The Red Cloud chief., 1879-03-20

ing N alibi, - the prisoners chiei
counsel stated In his response TO the
District Attorney. They stated that The
blooa-Aainl on IL BAirtsas VII ~ ~
dagger on the prisoners person would
BE accounted for. His supposed pres.
ence in the outer vessibule on the nigh,
Of the crime would be swept away by
the oath Of the most reputable citizens
of B
We win mot enter upon the details OF
the trial. The proseOutiou Introduced
proof bearing upon the several heads Of
the District Attorneys address. The
man who swore TO the prisoners pres
! ence on the Courthouse steps was 8
person of undoubsed veracity and well
respected in B.. He had known Ja-
son Bowers previous 20 his srraignmsst
for forgery, and could not have been
mistaken In the voice that addressed
him on tina. night. The figure on the
steps correspondent with the prisoners,
but the face was concealed, as if pur-
posely, by the slouching of the hai.
This witness swore positively
The prisoners shirt, accompanied By
bis wasberwoman's testimony, was ex-
hibited in Court II produced . pro-
found impression, for unoblitera.ei
stains Of q dark color were visible on
the cuffs and bosom.
The prosecution, ably and almost
vindictively conducted, seemed 70 give
the prisoner no chance for escape, and
the defense was regarded frivolous be-
fore its turn came.
The fact that the doors leading into
the Courthouse were found to be lock-
ed on the inside by Jabez Throck, the
j~anisor, on the memorable morning, was
commented upon with proof by the de-
tense. 1t was furthermore proved that
every window was found fastened, like
wise on the ins ide, after the discovery
of the Judges dead body.
The defense admitted the prison
er's remark concerning his ability 10
traverse the Courtroom with ease after
dark, but said that he meant by it that
his prptrac;ed trial had familiarized him
with the room. The blood-stains on the
shirt we're accounted for by saying that
the prisoner had u 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.
One of the most respectable grocery
men in B testified that Jason Bow
ers had been continually in his store
from 9 to 1890 inclusive, on the night
of the murder, and several credible wit
nesses deposed to having accompanied
him from the grocery to the hotel, which
xss reached 81 lO:45. This damaged
the testimony Of the witness who had
sworn to having encountered Jason
Bowers on the Courthouse steps at ~
O'Clock, or theresbouts.
On q cross-examinatiOn several OF the
prisoners witnesses admitted that his
m was excited and strange; but
the clerk of the hotel said that shortly
after the prisoners arrival he went up
TO his room. Did not see the bandage
on wrist then; had loaned the prisoner
the dagger shown in court; the prison
er had returned it just before retiring,
but had got it again before breakfast on
the following morning. The waher-
woman, on cross examination, said that
the prisoner told her that he wished his
shirt BY noon, as he wanted 10 leave
town at that hour; noticed bandage on
his wrist.
The defense also brought forward
witnesses to prove that the prisoner had
expressed to several bis intention of
leaving b at the hour mentioned,
but that he was prevented by his arrest
for murder.
As the defense progressed the spec
tators looked perplexed. 1t was evil
dent that a loop-hole for the prisoners
escape would be offered. The prosecu-
ton looked dumb founded.
The Judges charge was elaborate in
its details; his Honor leaned to the be-
lief in the prisoners guilt, and the
jury retired.
After an absence of four hours, dur
ing which time they sen for elucida-
ton on several points to the court, the
twelve returned with q verdict of-Not
guilty!
No demonstrations of delight follow
ed the announcement of the verdict.
The accused bowed to the jury and was
dischsred.
That day he left B. and died 10
years later without ~unraveling, if he
could, the secret of the Judges death.
Years afterward, when the old Court.
house vas demolished, a rusty dagger
was found in the belfry, and the stats of
the blind windows showed evidences of
removal, as if to admit and let out a
man!
The discovery renewed speculation
on BE great murder; that Wa all.
THE Zemstvo, or local assembly, is
the nearest approach to representative
government that has been made in Rus
STA. IL was instituted at time when