The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-28
THE DAYS CRIMINALITIES
Dick Liddell Gives His Testimony in
the James Trial.


ST. LOUIS, Aug 27.-The Post-Dispatch
Gallatin special says: Frank James's trial
was resumed this morning. Mrs. Samuels,
mother of Frank James, was sworn for the
defense, after which Dick Liddell was cross
examined. 1t has leaked out that the de-
Tense will endeavor to prove an alibi, Gen
eral Joe Shelby being their principal witness,
and further that the Winston gang consisted
of five men, but that Bill Cummings was the
fifth man, not Frank James, The first fact
brought out in the examination was that the
witness had been convicted of horse stealing,
and questioned infinitely as to the move
ments of the gang during the three years pre-
ceding the train robbery, their trips to Hite' IS
in Tennessee, and their return to
Missouri. Saw General Shelby at his
house in 1880. Cummings and
went together, and Jesse James and
Bill Ryan were behind. Witness denied
that Shelby said to Jesse James two young
men have been arrested for the Concordia
bank robbery and he Shelby did not be-
lieve they had anything to do with it. And
Jesse replied, pointing to witness, "There is
the man who hit the Dutch cashier on the
head" Witness maintained that he heard
no such conversation. After detailing
further movements witness said the arrange
ment to come to Missouri was perfected at
Bob Halls house. in Tennessee. Frank
James was not present.
The defense lay great stress on this point
Witness then narrated his trip, which ter
minated in the Winston robbery, his direct
testimony being mistaken
Liddell was asked if, in company with
Jesse James, Wood Hite and Jim Cummings
he didn't meet General Joe Shelby in lane
near Shelby's house just after the Winston
robbery, and Shelby said to Jesse, 81 thought
| am not" Where is Frank" asked :he
General. 'His health is so bad that he has
been South for several years" replied Jesse.
'and did not witness say he had not seen
Frank James for two years."
Witness answered that he had not seen Gen.
Shelby since the robbery until he met him
in Kansas City on last Thursday Witness
further denied that he had told several other
persons that Frank James was not at the
Winston robbery. Witness declined to an
swer whether he knew if Wood Hite was
dead. He related his negotiations with the
Governor TO surrender, and his willingness
to reveal the secrets of the gang.
The court reassem bled at l:30 P. NJ. and the
cross-examination of Dick Liddell was re-
sumed He said he had been out in Kansas
and the Indian Territory since his release.
On redirect examination he testified that
each member of the gang at the Winston
robbery had two pistols. Just after they
left the Grand Frank reloaded, saying he and
Jesse had fired several shots. Regarding the
agreement of surrender, witness said before
he received a promise of immunity he told
Sheriff Undertake the same story as recited
here. This was after Clarence Hite had sur
rendered in Kentucky. This ended Liddells
testimony.
J. L. Ford, father of Charles and Robert
Ford, and other witnesses we're examined,
but the testimony was not of special in
terest