The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-02
THE LANE CASE.
TESTIMONY OF A DRUMMER WHO
THINKS HE SAW LANE IN FULTON.
Heard Him Refer to the Murdered Man
In Vile Language Of Hostile Char
acter-Identifies the Prisoner by the
Shape of His Head.

yesterday. Mr. M. NJ. Conen Was INC
first witness called.
He had worked with Lane in Lehman's
office. Lane was never sociable; seemed
moody and eccentric. He was stenog-
rapher and typewriter. Frequently,
when engaged on the latter instrument,
he would break off in an distracted way.
Sometimes Lane would pick up his papers,
come over to witness desk, push witness
and step on witness feet, aud be, SEEM
ingly, oblivious OF witness presence.
When not at work Lane would sit alone
and gaze, abstractedly, out OF the window.
On one occasion witness saw Lane hold
his hands up as II pointing gun at some
thing in the air. Witness regarded Lane
rs a religious crank. lie talked with him
on religion once and Lane talked of spirits.
Lane told witness, either the day Of the
homicide or the day before, that he had
ceased to believe in anything Lane was
sick on the day and two days before the
homicide.
, Cross Examined--Ian was a good stem
ographer and was rapid operator on the
typewriter lie had the name OF being
one of the best stenographers in Memphis.
Witness never had but one conversation
with Lane of any length. Then he was
rational and expressed himself sensibly.
Witness regarded Lane then and now rs
being OF unsound mind, on account OF his
eccentricitics. Lanes father came in the
early part OF the afternoon OF the day OF
the homicide and saw Lane for minute
or two. Did not sit down; merely leaned
over and whispered in Lanes ear, Did
not hear what he said.
John Lehman, the nephew OF the
Lehman brothers, testified that Lane
seemed TO be indifferent to everybody and
everything around him. His work was
always well done, but when disengaged
he would sit with his feet in the window
and his head in his hands; or he would
gaze vacantly into space, or walk the floor
and muttcr to himself. Never joined in
any conversation unless drawn on. On
the day OF the homicide Lane seemed
very nervous. Witness was practcng on
the typewriter copying from a newspaper
Lane said: You read 10 me and Ill try
it," Witness took the paper and read.
"Read faster" said Lane. Witness read
more rapidly, and Lane continued TO order
him TO read faster. His manner was very
peculiar.
CrOss-Examined- was after his ia
ther came in and whispered TO him. Did
not hear prisoner say anything about u
man named Brown, nor say he wanted 10
get even with Brown, nor say lac had II
in for anybody.
s. {. Cromwell testified 10 seeing Lane
In his cell ut the station-house after the
killing. Lane told him the spirits moved
e.. -. Ia.
did not shoot anyone he met on his way
from home bccaus, he wanted 10 kill the
man he shot without fail. Iane was
rational, and impressed witness then with
having the nature and disposition Of a
shccp.killing dog.
Mr.. MInier Parker, who once employed
the prisoner, testified that lac had seen
Lane making y sticulatiOns and muttoring
90 himself Witness WIS apprehcnsiye oi
him and watched him closely.
Cross.cxanncd 90 When Lane was
aroused from one Of his fits Of abstraction
he would converse in'olligcntly.
Squire Wellborn testified that tire,
yeaTs ago lanes father came 20 him ant
told witness that lac wanted Lewis sent e
the insane ward oi the poor-house. Witness
held nm examination upon the prisoner n,
10 his sanity at his house. His father lac
told witness that his son had recently be
come demcntcd on account OF his associa
ton with spiritualists, who were living IL
the ncighborhoOd. Saw Lane in bed
When Lane saw witness he sworc. Iii
father pulled him ont OF bed and began {,
make him dress. Then Lane began ours
ing his father Lane said 10 witness
81 know what YOU want You want q
take me out there, and III be Odd II III
20. Yon haven't got men enough here 4
take me-"
Witness tried to persuade Lanes fathe
TO allow him 10 have Lewis confined will
handouts, but he would not hear Of II
When prisoners mother came In 10 per
suadc Lane TO go with witness he swore >
irghtiully NJ her that she ran out OF I'll
room. Lane was gotten out 10 the pOoI
house wagon, and there he broke from hi
colorcd attendants and ran OIL. Witnc'
knew nothing more about the case.
Croz-examincd-Pr Prisoner did not kic
one Of the colorcd attendants down. NJ
did he attempt TO assault witness nor ID
he Brighten witness and make witness IA
away.
Eugene Lehman, Of the legal firm Of
r.. Lehman. Lanes employers, trstifc
No Lanes efficiency as sicuogaphcr m
typewriter, and corroboralcd the prccc,
Ing testimony, going 10 show Lanes pr
occupied manner, his uncommunicatiyI
ness: his seeming melancholy, aud his =,
culinritics. When not nj work he Dire
himself entirely away from other mcn an
scpmcd 10 socludc himself Never hear
him speak ten WORKS in the office rclati,
10 any other topic than the business
had In hand. Witness thought him uih,
peculiar. The day before the homicit
was lying down on a lounge In the 0ilig
and "A he felt badly; said he thought
had had slight chill IN the mornin
Advised him to 20 home. Did not y
lane ON the morning OF August u. !
came In that afternoon. lie excused hin
tcli Tor coming late. Did not see hi
again.
Cro--cxamined- Never saw Lane wa
ING his hands ~ II battling with s0methii
In the air. II Is nov the opinion OF vi
ncss. In view Of the homicide and rccr
developments. together with Lanes pecu
aritics, that Lane uas insane. Lcayil
OFT thc fact Oi the tragedy and other Il
y,lopmcnis, witness would have rcgarl,
Llnc as crazy merely from hisaciion whI
IN vines employ.
an answer 20 Juryman Kcaiing's nnnt
ou. questions, Mr. Lehman said lie
no, rrrarl intellectual ability ~ nccepa
In writing shorthand. II vas .rc0cly NJ
clanical, In bis opinion. Did not rega
n slcnogTnphcr rs any more than a c0pyH
A slenographtr had no Necessity fora
tior1l mind "a mgu IA ght he insaEc
irrnt nal AMI still be s,uDDguphcr
said Mr. Lehman. For man % icgu
familiarity With stcnusrphy ~ tyI
vriiins. lac ncc,ls but little intellect.