The Iola register., 1879-09-12
The Luse Trial.

The Luse Trial.
In your last issue you announced the
result of the preliminary examination Of
D. o. Luse. Thia, in some reapects. WAS
one Of the most extraordinary trials ever
held in the county. For . number Of
years past Luse has been suspected of
being the bos thief Of Ill this country.
He has been watched not only by ohieers,
but by citissns, and at different times
tracked from place to place BY . COM
mittee of vigilants, which had been
organized for the purpose of catching
thieves in general and Luse in particular.
And after the trial was over one Hum
boldt man asserted on our streets that
for year past detective had been on
his track all the time, and had failed to
catch him in any crime.
On the 10Th of August his preliminary
examination was commenced before
Justice Paxson of this township. The
State was represented by County Attor-
ney slavens, and L. w. Keplinger and
Judge Goodin, of Humboldt. The de-
fense was conducted by Murray and Nc
Donald, of lola, s. 8. Kirkpatrick. Of
Fredonia, and II. d. Smith, of Hum
boldt. Seven days were occupied in
hearing the testimony of witnesses,
which was carefully written down, not
only by attorneys on each side, but by
the Justice himself. One day was con-
sumed in argument by council, at the
conclusion of which the Justice announc-
ed that he would not pass on the case
till next morniug.
Of the witnesses who testified against
Luse, one acknowledged that he had
stolen the Strosnider mare, and that
there were three other charges against
him for stealing; the other admitted that
there were three charges of horse stealing
against him. And these were the only
witnesses relied upon by the State fol-
conviction.
When the examination commenced II
was the general expectation that the
State could make out case beyond any
question but as it progressed from day
to day the minds of those who attended
the examination changed, and when the
testimony was all submitted it was the
universal opinion of all unprejudicet
minds who had watched the progress o
the trial tha: the State had utterly failet
in making ost case.
After all the time had in preparation
for the trial, and having exhausted al
the resources in procuring evidence, j
seems to US it was bad taste, to say tn
least, for the editors of the Inter- State t.
raise the whine they did in the last issu
| of that reliable sheet. 1t was evidentl
/ done for the purpose of diverting publ
attention from the failure of the grea
lawyer who was engaged in behalf Of tn
prosecution. And in this connection "
would say to the K. G. journal that tn
fool who wrote that letter from Hun
boldt headed "Luse Loose" is fit sui
o iect for the insane asylum, or else to b
e promoted the boss liar of Allen count!
o There is just as much truth in his STATE
t ment that "money was used to induene
the Justice in discharging Luse, as theI
was in the other part of his wonderft
letter wherein he says that the red>legge
grasshopper had made their appearance
at lola.
> In preliminary examination, where
Justice feels confident that jury woul
not convict on the evidence relied upo
by the State-although he might ha'
some reasons to believe the man guilty
he is undoubtedly justified in dischar
ing the prisoner and thus saving larl
|e bill of expense to the county. ~