The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-15
RYDER ON THE LEGAL RACK.
A BIG CROWD AT THE OPENING OF
THE TRIAL FOR MURDER.

The Friends of the Young Woman
He Killed Intensely Bitter Against
Him-The Prisoners Mother,
Brother and Sister in COurt-The
Case Opened with "A Motion For a
change of Venue.
! Talbotton, Ca, Sept. 14-Thls morning
at 10 O'Clock Dr. w. L. Ryder was put on
trial IN. the superior court, now in session,
for the Killing of Miss Sallie Emma owen
The details of this horrible crime, which
| occurred here April 6, are still fresh in
the public mind. In response to public
clamor Judge Butt called an extra ses-
sion of Talbot superior court to convene
May &C. and try Ryder, but Ryder it is
asserted, was drugged in Jail, and his
appearance here prevented. To-day this
quiet little town is crowded with the
friends of the dead girl All the old Bit
terness is aroused again, for she was ex-
ceedingly popular.
The case is attracting widespread atten-
ton, and promises to bring on a great
legal fight The counsel for the defense
are Messrs. Bull and Thornton, and for
the prosecution, Judge j. H. Martin and
Col. J. H. McGeehee.
No such crowd ever assembled in the
court house in Talbotton as was seen here
at the calling of court al 10 o'clock to-day.
The large connections of the two families
involved and the universal desire to see
what course would be taken by the court
in conducting this famous case, has
drawn together an immense throng.
When Judge Butt ascended the stand
and called the court to order, there was
an instant hush, and in the faces of the
crowd could be seen evidences of most
intense anxiety. The business of the
court was begun by swearing in twelve
bailiffs. Jurors were impanelled, and the
judge proceeded to charge the grand jury
in an earnest and able manner. He closed
his charge by saying: I'VE know no mas
ter in this country except the law. 1t is
your duty to assist in upholding the law
and the dignity of the law, and thus pre-
serve all the best interests of your coun-
try"
The court adjourned until 2 O'clock
when the court house was again crowded
and very warm.
Dr. Ryder's sister, Mrs Macarthur, and
his mother, Mrs. Ryder, are present. Prof
r. A. Ryder of Columbus, was also in the
court room, pale and anxious looking.
The proceedings were opened by the in
PRODUCTION of a motion for change of
venue, which was practically the same
motion introduced at the special term of
court called May 25. The court refused to
go over the same ground again in hearing
the motion. Many witnesses were sworn
in the effort to prove that the accused can
not have fair trial in this county. One
witness, r. j. German, swore that he
heard one man say Ryder ought to be
mobbed. Being questioned closely, he
said Col. j, ]. Bull said Ryder ought to
be mobbed. He thought he had heard
Mr.. Estes. on the night of the homicide,
say that Ryder should be mobbed.
On the former trial DIR. Bardwell swore
that Ryder was unable to appear in court
on account of his condition. He was too
i'll to come, in his opinion. He swore that
Ryder had the appearance of a man who
had been drugged DR.. Johnson of Ma
con was now introduced by the defense to
refute DR.. Bardwells testimony. He said
he found Ryder on May 25, suffering great
| depression and the pupils of his eye were
dilated considerably. In his opinion. Ry-
| der was suffering from enlargement of
| the brain He did not think he was drug
| ged. The prosecution did not care to
| question DIR. johnson, and the court ad-
| journed till tomorrow morning at 8
o'clock