The New York herald., 1879-10-10
BLAIR'S DEF E N &C..
His Counsel Claims that He Was
ID In Terror of Armstrong.
WHAT TIE COACHNAN SAID 10 DR.. BUTLER
Juymen, Judge and Counsel Visit the
Scene OF the Tragedy.

The interest in the Blair Armstrong murder trial
grows more intense ever yday. Notwithstanding tho
heat OF the day the Newark Court House was
crowded yesterday by eager spectators, among
whom unusually large representation of tho
fair sex. In the court room the heat overpow-
crng. and the ladies' kept hard at work with
their fans trying to keep cool. Blair. who stands
charged with the murder OF his coachmal. seemed
to suffer from the closeness Of the atmosphere and
continuity fauned himself Beside him sat his wife.
who was accompanied by their two children. aud on
the seat behind were gathered many OF the defend
ants friends of both sexes.
Judge Dcpue taking his place tho bench,
suggested that it desirable to have evidence con-
cerning the powder on Armstrong; clothing. in
order that the jury nigh, be able judge at what
distance Blair from Armstrong when he dis
charged his pistol at the deceased
Prosecutor Abeel rose and info the Court that
he had directed some experiments to be made in
to settle this important point He then called
the man who had conducted these experiments to
give the evidence the Court desired
Albert Horwitz. who was described former
deputy sheriff. then cal.el He testified that he
had made experiments with pistol upon pieces
OF cloth OF the same texture the material
Armstrong; outside shirt; he had used pistol
the same size and mako Bllirs-a medium size
Smith Wesson. OF the Russian model-and had
also used cartridges similar to those found in Blars
pistol He had made series Of nine experiments
in the cellar OF the Court House. In these expert
ments he had suspended square pieces of cloth
similar to that in Armstrong; outside shirt and
fired at them. holding the muzzle of tho pistol dis
tances varying half an inch to twelve
inches Horwitz then exhibited in succession
the various pieces OF cloth. and pointed
out that when the pistol held close
to the pieces Of cloth large jagged hole made
and as the distance from the muzze of the weapon
was increased the size OF the hole diminished. The
marks Of the powder decreased tho distance
was increased. and only few grains OF powder
were founa on the piece Of cloth placed twelve
inches from the nnzzle OF the revolver
MIR. Cortland Parker. tor the defence. cross exam-
ined the witness to his fitness to judge the quality
OF the material he submitted to these tests and in
reply he stated that he had been i'll tho dry goods
business for twelve years. Mr.. Parker then asked
him whether the fact that Armstroug's shirt must
have been saturated with perspration ut the time
he shot, while the pieces or cloth which he
the value Of tho experiments. On this point tho
witness said he could hot oiter an opinion.
Az the last witness left the stand ProSec Abeel
(, Tnis announcement took the audience somewhat
by surprise. IT was believed there other evil
denco held III
OPENING FOR THE DEFENCE.
Mr. Ellsworth rose ut once to address the jury for
the defence He began by saying that every GRIM
inal case had right ana wrong side to it, and
passed to comment on the fearful responsibility
II the State Prosecutor could establish the
the Of facts he claimed he could that he would
have to demand the defendants lite forfeit. In
this the defence agreed with him. II the facts
as he represented then murder Of great atrocity
had been committed. The State Prosecutor had
verdict rendered BY the jury. but the Dc
fenco would not be satisfied with any verdict
short of acquittal. The antc-mortem rfaiemonts
OF the deceased had been introduced ana when the
jury would como to examine them in tho Jury room
it would be found that they varied IN important
partic uars. and that they could not be relied on
Counsel then asked. "Who Is Mr.. Blair?' He went
on to describe the prisoner at the bar
Of family. educated in the Brooklyn public
schools He traced his career receiving teller in
the Mechanics National Bank. his promotion year
later to DO assistant paying teller and five years ago
be teller insisting that his occupation developed
in him q,ickness perception ana that he saw and
thought quickly. which might be an important ele-
Referring to Mrs. Blair. he described her reared
on farm In a Christian family. "snoot tho damned
rascal! exclaimed the COUNSEL and then pointing to
were spoken " the lady sitting here. reared as
Counsel described how the prisoner had hired
Armstrong ut an intelligence Office in New York.
drink. and was Protestant. Armstrong recon-
mcnded to him man who filled the bill. Arm
out Armstrong; character snd got Bossolot because
he was afraid OF the coachmau. and wanted
thcro for the protection OF his family
Mr.. Ellsworth said Blair admitted that he left the
stable to to his house for his pistol II he got it
why did he get itg He was there. in u lonely
place." argued the speaker 'far from the police,
with ucsporAuO III his barn. lie Know Armstrong
had pistol aud when the coachman Threatened to
shoot him he thought OF his family and then OF his
own pistol Ihnking ARMSTRONG would perhaps quiet
prepared to defend himself and his family and
4. wanted the keys. Armstrong raved and swore and
said he would give him the keys aud up stairs.
Blair did not dare to allow him out OF his sight. and
therefore followed him. Armstrong took the keys
OF the door from his pocket. and then
Blair. knowing that Armstrong not
going for them. .bcgan to fear He told
Armstrong not to 10 into the room aud then
I laid hold OF him. But Armstrong burst into the
room and reached tor his revolver on the shelf.
AT this point Mr. Tits worth called his partner Mr.
Marsh. and put him in the attitude the coarhman
defence. He insisted that Armstrong was trcs-
passcr after Blair had discharged him, and closed by
asserting that Blair had acted throughout in selfde-
icuce. tl u
4 40. lsi TEsTIFyISa FOR THE pEYENcE. ~
n Tho FIRST witness called for the delence DIR. G.
to Mr.. Blar's house and had Armstrong carried to
hjs room in tho barn; Witness said to Dr. berry
r. Blair says Armstrong in this position, reach
ing for the shelf, &c.; Armstrong said. "No. sir.
me and rowlod over on the bed;' Mr.. Blair told
witness that after he first shot, Armstrong turned
on him. and then hc shot him again witness heard
nothing about Armstrong having n pistol; Arm
strongs bed was three or four feet from the door.
The witness stood up and took the leaning pos
he shot him. tNn
Colonel Abcel-Did you not say ut tho inquest that
Mr. Blair said he shot him first at tho door. and
afterward when reaching FOR the pistol
Witncss--I don't remember whether SO testified
or not, but that Is not my present impression
about II.
II now nearly ono o'clock p. NJ. and tho Court
adjourned for the day In order to allow the jurymen
to visit the scene OF tho tragedy that thoy might
bc better able to understand the evidence.
Deputy Sheriff Davis and four constablcs were
ordered to escort thcm and prevent any
communicating with them. Judge Dcpue instructed
the jury to occupy themselves In making observa-
tons and carefully abstain from discussing tho
between themselves. as 1t was not proper that
they should try the out OF court. After lunch
the juryinen placed In carriages and driven to
Blairs house IN Montcair.
THE scENE or rHE TRAGEDY.
Facing to the east on the Orange road Is hand
three story frame house nesng among trees.
1t s quite close to the roadway and facing toward t
M. rly Ia IN. hon nf family Oh