The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-02-20
TRIAL OF THE WHITE CAPS.
THE INQUIRY AT BLOOMINGTON.
Other State News-Blackford Republicans
IN Grief-RevOIting Depravity-A New
Trust-A Farmer Nearly gxiIied-
Comet Rearrested, Etc.

BLooMISGToN, Ind, Feb. 13.-[Special. !
The Norman White Cap case was continued
again to-day promptly on the assembling of
court. The defense began its case and occu-
pied a greater part of the day in introducing
large number of witnesses attempting to break
the plaintiffs Norman and wife) character for
truth. and to some extent succeeded in at least
throwing a shadow upon il. The defendants
nearly all live at HeltOnsville, and some of the
witnesses for the plaintiff had testified that
horses tracks were seen leading to Norman's
house from that direction the morn
ing after the whipping. The defense
spent good deal of time
in trying TO break down the evidence in regard
70 the tracks leading from Heltonsville, and
proved by one witness that there were tracks
leading from Heltonsville, but the tracks LETT
NOrman's house In that direction. Mrs Reed,
wife of defendant Marquis Reed, testified that
her husband came home from work on the
evening of May and retired about 10 o'clock,
and that he remained at home until the next
morning, breakfasting at a. m. Marquis
Reed one of the defendants, having been
called, testified that he came home from work
about dark on the night of the whipping and
embarrassed his horses before going TO the
house. He then went TO the house, being
about o'clock p. m, and that he went out IN
town where he remained about an hour. lie
then went back home and retired for the night,
where he remained until next morning. Mrs
Ragsdale defendant, James ID. Ragsdale's
wife. being called to the witness stand, stated
that her husband was at home May planting
corn, and that her husband was intending that
day to go to Mitchell TO be examined, but
instead planted corn and went to Mitchell
May % AID was examined on the
next day. Further that her husband retired
about o'clock and slept until the next morn
ing about O'Clock; that he never went out
after o'clock. Mr.. James Ragsdale testlhed
that he had sold goods frequently TO the plain
tiff and they were always friendly terms
and that he did not know he charged him with
being "White Cap" was not about his house
May 1; never was in his house; hadn't
been away from home but one night May 22)
for a year and half; had supper about dark
and went to bed at O'Clock; didn't go out
after bed time; went 20 Marshall Norman's
next day to exchange corn drills; Mr.. Douglass
told him on the Sd about the whipping. Mrs.
Browning stated that she was called to Mr..
NOrman's about 3 o'clock on the morning OF
the whipping. Mr. Norman was then lying in
bed Mamie Norman told her she knew who
il was that had held her Mamie Norman.)
She knew him from having eaten at his house
several times. The case is causing great dea!
of excitement The courtroom is crowded to
its utmost. It will take several days to get in
sll the testimony and the fight is vigorous be-
tween the opponents. The defendants are
making hard fight but the testimony is piling
up against them strongly.
BLOOMINGTON. Feb. IS. - Especial - At
II 80 a. m. to-day the jury in the white Cap"
case reported to tine court second time that
they could not agree. Evidently determined
that a result should be reached, the court again
ordered their return for further deliberation.
The jury disagreed at o'clock and were dis
charged by the court. They stood four for con-
viction and eight for acquittal.