Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-07-12
A SERIOUS CASH.
PUT on TRIAL IN THE CRIMINAL COURT,
YESTERDAY.
William Meyer Charged With Fslonious Assaults
On the Person Of Kate Meyer, During the
Month Of June Lasi-A Large Nun
Der Of Witnesses.

A very large audience was attracted
to the Court room Of Judge Jordan's
Criminal Court, yesterday, by the inau-
RuratiOn Of the trial Of the case Of
State v. William Meyer, indicted for
rape upon the person OF Katie Meyer,
on ard before June 24th last. The girl
is the foster sister OF the defendant.
The defense was represented by Capt
b. b. Dovener and 5. o. Boyce, Mr.
Howard appearing for the State. The
case Is one in which the death penalty
is possibility, and unusual interest
was manifested In the cause by reason OF
this. and also from the facts alleged in
the case.
All Of the day up to half-past two
o'clock was taken up with the selection
OF Jury, and when the twelve men
were finally put into the box they con-
sisted OF Messrs Walter Buckley, Lewis
Conrad, James Sheridan, II. ID. Rumble,
James V. Mendel, j. T. Goodwin, Robert
Cowan, Jr.. Richard Robertson, Christ.
FiotO, j. NJ. Bowler, Thomas Hanna
and John Schneider.
After the long list of witnesses had
been called, Capt. DOvener said four
very material witnesses for the defense
AL young bOys-were absent, the Of
ticerS having been unable 10 secure SER
vice upon them, as they were reluctant
70 be brought into the case. He said
he did not want 20 ask FOR postpone
ment, vet wanted To be assured
that the witnesses would be present
when needed. The Sheriff said due
diligence had been used, but as the boys
we're i'm hiding, In measure, IL was
difficult 10 get hold of them, or obtain
dehnlte information from their parents
After a discussion between counsel
for the defense and the defendant, Cap
tain DOvener said the defence would
run the risk il processes Of the Court
were given, to be executed last night.
The Jury was then sworn, and the wit
nesses recalled aud sworn, they being
about thirty in number, and including
four physicians, ana were excluded
from the Court room.
= Mr. Howard began bis opening state
eht to the jury at 2:4O o'clock, saying
BID victim was the adopted child Of the
iather or the defendant, and narrated
three separate assaults upon her by the
9endant, at the family home on the
nth Side, IN the month OF June last
800 showed that the girl had made
lmpt complaints 10 defendants moth
"a = TO the neigh Ors and to police OH
and the complaints were made
ee several times, after each OF the
49, tests, before she could receive much
sAul entiOn, the fact that she complained
over Inst members Of her own family
Le king people reluctant for time TO
~ teve her.
heFelaDt. Dovener opened for the de-
smO Sc, making a general denial of the
lry., bgations OF the State, and saying her
o@cu nDlalnts had no proper foundation 10
5, eVft, and were made by the girl without
the rsallzation on her part Of the grave
way BORT Of her charges. He alleged that
Ject ihrst IL wa Ought TO show the girl
WAS not ty re years OF age, aud that
therefore a life was TO pay the pen
SPiVy. as the consent in a female under
ri s4slve years would not avail 10 save
utb defendant II guilty. Proceeding,
tr4 Captain said an enemy was respons-
the for the plight Of the defendant.
/ said there was no such person as
inktie Meyer, but that the alleged vic
fuh was the daughter OF one Fielding
tohlberry, and her right name was
Uliuny Hillberry. She had been raised
va the father OF defendant since her
oflhth year, but lately the parents had
bn DESTROYS OF getting her back. He
Tlely admitted the fact of intimacy be-
ofhen the defendant and the girl, but
nd there was no violence about 1t; that
ok had known m&ny others; had re-
,,bined out all night, on numerous &C.
slons, and that Mr.. Meyer the elder
Old frequently left his bed to search for
I4r. Her reputation was bad for chas-
and virtue as long as six months
1 10. She was incOrrtgible, and Mr..
Sfver had sought the aid Of a
OPtgious society, 20 have her put
ttNbr restraint, and about the time he
Q,Nlmade provision for her, he found
In tall There she had told a Sister
the charge was grOundlesS and she
isorry IL had been made, aud the
AP Ain said that should IL become
ksarv 10 save the life or liberty OF
20 defendant, he had the permission OF
vi bishop OF the diocese 20 place that
ys lr upon the stand In the interests OF
VI III. Dovener spoke until after four
~ II 1ck. and when he concluded Mr..
Hs ftard replied, severely criticising
ID III Dovener's narrative and analyZing
~ tilxplaIning the Captains statements
q Almanner which led 70 a red-hOt dis
ri W1bn between the two attorneys, aud
~ h finally had to be stopped by the
ZINE. This discussion consumed the
Rflhpder Of the afternoon session, aud
RR Eaidepce was taken. The eXamina'
ioN bVof witnesses will commence this
'pl Hnlipr. The trial will last several
EH-posslbly all the remainder OF the