Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-14
BOOZE AND A CONFESSION
Come in Rather Close Proximity in
the Testimony offered.
PADDY MURPHY TELLS HIS STORY.
lie Denies an Ugly Newspaper Charge and
Talks About Rewards.
A BLSoDY CRANK TERRIFIES THE COURT


GREENsBURG, Feb. 13-The Gaut arson
case ended late this evening The ver-
dict has not yet been rendered. The main
witness for the Commonwealth was John
HYATT. farm hand, who swore that he
burned the Gaut buildings, on which there
was an insurance of ST., 600, at the instance
Of W. R. Gaut the defendant, and that he
fHyatt) was TO receive 5000 for the job. In
a rigid cross-eyamination Hyatt admitted
shat he had been arrested by Patrick Muir
ply, the Pittsburg detective, at the point
of pistol the day he was brought to Green's
burg and that he was kept at the Stark
Hotel all night by "Dide" Over, Murphy
and another detective. He was given beer
and whisky.
Council for the defonse closely questioned
Hyatt as to the statement he had made that
Murphy had written out a story for him
10 tell on the stand Witness protested
that this was Detective Overs story.
Had Told Contradictory Stories.
Witness said, however, that he had told
more than a score of people that Gaut and
he himself were innocent of the crime. He
also admitted that he had told his own
counsel, with hand uplifted, calling on God
20 witness, that Bill Gaut was as innocent
as a new born babe, and that he (Hyatt)
would commit perjury if he would say that
Gaut had anything to do with it.
Detective Murphy, of Pittsburg, was
then called, and little stir ensued when
he arose 10 give his testimony in the
tangled case. The detective in charge of
the case swore that Hyatt had testified to
h., 70 h, n,l, u.
they were in the room and had the LIQUOR
Then Over, the Irwin detective, was
called, and his testimony was contradicted
by several witnesses thisfafternoon in some
very important reSpectGe Several witnesses
were also called who mad known Detective
Over all his life. these witnesses swore
that Overs reputa'ion for truth and vera
city was bad Thert Over called half dozen
witnesses from ear his home, asking them
10 prove that hlsrcharacter was good.
His Own Witnesses Failed Him.
On the corGrarv, his own witnesses testi-
fed that the people about his home did not
think his rharacter was very good. one wit
ness crea hpg laugh by stating that Overs
reputat Ion was ''iair to middling.' One
wItne s for the defense created a sensation
by suearing that Constable Over went
10 Gaut aud told him that he thought
here were two men and woman connected
Esth the burning OF the property, and if he
ll3d little money 10 work Elmer Hyatt, a
cousin of the accoplplice, he thought he
rs0uld find out exactly who the people were.
After repeated claims by Over that he had
a clew, Gaut employed him and gave him
$50. Twenty minutes afterward Gaut was
arrested at the instance of Murphy. Part
OF Overs story was that Jake Detar and
James Gaut, of Greenshurg, had gone to
the Gaut farm to help W. r. Gaut in his
n. Al
Detar on the stand this afternoon, denied
all knowledge of the matter, and said that
he was in JohnStown at the time and could
prove it. James Gaut also denied the story
sIa;ing that he was working in Greensburg
~ the time
Threats of an Insane Relative.
Another sensation was created late this
afternoon when the defense showed that a
brother Of the late Captain John Gaut-the
defendants father-had escaped from a
lunatic asylum in Kankakee, Ills, and mad
come to the Gaut residence and said he had
never received his share of his fathers
estate. and that he had made threats as to
what he would do; that he threatened to
burn down the residence and buildings un-
less his share was paid him. The Gauts
notified their attorneys of his threats, and
the LAWYERS had advised them to have the
buildings insured. This was all they could
DO As the asylum authorities had refused to
send for the escaped lunatic, who was and
had been at large for some time. The de-
Tense also proved that the insurance was
taken out bv advice of the lawyers, in the
name of Mrs. Guat, and the defendant
would reap no benefit from the burning.
The most interesting feature of the trial
was the crosse examination of Detective
Paddy Murphy, who had refused to go
on the stand until it was proved by the de-
fense that he had on different occasions gone
into the Jail and given Hyatt money in bills
ard silver
Murphy and the Fitzsimmons Reward
This Murphy denied, stating that he had
only given Hyatt little change and to-
bscco. He said that he had never worked
for reward in his life: that he had no
claim to any part of the s1,C00 reward of
fered for the capture of Fitzsimmoas, but
would not object TO taking a reward if he
had a chance.
did you not, A" asked counsel for the de-
fense. ''Did Won not attempt to fix the
jury in the Myers Douglas case?'
NO. sir.
Didn't you attempt 10 speak to the Jury
men as they passed by, and didn't you
stand across the street and motion to them?'
asked Counsel Robbins.
mo sir. -
'Didn't Judge White reprimand YOU for
attempting TO fix the jury, and didn't the
Judge order the District Attorney to indict
YOU for the ofiense?'
NO sir, but some of the Pittsburr papers
said something about that" replied the
Pittsburg detective.
, Crank Ereaks Into Court,
The defense rested here and court ad-
iourned until Monday.
Just before adjournment sensation was
created by young man, who, with ewes |
glaring and outstretched blood-stained |
hands, walked down the aisle, and wildly |
confronted Judge Doty.
"Bere," said he 20 the Judge. 81 will |
take charge of matters here, YOU can go.''
The Judge paled and a number of attor- |
news rushed up TO draw the man awav, when |
he threw them aside easily and turned to |
enforce his order upon the frightened court. |
Sheriff Clawsun with his deputies were |
present and they overpowereG the man, who |
was committed to Jail, taking with him |
general fears of dynamite bomb or some |
thing equally terrible. His name is John |
Swartz of New Stanton, and it is believed
be Is insane