The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-14

PITTsBURdH, Pa, Feb. ls,-By far the
most interesting and important treat
growing out OF the Homdstead riot,
that OF Hugh o'Donnell for murder,
was taken up this morning before
Judge Stowe. Hugh o'DonneIl was ua-
questionably the leader OF the Home-
stead men in the earlier and more stir
ring period of that famous struggle
His strong personal magnetism i'm,
pressed his fellow workmen long before
June 20. He had been, unconscIously,
perhaps, their leader for several years,
and when the crisis came on the 29th of
June he was by outspoken and unani.
nous consent made dictator. In that
position he became the idol OF his fol-
lowers and Of the woritiugnen
OF the entire country for weeks.
He had but to appear and Q
golden shower followed his appeal for
aid. He was offered many positions,
but elected to remain at home as chair
man Of the advisory board, and Mt that
hoard. His downfall was even more
sudden than his elevation. The cause
was never satisfactorily explained. But
one day it was announced that Mr.,
O'Donnell had gone east, He disap-
peared for two weeks, returned for one
week and again left with the same
meteoric suddenness. TWAS contended
by his friends that jealousy on the part
OF other members OF the advisory board
led to his transportation from Home
stead. AT all events he had scarcely
left when the advisory committee gave
out that he had resigned, and Thomas
j. Crawford was elected in his stead.
About ono week after Hugh O'Don-
neil was arrested aud cast into Jail, from
where he has only been out twice
once to an alderman's Office and an
other time into court on an application
for bail, which was refused. It was as
tonishing how soon 0'Donneti passed
from tho public mind of Homestead.
After his disposal from the board the
strong influence which secured that also
sealed tho tongues Of gossip and 0'Don-
nell's name seemed taboed there. Even
in Jail, save for his faithful wife, he had
few social callers, and when his trial
called him once again into public at
tention, O'Donnell had been practically
forgotten, even by those who once did
most delight to couple his name with
extravagant praiae.
Hugh 0'Donnell was the sole occu-
pant OF the prisoners box at 10 o'clock.
Long confinement had intensified the
natural pallor OF his cheeks, and his
night.black-hai and eyes and nous.
tache accentuated this, making him
very striking figure. He was attired in
somber colors too, departure from the
dressy, jovial 0'Donnell Of one year ago.
He wore q black Prince Albert coat,
black tie and turned down collar. AS
he sat in the box he looked weary and
pressed his head with his handkerchief
10 relieve the aching caused by sleep
less night. When his attorneys came
and shook hands with him his face
frightened and he said he felt fairly
we'll considering his long confinement.
He ia indicted for the murderof L. j.
Connors, as were Clifford and Critch-
low. When the indictment was read to
him and he was asked whether he was
guilty, 0'Donnell replied in clear,
ringing voice, mot guilty"
The work Of selecting jury was
tedious and occupied tho greater part
OF tho morning.
With but two exceptions the mem.
bers OF the jury are workingmen and
this seemed to please the defendant
greatly.
When court resumed in the afternoon
Attorney Patterson, in the absence Of
the district attorney, opened for the
prosecution. He reviewed the circum-
stances leading up to the riot at great
length, giving every detail OF the
trouble from the time Of tho lockout
until the surrender OF the barges
on tho evening Of July 9th
and said tho prosecution will prove
that Connors came to his death from a
gunshot wound fired by some one Of
crowd OF persons on the river bank at
the Homestead mills; that the common
purpose OF this crowd was to kill, and
that Hugh o'Donnell formed one Of the
number.
Captain Cooper, OF tho Pinkerton
forces, took the stand. He repeated
the story OF the trip on tho boat and
fight and surrender at the mill landing.
When court adjourned he was still on