Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-06-04
ON TRIALFOR MURDER
LIuIg TAGGART'S WRONGS INVESTIGATED
ANEW MARTINSYILLB.
Drs. 7. A. and ?. Y. Cox Araignsd in the Weizel
County COurt-Ths Trial Postponed Until
TO-Day-A New Thsoryof
Defense.
Special 7sleOrom 10 ne Regist.r.

Special Telegram 10 ne Register.
NEW MARTINsyILLE, June 3.--The
Wetzel county court room was crowded to
OVERLOOKING at 1920 this morning. To-
day was the day set for the trial OF Drs. T.
A. Cox and F. V. Cox charged
with the murder of Lizzie Tag
CART, the beautiful Mouisiown girl,
whose sufferings and tragic death have
so deeply stirred the public heart within
the last few days. The scene Of the awful
trsgedy was located only few miles north
of this place, and one Of the defendants is
well know TO nearly every man, woman
and child in that section Of the county.
The horror of the event, and the prOmi-
nence of the parties only added double in
terest to the arraignment, and long before
the hour for court to open the little city
was thronged with people, anxiously
discussing the details OF the case.
POSTPONED FOR ONE DAY.
A few minutes after ten the prisoners
we're brought into the Court room. They
were shade paler than when they entered
the New Martinsville Jail two weeks ago,
but showed no other marks Of their close
confinement. Both walked erect and ap-
peared in high spirits. The case wss call
ed Immediately, and then the sight seers,
who expected an immediate trial, were
treated to a slight surprise. 1t came from
the counsel for the State who asked that
the opening be postponed until tomorrow.
The request was based on the fact that
several witnesses who had been duly sum-
moned had failed 10 appear and rule.
would have 70 be issued against them.
The Court and counsel for the defenfe
agreed; the case was set for the first thing
tomorrow morning, and the pris-
oners were Immediately taken back 70
their quarters.
Before dismissing the case, Capt, Dow
ener, for the defense, inquired If II were
the intention of the prosecution to have
the father of the dead girl present at the
trial Mr.. Wylie replied that Mr.. Tag
CART had made promise to appear when
ever the State desired him, but he did not
believe that he would he summoned.
The defense explained that they wished
to have Mr.. TaggaTt present, and immedi-
ately wired him, receiving an answer that
he would appear to testify at any time
either side should name.
A NEW THEORY OF DEFENSE.
4 dozen startling rumors are IN circula-
ton in connection with this case. One Of
the most plausible and at the same time
original theories advanced was detailed 20
a representative of the REGISTER by
gentleman who has made careful study
of all the facts.
81 know the Tsgeart family well, " he
said, and also the two doctors, and sm
that they are not guilty OF the
charges brought against them. Now the
testimony has shown that Lzzie Iaggart
lef, her hone on Monday, the 29ih, and
she told her parents that she was going TO
Instead of going To Sieu-
benville she came directly to Wheeling,
and was in that city until Friday, when
she applied to DR.. T. A. Cox for aid.
Now, did Lizzie Tsgeert come TO Wheel
ing an entire stranger and not meet any
one? II is evident TO my mind that there
WAS plan we'll mapped out before tine
unfortunate girl left her home. Following
that plan, che sought place to hide her
shame. She came TO Wheeling, met some
one who provided for her. An attempt
was made TO perform an abortion theie
and it failed, but in doing 30 the injury
was inflicted which made IA miscarringe in
eviiable and from which che WAS suffering
" hen the girl fret came under DR.. CoN's
care.
There are many Circumstance which
confirm this theory, in my mind, he con
tinued, "Dr Cox Was young phyaiclan'
his practice was limited, his previous repu-
tatiOn Was good. he had come TO Wheel
ing to build up practice and make his
fortune, and it is hardly possible that he
wonld have risked all his hopes by at
tempting q difficult criminal operation
upon person who was an entire stranger
to him. There are other facts which tcnd
as clearly 30 show that another physi-
Dian attempted tie abortion lirss and
believe The evidence in this trial Will
bring out his connection with this ease
very clearly. II will show that Lizzie
Tsggart was cruelty murdered by probes
sionsl bunglers, but the two men now
under arrest were not the murderers, and
ore not cuIpable,"
A FAMOUS TRIAL.