The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-22
Kentucky Courts Have None Of the
QuibbIing That Delays Justice
I'm Many States.
NAMES OF ALL WITNESSES
THE HEWLsNG BOY WHO FOUND THE
HEADLEss BODY TEsTIFIEs.
DIR. TingIey, the Coroner, Shows that
Pearl Bryan Was Killed at Fort
Thomas-TFfal Notes.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEWPORT, KY, April H.-The first real
day OF Scott Jackson's trial for the murder
or Pearl Bryan was free of sensation, but
the expedition with which the trial was
urged forward indicated that instead of
two weeks, as first supposed, 1t will con-
tinue only a few days. A jury was OBJ
tanned shortly after o'clock to-day, and
before court adjourned at o'clock this
afternoon two witnesses had testified. With
this Unexpectedly fine start the attorneys
say that the trial will not consume many
days.
The people with tickets of admission were
slower in gathering than on the days of
the preliminary proceedings. Sheriff Plum
mer was the first man in the court room.
For half an hour newspaper reporters were
his only companions, each struggling for
the first seats. One Of the earliest arrivals
was a gray-haired man with a silk hat and
frock coat. He could not hear a word that
was uttered. and 1t was only by signs and
motions that the guards at the door were
able to make him understand where he
should sit.
About 8 o'clock a steady stream OF hu-
manity poured into the court room Sheriff
Plummer stood in the clerks Office and
dealt out tickets to the first who made ap-
plication for them. When 1t became known
what was going on there was rush for
the sheriff. and he was surrounded by a
mass of people and the admission tickets
were exhausted In less time than 1t takes
to tell 1t. AT $40, amid intense excitement,
Sheriff Plummer started for the jal to
bring jackson. Scott Jackson for court"
echoed through the old jail, and without
any delay Jackson made his appearance.
Sheriff Plummer quietly clapped his hand
cuffs on his wrist, the other cuff being fas-
tened to the sheriff.
Say, Mr.. Sheriff, is this necessary?'
asked jackson, much annoyed at the hand
cuffs.
mo. sir. II is not necessary. but it is Gus
tomary."
Cant you take them off this timer"
pleaded Jackson. II won't run away"
mo. am sure you won't run away" an
swered the sheriff, laughing, and the
sheriff and prisoner started for the court
house on a fast walk. They were closely
followed by jailer Bitter and guard veith,
who kept a sharp eye ON the people who
silently made way fer the sheriff's party.
The trip through the corridor of the
courthouse into the jury room leading of
the court room was without event. Not a
word was uttered and Jackson, flushed,
took his seat to await the summoning into
court.
A KENTUCKY COURT.
Promptly at $50 Judge Helm entered
from the clerks office and at once ordered
Sheriff Plummer to open court. The sheriff,
standing, commanded the entire assemblage
to arise, and with the opening call ending
with the impressive God save the Com
monwealth of Kentucky court was formal
ly opened.
"Call the names of the Jurors" COM
manded Judge Helm, and Sheriff Plunmer
in a loud voice called the roll While the
names were being called the attorneys filed
In and took their seats. On the left of the
witness box, facing the judge, We're Col.
r. w. Nelson, who is prosecuting the case
for the Bryan family without any compen-
sation, Commemorative Attorney M. r.
Lockhart and County Attorney Ramsey
Washington. On the opposite side of the
jury box at the right were the attorneys
for the defense, l.. ]. Crawford, of New
| Col. George Washington. of Newport Maj
G. II. blackburn, of Cincinnati. attorney
for, VIII V.ood, came into the court room,
| and. shaking hands with COL 0. w. Root.
| took one of the chairs: Ramsey Washing
ton, the youngest of the attorneys, took a
seat with the prosecution and looked across
| ing ton, who Is one of the lawyers for the
| opposition. Clerk Renscher, his son and
deputy Louis Renscher, and Sheriff Plum,
! mer folded up some slips Of paper and
placed them In a jury box, from which
| twelve slips were drawn.
-Four women were the only representatives
of the fair sex in the audience. They oc-
cupied seats together in the rear of the
court room and watched the proceedings
| tie and attracted little attention.
! Judge Helm began work by calling on
! the. talesmen for excuses from those VINO
After disposing of those who had ex-
| cuses not TO serve the Judge called out,
Case of the Commonwealth, against. Scott
Jackson. Is the prosecution ready?"
/ Colonel Lockhart, the Commonwealth at
torney; answered: Yes. sir; the prosecution
"Is the defense ready?v asked the Judge,
| turning to the attorneys for the defense.
/ There was some little delay, and the ex-
cltement was intense, but attorney Craw-
/ the table beside him: said in a clear voice
Yes, sir, the defense Is ready"
| Then" turning to Sheriff Plummer, "or-
der the jaiier to bring the defendant into
Sheriff Plummer quickly left his desk,
| In second he returned Scott jackson
coolly following In hts footstep. Jailer Bit
ger walked in front of the prisoner and
Sheriff Plummer remained close to his side.
jackson knew exactly where to go, and he
| quickly took his seat beside his attorneys,
COfuldHy shaking the nandS OF Colonel
| Crawford and Colonel Washington, after
wards bowling q smile to the newspaper
men as he shook the hand of attorney
| Shepherd.
JACKSON'S NATIVE CONCEIT.
Jackson, as he took his seat, was a pic
ture of self-possession and profound conceit
1t could be seen that he regarded himse.
the most important parsonage in the cour
| room. After taking casual glance abou
the court room he picked up law book ans
| appeared to be greatly interested in study
| ing its contents In plain words. he was ;
disgusting, revolving sight, his flushed fac
and unkempt beard adding nothing to hi
looks. AS he sat there Sheriff Plummer an,
Clerk of Court Reuscher began to draw tn
first twelve jurymen from the box contain
ing slips on which the names of the tales
/ man not excused were written. The exam
iaation of talesmen was simple and ex
peditious. While hardly a dozen men VIII
have read of the case in Kentucky cool
be secured without having an opinion re
garding the guilt or innocence OF the ac
cused that of itself does not incapacitat
Kentucky juryman for service.
The difference In the method of procedur
| In Kentucky and many other States wa
never more clearly brought out. Had tn
| trial hopu ealtod n Hipcsppaff or rhica or