Morris tribune., 1884-01-30
THE LAWS COILS
frightening Around O. A. Carpenter
---Audicted by the Grand Jury for
the Murder or Zura Burns.

tne Murder OF Zura Burns
LINCOLN, Ill. Jan. 26.-The grand jury
found an indictment against Orrin A. Car
penter, for the murder of Zura Burns. This
has been expected all along, although many
thought it unwise to attempt to convict him
with the scant evidence in hand, and dis
approved Of the grand jury taking the
matter up now. But the prosecu-
tion has been making dilligent use of the time
since the prehssinary examination, and from
present indications, have much stronger
case than they then had. Part OF the new
testimony is that of DR.. Belfield, of the Rush
Medical college, who, it is said, will dissent
from the decision of President Wheeler on the
analysis of the blood spots, and he has also
photographed multitude of hair-pins, and
is prepared to say that the pins found in Car
penters buggy and the one found in Zura's
pocket are "as alike as two pins" The
lies of Detective Barry, however, de-
tract materially from the weight OF
the hair-pin clew The latest rumor falls
like a blazing fagot among the friends
of Carpenter. 1t is to the effect that an old
negro lady kept Zura on the Saturday night
and Sunday during which she was missing;
that Carpenter called at the old woman's
cabin on Sunday night and took Zura away;
that day or two after the killing the old
negress suddenly disappeared from Lincoln,
and was subsequently traced to Kentucky;
that her deposition was before the grand
jury, and the old lady herself will be forth
coming at the trial. Diligent inquiry failed
to discover the woman's name or her present
whereabouts, but an intelligent colored man
assured the reporter in private conversation
that the above story was substantially
true, and that the witness in question would
tell much more when called to the stand.
Reason for not giving the woman's name was
for fear she would be intimidated or got out
of the way by the defense.
When the Indictment was returned Car
penter, accompanied by one of his attor-
neys went to the court room, was called
before the bar, and the document
read to him He exhibited great distress in
his countenance, but sat down and COM
posedly listened to the arguments on theques-
tion of admitting him to bail. Judge Herd
man decided that, since the jury had found
bill against defendant for murder, the fact Of
such Indictment gave great presumption of
admit the defendantto to bail. He must go to
jail The sheriff will take charge of the pris-
oner."
He emphasized his decision pretty strong
1y, which caused ripple of surprise and ex-
citement in the court room.
T. T. Beach, of the defense, was highly
wrathful at what he termed the uncalled-
for emphasis of the court. and let out several
big round oaths at the judge as they walked
down the street.
In conversation with Zura's father the
other day he told your reporter that all
that lay between Carpenter and Judge
Lynch last fall was his (Burn's) word. A
crowd, he said, was orgauized and waited
only for his consent. A repetition of the
circumstances may not result as safely to Car
penter and guilty or innocent, he is in a bad
row of stumps. The die is rapidly casting.