Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-11
CRIMINAL BUDGET.
Beginning the Trial Of Supposed New
hall House Tncendiary.
HE IS CONFIDENT OF ACQUITTAL.
4 MurderOus Iowa Husband Does Some
Savage Shooting.
SH0OTING,LYNCHING & OTHER Fun
Rolling in From All Quarters as the
Days Record
TIE NEWHALL HORROR.
Especial Telegram 10 the Globe.

TIE NEwHALL HORROR.
Especial Telegram TO the Globe.
MILWAUKEE, April 10. - To-day two
months ago the Newhall house burned TO
the ground, 100 people losing their lives,
and this morning the trial of George Schel-
Ter, charged with setting the hotel on fire,
began in the municipal court, Judge Nal
lory presiding. Scheller, the owner of the
hotel bar, and chief clerk of the hotel for
eight years past, was arrested few days
after the fire on the grave charge for which
he is held, and in course of time was regu-
larry indicted by the grand jury. The
former high standing of the accused,
who came to this city a dozen years ago
from Detroit where he is well connected,
has made the case unusually sensational,
the awful crime laid at Scheller's door
being taken INTO consideration. Scheller
has considerable property and a host of
friends, and will be ably defended. The
general opinion to-day is that he will not
be found guilty. Over one hundred wit
nesses have been subppnaed, and the trial
will probably last week or longer. Dis
trict Attorney Clark appeared for the prose
cution, assisted by P. J. Somers, when the
case was called. The defense will be
conducted by JEFF G. McKenny and W. II.
Ebbets, well known members of the local
bar. The trial is proceeding in the munic-
ipal court rooms in the old city hall, and
an immense crowd is present. Scheller,
his wife, sister-in-law, and attorneys were
in the room when the ease was called.
Scheller looks remarkably we'll, and his
confinement has bleached and fattened him
wonderfully. All Of the evidence against
the man is purely circumstantial, but some
of it is very direct. The limo of defense is
that the prisoner was in a gambling room
at the time the fire originated. The
prosecution will endeevor to prove that
Scheller set the hotel on fire for the pur-
pose Of getting heavy insurance on his
stock of liquors and property IN the bar
room. At IL o'clock Scheller, in charge of
a deputy sheriff, appeared IN court, ap-
pearing very cheerful. He said he felt
confident of acquittal. When arraigned
he pleaded not guilty, and the call of
jurors was commenced. A special venire
has been issued and the trial is now pro-
| ceeding, with efforts being made to get
jury.
Western Associated Press
MILWAUKEE, April 10.-The trial of
George Scheller, charged with setting the
Newhall house on fire and causing the
| awful catastrophe Of Jan. 10 last, by which
almost 100 human beings wers sacrificed,
was opened in the criminal court here this
morning-three months to the day from
| the date Of the confagration. Great in
terest was evinced on every side, and long
before the time set for beginning the
| court the room was crowded.
| The prosecution was represented by
District Attorney Clark and p. j. Somers,
! city attorney, while the counsel for the
! defense appeared in the persons of JEFF
| Mckenney, former district attorney, and
W. II. Ebbsts. Schelier was the center of
all observation when brought into court.
He vas rather pallid from long and close
confinement, but looked fresher than when
arrested, and carried himself confidently
and calmly. The days proceedings were
confined to securing a jury, and were ac-
cordin9ly without special interest. Con-
trary to general expectation, the whole
jury was paneled before the final adjourn.
ment this evening. 1t was believed that
at least several days would be passed be-
fore both sides would be satisfied in the
selection, bnt the counsel would be held 70
only four challenges. Better pro
n greSs was made than looked for
The principal cause for the release of thu
jurors was for having an opinion wa1c1
vas sufficient outside of a challenge t.
excuse them. The twelve men drawn are
JAS. II. Dean, farmer; Peter Schumacher
mill man; Henry Surges, storekeeper
, Charles Bevering. cigar maker; G. W. Far
rington, travelling agent; Leuis Nieson
stone cutter; Sydney Mansfield, grain in
! spector; EddiSon Harcher, farmer; Hem,
Rose, insurance agent; Charles Dudley
bookkeeper of the Milwaukee & St. Pau
Railroad company; Frederick Paringef
saloon keeper, and Meder Perrigo, grail
Do. man. After completing the panel IL
e court adjourned until tomorrow, when tn
examination OF the witnesses Will be en-
g tered On.
The aim of the prosecution will be &
e establish that Scheller's financial embar-
easements led him to seek relief throug
destroying his place, under the hotel, an
so secure the insurance, which was heavy
{ | while it is intimsted that the evidence viii
@ be offered to prove that Scheller was in hi
: saloon but q short time before the fir
e broke out.
} The defense claim to have but little di
, | rect testimony to offer, relying, mainly
. on the failure of the prosecution to con
meet Scheller with the iacendiarism, an
so bring about his acquittal on technics
grounds.
MURDERoU5 HUSBAND.
Special Telegram to the Globe.
Sioux CRY, Ia, April 10.-The informa
ton received here regarding the shootin
affair at Correctionville Saturday Nigh
i was erroneous as to the name of the mu
derer, it being Dwight T. Edmunds, brotl
= er of George A. Edmunds. Particulars
: the affair are: Edmuzds' wife and And
: Hase, the man shot, were sitting up wit
e the sick mother of the former in the hous
of George Edmuuds, whose wife is sist'
of Mrs. Dwight Edmunds Dwight watche