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

that time; he said he was prepared.
had some talk with Weir and / told
him she'd better be careful. Sterl was
a pretty bad kind of man" George
was telling me something about it ]
was good friend Of both parties.
Cross examined-Sterl ard were in
the army together The talk or jug
Run was shortly after Sterl came back
don't recollect how the conversation
commenced. don't know whether
told him George was going to shoot
him. There was no threat on Riggs
part that he would shoot George He
may have meant he would defend him
,Iseif. - .-H -7i TY
RuggIes Buffing gton-Am a brother
of the last witness. Knew Sterl Riggs.
One night before the October election
/ was at Geller's saloon; Sterl Riggs
I and others were. there. Sterl put his
arm upon the counter; seemed to be
looking for some one. / asked George
what was the matter eiween him and
tSterl. He said he would go and ask
ihim: Pres Cowen told him not to do it.
1 George said he would watch him.
Riggs look at Weir was severe look
Ting look; had seen him look that xay
several times. He followed q look Of
that kind once by knocking me down.
l have seen Riggs have srevolver; seen
him have two the day of the Presiden-
tial election. When I used to be with
him he always carried revolver.
/ Cross examined-That night at Gel
| lei's saloon | had been drinking free
lily; Sterl was pretty full. Don't know
whether George or Sterl were armed /;
Sterl didh't do anything. ai s,h
Mrs A G Downing-Am mother OF
Vim Downing; have lived In town 10
or IL years. ! remember the burning
OF wilkins barn; shortly after that
saw Riggs in eur establishment party
/ were standing in front of the door;
Riggs was standing near the door, lean
Ing against the counter / think he
could hear the conversation on the
outside; the door was little bit open.
My little daughter went out while the
parties were there; Sterl went out AZ
ter this time I remember seeing Weir
and Riggs together in our place, also
after The time 'the charge was made
against Weir and my son. Never saw
them speak together. Our establish
ment is saloon.
Cross examined-I did not see ahy
parties standing by the window. Never
heard any threats by Sterl against
Weir. Heard no threats OF any kind
in the house.
Mary Downing-Am 13 years of age
next November. Lived in town most
of my life. remember when wilkins
barn was burned; seen Riggs shortly
after in our room; George Weir and
Robt Wilkins were on the pavement
outside; it was after dark, about s
o'clock; Riggs was standing with his
ear at the crack of the door, appear
ing to be listening. vent out while
Riggs was there and told George that
Sterl was in there listening to him. As
soon as / went in Riggs went out.
Riggs told me afterwards that he was
mad at me because went ont and told
George 1 told him / didn't care if he
was. was at Riggs house after that.
l go there frequently. Sometimes
Riggs would come in and have his re-
| volvers, loading them. He showed me
revolver with seven balls one even
ing. Saw that pistol times and anoth
er small pistol. Never heard him say
anything about the use of the ereyolvers
or why be carried them. avt
Fred Kies Jr-Live in this town;
was In St Clairsville on Christmas.
Was at Fink's and saw George Weir
there that day; saw Sterl Riggs go. BY
there. George said nothing; did not
hear George have any conversation
with Thos Taylor or make any threats.
did not go upsstreet. After the shoot
ing Thos Taylor told me about the
threats George made to him.
Samuel Geller-Seen Geo Weir on
Christmas near the old postoffice. Had
few words with Kim. He was going
up to the Mayors Office.
Jesephus Wstson-Live 24 miles |;
north Of New Athens. Worked near
St Clairsville last winter on saw mill;
have seen Sterling Riggs; seen him in
this towr after night, in November
last; think he had revolver or pistol
on. him; 1 was walking along; l heard
quick foot steps behind me; | turned
around and he laid his hand on me and
said he wanted to see me, had business
with me. AS he said that, be had q
revolver or pistol in his hand; he then
SAID "Pm mistaken in the man" and
he then passed on. Mary Braiden was
with me; it was back on the board
walk below the NJ E Church.
Cross examined-I didn't know Sterl
Riggs. The woman who was with me
told me who he was; 1 never seen Sterl
Riggs afterwards; he was rather heavy
set man of medium size; had on q low
crowned, broad trimmed hat wore adark
beard, but wouldn't say whether the
beard was all over his face; don't
know whether he had mustache.
Albert Johnston-Am 81 years of
age; knew Sterling Riggs for six or
eight years; am in business il part of
Fink's property; never talked much
with him; as was coming uF fiom
Wheeling last fall with wagon load
of furniture Sterl was at the foot of
the big hill; he got on my wagon;
think l asked him how he and Down
ing were getting along; he said very
we'll, but that he and Weir were not so
friendly; asked him if he was afraid
of Geprge shooting him; said no and
that he would have to shoot damned
quick il he got ahead Of this one, at
the same time showing hint Johns.on)
a revolver; never saw him carry re-
volver at any other time.
Crnss eva -GenrOa looked into