The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-13
SOIoTA-L0MAS CASE
ON rRlAL AT rAaKEsspuRo, W. VA,
A J.y s.e.nd-Op.,lDs Arguments Of ,As
COuss.i-rhs LIHs sfD'fsps. To be RarS.t
o.iJ rArs nitnsI.,s EIsnIE,d-Ths
stSr, OfHeNll,y. IA EJs.nltas,.

Sporial Dl5pGieh 10 Tie laitEiiesaosr,
PARGERsDuRo, ". Va, July l2-To-day
u. exactly halt.past two o'clock the work
which LegAn yesterday OF selecting jury
in the case OF the United States rtraI DA.
vId @. Keller, charged with mAnslaughter,
in connection with the sinking Of the
sciota, was completed, and the following
gentlemen were sworn in: Isaac Pittshea,
Charles p. Porter, John NJ. Mitchell, A. A.
siltingS, Lee W. Hughes, John Gillfilan,
Hugh p. Neal, A. D. Peadore, A. n. Glib.
bins, John W. Mitchell, ]. Ii. Dent aud 7.
W. Smith.
Judge J. II. Furguson, who has been ap-
pointed as special attorney by the Govern.
ment 10 prosecute all these cases growing
out Of the Scioto-L 0Inas disaster, made the
opening statement on the part Of the Gov
ernment, in which he outlined the course
OF the prosecution in his usual clear and
concise wav.
He was followed by Capt. d. D. DOyener
on the part oi the defense, who gave q
synopsis OF what they would show 10 the
Jury, which would result in an acqulttal.
orENISa YoR rHE DEERSsE.
Among other things he stated that the
case had resolved itself into fight between
two boats, and he charged thatthe govern.
ment was being assisted by those con.
nected with the Lomas to subserve private
ends He further stated that there had
been war existing previous TO the dis-
aster between the LomaS and the Little
Anna, plying between Wheeling and
Martins Ferry, and that on various oc.
casions the former had bumped against the
latter for the purpose OF injuring her, and
that At the time OF the disaster the two |
boats, the Lomas and Little Anna were out
with excursions, anu he charged that
he yould prove TO them that the LomaS
inten tionally ran into the sciota thinking
her to be the Little Anna, which In fact
was coming up the river, out bad turned
back before reaching the point where the
collision occurred. He further stated that
It would appear in evidence that the
Lomas had no right upon the river, and
that she was not in charge OF men who
had any right 10 run vessels upon that
portion OF the river. These and many
other thiuss he stated, indicating clear
and thorough knowledge o. bis case.
TIE TESTIMONY.
The first witness called was Mr.. Abraham
Lash, civil engineer, who had made a.
survey Of the scene. His evidence was
simply location OF the boats, which
sevred as an introduction Of the case.
Upon cross.examinalion 1t was brought
out that he had been employed by Captain
Mr. J.. @, Grey, Of Martins
Ferry, attorney for Capt Engle-
bright, was examined, aud he was
followed by Mr.. A. F. McNally,
who detailed al account OF the disaster as
seen from his house. lie stated upon be
ing questioned Us to the movements OF the
Scioto previous TO the collision, that 1t was
his opinion that she had stopped her ma
chinery, and gave as his rea,en that the
steam bad ceased to come from the escape
pipes. Thirty.one Of the Government wit
nesses we're sworn In 10 commence with:
The case will be bitterly contested and
will likely last fer two or three weeks.