Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-06
THE EVIDENCE OF THREATS
By Colonel Eastman Against the
ThompSons,
Adduced at the Trial at Parsons,
Thursday and Friday. by Thomas
Daily and F. S. Landstreet-The
Essential Testimony. from the
Official Record.

lowing is the essential portion of the
evidence, for the State, of Thomas
Daily, on Thursday, and of F. S. Land
street. Friday, in the Eastman murder
case. The report is taken from the Of
fetal stenographers notes:
Thomas Daily, called for the State:
Odd you know the late F. L.
Thompson? Ayes, sir.
Q.-How long have you known MIR.
Eastman? A..-Since 1880 or 1891.
Q.-Tell the jury if, during the year
1896 or 1897, you had any conversation
with Eastman anywhere, in the town
of Davis or elsewhere, in relation to
Thompson, and if SO when it was and
how often you had such? Al can't
say the number of times have heard
him speak of the Thompsons. l have
heard him very frequently. (Objection;
overruled. Exception). l have heard
Mr.. Eastman frequently in the last
two or three years speak of them in
NOT VERY FRIENDLY TERMS.
Q.-In what terms did he speak OF
them? A.-The last conversation 1
had was shortly before the shooting.
Q.-How long? Al don't know
whether it was the Sunday before or
the Sunday before that. l was in his
house, III don't know exactly know
how the conversation commenced, but
Mr.. Eastman made some remarks about
the Thompsons and the circle X brand,
and that he had tried to insult them
on several occasions and he couldn't.
Q.-What did he say about f. E.
Thompson? Al never heard him
mention his name individually that /
know of. In this conversation, he
mentioned the Thompsons. L can't
exactly say the exact language, but he
said they had perjured themselves, and
said, Eastman, would not talk that
way; these men might fill you full
of lead. which would do" and then no
remarked THAI has Ses not-afraid; that
he had tried TO insult them and that
they wouldn't tackle him, but that il
they ever did he could shoot two or
three of them before he got hit.
On that conversation who did he
say had perjured themselves about the
circle X brand? Al think he said
me Thompsons had perjured them
selves in regard to the circle X brand.
| don't think he mentioned any names.
l have no recollection of it.
Q.-What else did he say about
Frank Thompson at any other time to
you? Al have no recollection Of any
particular conversation.
Q.--In general conversations with
him, just relate what he said and what
he told you in that conversation about
Frank Thompson? Al can't say
that he ever mentioned Frank Thomp-
son particularly. | heard him
ABUSE THE THOMPSONS
very frequently.
Q.-What did he say; what language
did he use? Al don't remember the
language. | heard him say that they
were rascals, rogues and perjurers.
Q.-What did be say to you, If any,
thing, at that conversation at his
house, about Frank Thompson, and
what he had done to provoke him? A.
Il don't think Frank Thompson'S
spoke Of them collectively.
Q.-What did he say then in that
conversation about them? Ale
said he had attempted to insult them;
to provoke them to an attack.
Q.-Why did he want to provoke
them? Ale didn't say why partic-
ularly.
Q.-What did he say he would do II
he did succeed in provoking them tc
an attack? Ale said he could shoot
two or three Of them before they could
hit him.
Q.-What did you say in reply to
that? Al don't know as said any
thing.
Q.-Had you any conversation with
him at any time in which he spoke OF
having met Frank Thompson on the
mountain one day; IL so, what did he
say then? Al don't know whether
that was Frank or MT. A. Thompson.
he said. COLLECTION, sustained.)
O.-What did he say in that CONVEX
sation? (Objection) The Court
will exclude It for the present.
Q.-What In that conversation did he
say? objection, oVerruled for the
pregent)
Q.-Have you any recollection OF
conversation with Mr.. Eastman in
which he spoke to you about meeting
Frank Thompson on the mountain top
when he (Eastham) was carrying a
scythe? What declaration, IL any, did
he make? Al won't gay whether IL
was Frank Thompson or A. Thompson.
Q.-Do you recollect Of having stated
at any time that he had conversations
Al don't reeollect whether 1t was
Frank Thompson's name he mentioned.
Q.-Where did that conversation oc-
cur? Al don't recoilect where it was.
Some time
PREVIOUS TO THE SHOOTING,
and possibly may have been year or
two years ago.
Q-May have been two years? A.
Hardly.
Q.-Have you detailed all the CONVEX
sation you had with him az his house
on the occasion that you referred to?
Al was only there a short time.
What I reooilect of it told.
Q-Repeat It again to the jury. Job
jeetion.)
o.-Who was present at the house OF
Mr. Eastman on the occasion this con-
yersation occurred beside you and hip2
Airs Eastman was In there, on and
on. I think.