The New York herald., 1879-10-09
FOR KILLING HIS C0ACHMAN


JOSEPH A..rnLAIR STILL on TRIAL IN THE
NEWARK COURT HoUsE-HIs GARDENERS
TESTIMONY.
The interest felt in the trial of Joseph A. Blair for
the murder of John Armstrong drew SO large an
audience to the Newark Court House yesterday to
render it uncomfortably crowded. The most
dramatic episode OF the day the exhibition of
the blood stained garments OF the murdered
man. The only evidence of emotion gwen
by the prisoner noticed during this
repulsive but necessary exhibition BY his side sat
his wife. young and pretty woman, dressed in
deep mourning. and u charming little girl. their
daughter. number of lady friends also occupied
places inside the bar. At ten o'clock Judges Depuo
ana Meeker took their places the bench, and the
proceedings were at once begun. The nickel-plated
Smith Wesson revolver with which Blair inflicted
the doath wounds on Armstrong and the rusty Colts
revolver alleged to have been in the coachmans
possession were produced and identified.
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS
The chief interest of tho day centred in the evil
dence of Peter Edward Rosselot who described him.
self 'lead glazier" by profession. He is rather
q fine looking man and was well dressed. He testi-
ned that he was employed gardener at Mr. Bair's
place in Montclair on the Goth of June;
after supper, while witness aud John
bedding tho horses Blair camo out and
walked to where Armstrong was working; (Which
way did you come home yesterday? he asked; "By
the road way. said John. "what the hell other way
would come?'' "But what road did you come byr'
said Blair; "Nene Of your damned business"
said Armstrong. and so the row went on John curs-
glass M Of beer Armstrong said. "it's damned lie.
aud the folks that told you are - -, and
Ss are yos o
"pay me. my money and let ne go;" "lll
pay for the time you've worked" said Blair;
V<,,1Su nav U,a for my flIl1 mont said Ann
strong; witness went up to the Toulouse,
fearing row; thought he would just take walk
Blair to the house and come back with pistol in
his hand Blair said. on coming back to the stable
door, "John. demand those keys" "ro hell with
You and your keys; I'll give you keys" said John.
aud then up stairs; Blair followed witness
maining at the toolhouse and looking around the
corner; witness heard Blair say, John, don't open
that door,; he said that several times; then there
We're two shots and witness walked around to the
stable door; there met John and then MIR. Blair, who
had two pistols in his hand ut the time.
Tho Prosecutor put question to the witness as
to whether he said ut the inquest that he only
ono pistol in Blair's hands. Defence objected and
Judge Depue finally decided that the prosecu-
ton was not competent to introduce the evil
dence taken before the Coroners jury un-
process of cross-examinaton. This decision
vigorously attacked by Attorney General Stock
ton, who is associated with State Prosecutor Abeel
in the case, but the Court declined to alter its
rulings. It shown by Prosecutor Abeel that a
grape vine arbor INTERVIEWED between the spot where
witness standing and the door at which he claimed
to have seen Blair exhibit the two pistols to his wife,
but notwithstanding he maintained that lie had
seen Blair raise his hands though showing
two pistols, he admitted that he not certain
that Blair had more than one weapon in his hands
He also gave evidence which created an IMPRESSION
afterward dispeled. that he had witnessed the final
dispute which led to Armstrong running up stairs
THE STABLE KEYS.
An important statement brought out by ques
tion for the defence to tho effect that the stable
keys-about the possession of which the quarrel
between Blair and Armstrong Is alleged to have
culm'nated-were usually hung up on nail in tho
stable yard. near pump. In answer to another
Question from the defence witness stated that the keys
We're given to him the night of the murder by
the servant girl, Opheia Dyer but he could throw
no light OH how they came into her possession. as
they were supposed to have been in Armstrong's
possession at the time of his death. He testified
that during the dispute Armstrong threatened once
to blow Blair's head off if he did not leave the
stable. Witness stated that he did not know that
Armstrong had in his possession the pistol pro-
duced; he had never seen it,
Constable Doremus, of Montclair, was then put on
tho stand, and testified that the two pistols had
been taken from u bureau drawer in Blairs bedroom
where they had been locked up.
1t was arranged that the jury should visit the
of the tragedy to-day in order that they may
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