New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-08
FOR AND AGAINST TITUS.
THE PROSECUTION RESTS ITS CASE.
EVIDENCE THAT HE HAD TRIED TO BREAK OUT OF
JAIL-wITNEssEs IN HIS BEHALF.
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE


BELvIDERE, n. j., Oct. when Titus, the
alleged murderer of Tie smith, brought into tue
stdy littc this morning he looked pale and
nervous. He smiled sadly when his wife came In ana
shook hands with him. The room was crowded sherlu
Van Campen testified that an effort was made TO DreaK
out OF the Jail where Titus was conhned some weeks
ago Some had tried to remove bricks from the lal
wall and tapered with and broken the lock OF the
cell then occupied by Titus spike which was used to
cut the bricks with found hidden in window
casing. There alec key found The sheriff takec
Titus about this attempt but he denied that he was
concerned 1t. removed Titus to another cell and
hole Ia the floor under his old bed he found role
made OF which Mrs. Titus had brought to her
husband. When he asked Tittn about this rope the
prisoner said he halt-crazy sometimes and did not
know what he doing. Continuing, the sheriff test
fed that when he took Titus from the court last
Wednesday, he found In his hip pocket piece of sash
rope with end. The witness produced the
key, the floor mat and the rope made from It, and tie
sash rope.
Edward Fuller, who confined In the county jail
during the month OF August upon charge OF drusgng
and assaultng girl in Phipsburg testified that the
prisoners in the Jail had schemsd to break out They
began working at the lock Ttus's cell door. They
going cut the bolt of that Titus could the
door night He then break open the cells Of
the prisoners and they TO cut their out OF
the building. At another time the prisoners met In
Ttuss cell and agreed 70 strike down ths Tailor and
make their escape. They were all ready when Iitus
SAID; Let's weaken" The next morning Titus ex-
pressed that their plan had been gyen up Titus
mad said tna IL he succeeded in securing his liberty lie
would on bis and sleep IN the tops OF trees
Ia the day time and travel nights One day ftua vas
told that Meade the theological student. WAS In town
Ho said the witness II Meade comes 10 the jail he
will leave II alive shall kill him" Titus said
that he succeeded in breaking Jail he would Kill with
csseknIie any person trying to recapture hun.
The state rested Its case here.
Mrs Re,ecca Titus, the mother OF the prisoner was
the first witness sworn in his behalf. Her husband
hanged himself fourteen years The prisoner, size
said, sick tor two weeks before the murder. .
Mrs Nete Titus the wife OF the prisoner testified tnat
she Darrled about five years Titus was suuer
ing from liver complaint wien Tfllie was murdered
Wnen the told her husband about tho murder he
said Had better dross and go up to the Insttutef
Shs said: 4" No. you lie down again and have good
sleep" lie remained In bod
Ralph Titus, the anernaw OF the prisoner testified
that Student Meade told him that William Drake and his
nepbeE were in the furnaceroom with Titus when he
entered the room the night OF the murder. Tnomas b.
Howell. and Joshua Curtiss testified that Meade had
talked to them about his securing portion OF the reward
offered for the discovery OF Titles murderer. William
Ii. Drake also contr7dieted Meade.