Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-06
THE MURDER TRIAL.
THE STATE RESTS IT'S CASE. AND THE DE-
TENSE BEGINS.
Nothing New Developed in the Progress Of the Case
"A Little Spat Between DOyensr
and Hutchinson.

/
johnson murder trial, at Moundsville,
was taken up with continuation OF the
States evidence. Elijah Blakemore was
the first witness, being recalled by the
State. His testimony was practically the
same as that given the day before, except
that he denied that Mr.. Thatcher had
broken open the door of the johnson resi-
dence. Mayor Purdy was also recalled by
the State. He testified to the murdered Of
ficer's vigor and strength, and also estab-
lished that he was minister OF
the Gospel, gaining quite a reputation
through his preaching. The Mayor said
Sergeant Thatcher kept the best of order
in the town, but in cross-eXamination the
witness admitted that Mr.. Thatcher was
man of passion, quick tempered, and one
who always tried to carry his point,
whether in argument of other questions
Witness had heard of Thatcher having sew
eral quarrels, and once of his having a
black eve, but never saw him
engaged in a row. He was in on
quarrel in Marion county. He also testl-
| fed that Mr.. Thatcher was very indus
trious man, and tried to raise his children
to follow in his footsteps. 4e was very
indulgent father. After Mr. Thatcher
was in the office two or three weeks the
town was peaceable and quiet. The State
here rested the case, and the defense open
ed by calling Frederick Brown to the
stand, who being duly sworn testified that
he had known Mr. Thatcher off an on
since 1853. He said that his general rep
utatiOn was that of peaceable and quiet
man, but that he was quickly excited and
very passionate and on some occasions was
man of violent temper. On
cross-examination he stated that Thatcher
was very religious man
and had often spoken to him on the subject
of religion. He had heard of some little
difficulty that Mr.. Thatcher had some three
years ago. He had also heard of diff
Guilty he had at Sand Hill, Marshall
county, and that he was very rash man.
Questioned by Doyenor as to what he
knew about the trouble between Thatcher
and his father, witness said he knew moth
ing.
Geo. McCombs was the next witness for
the defence. He testified that he was &C
uuainted with Mr.. Thatcher; and also
knew Mr.. Thatcher's father, having lived
within eight miles of where he was raised.
He also stated as to his general reputation
among his friends and neighbOrs, being
L, -
The next witness, George Price,
said that he was acquainted with
Mr.. Thatcher, he having lived in his
! house (Price's) about one year. Was not
acquainted with his general reputation.
Had never heard any his neighbors COM
plain.
Richard Gosney was the next witness.
He stated that he lived in the Eighth ward
of Wheeling. Knew j. P. Thatcher in
1858 or 1860, when he was with his
| father (Thatcher). He stated that he
could not say that Thatcher was quarrel
some.
Geo. McCOmbs was recalled by the
State In croSs-eXamination by Capt.
Dovener he said that at one time when
Thatcher was holding 4 prayer meeting
he rose from his kneeling position and
knocked man down for a reason I'M
| known,
Samuel Dorsey, the next witness called,
stated the particulars of the capture Of
Johnson, he being one of the captors.
Edward Mangle stated that he was about
one hundred from the scene of the shoot
ing, and described the manner of the trag
edy rs has heretofore been told in the col
umns of the REGISTER.
Abraham Bryson was present when Mr..
Thatcher was examined on the ground
where he was murdered. lie stated that
he took the pOcket-hOOk and keys from his
pocket, hut that the revolver was handed
to him by man whom he took to he DR..
Steele lie handed the articles to Mayor
Purdy.
H. H. Keller testified that he knew Mr..
Thatcher, being an associate police of the
town of MOundsville, and that he and
Charles Fountain NET him on the night of
the DIST of June, between eight and nine
o'clock, at Mr.. LOgan's store, in the lower
town, the night before the murder oc-
CURED, and that they went together to
Gene JOhnsOn's house, and that he and
Fountain were at the back door of the
house and Thatcher at the front door,
Mr. Thatcher searched the house, and
after he came out he said that johnson
was not there.
Dora Thatcher the son of the deceased
was the next witness. lie stated that he
was at JOhnsOn's house with his father
early on the morning of the murder; that he
was holding the, back door and that his
| father was at the front door, and that his
| father afterwards told him that he was in
He said that his father told him to hold
the door.
Minnie johnson, the wife of the defend
ant, stated that she had been married to
the defendant about six years. She said
! that she was acquainted with Mr. Thatcher,
he having been at her home
Friday or Saturday before the murder, and
at that time he asked her which part oft
house Gene johnson occupied. She told
him and he asked her if Gene was in. She
said no. He then handed her summons
and told her to give it to him. 1t was for
him TO appear at the Mayors Office. She
then stated as to how he treated her, AS
has been already related in these columns.
Mrs. Jos. Morten stated that she lived
in one part of the house occupied by
johnson; that she had seen Mr.. Thatcher
there several times, and that she saw him
on the morning of the tragedy on John
sons p0rtico and saw him force in the
door. She also gave very vivid dis
cription of the murder, and told how Mr..
Thatcher had treated her.
SO concluded the days testimony.
NOTES OF THE TRIAL.
The attendance yesterday was larger
than any day yet, standing room being at
q premium. The audience, as on former
days, was composed of ladies to great
extent.
Capt. Will Matthews, the official court
steuographer, is confined to his room at
the Henratta House, not being able TO ap-
pear at the Court House. During his
sickness II. II. Holt is performing his
duties.
The jury, accompanied by the Sheriff,
prisoner and Judge, viewed the scene OF
the murder yesterday morning.
Dovener made considerable fun by a
pun at the expense OF Hutchinson who OBJ
iected to question by DOyener, but the
al e,;I III