Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-08-18

his LIE pretty mucn; ne WOrkeu some
for me; he was vicious, dangerous
man, as believe.
Cross examination-come to conclu-
sion he was dangerous before he became
a man; never harbored him; was at my
saloon occasionally; there once a day
went on his bond a year
ago when he and my nephew was ar
rested.
Re-cross examined-W VIM. Downing's
mother is my sister.
John Ferren-Raised here in st.
Clairsville; known Sterling Riggs for
25 years; his character was that of
dangerous man.
No cross examination.
George Brown-Am jeweler in St.
ClairSville; came here in Sept, 1S4l !;
known Riggs in neighborhood of twenty
years; reputation as dangerous man
not good always treated me very kind
ly; was man who very seldom spoke
unless spoken to.
Cross examined.
Marion Johnson-Live in Bellaire !;
Lived in ST. Clairsville since 1888, and
lived here until two years; knew Riggs
since he was boy-was near the same
age; always heard people say they were
afraid of "Sterl;" as a general thing his
character wasn't good; we had always
been friendly. except one time.
Cross examined-he struck me once |;
We made up afterwards.
Rec 'oss examined was very full /;
don't know how he was.
Clifford Williams--Reca
known Sterling Riggs for years; l
would call him very dangerous man.
No cross examination.
James OSborne-Have lived in town
and vicinity for over 25 years; knew
Riggs all these years; reputation as to
being Il dangerous man, not generally
good.
Cross examined-He was very quiet
man heard people say he was danger
Gus man.
Reuben Perkins-Live on Capteen; /;
knew Sterl Riggs when l saw him; 20
years ago since | first saw him; don't
know what his character WAS as dam
gerOus man; never saw any weapons on
his person.
No cross examination.
John Roberts-Live on Capteen; had
no acquaintance with Riggs; knew him
when saw him; don't know for my
own, part anything: have heard some
few remarks that he WAS dangerous
man.
No cross examination.
Archibald Giffn-Lived In st. Clairs-
vile and. vicinity 80 years; known Riggs
for some time; am not prepared to say
that | am acquainted with his character
as a vicious and dangerous man; don't
think that am prepared to say that he
was a dangerous man.
George Ducker-Lived in vicinity of
st. Clairsville for 10 years. Raised here !;
known Riggs for Is or 20 years; couldn't
say exact that he was a dangerous man.
Don't know that could say what his
reputation is as dangerous man. From
what l heard reputation was bad.
: Cross-examined.
Robert Carlisle-Lived near st. ClairS-
know that had heard Riggs character
as dangerous man spoken of; am not
with his general reputation.
No cross examination.
Jacob Martin-Lived in st. Clairsville
for about 80 years; am blacksmith !;
known Riggs for 20 or 25 years; his rep
utation is bad.
No cross examination.
VIM. Jackson-Live 2 miles from
town on Athens pike; it was II years
ago last spring since first knew Riggs !;
heard from others that he was a very
man.
No cross examination.
Conrad TrOll-Lived in st. Clairsvilie
for 81 years; knew Sterl Riggs-for 20
years; his general reputation was that
of desperate bad man.
No cross examination.
Cyrus Kirk-Liyed in st. Clairsville
for years; knew Riggs; his reputation
wasn't good.
No cross examination.
George Iddings-Live ~ miles from
St. ClairsvilIe; lived in neighborhood 24
years; known Riggs for quite awhile
reputation very bad.
WIN. B. Hardesty--Lived in neighbor-
hood of ST. Clairsviile nine years; knew
Riggs before he went to war; heard he
was rather dangerous man.
No cross examination.
James Ferren-recalled- known
Riggs for 10 or 20 years; his reputation
was bad.
No cross examination.
Jacob Martin n-recalled-My shop is
on Marietta street, 100 yards from where
Riggs lived; after the arrest heard Riggs
and Weir quarreling; next day person
came into my shop and reported that
Riggs had said something. Witness was
asked what the person had said Riggs
had said. Question objected to by State.
Mr.. Kelly fOr defense said that they ex-
pected to prove that Riggs said that if
he couldn't send Weir to the peniten-
tiary he would kill him. Court ruled
the question Incompetent, saying it is
such secondary Testimony that 1t is be-
yond any rule | know of. Ruling ex-
cepted to by defense.
Samuel b. Piper-Liye at Barnesvilie; !;
was former sheriff of this county for
years, from '67 to so; during that time
knew Riggs; he was considered vicious
MAN.
No cross examination.
Defense rested their testimony at ten
minutes after IL o'clock.
REBUTTkR TESTIMONY OF STATE.
Mrs. Sarah Riggs-Am widow of Sterl-
ing Riggs; now live at Cameron, West
Virginia; have little children; my hus-
band wore no beard; had sandy mus
tache; never were beard since l knew
him; morning of bnrning of Wilkins
barn my husband was in bed.
Cross examination-HuSband shaved
0nce week always.
w. O. Umstead-Heard part of Weir's
testimony; Weir asked me if he would
plead guilty how long would he be sent
up for-told him thought a year; new
,r asked Weir to plead guilty.
DIR. II. Wcst-I was called after the
shooting. to the Jail to treat Weir; he
vas excited bnt not drunk; complained |
If his nose, and said that he would rath- |
II go to the penitentiary ten years than |
lave lis hose deformed. Court ruled |
,ut testimony except us to condition of
Weir.
VIM. Lee-Saw George Weir at Fink's |