The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-24
DRAMATIC SCENE In COURT
Saloon Keeper Murphy Named as 0neof
the Rioters Who Shot at Rudolph.
Prisoner Charged with Being Head of the la
fayetts Mob-WOuli-B Robbers Lay Plot 10
Wreck Train Near Muncie and Fail.


Relates with Dramatic Fervor and Vivid
Recollection How He Was Mobbed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
LAFAYETTE. Ind, March 23-The now
celebrated trial of opera-house rioters. in
dicted for attempted murder. was gotten
well under Roadway this morning. The
court room, as usual. wss again crowded.
if possible. more than ever. for the report
had gone out that George Rudolph himself.
the man who was mobbesi last January.
would be the first witness called for the
prosecution. There was not much delay in
getting started. The States case was stated
by Prosecuting Attorney VIM. K. Wood. who
said the prosecution expected to show that
there was o conspiracy formed on the Goth
of last January by which the life of Prof
Rudolph was to be taken; that the first
meeting of the conspirators was held In the
saloon. OF on the premises of the defend
ant, Bartholomew J. Murphy; and, later,
that another meeting was held at the place
of business of Phil MCsuley: and that the
men engaged in this conference went from
the latter place to the opera house, where the
raid was made on the side door. one man
assaulting the Professor with a stick while
this conspiracy, Rudolph was shot IN tho
hand and side; that the bullet was still In
RudOlDh's person. never having been re-
moved.
At the close of the States opening state
ment the defense made no statement, ana
the first witness called Professor
Rudolph himself. There was a craning of
necks and raising of heads to get glimpse
OF the man whose coming to Lafayette had
been attended with such dramatic and
w IA
cool and collected as ho began TO narrate
the details OF the occurrences at the opera
house. He told of the coming of the mob
at the side door, of the attack on him by
man who carried a long pole. lie was hit
upon the head. and again upon the back.
He succeeded in procuring his revolver,
and when one of his aesailants was but i've
feet from him he fred-aimlDg. as he said.
about iVsr inches to the right OF tue mans
shoulder. having no desire TO shed blood.
He was himself shot in the hand, but at
the time was not aware that he was wound
ed In the side.
The witness. by request. exhibited to the
Jury the clothing he wore at the time of the
riot, showing the course OF the bullet
through his vest. shirt and clothing and
then so far removed his underolothing as
TO permit the jurors to see that the bullet
was still in his side.
After the mob had been driven baok the
Professor said he faced the bowling audi
ence and said: This is an internal.
damnable. dabolical, Roman Catholic
conspiracy to take my life" Then.
as the recollectio OF the events
came before HIM. no added, II de-
nounced the police force of this city
as dirty. nlthy. Sraitorous. Grammatical
clique and spoke of y onr Mayor as q mis-
cradle, good for nothing caricature of q per-
son." Being asked what next he did, he
replied that he stepped to the footlights of
the stage. and, holding up before the large
audience his silk handkerchief. which was
stained and dripping with the blood from
his hand, he called on the rioters to come
down aud worship this holy rag of Roman
ISM" Professor Rudolph was on the wit
ness stand until nearly o'clock this after
noon. He was put through rigid cross.
examination by the lawyers for the do
Tense.
The next witness was DR.. Charles W.
Shill, of this city. His evidence was the
first direct testimony bearing against the
defendant. Bartholomew j. Murphy. Tho
Doctor testified to seeing n man level his
revolver from the west side OF the opera
house. and take deliberate aim in the direc-
tiOn of Rudolph, who was on tho stage. and
fire. Being asked if the man he saw shoot
was in the court room. the Doctor turned
around and pointing his hand at the de-
PENDANT. said:
THAT is the man. Murphy the defendant
In this case"
The witness said be could not be mis-
taken; that he took good look at the man,
whose name be did not know st the time.
He repeated that he was positive Murphy
was the man he saw fire.