Delta chief., 1883-09-05
FRANK JAMES, TRIAL.
Introduction Of a Mass Of Conflicting
Testimony.
Frank James Makes n Statement Assert
ing His Innocence.

Frank James Makes a Statement Assert
ing His Innocence.
ST. LOUIS Aug. 2S.-The Republican,
Galatin special gives the proceedings in the
afternoon session Of the trial OF Frank James
Joseph Mallory, a farmer living eight miles
from Gallatin, testified that on Thursday be-
fore the Winston robbery he saw Frank James
at Potts blacksmith shop, where he was hav-
ing his horse shod; there was another man
with James: witness had discussion with
James concerning the assassination Of Presi-
dent Garfield; James told witness that he was
living in Caldwell county.
Jonas Potts, the blacksmith who shod the
horse referred TO by Mallory, testified that he
lived four miles northeast OF Winston: he be
lieyed he had seen defendant in his shop in the
latter part of June 1881, and that he was there
again on the 18th or l4th Of July.
Wash Wheaton. a farmer, testified in cor
roboration of Potts statement, to having been
at the blacksmith shop when the two men had
the mare shod on the morning before the Win
ston robbery.
Mrs Potts, wife OF the blacksmith. testified
to the correctness of her husbands statement,
and identified defendant one of the men who
took breakfast at her house the day before the
Winston robbery.
Ezra Soule testified: s.Live near Winston
Saw the defendant near Winston. in low
place, surrounded by thick trees. Talked with
defendant, who seemed very cautious. He
claimed he was a stock buyer and WAS in pur
suit of los; cow. Witness the place where
five horses had been hitched.m
In the morning while ON the stand as a wit
ness for the State, Frank O'Neil, Of the st.
Louis RepubiiedI,, asked where the inter
view he had with Frank james, and which was
published in that paper when Frank surrender
ed. was held.
Witness declined to answer giving as a rea-
son the fact that he had taken professional
pledge to keep the place Of the interview Sc
crct,
The Court has given him until tomorrow to
decide. In the event of his refusal to answer.
in case the State insists on his answer, he will
doubtless be committed TO jail for contempt of
court
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 81 The defense in
the Frank James trial continued their line of
impeachng the testimony OF the States wit
nesses. James $. De Masters, justice Of the
peace, testified that at the coroners inquest on
the bouy OF Wood Hite, Mrs. Bolton stated she
had not Frank James for two years. Three
witnesses, subsequently, sworn, impeached the
testimony of the Fords and Bottoms, saving
they had heard them say they had not seen
Frank James for years and that he had gone
South
John J. Samuels, half-brother to the James
BOYS, testified that in MAY, lssl he saw Jesse
James with Dick Liddell al his mothers house
and heard both say they had left Frank in Ken
tucky. There WAS a striking resemblance be-
tween Wood Hiie and Frank James. In Au-
gust, 81, the latter was at his Samuel q house
with his sister, the wife Of witness. He found
him there on bis return from trip to Texas-
Mrs saInuels, mother Of the James boys,
testified that the defendant was II years old
When asked a. 10 the date Of Jesee's death,
she manifested much feeling and, in = eobbing
voice replied: Jesse was at my house in May,
1881, with Dick Iddel. l asked him where
tucky in bad health. commenced crying and
sasd Son, you know be is dead, and you might
., veil tell me- He said, no, be 70 alive aad
in kentucky uhen Dick Liddell spoke up and
h.. IAxac In, md ~
the house with Lidaell and the Hltes until after
the Winston robbery. The last time sav my
son Frank before l met him Al independence
vss seven years ago this fall, when Sheriff
Brown came TO my house and shot him"
Ma Susan Palmer, SiSter OF Frank James,
testified that In 1881 abe resided In Clay coun-
~ and that her broshers spent three months Of
the summer Al her house. Evidence not aha
ken by . rigid cross examination
After . receas Of Is minutes Frank James
took the stand and gave in . clear, distinct
voice . general statement, substantially a. fol-
Am the defendant in this case. In the win
ter Of 1873 went from Missouri into Tennessee
Came To Nashville In July, 1877; returned to .
farm in the White creek ncighborhood In
Company; 1t was hard work Ny health he |
coming impaired moved into Nashville to 60
into other business. I first met Jesse the year |
after went to Sashvilel; II was in a store. He |
stepped up aud spoke, but We called no names |
He said he was living in Hsmpburn county, |
Tennessee, and buying grain. | saw Bill Ryan |
In 1879: did not see Dick Liddcll, Ryan and |
Jesse together very often. ! left Nashville, |
first to look for livelihood for my family. aud /
second to get away from these parties. We |
went 10 George Hite's, relative in Kentucky. |
Regarding the officers appearance near Hite's, |
three men approached and Jesse said, They are |
after us said, No, they can't be after us |
when Dick Liddcll said. jesse and borrowed /
a couple Of horses at Nashville and they are |
after US The officers passed aud did not come |
back. Wood Hitc followed them a short dis
tance. II was said there was strong resctn- |
blancc between Wood Hite and myself We |
went from Hitc's to Logan county, Kentucky, |
ana Jesse aud Dick went away. I don't know |
where. No arrangement was made between |
them and me 10 rob the express at Kansas City. |
On the contrary, tried to dissuadc them from |
going to Missouri, as Il was unsafe. advised |
Dick to 90 to work. Between the 10th and 18th /
of May. 1881, went TO Louisville aud thence |
to Clay county, Texas. went to Mrs. Palm
cr's In June and stayed five or six weeks; went
40 miles. l returned to Mrs, Pamer's when
heard of the Winston robbery. because sup
posed would be looked for as having had
hand In that transaction. While away ON that
trip heard OF the Blue Cut robbery,
"When left Tennessee instructed my wife
To go to General Shelby and sec II anything
could be done for me, as wanted to surrender
her that II nothing could be done to 90 to her
brothers In California, which she did. In Texas
my health was bad. From there / returned To
Tennessee, met my wife in Kentucky, and we
travelled through Tennessee and Virginia and
North Carolina, looking for secluded place OF
residence; finally returned to Lynchburg, Nir-
gina. In April heard OF Jcsses assassina-
ton. saw the interview with Governor Crit
tcudcn, in which the Governor stated when
tbc ot,sfinp WAS aslea .Nyhaf ,hnnf Frank