The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-20
WHO BURNED rae COURT HoUssq
Progress of the LaveIIs Trial at Peters.
burg

burg.
PETERsBURu. april 13. Especial. -
Lavelle trial continued Manual Harris,
night policeman, said that the state paid
him S25 Tor watching around town to find
about fire. City Clerk Hart said he and
Expert Allen put in bid for $500, whereas
Meredith and Taylor got 81 200; that de-
PENDANT said he wanted the investigation
DIV fair men and tina. it ought 10 be done
Tor 500. Hourez, the Freuchman, said he
assisted the detective 10 clean out the
well and found the Key at the bottom.
Two OF the county commissioners testi-
led that they Gid not know j. Y. Ellis,
whose name appeared on the records as
having received 5000 for bridges and no
,ecollections OF its allowance, but on
cross examination said that the record
was always read TO them and that they
signed il ana that the signatures follow
ing the entry we're genuine; that they
could not recolleet al the aims allowed
for bridges.
Piecre Sanford, another OF the states
Witnesses said he had seen the parties
often at Padgett's saloon, but not more
frequently just prior TO the court house
fire than usual that the cOnyicts Hardin
and Ledgerwood were about there good
deal and that there was no unusual in.
timacy between defendant and them that
he had been paid 500 in the case, and
that he was Padgett's bartender.
Charles Sefrit, the editor OF the Wash
ington G0.,He. whose conduct for publish
Ing unWarranted statements of the case
and which was presented to the court for
contempt, said the defendant objected TO
the investigation on account Of sam lay
lQr's hostility to him, and that 81 200 and
20 per cont. was outrageous, and the
editor concluded by saying he got $40 from
States Attorney Bilheimer ont Of appro-
priations applied as expense to Indian
Hpolis.
sam Taylor, one OF the so-called experts.
put in the afternoon on the stand but
convinced few that he possessed ability
beyond the average county seat lawyer.
Tomorrow lac will be subjected TO rigid
rTess-exsinination by Posey. and the state
will continue it, evidence.
PETRnsBvnG, April l4.-[special. Nine
days have nov been consumed in the la
vale trial. The evidence today was of but
little damage 70 defendant A few wit
nesses said they had paid their interest on
school fund mortgages TO Lavalle instead
81 20 the county treasurer. The state is
labOring hard To prove motive. but ex-
Congressman POsey is very vigilant in
:ross examining. The jury is composed
of farmers, and the confinement Is telling
On them. Considerable excitement was
saueed by the testimony OF Marshal Caya-
aaugh OF Washington. lie affirmed that
ne had received 800 for his services in the
Ease, but that7he was required 10 sign a
receipt for $3.50. When asked what be-
came OF the other $50, he replied that
County Commissioner Andrew Lille was
10 get It. Mr.. Lille has been taking quite
On interest in tee case. lie Is a prominent
republican OF Daviess county, and he has
not yet made an explanation Of his con-
duet
PETERSBURG, April l5.-fSpeeial. / The
state rested az 10 o'clock this morpirg.
Attorney &}illheimer testified TO his
work in the case ana his management Of
the funds appropriated by the commits
sIoners for the prosecution and detection
OF the parties charged. Amounts paid to
the states attorney in fees and to detect
ives for thor services were 81 200. To tho
experts In all between 5000 aud $1,000.
The Hon. A. ]. Padgett made the state.
ment for the defense, which was clear and
forcible and showed that he was we'll
versed in all the premises. lie said il was
a persecution by gang that had toasted
off the defendant while he was in Office as
vultures of OF a carcass. lie occupied
one hour and half In his statement.
which Was one OF the beet ever made IN
this court house. Considerable record
evidence was then introduced. Then the
three employees Of the laundry were in
troduced and showed they were at the
laundry working until near midnight. In
The night Counsel Ledgerwood testified
they held aneetiDg there and planned the
burning OF the court house. Al the time,
he said. II was dark and the parties wero
holding their secret meeting there.
These Witnesses say Il was lighted with
gas and mons Of the parties there. This
was alec corroborated by other witnesses
and 10 vssiurther shown that on this very
plight Michael Layelle was at his home.