The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-24
MASKED HIMSELF In COURT.
Train Robber Searcey ON the Stand
in the Disguise of n bandit.

STAFFORD C. H., Va, Feb. 23s-Searcey,
the Aqua creek train robber, resumed the
stand this morning looking fresh and chip
per. Mr. White handed him fortyfive-
calibre Colts revolver and asked him ii he
knew it. He said he did, that 1t was Char
lie Morganfield's pistol, the one he used at
the Aqua creek train robbery. Then Scar
cey was turned over to lawyer Shay for
cross-examination. Mr.. Shays examination
was exhaustive. and traced the whole course
of Searcey's life. Searcey's replies were
terse and pointed. After telling of his trav-
els in this country. Central and South Amer
lea. Searcey got to the time Of the train
robbery. His story differed only In minor
details from what had already been mar
rated by the other witnesses until he came
to describe the manner In which their
masks were put on. when Mr.. Shay dra-
matically whipped out OF his pocket large
cey to put it on in the manner the masks
were worn.
NO." replied General Shay.
please cut Them said Searcey.
81 am not engaged in the business" said
Some one produced a pair Of scissors and
Searcey cut the holes in the handkerchief,
which he then put on in the manner in
which he said they were worn the night of
the robbery. Then Morganfield's hat was
produced and Searcey was reoue sted to put
all observers-an ideal train robber.
Another sensation of the day was when
Prosecutor White insisted that Searcey be
allowed to answer question In his own
way, and the court so ruled. Senator Little,
for the defense, sprang to his feet and
charged the judge with assisting the pros
ecution. He was sharply reprimanded by
the judge, and retorted that sill the people
thought the judge was assisting. Judge
Ashton sternly called counsel to order.
Mr.. Shay's cross-examination was long,
skillful and exhaustive, but failed to shake
Searcey's testimony. There was quite a
laugh when Mr.. Shay asked Searcey at one
time in egard to his leaving some place
whether Judge Lynch was after him, and
Searcey answered: HE was not. and if he
was he did not catch me-" At the close of
the cross-examination Searcey ordered
to stand aside and the court adjourned.
The proceedings at the afternoon session
of the court were not specially interesting.
Witnesses from numerous points on the
route taken by Searcey and Morganield
identified the men, until Identification be-
came wearisome. There was nothing start
ling nor sensational until General Shay
asked a young man who was witness
what his salary was. He declined to an
swer the question. and Judge Ashton init
mated that the witness should not be called
on to answer such a question. General Shay
made a vigorous reply, in which he charged
the witness with receiving blood money to
swear away a mans life. Court then adj
journed until Monday. When General Shay
emerged from the court room the witness
he had attacked confronted him and de-
Inanded an apology The General was saw
aeely denounced by the witness, and for a
moment it seemed as If a personal collision
was imminent, but the crowd surged in be-
tween them and they were separated