The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-07-14
THE COURTS.
The Circuit Court.
RUSSELL AND PRICE DISPOSED OF


some time ago, were brought into court
again, the latter through his appointed at
torneys, Blake IL Moloney, entering a motion
for separate trial and for continuance TO
the October term. In support OF the motion
he filed an affidavit setting forth Russelrs
character to be SO bad that II he we're to be
tried in connection with him it would neces-
sarily prejudice the Jury against himself.
The affidavit also stated that he was unable
TO secure the witnesses necessary to estab-
fish the fact that on the night Of the attempt
TO murder Ullery he was at a certain place
all night except for about twenty minutes,
Judge stipp granted the motion, and the
case goes over to the next term.
Russell then, through the same attorneys,
asked for a change Of venue on the ground:
that about five years ago he had been tried
for murder, but was acquitted; notwithstand'
ing the verdict all the newspapers of the
county had continually charged him with
the crime of which he had been proven inno-
cent; that numerous other crimes, or sup
posed crimes, that had taken place near his
late residence (Split Rock had also been
charged to him by these newspapers, until
now the public mind was SO prejudiced
against the aifant that he could not secure
an impartial trial in La Sale county; further,
that the newspapers of Kendall, Grundy,
VIII and Bureau counties, had copied from
the La Sale county papers the aforesaid ar
ticles until he believed the minds Of the peo-
pie of those counties were likewise preju-
diced, and he asked that the change OF venue
might be granted to some other county Than
any of those named. A little discussion fol-
lowed among the attorneys as to what coun-
ty the case should be taken to. Finally the
judge directed it to 20 to Livingston, where
the next term will be held in October. This
disposes of Russell so far as La Sale county
is concerned
Following RUSSELL the states attorney
took up the Henry Price matter, and it was
set for hearing Thursday morning. At that
time, Oh the advice Of his COUNSEL, he entered
formal plea Of guilty" of an attempt to
commit rape upon the person Of Mrs. l.. F.
Slpder, Of La Sale. The indictIaent wa for
the accomplishment OF the outrage, but un
der it he WAS liable to be convicted of the at
tempt for which the penalty was from one to
fourteen years i'll the pcniteniiary. The
Judge having stated these facts to Price he
still maintained plea OF guilty, after which
evidence was introduced on the part OF the
state to establish the magnitude OF the
crime.
The first witness was Mrs. Susan Slyder
The lady upon whom the assault was made.
She testified in substance that she lived at
La Sale had been married Is wears: recog-
nized defendant as the man who made the
assault upon her person on the day named
MONDAY. June 25th); never saw him before
that day. Accompanied by tier mother Mrs.
Blish, she was walking toward the residence
of Mr.. Plant, between 9 and + o'clock in the
afternoon. When at Fifth street bridge the
defendant passed on horseback. just east of
the powder house defendant rode ahead
short distance and dismoRqte and came
back 10 where her mother ana herself were.
He held pistol to the head Of mother and
said he would shoot her II she screamed;
then turning to her Mrs. S. he also threat
ened TO shoot her. Her motber ran ahead
and he then threw Mrs. Slyder down and got
down on her person, grasPsng her by the
throat until the breath was nearly gone, also
holding pistol at her head with the threat
of shooting if she screamed. He did not &c.
complish his ohject-a team coming up
seemed to frghten him away. The struggle
lasted perhaps two minutes. When he left
her he ran in the direction he had first been
h., tun, far 81 hal
across the court room when he ran away
She did not know who they were IN the
wagon; had been told the names. She did
not recognize defendants clo9hes, only his
cap. Tie cap was subsequently, produced
and recognized. There was no cross exam.
ination.
The evidence of Mrs. Slyder was most pain
fully obtained. The lady appears to have
lust arisen from bed Of sickness, and her
voice was scarcely audible ten feet distant,
while the sense Of shame and humiliation
caused her face to cover with blush that
created a sense Of pity in the hearts Of every
person present, unless, perhaps, that Of
Price himself.
Mrs. Joseph Blish, the mother of the un-
fortunate woman, was the next witness.
She has lived at La Sale for 80 years; aged
12 years; once lived at Ottawa. She then
corroborated her daughters evidence up to
the point where she ran away TO give the
alarm. She saw him seize Mrs. slyder by
the arm, and saw her after the man had gon.
away; she was exhausted and faint, and her
clothing disarranged, torn and dusty, as
though che had been thrown on he- back,
and her throat was sore for several days-the
day following she was unable to swallow.
Her daughter remained in this exhausted
condition for several days, including the time
the grand jury was passing upon the case
On cross examination by Moloney, in answer
TO the question, "Can you point out anyone
here who was present on that occasion :" |
with the utmost indignation and eyes fash.
ing, the aged lady pointed her finger at the
prisoner aid said, "Why, that's the mansr
She then Identified the prisoners cap and
coat as the ones worn on that occasion.
". T. Mason, justice Of the peace, was
next called anl testified As TO the manner in l.
a