Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-18
ON THE JURYS WHlM.
Life and Liberty of Lemuel H. Willis in Jeopartly-Being Tried for
 Murder.

VINcENNEs, Ind, Sept. 17.-The Willis murder trial is in progress in this city. More than fifty witnesses have been exam ined by the state. which is not yet through. When the divorced wife of Willis was placed upon the stand sbe broke com pletely down and sobbed hysterically. The de- fendant also burst into tears and cried like a boy. It was the most pathetic scene ever witnessed in the Kuox county court room. The array of attorneys for the defense IS the strongest ever engaged on one side of any suit tried in Vincennes. Notably among those are SenatorVoorhees and John E. Lamb of Terre Eaute.
 Lemuel H. Willis, the defendant in this celebrated case, is ex-sheriff of Sullivan county and leading citizen. He is charged with being the assassin of William .. HpltZ, prosecuting attorney of Sullivan county. The day before last Christmas Mir. Hultz was walking along one of the main thoroughfares of Sullivan at O o'clock in the morning, when he was shot down like dog in the streets by a man 1n dis guise, who carried double barreled shot, gun.
 The assassin was hiding in a stairway across the street, and seeing Hultz he crossed over to intercept him. The assas- sin wore heavy mask, wig and rubber boots, and in his hands carried a double barreled shotgun. Huitz saw him and evil dently realized that his life was in danger, as be retreated toward an adjoining livery stable.
 As Hultz was about to eater the livery stab ble the first shot was fired, which en- tered his back. Hultz walked on into the sta ble and got 10 or 12 feet inside the door, whent the assassin raised his gun and hred a second shot, which took effect in his back. The last shot brought the attorney to the ground, and he died almost in- stantly.
 The assassin started on the run north, and after going a short distance turned west, which is in the direction of ex- Sheriff Wilis' house. AS soon as the town constable heard of the affair he at once started for ex-Sheriff Willis house, and met Willis and a young man on their way to town in buggy. The constable stated to Mir. Willis that be placed him under ar rest for Mir. Huliz's assassination. Mir. Willis took the matter coolly and said: "l am on my way to the postoftice to get my
 mail, and l will go from there to the squire's office and give myself up." MT. Willis surrendered himself as per agree ment, and protested his innocence of being the assassin.
 MT. Willis was generally suspected of the murder for the reason that the bitterest feud existed between him and the murdered man prior to the killing. A few months previous to Hultz's death Sheriff Willis had strong reason to suspect that Huliz and Mrs. Willis were on too intimate terms and set trap to catch them. He pretended to loaye Sullivan on business but returned at once and found Hultz in his home with his wife. Willis shot at Hultz several times and wounded him, but Hultz recovered in short time, when Willis sued him for S25, ,000 Tor alienating his wife's affections. Hutz left Sullivan few weeks after and opened law office in Chicago, it being supposed that he had permanently located there owing to the disagreeable scandal in which he had figured. few days before his death he surprised the people of Sullivan by returning, and at once announced through the newspapers that be had come back to stay. Th1s, it would appear, may have incensed Willis and caused the assassination.
 The mask, wig and rubber boots worn by the assassin were found in pond lying in the direction of Willis house, which is in the outskirts of the city, and this is a strong circumstantal point against the ex-sheriff. The assassin was so completely disguised that those who saw him cannot swear that it was Willis. As Willis was coming into town at the tune of his arrest it is thought by those who believe him guilty to be a part of scheme to prove an alibi for him.
 The assassination created the greatest excitement in Sullivan. The ex-sheriff was locked up in jail and the friends of Hultz, who are numerous, added fuel to the ex- citement by threatening to lynch the as- sassin
 rx.Sh eriff Willis has been kept pris- Ouci cfCl cihCo anu Dccu iu Jd1i dOOut 270 days already. A large number of women are summoned as witnesses. Willis says he is innocent, and has entered pe- culiar plea, probably not often heard of in murder cases. He pleads not guilty and insanity both; that is, insane at the time of the act if proved on him. Both men are among the best- known politicians in Sul- livan county. Both are leading democrats and have canvassed the county together in many campaigns. Willis served two years as sheriff, and Hosea Hawkins, now United States marshal for Indiana, was bis dep uty, and after Willie retired Hawkins was elected sheriff.
 Mrs. Willis is very attractive woman, and not a breath of scandal ever attached to her name until rumors became prevalent that she had become enamored of Hultz.
 When Congressman Brookshire of Sulli van county was nominated in Brazil in 1890 Hullz was a candidate in the conven- ton against him.
 Rosy checked, pulpy, juicy, delicious. The naarhaa n 1894 the nf