Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-05
HOLrZCLAWs HELD.
The Alleged AssailantS of VIII
liam Weldon Held in $4,000
Each.

Each.
Justice Miller was indisposed, yester-
dav, and Justice Philips occupied his
throne and held the balances to weigh
testimony in the cases OF the State UersuS
George and James Holtzclaw, charged
with highway robbery. The hearing
came off yesterday afternoon at $50
O'Clock, the State being represented by
Prosecuting Attorney Jordan and the
accused by Messrs. Pendleton and Ar
nett.
William Weldon was the first witness
examined, all having been sworn and
excluded. Weldon was the man beaten
and robbed, and he bore evidence to
some rough treatment, having the APP
pearance OF Just recovering from an ex-
cursion through cider mill. His story
was as follows: He lived in England,
near Liverpool, and came to the land OF
the free about nine years ago, drawing
his first breath on American soil at
Castle Garden. He had knocked about
the country, living where he could get
work and shifting about. He was
last at Pittsburgh and came down to
Bridgeport on Monday. In the after
noon he crossed to this side for the pur-
pose of taking a boat to Parkersburg.
About four O'Clock he struck Market
Square, took drink or two in a saloon
aud finally wandered to the Rine House.
Here he met the HOltzclaws and some
Others and treated them to cider. He
paid for his bed and breakfast and was
in for amusement until bed time. One
of the Holtzclaws wanted him to visit
a bad house, but he needed not
the voice of the charmer and took a
walk with them instead, one OF them
going for some whiskey.
He didn't know where they were go
ing and finally found himself under the
bridge on the railroad. Here his COM
panions turned upon him, knocked him
down and robbed him. He had dis
PLAYED his pocket book at the Rlne
House and supposed the SO or SD con-
tanned therein had excited their cupldl-
ty. lie did not know which one struck
him or how often, but was con-
sciOus of having been knocked
down and kicked about the head
and breast. He made no cutlery,
he said, but made the best OF his way
back to the hotel.
Under cross-fre, he told a very
straight story. He did not think he
was drunk, and never drank whiskey.
He was Knocked almost senseless by
the first blow, and had but confused
recollection of what took place alter
ward He was very sure the defendants
were his assailants.
T,l,, | ngllaV a fine
Rine House and saw Weldon and the
Holtzclaws drinking together, Weldon
standing treat and drinking cider.
The witness had taken an interest in
Weldon because his father and Weldon
had been compatriots. He told him to
90 10 bed, but he refused. Witness did
not think he was intoxicated, though he
was under the influence OF cider.
Elias Kettle would not admit an ac-
auaintance with the accused, but he
chad seen them around" He had seen
them with Weldon at the Rine House
and had seen them drink together. They
left in company, one OF the Holtzclaws
having his arm ailectionately linked IN
Weldon's. lie did not know where they
went.
William Armstrong depOsed that on
Monday evening he saw Weldon
coming down the 7. w. q X. track,
back OF Mr.. Otis, with no hat on and
| looking wild. He exclaimed, "IvC
been robbed" The engine was APP
preaching and the witness pnllcd him
Off the track and called up carpenter
with a lantern. BY the light thus OBJ
tanned they discovered that Weldon
was all bruised and bloody, his hair
being completely matted with coagu.
lated blood. He wanted his hat and
would not leave without it and the
witness donated him a quarter. Under
cross examination he said that Weldon
! told him that he had been robbed by six
men and had lost SD. The witnes,
was of the opinion Weldon was intoXi
Gated when he met him.
Officer Miller and Constable Love told
of the arrest and capture OF the Holtz
claws. The latter had been given the
warrant and after several inetiectua
visits to the residence of George, enlisted
"the poplarcst" in his service. At II
O'Clock on Tuesday night, they stole
| softly 10 the house and surrounded it.
Love guarded the rear and Miller thanked
| the porch. George was there and was
| taken. and told them James was at KATE
! Moonev's, where he was afterwards ar
| rested. They were taken to the lookup
| where Weldon was brought and identi
| fled them. Love was asked, by PendIe
ton, ii Miller did not use these words Il
! Weldon: "These are the men; don't yOu
recognize 'em?" to which he replied he
did not hear him say so.
Here the State rested and the defense
began.
John Rine's testimony was taken
The only thing of importance was hi
description of Weldon's return to hi
! hotel at s o'clock, bloody and bruised
! and apparently sober. Witness hearC
him say he had been robbed by tive
men who were drinking with him dur
ing the afternoon.
Mrs. C. Hadlich told how James
Holtzclaw came in her saloon with {
stranger about 6:45 o'clock. She could
not identity Weldon as the man, bu
whoever he was he was very drunk anC
she would not sell any whisky.
'Lige Black testified to having taker
one drink with the Holtzclaws at tn,
Rine House, but did not remember tC
have seen Weldon, admitting that ht
was mot much sober,
George Francis said he had met tn,
Holtzcaws on Monday evening at 81
o'clock on the REGISTER corner and haC
started them home; having seen then
as far as the Atlantic engine house, h'
left them and went out Sixteenth stree
and told their mother they were ou
drinking. She put on her shawl anC
went TO Georges house aud he George
came in shortly afterward.
Mr.. Jordan (severely)-DO you know
the nature of an oath?
Witness (defantly)-I do, sir.
Jordan-And do you know the penal
ty for perjury
! Witness-l do.
Jordon-And do you say, under oath
what you have just said?
Witness-Nes, sir, ! do.
He said he knew it was half after five
o'clock, because he looked at the ClOcl
at JohnsOn's tin store, and it showed
! that time when he left and came rigE'
! where he met the Holtzclaws.
Here Mr.. Arnett moved TO continue
the hearing to enable the defense e
! nroIuce certain absent witnesses. bu