Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-23
NOT GUILTY.
THs End OF THS TRIAL OF aLATE' WOOD
SON,
Reached About Hight O'clock Last Eight-A Yer
dict of Not Guilty Rsiurned-EVsybcdy
Satisfied at the Result

The trial of "Lafe" Woodson for the
murder of Thomas F. Fleming, on the
morning of June 22d last, cane to an
end just before eight o'clock last even
ing with verdict Of not guilty.
When Court opened Yesterday morn
ing the witnesses who testified for the
State Monday afternoon were recalled,
but little that was new or important
was elected. DR.. Wilson, DR.. Hildreth
and DR.. Baird were then called, and
detailed the post norton, which DR..
Wilson had conducted. They de-
tailed the size of the blood
clots on the brain, the con-
ditions of the organs, etc. Barney
Meehan, assistant Lookup Keeper, mar
rated the death Of Fleming, at the City
Hall, and then 7. B. Dolan, proprietor
of the saloon where Woodson worked,
was called, but the evidence as to his
orders to Woodson regarding persons
sleeping in the saloon, etc.. was object
ed to by the State, and was ruled out
The defendant himself was then called
TO the stand. He said he did not know
that he had ever seen the deceased I'M
til he came into the saloon on the fatal
morning. Fleming took drink at
the bar, and then went
into the Darkroom and sat
down at table. Then followed the
narrative of his repeated attempts TO
rouse him up, the second time Fleming
saving, SPY Cd! l know when I'm
asleep. Go to h-ll ~ The third time
he awakened Fleming the latter struck
at him with cane, and as the defend
ant jumped back Fleming struck at
him again. Witness then hit him In
the head with his fist, and as Fleming
dropped the cane and grabbed for the
table he hit him again, and then dragged
him out and sat him down on the pave
ment.
A number of witnesses testified TO
Fleming's drunken habits, and at nearly
four o'clock argument was commenced
for the State by Mr.. Howard. Captain
Dovener followed. Col. Arnett closed
briefly for the State, and about twenty
minutes before six the jury went out.
They returned at six and were adjourn
ed until half-past seven. At that hour
the jury went out, while quite
large audience, friends OF the accused,
members of Council, city officials, aud
others sat about the Court room await
ing the result.
At 1850 there was loud rapping on the
Jury room door, and moment later tie
twelve men filed in. There was a brief
season of delay while counsel were sent
for, and then the Court asked:
"Gentlemen OF the jury, have you
agreed upon a verdict?'
1--WE have"
"Prisoner at the bar, stand up. Pris-
oner, look upon the jury. Jurymen,
look upon the prisoner. What say you,
gentlemen Of the Jury, guilty or not
guilty?"
mot guilty"
The prisoners wife bad arisen to her
feet in the excitement Of the moment.
and he turned and casped her in his
arms, while the audience broke into ap-
plause which was al once checked
by Judge PAUL. The defendant was
shaken heartily by the hand, by almost
every one in the court room, including
members of the jury, and after quite
joyful little reception those present
slowly dispersed and the case was over.
Inere is Jneory III eAisIebCe' WIN
some show of plausibility, that Fleming
did not receive material injury at the
hands OF WoodsOn, but that ne was as
saulted, beaten and robbed before he
went into the saloon that night. One
man who knows him well is positive his
face bore the marks of blows early that
night.
This may be worth looking into.