The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-30

coming toward him. About that time the
conductor said he heard Eve or six shots
nred outside ia rapid succession and he
lodged down 90 the floor to save himself,
thinking somebody was firing into the
car
MESSENGER COULTER ON THE STAND.
When Express Messenger Coulter was
called TO the stand he carried with hiru
the tin box which the bullet fired by De-
Laughter had penetrated. He said while
the train was In motion near the Four-Mile
Hill, and while he was sorting packages, his
attention was attracted by pistol shot. He
turned quickly and saw man with a black
MASK pushing his way through the door. In
his hand he had pistol pointed directly at
him, Coulter said, and called to him to hold
up his hands, under penalty OF icing shot,
az the same time firing a shot toward him.
The bullet passed through the tin stationery
box which was about three feet
to where Coulter stood, followed by
another, also carrying a revolver. The first
man. the messenger said. demanded his pis-
tol, and when he reached out to get it the
masked man said Never mind, III get it
myself. at the same time picking It of the
shelf
"Then the man ordered me to deliver the
money in the SAFE" said Coulter, land l
reached down and handed him q few
packages. Give me ALL said the robber.
and reached down hurriedly and handed
over another batch.
ESCAPE OF THE ROBBERS.
"The two men then ordered me to turn nv
back to them, which did, and they backed
away to the door. Thinking the men had
got out OF the car / turned to notify the
conductor Of the robbery, but
was stopped by command TO
halt and remain in my position. The next
II ri Nh.k l,x. - a..
whistle by the pulling Of the bell cord and
the sudden stopping OF the train. l ran
back TO the baggage car, and while they
there talking to thebaggagemaster heard
several shots fred from the outside"
On cross-examination by Mr.. Morgan
Messenger Coulter said he only saw two
men in the car, and he made no resistance
because he feared if he did they would kill
him.
question as to what was size of the pis-
tolls pointed at him. Messenger Coulter said
they looked mighty big" He identified his
pistol which was taken from by the robbers,
and said be had never seen the pistol since
the night OF the robbery until yesterday.
THE ROBBERS PISTOLS.
AT the conclusion of the express messen-
gers story, Mr. duBignon went into the
sheriff s Office and returned with the three
Zig pistols belonging to the express robbers,
two of which were purchased from the
Palmer Hardware Company the day after
the robbery by DeLaughter. Mr.. Nevills
was recalled to identify the pistols. He
said he couldn't swear that the pistols were
those purchased from the Palmer company,
but he would swear that the holsters were
purchased there, because they bore the
private cost and selling marks Of the COM
pany.
Attorney Morgan endeavored to have the
testimony ruled out because the witness
couldn't identify the weapon, but Judge
Falligant overruled the attorneys motion.
I. A. Folliard, a real estate agent, was
put upon the stand to testify to renting De-
Laughter the house in Henry street laue
where the robbery was planned.
After Mr.. Folliard's testimony the court
adjourned until o'clock.
When the court Feconvened the crowd
was even greater than in the morning. The
large mum Der Of people. Every class and
calling Of citizens was represented.
The solicitor generals desk, with the
three large pistols prominently
displayed, looked like minia-
ture arsenal DeLaughter's father
changed his position from that which he
occupied at the first part Of the trial and
sat alongside his son. he and the prisoner
frequently consulted.
noon witness Ga the stand. He had his for
warding book with him to refresh his menu
DRY in the testimony as to the amount of
money sent out on the night of the robbery.
Attorney Morgan objected to the use of
the book but the objection was overruled
and the evidence went in.
James Sullivan, cashier Of the Southern
Bank, testified TO having forwarded the
stolen 81 900 per cent. Georgia bond the
night Of the robbery, and showed the oriRi-
nal receipt Of the express company for it.
When Mr.. duBignon displayed the bond
to the jury in evidence Mr.. Morgan humor@
ously inquired il the sta 9 had any witnesses
to testify to the authenticity Of the sigma
lures of the bond.
DETECTIVE BAscH's EVIDENCE.
Detective Basch told the jury how he had
found the stolen bond under the steps Of the
house No. 277 Henry street lane, wrapped
up in handkerchief with dirt scattered
over it. Enclosed in the folds of the bond,
he said, he found S10-bill. He showed
the clothes Of tho robbers which he found
hanging behind the door Of the house. De-
tective BAsch then told the story Of the
chase and capture of the robbers at Moseley
Hall. exactly as published in the MoRNING
NEWS at the time of the occurrence. Dur
ing the recital of the graphic story the
audience displayed the most intense in
terest.
Col. Peter Reilly was put upon the stand
after Detective Basch concluded his testi-
mony. He swore to having shipped $40
on the night OF the robbery. The money
never reached its destination, and he made
claim upon the Southern Express Company,
which made good the loss and took up its
receipt.
MINNIE Wards TALE.
When Mr. duBignon arose and said:
'Call Minnie Ward" everybody was.on the
qtti vive of excitement. She came into the
court room dressed in a nicely~fitting dark
red dress. with a blue ribbon sash. Her
hair was curled around her forehead, and
she had on black fiat straw hat. AS she
passed her old sweetheart, the robbel
leader, on her way to testify against
him, she never gave him even g
look, as he turned his face toward her with
q smile.
Minnie told the story of how she had
made the masks for DeLaughUer, Turner
and Perkins the afternoon before the rob-
berry. DeLaughter, she said, cut the cloth
| for her to sew. About IL O'Clock that night
Minnie said the three men came back to the
house with their clothes wet. DeLaughter
| gave her the 81 900 bond and $40 in money
| and told her he Yves going to Florida; that
| she must follow him with the bond, and il
she failed he would return aud kill her.
DE LAUGHTER GETS NERVOUS.
| At this point DeLaughter grew nervous
turned pale and began twirling his mus