Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-06


Superior Court-Crfm1nal Side-Judge
Beardsley.
At the opening of the third days proceed
ings in the Whipper trial in the criminal
side of the Superior court yesterday Coroner
Bollman was called to the stand and further
examined by Lawyer Watrous. He told OF
the discovery of footprints going from John
sons pit in southerly direction, and to find
ing of marks on stones similar to those
that would be made by steel nails in the
heel of boot. The footprints were pecu-
liar, inasmuch as they made second i'm
preston Sin the earth as if the boot OF
shoe had small piece of leather attached to
the sole. Whipper's boots were examined,
and on the left one was found a small patch.
The heel of the right boot was also found to
contain steel nails which projected some lit
tie distance.
Whipper's boots were produced in court
and the peculiarities of the repairing on them
were explained by Mr.. Bollman. After
wards they were passed over for the per-
sonal inspection of the jury.
Washington Bristol, of Madison, was the
next witness.
'sDo you remember of going to a donation
party after the murder!' inquired Mr.. Wat
rous.
81 do, sir"
"Was Whipper present?"
"He was"
':Did he say anything at that times"
''He did,
"What was it?''
~ cannot exactly tell, but it was some
thing like this: Perhaps you think and per
haps some people around here think that
killed Eldridge-the lousy - of a -.'
The cross-examination of the witness was
brief, and threw no new light on the sub
ject.
Irving Chittenden and Alden Chittenden
of North Madison, testified regarding circum
stances in connection with the pit and the
footprints which had been described by pre-
vious witnesses.
In the afternoon Giles Dowd, of Madison
was called to the witness stand and testified
in relation to certain statements made by
Whipper for the purpose of showing that the
accused had enmity against the murdered
man. Threats made by the accused, hearo
in the presence of the witness, indicated that
violence would be used at the first opportu
nifty.
Childs Francis testified that he heard
(Eldridge Johnson's) d. neck if he ever got
chance.
The cross-examination showed that the
accused was under the influence of liquor al
the time
James Gill, North Madison farmer, testi
fed to having heard Whipper make threats
against Eldridge Johnson's life.
Carl Stevens, of killingworth, testified
that he heard Whipper say that he had q
fight with Eldridge, and if it had not been
for Edgar he would have killed him. On an
other occasion the witness testified that
Whipper told him that Eldridge johnson
was the d-st fool God ever permitted to
this conversation probably occurred five OF
six years ago.
Alice johnson, the youngest sister of Mr.
johnson, testified that the relations of John
son and Whipper had never been friendly.
She also testified about quarrel she had had
with Whipper about ring and also spoke OF
Whipper's wanting money the night before
the murder.
Alden Chittenden was recalled and testified
concerning a conversation he had with Whip
per the day after the murder.
Edward Collins, of North Madison, said he
went up to the johnson house after receiving
Coroner BoIlmen's summons. He saw Whip
per on the way up and later at the Johnson
house and he testified of his conversation
with Wh1pper.
Miss Eva Palmer, stepdaughter of Mrs.
Mary Palmer, Johnson's sister, testified to
two scraps of conversation which she heard
between Whipper and Alice johnson. On
Tuesday she heard Alice say that she did not
want Whipper to tell her something which
he proposed to as she would have to testify
about it in court Whipper said he was
afraid to say anything, for he didn't know
who might be in the next room.
Grace TT Johnson and William Il. Downs
were called and gave their testimony.