The Bossier banner., 1879-04-10

bered by pairs. 1t was known that he
hoped to prove an alibi, though few be-
Aeyed bis ability to do so.i n b9U9.F
~ III gentlemen said the, District
Attorney, to the jury, in opening the
case, eve shall show that Immediate
~ after the acquittal Of The charge of
forgery, the prisoner made threats
against the deceased that he was seen
IN the vestibule of the Courthouse at
the hour OF 10 or whereabouts on the
night OF the murder if at the time afore-
said ne, standing on the steps, address
ed one OF the witnesses for the State in
his own, undisgtiised voice, so, that the
witness will swear positively concern
ing - his identity, we Shall u pre-
sent case that will demand
conviction. & But, if we shall further
show, gentlemen, that the prisoner car
ried I'd his washerwornan at daylight on
the morning after the committal of the
crime, a shirt, the right cuff and bosom
OF which contained blood stains; if, pro-
eeeding further, we shall show that
when the prisoner was arrested there
was. found upon his person a dagger
whose blade fitted the several wounds
in the deceased s breast, and if we shall
make known the fact that the prisoner,
after his acquittal, declared that he
conlditraverse the courtroom with ease
after dark, and then If we offer in evil
dence the last words 4 (written) of the
deceased-Words which he must have
written after he had been left for dead
by. his murderer, we shall confidently
expect conviction, though we would
wish to see the prisoner, if innocent,
prove a satisfactory alibi. ''1ah , sesiii
The attorneys opening address Gre
ated a profound impression; it seemed
to. seal the prisoners doom If the pros
ecution could prove what they said they.
could. from whence would the alibi
come? ,.-.-.--5,t .-..,.....t ....-.c.
The defense relied mainly upon prov,
ing an alibi, as the prisoners chief
counsel stated in his response to the
District Attorney. They stated that the
blood-stains on the shirt as wen as the
dagger on the prisoners person would
| be, accounted for.. His supposed pres
ence in the outer vestibule on the night
of the crime would be swept away by
the oath of the most reputable citizens
We will not enter upon the details Of
the trial. The prosecution. introduced
proof bearing upon the several heads of
the District Attorneys address. The
man who swore to the prisoners pres
ence on the Court house steps was q
/ person of undoubted veracity and we'll
respected in B. He had known Ja-
| son Bowers previous to his arraignment
| for forgery, and could not have been
mistaken in the voice. that addressed
| him on that night The figure ON the
steps corresponded with the prisoners,
but the face was concealed, as if pur-
! posely, by the slouching Of the hat.
This witness swore positively. - y e:r''
The prisoners shirt, accompanied by
| his washerwoman's testimony, was ,ex-
| hibited in Court. 1t produced a pro-
| found impression for q unobliterated
stains Of a dark color were visible on
! the cuffs and bosom.li> irsH iHp4tk tlA
The prosecutions ably and almost
vindictively conducted, seemed to give
the prisoner no chance for escape, and
the defense was regarded frivolous be-
/ forefits turn came. ~ - '.i.4t 'ait' o.
! The fact that the doors leading into
the Courthouse were found to be lock-
ed on the inside by Jabez Throck, the
| janitor, on the memorable morning, was
commented upon with proof by the de-
| fense 1t was furthermore proved that
every window was found fastened, like
! wise on the inside, after the discovery
of the Judges dead body. jsa ea;atao4
The defense admitted the prison.
er's remark concerning his ability to
| traverse the Courtroom with ease after
dark, but said that he meant by it that
ais protracted trial had familiarized him
with the room. The blood-stains on the
shirt were accounted for by saying that
the prisoner had cut his wrist on the
night of the crime, and, in fact. when
! he was arrested his wrist. was found to
be bandaged by bloody linen. "
The alibi which the defense had pro-
posed to prove did startle every one.
9 One of the most respectable grocery
| men in B B. testified that Jason Bow
ers had been continually in his store
from 9 to 10 80 inclusive, on the night
| of the murder, and several credible wit
nesses deposed to having accompanied
him from the grocery to the hotel, which
xwas reached at 10:45. This damaged
The testimony of the witness who had
sworn to having encountered Jason
Bowers on the Courthouse steps at 10
O'Clock, or thereabouts. la5ss sss.t ~
On cross examination several Of the
prisoners witnesses ad nitted that his
manner was excited and strange; but
| the clerk of the hotel said that shortly
/ utter the prisoners arrival he went up
to his room. Did not see the bandage
on wrist then; had loaned the. prisoner
aa<the dagger shown in court !, the prison.
Ter had returned it just before retiring,
fbut had got it again before breakfast on