The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05

LAPORTE, Ind, Nov. 29.-If the confess
sion Of James Stambaugh be true as made
today to f. T. Weir, the leading attorney
for the defense in the GRAPHICAL murder
case, James GRAPHICAL, who has been on
trial for his life, is not guilty.
Stanbaugh has confessed TO the murder
of William Jones, but Notwithstanding the
story Of the crime, which was brutal in the
extreme he has not been arrested, while
Graybeai's trial will continue until YER
dict is rendered by the jury. Stambaugh's
confession is substantiated by the tesd-
mony Of Emma GerbricB. who says that
he fired the fatal bullet. 1t is the Ger
brick woman, Graybears mistress, who
has left no stone unturned to save her
lover from the gallows Interest in the
sensational case reached its highest pitch
this afternoon when Stambaugh entered
the witness-box Mr.. Weir asked but one
question. It was:
do you know who fired the shot that
killed William Jones?'
at did"
Such was Stambaugh's confession, but
the crowded courtroom was disappointed.
The story of his crime had previously been
told by Mr. Weir with graphic clearness.
The most rigid REORGANIZATION failed to
shake the material points Of his testimony.
The murder OF William H. Jones was
committed on Tuesday night, June 8, and
James GRAPHICAL was arrested on Monday
morning. July 2, for the crime The
crime came to light through a confession
made on the Sunday before by James
Stambaugh, Mrs William J. Stratton and
her daughter Laura. James GRAPHICAL and
Mrs. Emma Gerbrick made their home in
little frame house less than a block from
the harbOr. William Jones and his wife
lived in the same neighborhoOd. James
Stambaugh, an eX-cOnvict, boarded at the
StrattOn home. On the evening Of the muir
der Stambaugh, Mrs. Gerbrick and Mrs.
Jones were out driving. The later was
taken to her home ate in the evening and
Stambaugh and the Gerbrlck woman start
ed for another drive, and at about II
o'clock they hated in front Of Mrs. Ger
bricks home. The evidence, as given by
Stambaugh al the cOroner's inquest, was
to the effect that GRAPHICAL was apparently
asleep, for when Mrs. Gerbrick knocked
loudly at the door there was no response.
She lighted matches at the window TO at
tract Graybeals attention. Stambaugh
then suggested that Mrs. Gerbrick kick
the door down, and Mrs. Gerbrick began
to carry out the suggestion with a vigor
that brought Graybea- to the door. He
threw it open, at the same time swearing
that no man should kick his door down.
At that time Stambaugh stood about ten
feet behind Mrs. Gerbrick
About the time the door was thrown
open Jones, who resided but a short dis
tanoe away and who was attracted by the
commotion at the Gerbrick place, stepped
out from behind A small lumber pile thir-
~ or forty feet from where GRAPHICAL
stood. Gaybeal according to Stambaugh's
first story fired a revolver at Jones and
killed him instantly. He then dragged
the body into a shed and Stambaugh fed
to his boarding house, but was followed
shortly by Graphical, who forced him to
assist in disposIng of the body. The cou-
pie returned to the Gerbrick house. They
collected $50 pounds Of scrap-iron and car
rying the body to the dock weighted it
with the iron. The body was then rolled
into the harbor. GRAPHICAL was frequently
seen at the place afterward, ostensibly
fishing.
Stambaugh now makes the sensational
statement that the story of the crime
as gathered from his testimony at the
inquest and before the grand jury was
given through fear. He WAS promised his
liberty If he implicated GRAPHICAL in the
murder and life Imprisonment or death
by hanging II ne confessed that he was
Jones's murderer. With his liberty men
aced Stambaugh says he wrote letters
confirming his confession. Stambaugh
and GRAPHICAL We're confined in the county
jail pending the latter's trial. Stambaugh
told Graphical Of the crime and his re-
peated statements led TO Investigation by
the attorneys for the defense and Siam
baugh's full and complete confession.
Stambaugh fired the fatal shot, If his
confession be true Jones, laLoring under
the influence OF liquor, struck him in the
melee at the Gerbrick house. Jones
reached into his hip pocket and drew out
a razor and advanced toward Stambaugh.
whereupon the latter drew his revolver
and saying. I've got to do It, and 1 will
do It." fired, the ball entering Jones's
breast As soon as Jones fell Stambaugh
jumped into the buggy with Mrs Ger
brick and drove away. but later returned.
and the body was weighted with iron and
sunk in the harbOr