Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-23
4 GREAT SPEECH
Made By Mr.. Howard in the
Murder Trial.
A SYNOPSIS OF HIS OPENING.
His Argument Affects the Jury to
Tears,
AND RAISES 4 LITTLE ROW.
Evidence Taken For About Two Hours IN
the MOrning---Mr. Metcalf Proves to
Be Lively WitneSs---A Very
Large Attendance Dur
ing the Day.
AND RAISES A LITTLE ROW.

Yesterday morning, the seventeenth
dav of the murder trial, opened with a
promise carried over from yesterday,
that the evidence would soon be wound
up, but that promise was not fulfilled
to the letter, everybody being in bad
humor, and it not taking long to de-
velop that condition of affairs. During
the evening the defense issued sum
monses for Gibson Lamb, II. o. OFT and
Joseph Metcalf, and those gentlemen
came into Court simultaneously with
the appearance Of the jury. The audi
dience was small at the opening, but
rapidly grew to its usual proportions.
RULINGS BY THE COURT.
Joseph Metcalf was the first witness
called for the defense, but before he
took the stands the Court referred to
the question of the admiSSibility OF evil
dence given by Bauman and Young as
to certain declarations made by DR..
Baird, the point being as to whether it
was threatening language, or merely
uncomplimentary epithets. He over
ruled the motion by the State TO strike
out. He also overruled the motion by
the defense to strike out the evidence
adduced Thursday afternoon, as to DR..
Baird'S habit of carrying a pistol for
some wears before his heath. He over
ruled the motion of the State TO strike
out certain evidence given by Alex. Il.
Young as to remarks by DR.. Baird with
reference to DR.. Garrison. The motion
by the defense to strike out Geo. w.
RobinSon's testimony was overruled
Friday evening.
JOSEPH METCALF.
To Arnett-I am assistant postmaster
at Wheeling; l have a letter from DIR.
Garrison to the Postmaster General at
the time he sent on the anonymous let
ter. Letter handed to Col. Arnett and
thence to counsel for the State That
is the first letter. The defense offered
the letter in evidence. The letter was
addressed TO Postmaster Wanamaker,
and said
1.-THE enclosed was received by me on
the morning of the 14th. What steps will
the Department take to ferret out the SEN
der. p. ST do not want TO lose the
paper. and ask that it be returned TO me if
YOU can do nothing to detect the author"
The witness said in answer to ques-
ti0nS:
"Dr. Garrison called on me at the
Office on the evening OF January 10th,
and said he had sent on the letter, and
said he had understood the best way to
work up the matter would be at this
office, and asked me the best way to get
the anonymous letter back; told him
to write TO the Postmaster General, and
he did so, sitting down in my office: the
letter came back on the 22d; no one
came with the letter, nor did they come
in consequence Of it: the inspectors
came in February; they knew nothing
of the letter until they had been here
two or three days; they came Friday
afternoon, February 18TH | told them
of the letter February 10th; |
had five cases, and this was
one OF them; Geo. w. Robinson had
nothing to do with the investigation;
Geo. w. Robinson read the letter and
knew had it; but | had it several days
before he knew l had it; my recollection
is he did not know of the letter until
February 10th; think he came in when
the inspectors read it; DR.. Garrison
came down, after had sent for him, at
the request Of the inspectors; they said
they would like to see him: there was an
investigation, but it was not completed;
the investigation was to the extent OF
getting samples of handwriting; think
/ sent for the samples OF writing.
Q.-State if DR.. Garrison said the let
ter was in the handwriting of DIR.
Baird? TObjection by the State: over
ruled. A.-No, sir; he always said it
was not in the handwriting of DR.. Baird.
Capt. Dovener-Mr. Witness, do you
notice you are going on and volunteer
ing stuff you are not asked about
Col. Arnett-I beg pardon
Capt Dovener-I don't beg anybody's
pardon; ask that the Court instruct
this witness to confine himself to the
questions, and not attempt to go on and
give stuff.
The Court After the answer had
been read i think it is more than an
answer.
Capt. Dovener-I think so, too; | ask
that he be limited.
The Court told the witness to confne
himself to the answers of the questions.
O.-What did Dr. Garrison say as to
whether DIR. Baird was the person who
wrote the letter?
Capt. Dovener-In the presence of
Mr.. Robinson.
A.-Dr. Garrison stated-fll have to
refer to the questions answered before
DIR. Garrison said DR.. Baird did not
write the letter, but that he instigated
it.
Q.-Who were present? A.-Samuel
T. Hooten and L. S. Naylor-two post
office inspectors, and George Robinson
and myself: no conclusion was reached
at all.
OIL will ask you further to say
whether or not any request was made OF
DR.. Garrison having for its object the
obtaining of the handwriting of Dr.
Baird? Al made the request myself.
Capt. Dovener-I want this witness to
answer the question. He is going on
and telling things not responsive TO the
question.
Col. Arnett-The witness answers
question in his own way.