The Critic and record., 1891-03-28
KINCAID's TRIAL.
Arguments on the Admissibility of Evil
dence Of Taulbee's Threats.

dence OF Taulbee's Threats.
There were more ladies in the Criminal
Court room this morning than have been
there on any other previous day since the
Kincaid trial opened. The attendance
otherwise was not as large as usual The
first witness called was
WILLIAM II. sTELLMAN
Of Western New York He was at the
Capitol the day of the shooting. He saw
Taulbee that day standing on the steps
talking to another man, but did not recog-
nize the other man. They were standing
near the head of the stairs.
1T was dark day, | remember" con-
tinued the witness, "and there was q dim
light burning at the head of the stairs.
After ] got down TO the foot of the steps
my attention was attracted by some one
saying: Keep off, or keep back
81 turned and looked up the steps and
saw q man standing on the landing. In q
few seconds | saw faulbee. the large man,
rush up the steps toward the other man.
Shortly afterward ! saw the flash Of q re-
Volyer and heard report. ] know that
the small man, whom aftcrward learned
was Kincaid stepped back when ap-
preached by Taulbee.
81 came to Washington on Febreary H.,
1890, OIL Il visit to n Mr. Crandall and re-
turned to nay home in New York State a
few days after the shooting. Upon my re.
| turn there communicated what l had
seen to Mr.. Bradley, friend"
On cross examination Mr.. Stillman said
| that he lived in the town of Friendship,
and that he hatttwO farms in Allegheny
| County, near there also carried on the
| business of a cObbler.
The witness continued that he first
mentioned what he had seen to Bradley
and to no one here in Washington.
| Crandall was his cousin and a dOorkeeper
| of the Senate.
The witness added: ~ recognized Taul-
bee because heard him make political
speech at Friendship, and | know that
when ! saw him and kincaid standing on
the steps, he was standing with his back
to the wall, with his face directed toward
| Kincaid.
"I did not tell Mr.. Crandall what |
knew about the affair, because knew
| what the consequence would be. !
| wanted to go home the next morning.
and knew if | had told what had seen
/ would be detained here as a witness.
After the shooting got out of the wav,
because ! am little afraid of pistol
balls. did not stop and interfere, be-
cause / did not think il was any of my
business. am quite satisfied that Kin
Caid was standing on the left-hand side of
the stairway and that he was further
down the flight of steps than Taulbee.
There was nobody else on the stairway
that ] saw"
know that after the shooting made
q rush for the window and found ! could
not get out that way. Remember that |
was very much excited and very anxious
to get out of the building. was so much
frightened that do not recall whether !
met any one in the corridor at the foot of
the stairs or not.
Attorney Coles questions were repeat
edly objected to by the counsel for the
defense on the ground that they had been
repeatedly asked before and answered by
the witness.
Judge Bradley ruled that many of the
| questions had been repeated and Mr.
Cole changed his mode of cross-question'
ing.
Mr.. Stillman said that he had the first
knowledge that he was wanted here IN
Washington as a witness through tele
gram from Kincaid to Mr.. Bradley at
Friendship.
He was furnished money to come her,
by Lieutenant Alfred Bradley, but h,
did not know from what source ii came
and neverhad any conversation with any
one else about appearing as witness
Mr.. Stillman could explain his presence
at that day that he was just wandering
around like any other greenhorn to SCI
what there was.
On the redirect examination Stillmal
testified: Lieutenant Bradley and | wer,
old friends during the war, and have beer
ever since. He asked me whether | hat
seen the occurrence in Washington, and
told him that had, and he had some con
versation with people in Washington
Some months afterward came to Wash
ton and communicated what | knew to c
| Maurice Smith and Others"
Judge Wilson then offered in evidenc
certain number of letters that hat
passed between Bradley and others I,
show Just how Mr.. Stillman came to b.
here. The Court held that the correspond
ence was not competent testimony, an'
ruled them out.
William Il. Curtis testified to knowing
Taulbee and Kincaid, and knew the latte
was in delicate health.
District Attorney Cole objected to testi
! mony regarding the defendants $ condition
at any time except the day of the tragedy
The objection was sustained.
Mr.. Curtis was askedif he had not hear,
! threats towards Kincaid made by Taulbee
This question was likewise objected to
! and the Court decided to hear argument
on the admissbilty of the testimony.
AFTER RECESS
, the counsel were ready TO proceed on til,
admissibility of the evidence referring /,
! threats, but Judge Wilson requested per
! mission to examine Congressman Brown
who desired to return home.
| Mr.. Brown testified he was going NJ
the steps and saw Taulbee talking to
5 man he did not know. He had nearl
: reached the top when he heard the repor
of pistol.
f The ross-examination failed to revea
!, any material point, and the witness wa
/ excused.
' District Attorney Cole then commence
: the argument against the admisslbility o
the testimony tending to show that Tau
) bee had threatened Kincaid, and quote
n number of authorities in support of hi
e position.