The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-03
A Tragic Scene in the Chesley Chambers

Trial.
BLOoNINGToN Ind, Jan. 31.-Ssturday was
the most exciting day of the week of the
Chambers trial, caused in the most part by
the sudden appearance of George X. Davis,
the injured express messenger, but while the
State gained in this well-directed stroke they
lost in decision of the Court ruling cut the
forgeries in which Chambers used the name
of his uncle without permission. 1t was only
known by few persons connected with the
prosecution that Davis was in the city or
that he was able to be out. A physicians
evidence had occupied almost half an hour,
and was closing, when in the center aisle APP
peared the slender form of q stranger.
George X. Davis will please come forward
as a witness" called out Colonel Friedlev,
the railroad attorney. 1t was surprise that
was even noticeable on the Jury, and it was a
sumner to Chesley Chambers as he sat in his
usual place, post keeping him well guarded
from the witnesses seat. He doubtless
thought that another effort at Identification
was to follow, and the people crowded and
iammed, expressing all kinds of expecta-
tons.
Davis walked forward, but it was soon evil
dent that he was a mental as well as q phys
zeal wreck. Chambers flushed, his face
twitched and his fingers nervously clUtched
Il Il
the man whom he was on trial for worse than
numbering.
Davis was on the stand for fully twenty
minutes, but so low were his thinking facul-
ties that but little was said of the terrible
story in which he was the principal actor,
for the period of the tragedy of which he
was the victim is long blank TO his men,
DRY. Poor George X. Davis, pierced in the
brain with pistol ball, fine in stature hon
est and kind, could tell no tales when in the
very presence of the man identified as caus-
ing his pitiable condition.
My name Is George IlUrtZ Davis" he said
in almost inaudible tones. 81 am twenty
four years old, and live at Louisville. On
the 18th OF last April l took the north
bound train on the Monon route for Chicago
as express messenger, and attended to my
work up to after leaving Bedford, when l lay
down to take a rest. From that time until
almost June / knew nothing nor can think
of nothing that happened. I did not know
the cause of this until told. | was not at
the trial in September because the doctors
told me to 90 to the country to improve my
health. 1 was advised by physicians not to
come this time"
Here Davis recognized his cap weEn on
that terrible night and also his revolver
that, in the hands of an assassin, sent q bull
let through his brain. 1t was not what he
said but the way he said it shat made the
impression. AS he was dismissed from the
courtroom and walked within few feet of
Chambers the prisoner dropped his head and
looked the other way.
The evidence of Peter Webber, the bag
gagen aster, who was shot and knocked
down and afterward identified Chambers,
was given in the afternoon, and was materi-
ally stronger than before. When on the
stand he was asked to point out the man
that shot him.
THAT man hiding behind that post. but I
see him."
Webber was cross-examined very little. 1t
was almost o'clock when the state closed
its case for the present, and the defense be-
gan presentation of their case, though only
an introduction had been made when court
adjourned The interest in the trial is grow
ing every day.