Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-05-15
PbH TbJmpsos's Trial


few unimporiant witnesses for the De
tense, whose next step was 10 show the eau
sea which led to the killing. The prosecu
ton sirenuoualy objected on the ground
that what happened five or Xix months ago
in Cincinnati could not be used 10 excuse
a killing, not done in The necessary self.
defense nor while In danger Of great bodi
ly harm. Lengthy arguments were made
pro and con. aud the Judge decided that
the evidence asked 10 be admitted was
competent II was then proved by the
elevator man that on the 2slh Of Nov.
last Davis and Mrs. Thompson left the 81.
Clair Hotel ostensibly to 20 to the theatre,
that they returned about $50 =. ~, that
both were very drunk and that when Mrs.
Thompson started TO 20 TO her room Davis
told her TO come TO his. They went in and
were together for half an hour, during
which he informed Mrs Roth, the hotel
keepers wife Of the state Of affairs. When
Mrs. Thompson came out she was still We.
~ drunk and Mrs Roth assisted her to
Miss Buckner's room. Next morning Da-
Wis lief, and 20 did Mrs. Thompson. Miss
Bnckner wrote to Thompson Of his wife's
drunkenness, but as she says made no ref
erence TO Davis. When the defense offer
ed 10 put John D Thompson on the stand,
the prosecution again objected but the
Court decided to allow him to proceed. fIe
told how he had ut Phil's inquest gone TO
Cincinnati and discovered the worse to be
true. lie went TO Washington TO report
and mirablc diofu, he failed also TO tell Of
the Davis matter. Al his advice il was
agreed that Phil should separate from his
wife, az il would impair his usefulness as
a public man 10 be hampered by besotted
woman. This was last December. Phil
did not come home till April, when he
stopped in Cincinnati and then il was that
Miss Buekner told him all. On arriving
in Hnrrodsburg John Thompson corrobo-
rNted the story but Phil remained in the
same town with Davis day or two and
made no effort to see him. The killing
occurred at Harrodsburg Junction, after
Davis had pleasantly extended his hand to
Thompson.
The sensation Of the trial was the intro.
duction Of Miss Jessie Buckner as wit.
meas. She il beautiful woman, who seems
10 have been born 10 make hearts ache and
bleed, She told her story with the brazen.
ness Of the women Of her stripe and held
to her story through four hours Of rigid
examination. She confessed to having
been ordered OUT Of several hotels and OF
having lived in half dozen cities alone,
although she could have remained with
her mother in the South. Her hoard at
the ST. Clair cost 500 per month which
she says was paid By money obtained frosi
Phil Thompson, ST. Even her own story
makes her ont woman Of lose-viriue and
il vas proved that her general reputation
was bad She denied that she had threat |
ened TO have revenge on Mrs. Davis for
snubbing her after her Louisville esoapade.
though it was proved by Mrs. Sue Lyme, |
woman OF high Standing. that she did
Her statement That Mrs Thompson was
drunk on the afternoon Of the November !
day was also coniradicted by reliable wit,
ness The whole case in nut she'll Is
that the elevator man is the only witness
10 the fact that Mrs. Thompson was in Da.
Wis room, and that Miss Buckner finding
Mrs Thompson drunk and having chance
to get even with Mrs. Davis, took the
dreadful means Of revenge. That Davis
should have been 70 great fool as 10 ex-
pose his lai-on in public hotel and at
such an early hour at night, is hard to be-
lieve and We end many who discredit the
alleged proof entirely. .....
The statement made TO the Court which |
was so assiduously telegraphed all over the |
country, was proved to have been written
out by Mr.. Thompson and that he prepar-
ed il with special pains During Miss Buck
ner's testimony, Mrs. Walter Davis, Mrs.
Garnett and Miss Davis, sister Of the
murdered man, were in the court-house,
but the willing witness was not the least
embarrassed by them.
A point that the thoughtful men make
is that if Phil. Thompson had ceased to
recognize his wife, had separated from her
and made provisions for her support for
weeks before, what apology had he for
butchering Davis?
The defense closed It's evidence in chief
Saturday and the prosecution opened ON
rebuttal. The ominous shot gun which
Davis was said TO carry about the street
with him after Thompson's return, proved
To be one that he had borrowed to go hunt
ing With and when seen on the streets with
Il the single time he was taking il home
to its owner
The following special was received a,
o'clock last night;
HARRonsBuRG, May li:--The case of
Phil H. Thompson is before the jury. II
was Submitted at o'clock this afternoon,
upon the heels Of a long discussion con-
terning the instructions.
The defense wanted an Instruction pro-
yiding for an acquittal II the jury believed
lhe killing was done in sudden heat and pas
sion. The prosecution protested bitterly
and the Instruction was considerably mod
ifei in the interest Of the Commonwealth
Al O'Clock Senator B s. Robins, on b,s
halt Of the Commonwealth, made the first