought OF 10 be
HAD fnp nlo nafopo Cnrr
jury and the Grand Jury wheu those bodies uvesti-
gated Mrs. Billings death. He says that
hc looked at his watch in the siorc. he hands
on INC iaco showed y 70 be prscsal min
and before passing two houses the shot heard that
killed Mrs. Billings. tie hurrod nome to persuade
his wife 60 down 10 the Billings house, ana entered
his door at two minutes alter nine. To his surprise
the prisoner was there, and began conversation
burne vas naturally astonishod. Ho dreaded to
break the news to Billings, his lifelong neighbor,
spectaDility ana veracity unauestioned. He has
been for thirty years magistrate. has been Super.
tho peoples chosen associate on ihe Bench OF this
county. George WashDurne Is well worthy OF belief
every syllable uttered Recoliect that Isaac Wash
burne, hts mother and sister all testify that Bliugs
entered into their presence precisely al twenty
minutes 10 nine O'Clock Remember that
the aged Squire had for years followed the peculiar
but uniuihng habit ot winding and regulating his
watch and clock at exactly nine O'Clock every night
Billings knocked at the door and asked for the
squire. Isaac knew that his father would DO homo
a. nine without deviation. What more natural act
than for the son to glance clock and sec how
long before the old gentleman would come Isaac did
follow his instincts aud looked at the clock. The
time was fxed on his mind by tnat incIdonI Tho
hands showed precisely $40. Recoilsct that the
'Squre's watch ana clock agrec. The clock places
him at Washburne's ~ 40. Down at the store the
'SQuife pulls out his WatCn. II s Just S:4S. He
for home and gets three rods whcn the
report breaks on his car This indubitabiy places
Billings IN the Washburne house thirteen minutes
before tho shot occurred. rhcro Is no question
about that matter oil time.
SLIGHT VARIATION NO CONTRADICTION.
II cannot be gainsaid What If Tho members Of tho
family happen 10 disagree as 70 the precise words
used in the quiet sitting roomP Remember that Of
the writings OF the Apostles, though each oneV OF
them the crucifxion, none OF ihem use the same
words repeat the Saviour's sayings. Some alicgo
that the inscription over the "Jesus, tho
King 0i the Jews.f Another quotes 1t as "rhs Is
King Of the Jews" Why should not these simple
wen as such gifted men as The Apost!esf But Ihcy
do not vary particle about the time Of Bhlings'
CO aing. Their sworn testimony is uncout outradictsd
ana must be conclusive Winch OF you jarymsn, " an
unfortunate occurrences should tall 10 you, would
better evidence this a:niy-fathcr motner son
and oAughteT-give9 The attempt 10 bulldozo Mrs.
Washb0urne whom she was recalled was cunning
trap. unworthy Of the person who made t. Every
attempt to break down the Washburnes has failed.
Why did they not call Charles Craner, the rst boy
sent up tho road We show ny the Washburnes that
TIL the end Of the case, when no is called to swear
down everything. Mr. Finne mistaken; call It by
no harsher name. There 10 no doubt that Finno 10
not SAINT; no ono is perfect
JoNKS DEFENDED.
NOW, let Us come 10 George JoneG no Is poor
iabor,ng man and that seems TO dcIract from his
truhunoss In the vicws oil some people. He says he
Was IN boat, saw Mr. Billings drive 10 wasnburnes,
hitch his horse and ulterward heard the shot He
says he was hshing and no one says he not
Finne aud everybody eisc agree that Jones had the
toat that there was trouble about the Key, that he
emily had the boat once; but they attempt 10 snow
that ho did not have IL on the night OF the murder.
They have nado desperate attempts 10 break down
Jones' testimony, knowing that II they could tho
ended. l would be q different man ir0m
my trends call me- il did not stand by him on
the stand alter putling him there. I'm
would be mean. II Is said OF Jones that lied: but
the learned Judge, who sits above ali questions Of
dollars and cents, when be comes TO charge you IN
regard to tho case will toll you that you nnd that
Jones has told tho truth there Is The end this
Jones or no Jones, thcrs is alibL Tho wasnDurnes
give VI that too distinctly TO be mistaken Jones
comes to us waif blown hitncr Ih.ther by the
winds from The four quarters OF the globe. lie comes
from South ~ The OF ton years. he goes forth
hts livelihood Ho has been u iar,ner, hunter,
man. Doatman, waiter, rairoader IunDerman, sawyer,
clerk, and In all sorts OF occupations and
relations. He Is industrious. He is willing to
vote the sweat OF his brow 70 any honorable occupa-
tion 10 earn penny or two; and how they dogged
him uroundt Like pack Of hounds after u deer
the pack Is tcrncd loose agSinst Joues. "Woifln
started on tho TRAIL Fnnc comes rusning along
alter MS tracks ixe the villain IN tho pay; Gilbert
gets u chance; Pennock takes to the water; Chase
leads tho PACK; Ward scents the game, ana away
they go IN a body after poor Jones No use. He Is
beyond their iAngs. They make victim Of him.
No ono shows hts untrutnfuacss or his d,sreputaDIe
character. But this is not ALL ..Why Jonos. you'vs
got hidden away beneath your bed u UsnJol Jones,
you have music IN your soul, and therefore cannoi,
toll the truth" And yet again. .Jonos why uidn't
you, with all your poverty and shame aud les push
yourself TO the trout and tell the officers you
know 7" Jones replied, "BecAusc l did not know mat
my language would be told IN my way, II let others
hear It." Did not that lock like love Of the truths
Aye, yes; every attompt 10 break down Jones has
failed anu other Witnesses corroborated him. He
TO return the the day after the murder,
having got through on the previous Eight time.
suppose Jones Was a man who wanted TO pot bis soul
In tho market to be bought by Billings his frienas,
what would he uof Hv would prepare o reasonable
story, one TO Do believed But what does he dor
He goes right into the camp OF tho enemy.
lie borrows boat of Mr.. Finne. With or without
Jones tho WashDurnss prove the Tor defence.
Jones was unnecessary, but when a man is trial
for the murder oil hts vile we wish TO make II clear
this jury and tho people that this innocent
JENNIE BLLISGs' ISGRArITuDE.
havo said nothing unkind oil soLuie Her post
tion Is not unparalleled. Shakespeare, IN sking
Lear, shows the ingratitudo OF the daughter
ixtner. such scene may bo cupcaled. Look ~
the case OF Servius Julius, the sixth King OF Rome
He was called the gooa king, slam by mis-