The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-10-29
EVIDENCE MIXED.
Only Certain That Two Old
People Were Assaulted
Thugs May Go Free.

Joseph Ellison, a one-armed man, who
makes a living by peddling notions in a
saloon. and who lives will his wife at
No. y Prince street, New York. came
TO this city on September 7. He and his
wife reached here about eight o'clock in
the evening. They were on their way
to Newark and as it was a pleasant
evening and they were not overburdened
with wealth they decided to walk. On
the way Ellison stopped in several sa-
looms to sell his wares. Some time be-
tween twelve and one o'clock in the
morning they reached the Glendale woods.
There had been a picnic there during the
afternoon and night and some of the late
stayers were still in the neighborhood.
After the old couple had gone a short
distance beyond the Glendale pavilion,
Ellison said he wanted to get some to-
bacco and he went to the hotel to get
1t, leaving his wife standing in the road
to wait for him. In the period of half
been outragecusly assaulted by a ang
of five ruffians and her husband had been
beaten and robbed. Mrs. Ellison had been
struck on the head with a beer glass.
She was taken to the hospital and re-
manned there for several days.
The police promptly arrested Edward
Green, Michael Farrell, Owen Smith and
Martin Feeney. They were indicted for
for highway robbery and were put on
trial in the General Sessions Court yes
ferday morning. 1t was determined to
try the assault and battery Indictment
first.
Mrs. Ellison testified that while she was
waiting in the road for her husband a
man came up and said he had fifty cents.
Then she saw her husband in trouble
with some other men and went to his
assistance. The next thing she remem-
bered she was dragged away. She was
struck on the head with a beer glass
and became unconscious. When she re-
covered she was in the hospital. Mrs.
Ellison was mixed up in her testimony
and in her identification. She first iden-
titled Farrell as the man who spoke to
her and said that Feeney wasn't there
at all. Afterward she said thai Feeney
was the mar who struck her. She said
that Farrell checked her and afterward
said that he picked up her umbrella and
gave it to her. She struck him with the
umbrella.
Ellison proved to be a more stupid wit
ness even than his wife. He identified
Smith as a mar who came up to him as
he q leaving the pavilion and asked
him il he was going to Newark and Of
fered to go with him. He didn' see any
one else at that time, he said. Afterward
two or three men came up and attacked
nm He heard his wife scream, but he
didn't know where she was. He identified
Feeney as one of the men. His wife had
previously said that Feeney was not there.
The witness first identified Smith as the
man he had the trouble with, and after
ward he was equally positive that it was
Green. Prosecutor Winfield was very
much provoked at the stupidity of the
witness.
When the trial was continued this morn
Ing, Ellison first pointed out Feeney as
the man who said he was a detective and
threatened to arrest him If he didn't stop
shouting. A minute or two afterward he
identified Smith.
When the defence opened Farrell and
Feeney tried to put the responsibility on
Green and Smith. Smith denied that he
had anything TO do with il. They all
agreed that Green attacked the old man,
but none eff them knew who attacked the
woman.
When Green took the stand he testified
that Ellison threw water on him and they
had some words. Three strangers came
along going to Newark. Farrell was
down the road with the old woman. Far
rell ordered him and Smith and Feeney
to move on. They didn't move and g gem
eral fight ensued. He wa anxious to put
rhe responsibility on Farrell and the three
strangers.
The case is in the hands Of the jury.