The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-24
HAMPTON's HORROR.
Commencement of the He'll
wagon Murder Trial.
The Jury Secured and Evil
dence taken.

Yesterday afternoon the murder trial OF
William Heilwagon was commenced.
The counsel for the prisoner entered a
plea of not guilty, and examinations for
the jury Immediately commenced.
The prosecution is mainly conducted by
VIM. jackson, while E. E. Parmenter, the
man elected to the position of States At
torney, contents himself with being assist
tant counsel.
P. O'Mara acts as the chief counsel for
the defense, and is assisted by J. L. Hass
During the afternoon thirty-five men
were examined, but out of that number
only seven proved satisfactory to both
sides, and were accepted. The list of those
taken is as follows:
Jacob Evans, Rock Island; w. Howard,
Lickafelt, Black Hawk; E. McKinstry,
Black Hawk; NJ. c. Frick, Rock Island;
John Taylor, Rock Island
EXPRESSED OPINIONS.
The majority of those examined had ex-
pressed opinions as to the guilt or limo
cenee of the prisoner, and of that number
it is thought that all save one were adverse
to the man on trial for his life. The ex-
ception was that of German who had
known the prisoner for over twenty years,
and confessed that he was not proper
person to pass on the merits of the evil
dence as his friendship for the defendant
IL e.. L..
decision against him Several of the num-
Der claimed that they had opinion which
it would require evidence to change, and
these were Immediately challenged for
cause.
Several peremptory challenges were also
made, both by che prosecution and de-
Tense. Only one man out of the total
thirty-five entertained religious scruples
against administering the death pen
atty. He was of course
excused from further attendance at the
court
On adjournment a special venue for
thirty jurors was issued, and last night the
deputy sheriffs We're busilv engaged in Sc
curing the statesmen from the different
townships.
THE CASE
will probably occupy the present week and
q portion of the coming week, as it is
known that fully fifty witnesses have been
summoned by the prosecution, while the
defense will have its share.
The prosecution will rely entirely upon
circumstantial evidence to convict the pri-
soner, as the case does not admit of direct
testimony
The defense depends largely on the
weakness of the prosecution, and will at
teuIpt to throw suspicion on another person
who so far has not figured as defendant
or more than barely suspected party.
MORNING SESSION.
Court was opened this morning, and at
once question&arose as to the right to
challenge juror accepted by the defense
Yesterday The question was debated for
n considerable time, and finally decid ed in
favor of the defense, and NJ c. Prick was
excused, leaving six. Thus far, eight per
challenges had been exercised by
the state, and five by the defense. The
work of choosing the jury was then pro-
ceeded with. Six more men were called
int the box and their examination began.
Mr.. Weise had read the ARGUS and was
with the facts but had formed
no opinion on the case. Peremptory chal-
lenged by the defense.
Mr.. Mclaughlin had read the Union and
knew little about the case, had no opinion
one way or the other.-Accepted.
Mr.. Davis had heard about the case. but
thought nothing about it; had no consci-
entious scruples about the death penalty,
and was sound on the reasonable doubt
uestion.--Accepted by the defense, but
excused by the State.
Mr.. Miller had conscientious scruples
about infiicting the death penalty, and the
at once decided they did not
want him.
Mr.. James Hill was troubled with no
such scrupies, and had read nothing about
the case, and was happy in the lack of an
opinion on the subject. Circumstantial
evidence was of as much value to him as
John Stump would as leave hang man
as send him to prison; he had read nothing
about the case, and his knowledge OF it
was infinitesimal.- Excused by State.
Mr.. Lindall filed all the qualifications as
to Ignorance of the case; had read about
it in the Reuietc. Excused by the State.
Mr.. Mac Michael expressed a perfect
to hang man if he got
chance, and considered himself an emf
nently fit and proper man to act as juror.
Challenged by the defense.
Mr.. futile was sound on the death pen
atty, but had read the ARGUS and was ac
Iuainted with the facts and had Termed an
opinion. The State claimed that he show
I'd cause for challenge, but court decid- |
I'd otherwise. challenged by the defense.
Charles Hayes believed in the Eve for
IN eye theory of criminal punishment;
lad formed no opinion of the case and
knew nothing more about it than he
could get out of the Union. Accepted.
Napoleon Richards is an Ohio man, but
lad deserted his chances for federal office |
or the delights of living in Andalusia. He
lad read about the case but had little or no |
opinion on the ubject.-Excused by the
State.
Charles Miller was excused Tor cause;
he had scruples on the subject of hanging /
hat would not suit blood thirsty prose- |
tutor
Robert Gregg had read all about the case,
md If there was anything of truth in a
newspaper, had an opinion on the case;
lie rather intimated however that news I
papers are not to be believed. Accepted.
John Jones was in n blissfuI state of I