The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-12
Progress of Thompson,s TriaI.

HARRoDsBuRG, KY, May 1l.-In the trial OF
Phil B. Thompson for killing Walter II. Davis, the
calling of Mrs. Roth. of the St. Clair Hotel, Gin
oDnati, by the defense to prove the acts of Davis
and Mrs. Thompson was signal for an objection
by the Commonwealth to the admssibility of all
evidence of that character. Argument followed
for two hours, when the court ruled that it
would admit the evidence, subject to future
ruling In the charge to the jury as to its compe-
tency.
Mrs. Roth testified as TO the meeting of Davis
and Mrs. Thompson; that Mrs. Thompson was in
Davis's room more than an hour on Nov. %; that
she saw her in the hall in drunken state after
ward, and helped her to Miss Buckner's room,
and heard the conversation between them; Mrs.
Thompson said they had been to the theater, but
left before the play ended.
John Maurer, porter, testified to the same
facts, saving that Mrs Thompson was in Davis's
COON with Davis an hour and a half.
Conductor Martin, who was on the train when
The SNORING took place, said when Davis was
tnrned over he saw pistol half way out of his
hip-pocker.
A eoIored porter testified that he saw Davis
try TO draw pistol while standing on the plat
form, and just before the fatal shot fired.
Few other witnesses We're heard as to minor de-
tails.
Public opinion seems to vacillate as the testi-
mony progresses, and guesses as to The result
seem TO favor a disagreement Of the jury. The
defense has the most able counsel, but the pros
ecution is using every effort to make the best of
their side of the case. At the present rate or
progress IL is thought the case will be ready for
argument by Monday or Tuesday.
the last witness on the stand was ]. B. Thomp-
son, brother of the defendant. His testimony
had hardly begun until the point of its eompe-
teDcy was raised. He had testified that at the
request OF his brother he came to Cincinnati and
investigated the story, and became satisfied Of
the guilty conduct OF Mr.. Davis and Mrs
Thompson, and when his brother returned from
Washington in April told him of it. The prose
eutton unoertonk 10 require witness to tell how
he became satisfied of the crminality of Davis.
Defense objected to this kind of inquiry. The
court postponed ruling till morning.
Usited States Marshal Strobaoh Charged
with Fraud.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, May 11.-Paul strobach
was appointed marshal of the Southern and
Middle districts of Alabama about the time Con-
eress adjourned. Before the appointment
special agents of the Department of Justice
were sent to Alabama to investigate the ao
counts and books of his predecessor. NJ C. Os-
borne, extending the Investigations especially
into the Irregularities of the deputy marshas IN
rendering accounts. Brewster Cameron, chief
of the special agents, has been here about a
week. Strobach was deputy marshal under
Marshal Turner in February and January, 1880.
To-day the grand jury of the United States Dis
trct Court returned five indictments against
Strobach, alleging fraud in his accounts as dep
uty marshal, now over three years ago. Tie
accounts were for services in arresting parties
charged with depredating on the public lands
in Covington county. The accounts are five in
number, and certain items for mileage al
legged never travelled, meals never eaten. gu ards
never employed and arrests never made. The
whole amount OF the accounts is 1918. StFo-
bach is under bond OF So, 900. He demands AN
immediate trial, which will probably come off
On Saturday or Monday. The indictments cause
great Excitement here, where etrobaeh is re-
garded as the leading man of his party He
claims To have good defense, and that the
whole thing is a plot among rival factions Of
ais own party, the Republican, to ruin him and
get him out Of office
An Arkansas Man Legally strangled.
NEWPORT, Ark, May 11.--Jerry Bialock was
hung for numbering Thomas Brandenburg in a
cotton field, in 1880. Bialock confessed the crime
60 reporter hntldenied positively the rumor that
he murdered Brandenburs in the interest of w
D. Carter. who had quarreled with the victim.
The prisoner confessed that In 1878 he assassin
uted Charles Lns ey, near Jonesborough, Craig
mend county, because the latter had broken his
marriage engagement. He threw the body into a
hollow III the forest, and does not helieve it was
aver discovered. He afterward secretly re-
turned 10 Jonesh0r0ugh and burned the court
Douse To destroy the Indictment found agai hsJ
hn, ana, later, in the town of Swifton, nearly
beat To death man named Williams for assault-
Ing the prisoners sister. Blalock made n
lengthy speech from the gallOws TO q crowd of
over 1000, warning young men against whisky
gambling, bad men and bad women. TO whose
influence he traced his ruin Baluek VIVA
twenty-f0ur years Old.
An Insurance President Charged with Per-
jury.
NEW York, MAY 11.1Aadrew ]. Smith. presi-
lent of the Manhattan Fire Insurance Company.
has been arrested and held to hail in the sum of
$4,000, charged with perjury. in swearing to