Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-08-12
THE TALE UNFOLDED,
AND The CASE READY FOR THE AR6U-
RENTS OF COUNCIL,
The Efforts Of the Counsel to Commence
this hOrning-EYepthing So Far
Seems Favorable for the Prose-
cuhon-NOthing Proved
Againt the gctim-A
lame Defense.
wsISS CHANCE HANGS BY A THREAD
specIslIy Reported for the Register.

Sl. NIAghoN ALLE, august AN.
The tenth day OF the Weir murder
trial was commenced st 81 O'Clock this
morning, Judge Okey on the bench.
To-day, as on those preceding, Weir
manifested little, il any, concern about
the matter, sitting in his chair between
his counsel. at times earelessly scribbling
upon a piece OF paper and then looking
up and glancing about the court room.
The spectators were numerous, and were
in their seats bright and early-lon2 be-
fore Court was opened. As the trial
proceeds the interest in the case in
creases, and each day finds a larger
crowd in attendance than the preceding
one. The prisoner was brought in by
the deputy sheritfS and the taking OF the
testimony in behalf OF tine defense was
continued.
The First Witness Called To-day
was F.. W. Johnson, who testified that
he lived in Cadiz, but had formerly re-
sided here; came 10 st. Clairsyille IN
1887; kept the National Hotel for good
space Of time, and was in some public
business most Of the time; knew Sterl-
ing Riggs for many years; personally
didn't know what his character rs
dangerous man was; the general eN-
preston was Wouldn't like to trust
him if he had anything against me- be-
lieye he was generally considered dam
gerous.
Cross-examined-Wh | had any
personal intercourse with him he always
treated me well enough; had no trouble
with him; never thought him quarrel
some man; was rather inclined to be
quiet; have seen him in one or two dit.
hcultieS, but saS nothing OF importance;
he did not show himself much in pub
lie.
David McCsnn Called.
Am keeper OF toll house on Cadiz
pike: one night last fall a person came
10 my house and wanted in; it was be-
tween l2 and O'Clock; woman was
with the person.
Observation-Disclosures know who it
was; couldn't tell whether he had any
thing in his hand or not; was very
dark
Re.examined-Coul recognize him
as being the same man who was at my
house; this happened on the last day oi
the Cadiz Fair.
Wilson Hubbard Sworn.
Live near toll gate north OF town; saw
Riggs late one night last fall; hecame to
NV premises and had a woman with
hin and wanted in; didn't get in and
went from my house to my stable; dont
think they STAYED there all night; think
this was the same night they were at
McCann's.
James HcMillep Examined
Live in ST. Clairsville; knew Riggs
about fiiteen or twenty years; have
heard of him in the army; was not IN
nv company; had no intimate acqualht'
ance with him; always regarded MIN as
man not TO be trusted; his character
Was that OF a very bad mar; has borne
that reputation ever since | knew hlm.
Cross Examined He N, yer had much
to saw, but was 4 sneak; he assaulted
me at one time
Re-Examined-The assault upon me
Was in this wise: lie wanted to know
whether had told i certain person not
to have him Riggs about the house;
told him may have said so; he threat
ened me, and afterwards committed the
assault; carried pistol after that, bot
since his riggs death have not; can,
say ever saw Weir with him.
VIM. 8. Campbell swoIu
Have lived here since lSi5; knew
Riggs when he was boy al school;
think he did some work at one time Tor
me. know him TO have been q vicious
and dangerous man.
Cross Examined-Tho hire 20 Oe
treacherous long before he arrived AT
manhood; was afraid To say much TO
him; knew he carried pistol aud
bowie knife; DIwninyS mother - my
sister.
John Terreu TeStitiss
Raised in this place; knew Il ggs be-
tween twenty and twenty live Years;
Considered him very bad man; has
horne that reputation ever stree Gne"
him.
George Brown Sworn
Lived here since lSil; knew $terItaS
Riggs in the neighbOrhOoi ~ twenty
wears. his reputation Was not goo ;
have known this To be the ease pretty
much the entire time kne" him
Cross-rNamlnel-NrNtr showed anv
badness toward NE; would yet angry al
people and take them una~afes.
Marion Johnson Questioned
Live in B .!laire; resided IN the ue'gh
boshOod OF ~. ClIIrsSIlis sine ISIS;
have known RrySS over sine. IA" wtS
boy; his char e er SaS not al tie best
have seen him riO bad IricHS
Cross examined-Was friendly with
him all his hi, except at one 1me, sno
then ne struck me with billy; was IN
avery bad condition when | recovered
from the effect OF the blow.
Clifford Williams Recalled.
Knew Riggs about seven years; ht
bore the reputation OF beiag a very dan
Serous man.
James Osborne Examined.
Resided here and in vicinity over
twenty-five years; WAS acquainted with
Riggs over twenty Yeas; knew him iron
hearsay to be very vicious man.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES him 10 be
during his lifetime, a very gRlet man.
Reuben Perkins Called.
Lived at Captina all my LIE; know
Riggs only By sight; knew him abau
twenty years sg0; don't know thst h
had bad name; never seen weapo
in his possession; have not heard suff
cient about him TO form an opinion
John Roberts Examined
Live at Cap;ina; knew Riggs onl
when | seen him; have known man
people here iOr twenty-five ears; knO
nothing about his character PERSONAL
but have heard he bore very bad rep
tation.
Archibald Giffsn SwCr1.
Lived here thirty years; Was We'll a
ouainted with Riggs, but can't say he
Ions; not prepared to say ss to his chs
acteT; have heard cl han as hghti'
man.
George Duck TCs:
Live at Jug Run; Sn-~ Egg' pr'h
bly twenty yedrs; cAu'I 'eS:I'y HNN n
danverolsness: have hSarl ,.,.S 4