The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14

get into trouble and my sister said afterward tina
what father doing was dreadful thing; did
not tell Mr. Blair that was watched by detectives
that he must not write to me: that must have the
money cash and not a check. and II neeessar,
would come for il in mans clothes.
Cross-examined by the Prosecutor-My rather
up in the morning to see me and asked me
where Mr. Blair was, and told him that one lived
in Brooklyn; / cautioned HIM against having any
thing to do with the matter; he went to Brooklyi
alone that day and next day he called again and said
MIR. Blair wanted 70 me; then We went over TO
Brooklyn Mr.. Blair finally said 1t was not worth
while tor me to 80 away and told my father tina,
would not go have anything to do Win the
matter; when. he saw was determined he gave up
the business.
Henry Kane was next called. He testified that he
engaged to take Armstrong place the nignt %
the murder, aud remained in Blair's employ,
ment until the 4th of July. when ne oo piNo
situation on the Erie Halfway; isosse-
lot had left for another situation July 3;
He saw Ophelia the morning after the shootlng'
She told him that John had threatened to shoo, ar.
blair and brought the trouble himself. Opheiia
also said that John used to call her vie names when
he came to the house. and nhewise applou yut 70
Mr. Blar's house take charge OF me horses, anu
that Ophelia made her statement to MN voiun'-ry.
She said il was after the shooting that MI Blair
said at had to be done" He could not remember
ANYTHING Rosseot said to him though they worked
tosethor from the 27th of June to the Sd OF July.
THE OFFER TO SELL OUT.
Hall Blair. a brother of the accused. was the next
witness called. He is hunehDack, ana when ne
from sight. The Court suggested that he draw
his chair nearer to the rail. SO that the
Jury might have the opportunity OF seeing
him While delivering his evidence The greatest in
terest felt il his testimony, as that OF the per-
son to whom it was alleged Ophelia Dyer had made
the offer to leave the country II Sooo were given 10
her.
In reply to Mr.. Titworth's questions he said Il
brother Of Joseph A. Blair, and am cigar
manufacturer il Fulton street. Brooklyn; on Sep
TENDER 49, at eight o'clock at night Ophelia came 20
place OF s wa ssfare n see e M
George Burns present. and | introduced him
friend; I asked Ophelia If 1t was true she
wanted $500 to so away: she said 1t was
true and she and her father would go to Mexico;
said. That is great deal OF money. ard she an.
swered that her testimony was damaging ana would
hang him. father said anybody would give
that; Mr. Burns asked what her important testi-
mony was; she said she saw him get the revoiver
Mr.. Burns then remarked that the defendant
admitted this: he then said she also heard my
brother say ii must be done; II the $500
should be paid. and she got caught. she would deny
in court all her important testimony; also that she
had called me; her father said that no money
must pass directly between us but II should lay it
down somewhere he would take 1t up; Ophelia also
said that every body told her that only her testimony
was bad against Blair; she told ne not to write to
her. and Said if it necessary. in getting out OF
the country, she would put her fathers clothes
did you have more than ono interview with
Ophea's father?"
not the proper person to see; also said did
not know ii he really the father of Ophelia; the
then said he would bring Ophelia to Brooklyn;
l did not believe that Ophelia would come."
Did you arrange this interview with the object
of discrediting the girls testimony
IL did not"
"Then you were making a bona tide arrangement
for the suppression OF her testimony p
"No sir; did not think it u bond Jfde arrange
ment."
Mr.. Burns bookkeeper, who was present during
the greater part Of the interview between Ophelia,
her father and Hall Blair. corroborsted tho last wit
ness testimony. except OH the point that II taken
she would deny everything. He testified that she
said she would deny the money transaction. but
that she would have TO repeat her former testimony
or otherwise she might be punished for perjury.
The defence then introduced q number Of wit
nesses who swore to Bair's former good character.
and the hour of adjournment having arrived the
Court stated that counsel would be heard on the
admissibility OF testimony showing Mr. Blar's state
OF mind previous to the shooting.
SHOWING THE PRISONERS STATE OF MIND.
When the Court re-assembled Mr.. CORTLAND Parker
m ado an argument tho admission OF testimony
going to show that Blair was afraid Of Armstrong;
and was therefore. justified in going for his pistol
Prosecutor Abeel objected. on the ground
that 1t hearsny. evidence, and
was liable to be manufactured. He dwelt on tho
fact that not particle of evidence had been pro-
duced to show that Armstrong had ever
assaulted or threatened Blair previous to the quar-
rel which resulted III his death. Tho Court decided
that the evidence admissible because 1t was COM
pctent mitigate the offence from murder to man.
slaughter and the circumstances OF the case pre-
cluded the possibility OF the evidence having been
Mr. Barker, of Montclair, was then called. and
satcd that the night before the murder Blair was
visiting at his house and gave as reason for lesv-
ing carly his dsinclinaton 'to leave his house in
OF those servants On cross-examinaton he said
that Blair had specially referred to Armstrong as
being "ugly and surly."
Father Mendel told how he had administered the
sacrament to Armstrong. In reply to question
from Prosecutor Abee he stated that the ''plenary
indulgence" granted to contrite sinner did not
free him from committed between the admins
tration Of the and the death Of the peni-
tent.
Mott King, tho servant--who preceded Armstrong
in Blairs employ-explaned that the rusty revolver
kept during his time shelf behind q box in
the coachmans room. When 1t was given over to
Armstrong he did not take it in his hand.
The last witness OF the day was Walter Knight.
the official stenographer, who swore to his notes
taken before the Coroners inquest. which were. by
agreement OF counsel, admitted.
The Court adjourned till ten clock this morning.