Bridgeton pioneer., 1894-05-24
ON TRIAL FOR His LIFB.
IuDGE REED PRESIDES AT
THE TRIAL.

Court Room Crowded Tuesday
morning When Louis Feihl Is
called Upon to Defend Him.
self Upon q charge OF Muroer.
Oa trial for his life
That is the position that Louis Feihl,
the German, found hin self In Tuesday.
Long before the hour for calling
Court. crowds began surging to the
Court House on the hill, eager for ad-
mission and anxious to hear the de-
tails of the crime that shocked Vine
land last November. Among the num-
her were the many petit Jurors, the
various witnesses and members of the
bar.
Cumberland county does not often
have murder trial. The Oldest citi-
zen cannot recall very many. There
was a man hanged on what is known
IS the Broad Street Cemetery. There
NAV have been one or two betwsen
that and the time when Rosana Keen
was executed. Then Howard and
Ogden were tried for the murder out
In Stow Creek township. Sheriff
Watson conducted that double hang
ing, and 1t was the last Cumberland
county has known. That horrible af-
fair took place just thirty years ago
the 2Oth day of next July.
Since then the German Swartz was
tried for murder, convicted for man
slaughter and sentenced to twenty
years in prison, being pardoned after
seven years.
Then John Knox was tried for the
murder of Annie Baird. The evidence
was purely circumstantial, but con-
clusiye, although premeditation was
not shown, and he was convicted of
manslaughter, andris now serving
twenty years sentence. Sheriff Shaw
took him to State prison, during the
last year of his term.
What will be the fate of Feihl?
A question not easily answered. The
crime was horrible one. Christian
Zaiss the baker, in the full flush of
life was cruelty and foully murdered,
while defending his employers prop
erty. For time there seemed to be no
clue, but the officers of the law work.
Cd. diligently upon the case, and the
result was the arrest of Lewis Feihl.
He Is German, and has been in jail
since December. He has been a tract
able prisoner, and his appearance to-
day is much more fattering to him
than the day Constable Nickerson
brought him to jail.
When ten o'clock was striking
Judge Reed came from the Judges
room, and took his accustomed place
upon the bench. He was followed by
Law Judge Hoagland, and Lay Judges
Hendee and Ludlam.
at nod Court Orier Young opened
Court In the usual manner.
County Clerk Trenchard, who was
present aftersan illness, called the list
OF Constables, and also the list of petit
jurors.
Judge Reed asked Prosecutor Logue
Ii ne was ready to move the case. II
ready to move the case of the State
against Louis Feihl," replied Prosecu-
tor Logue.
AT this moment Sheriff Shinn enter
90 with the prisoner Feihl, both of his
nands handcuffed together, and gave
MIN seat beside his counsel, Messrs.
oerault and Tuller. Prosecutor Logue
vailed the Judges attention to the
matter of the demurers to the indict.
laents against the oystermen, and ask
90 when a day could be set to hear the
argument.
Judge Reed, after comforting with
Lawyer W. H. Bacon, said that prob
aoly next Thursday would be fixed.
lmpanel a jury" said Judge Reed,
q, @nu olerk Trenchard and Sheriff
sninn proceeded to select jury for the
TRIAL of Lewis Fehil,
Sneflff Shinn called Frank Kinney,
VINO was called first. "Juror look upon
.ue prisoner, prisoner look upon the
Clerk.
lrosecutor Logue. "Have you any
OSonsclentious scruples against the in.
A'Itlon OF capital punishm entsn
Juror: II have none."
on'n, MIR. RULER: Have you formed any
'plnlon.in this case p"
Juror: II have not
v,ra,. .aiief: Can you give a just
evidence 20 w 'no
Juror: II CAM
.uuge. Reed: "Swear the Juror.
h. Aoraham Mailman was CHALLENGED
oy the defense.
John o.