Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-08
THE TRIAL BEGUN.
George Hoettner Arfaigned for Kill
lnp Charles Dick
On March I, 1884 Large Number Of
Spectators Attracted to the
Court HOuse---Yesterday's
Testimony.

Another murder trial was commenced in
Part Of the Circuit Court, Judge Jacob
presiding, yesterday morning, the defendant
being George II. Boettner, who, it will be
remembered, shot an9 killed Charles Dick
inifrcns Of Miller's saloon, on Marke. street,
Just north of the Second ward Market house,
about eight o'clock on the evening OF Sat
urdsy, March l, 1884. Immediately after
the shooting BOettuer ran up Market street,
and thence made his way over the hill 10
his home on Eighteenth street. where he
was shortly after arrested BY Capt Bennett
and Officer Morris, the revolver with which
the deed was done being found under the
bureau in the back room.
An examination was had before Squire
Ankle, in the Jail, on March 10th, Prose
cutting Attorney appearing for the State and
Messrs. Crscrsf and Doyenar for the de-
Tense, and after hearing of the witnesses
the prisoner was remsnded to jail with
out bail to await his trial.
Yesterday morning, as above stated, the
case came up, Mr.. Doyener counsel for the
defense, making 9 plea of selEdefense.
Prosecuting Attorney Jordan appeared tor
the State, assisted BY Col Arnett. The fol
lowing Jury was impsnneled: John K. Mil
Ter, foreman, Thomas Meyers, W. d, Arm
strong, Il. F. Nolte, Louis Nolte, Thomas
Burke, George Msthison, Lawrence Skelley,
William johnson, James Lsron, Henry
Knoke and Henry Trussell.
Louis X. Cooke was the first witness
called. He testified that he went to Mil.
ler's about 2 o'clock on the afternoon OF
March lst with Boettner, Dick, BENZ. Combs,
Louis Britt and one or two others. The
party drank number of times and then
engaged in game of cent hnte in back
room of the saloon. After the party had
played while he went out, and when he re-
turned Boettner was talking excitedly.
He told him to keep quiet,
when Boettner made use OF a
rough expression and pulled out re-
volver. Ben Combs then threw Boettner
on the floor. Witness soon after left the
house.
Dr.. A. F. Stifel was then called. He testi-
fed that he had been called to the saloon
on the night Of the shooting. He found
Charles Dick lying on the floor of a back
room with bullet wound just under his
lett eye. 14llc HdS cAIuCk Luz uONSOA
also detailed the post mortem, and said
death had resulted from the wound de-
scribed.
Thomas D. Bennett, ex Chief Of Police,
testified as to the arrest Of Boettner and the
finding of the revolver, aud at the conclu-
sion of his testimony the court took re-
cess until afternoon.
At o'clock court was reconyened, aud
the jury proceeded to the premises where
the shooting occurred to view the ground
On their return Charles Elig was called to
the stand On direct examination by Mr.
Jordan, the witness said he was walking up
Market street on the night of the shooting
and saw two men standing in front OF
Miller's saloon; heard talking; shot was
fred, and one of the men on the sidewalk
fell; he ran up; the wounded man was car
ried inside; the man shot was standing
three or four feet from the step; the man
was doing nothing; he saw the shine of the
revolver before he heard the shot; the man
who fired heard the footsteps and ran up
street-north; did not notice how far he
went, but went in saloon; might have saw
him go as far as gas lamp; heard no words
uttered; was too fer away.
Cross examined BY Doyener-Wss wit
ness before Squire Ankle at the Jail Testa
mony then given read to witness, who said
it was correct, as far as he could recollect.
One man came out of the saloon right after
the other; didn't know of the circumstances
which brought them out; heard no fuss;
the wounded man, when he saw him, was ly-
ing on his face, at right angles to sidewalk;
did not know whittier man who fred went
toward man who was shot or not. After
shot was fred the man turned and appear
ed as though he did not know which way TO
run; there was no one with witness, but he
passed two men when he ran to the saloon;
they were Charles Schmepp and man
named Hobbs.
Louis n. Britt-Knew the defendant;
knew Charles Dick; was with him on March
l, 1884, met him in Bowers saloon,
in East Wheeling, with Louis Cook, Ben
Combs, George Boettner, and others; was
there fifteen or twenty minutes; went from
there to MIllers saloon in company with
Cook, Combs, Dick and Boettner; we went
in and had drink, and then went to the
back room and played cards; the players
were Charles Gasmire, Dick, Cook, Combs,
Boettner and witness; began to play about
o'clock; game was cent ante; after
while trouble occurred between Bosttner
and Cook; Cook made bet, Boettner call
ed him and ssked what he had; Cook said
hree due. 3; Boettrer told him to show
Them down on the table; Cook laid down the
cards and Boettner said "Its your money
Cook had but two duces and tray with his
thumb over the centre spot; BOettner saw 1t
and said, Cook, you hive had it in for me
for two weeks, and if you want anything
you can have it; Boettner then pulled
out a revolver; Combs caught the revolver
and the men then fell on the floor; witness
then went out in the yard, and when he
came back all the men were standing in the
room; Boettner asked them to drink, and
all went to the bar room; after while they
came back and played euchre for quarter
9 corner; witness held the stakes; about 8
o clock saw Miller put Bother out; Boett-
ner had revolver in his hand; Dick walked
out after Boettner; witness followed Dick;
was within two feet of him; vas in act of
shutting door when shot was fred; saw the
fash of the revolver; went back and asked
Mr.. Miller for q glass of beer, and while
getting it man put his head in the door
and said some one had been killed; went
out and saw Dick lying on the pavement;
was lying with head to the east; was then
alive; went to him to carry him in, and some
one said we had better wait until leave was
given Us to move him; some one else said:
Lets take him in, anyhow" and We did
so; we took Dick to the back room and
laid him on the floor; sent Mrs Miller after
q pillow, and when she came back sent for
q glass of wster; by the time she got back
Dick was dead; wound was under left eye.
Cross examined By Dovener-KueW moth
ing of Dick trying to pawn 8 ring to Mr..
Fisher for 81; Dick asked me to 60 to
Miller's; we went down Sixteenth street
and up Market; don't remember who l
walked with; couldn't say who was 10 front;
don't know that anything was said about
Roaffpar sold EtDint "a O damn