The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-02

OF Frank Church for the murder OF
Edward Neald, opened at o'clock yes
terday morning in Part II of tho circuit
court before Judge PAUL.
The first witness was DR.. S. L. S.
spragg, who attended Neald in the
lookup after his arrest. Being ques-
toned as to the amount OF choral taken
by Neald, he said no overdose had been
administered.
Z. B. Carney and A. P. shallcross
testified to the excellent character and
law abiding disposition OF the prisoner.
By this time there was a large attend
ance of spectators, it having been
noised about that both Frank Church
and his wife would be put on the stand
during the day.
Mrs. Church was next put OF the
stand, and under the questioning OF
Captain Dovener told her story, which
in substance is as follows:
Edward Neald, who vas q Bible and
album salesman, first visited the
Church house in April, soliciting orders
for his goods. On the occasion Of his
first visit she bought nothing, but when
her husband heard about Neald being
there, he told his wife that it would be
u good move to buy n family Bible,
Acting on this suggestion Mrs. Church
bought u Bible from Neald u few days
later. Altogether he made five visits.
On the evening OF October %, he came
while she was getting supper, and made
indecent proposals to her, which were
Indignantly refused. Being afraid OF
meeting Church, he lett. That night
however, he called about ten o'clock,
and knocked at the front door, calling
for Mrs. Church, who recognizing his
voice, paid no attention to him. He
attempted to raise the windows, and
push in the door, but failing, left the
premises. After he had left, Mrs.
Church who was thoroughly frightened,
called in some OF the neighbors. In this
condition Of affairs, the husband arriv-
ed carly IN the morning. When told Of
the attempt of Ncald to enterthe house,
he told his wife that Neald was going
away to Moundsville at 8 o'clock in the
morning, and 10 fear nothing morefrom
him. During the forenoon Church wa
surprised 10 find an album, the proper
" OF Neald, on a shelf in front OF the
house. On cross examination nothing
TO shake her testimony developed.
The prisoner, Frank Church, was the
next witness. As to his relations to
Neald he told the following story; he
first saw Neald at his house when he
was there selling a Bible. On the even
ing previous TO the meeting on Eleventh
street, he had talked with him in the
Mcclure house entrance. when Neald
told him he wanted some books hauled
to the Baltimore & Ohio depot, as he
intended going to Moundsville the
next morning. Both went to Neald's
room IN Main street, and the box OF
books was put in the express wagon
and taken TO the depot. That evening
the two men drank some together, first
ut Lenhardt's, then Mt Bader 4 Mauer's
and Mcclure house bar. At the latter
place they parted q little after 8 o'clock.
On being questioned by Captain Dow
ener, Church said he was not in the
habit Of carrying any fire arms, but that
he did usually carry a short stick, when
carrying the mail. He went home at 3
o'clock and was then told of Neald's
appearance there and attempts to enter
during the evening.
1t was after 10 o'clock when he went
down town on the morning of the Path.
He inquired at Elig's wagon shop about
n wagon shaft that was being repaired
for him, and while there he picked up a
piece OF n buggy shaft about eighteen
inches long to have with him when
carving the mail. Shortly after this he
was on Water street lea the Pan-dan-
die station and saw Edward Neald, a
short distance ahead OF him, turn the
corner and 20 out Eleventh.
at occurred to me-" he said, "that he
was going back in my house to renew
his insults to my wife and to ruin her
and my family. l followed after him
and caught up to him in fronto OF Grants
barber shop. / said: MIR. Neald. you
insulted my WIFE, He replied: oh, l
guess not and tossed his head. Then
/ struck at him and we scutiled Tor the
stick. l hit him several times. Finally
/ got the stick and he started up
Eleventh street and turned down Main.
Isaw which way he went and returned
to the Pan Handle station. The only
reason ! struck him was because |
thought he was going up to renew his
insults to my wife" On cross-examina.
ton. Church said he intended to thrash
Neald when he met him, but he would
not have struck him had he properly
apologized to him on that fatal morn
ing. He didn't follow him and strike
him from behind. After he saw ne was
going down street instead Of up toward
L.. 49,. H. HaN,Hnnl e. Nkn .laFNnN tI
did it, as God is my judge" he said,
because l was of the opinion he a
returning to my home to ruin my wife
and family"
The scene in the court room during
tho testimony OF Mr.. and Mrs. Church
was very affecting and intensely dra-
matte. Particularly was this true when
the little th~ree-year-old daughter Of
Church ran TO him while no was on the
witness stand, and crying, Papa, papa"
climbed up and kissed him.
I. II. Wilde, George Caldwell and
Hullihen Quarter testified as to the
character OF the prisoner.
Lookup Keeper Mehen was next
called to the stand, and said that after
medicine had been given Neald in his
cell, he had soon afterward complained
of pain in his head. He afterwards laid
down in his cell, and ostconsciousness,
and was in that condition when death
came. This ended the morning session.
At the opening Of the
AFTERNOON SESSION
che defense announced that it rested its
case. Mr.. Howard then opened the
argument for tho state. In the course