The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-24
story of the Tragedy, i'm Which Fire.
man Redmond Was Killed, Told
in Regular Sequence.
DEFENSE SCORES NO POINT
EDWARD PHILLIPS WILL FARE
WELL AT HANDS OF THE STATE.
Burton Shows No Emotion-Evidence
Reaches the Point Where His
Mustache Was Shaved.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
GREENFIELD. Ind, Nov. 2S-"That evil
dence would hang a saint" was the inele-
giant manner in which one auditor ex-
pressed his opinion of the proceedings in
the Burton case to-day. The evidence ad-
duced to-day was, of course, all in the in
terest of the prosecution, but Mr.. Wiltsie
certainly told the truth when he said he
would weave a strong chain of circum-
stances about Burton. He has taken up
the case as story, and is introducing tie
actors in it in regular sequence, beginning
with Job Eldridge, the attempted robbery
of whom led to the killing of Frank Red
mond. Ten witnesses were examined to-day
and the tragedy has reached the point
where Burton had his mustache shaved OF
in Arthur Klein's Observation-Disclosures
barber shop. Every witness placed on the
stand told his section OF the story clearly
and with little equivocation and each one
was positive that James Burton the de-
fendant in the case, was the man about
whom he was called to testify. The identi-
fication in every instance was absolutely
positive.
1t may be said that the defense made q
poor showing to-day on it's own declaration
of its plan of work. The attorneys for Bur-
ton claim they will have few witnesses, but
will depend upon the evidence of the states
witnesses to secure their clients acquittal.
This must be done either by drawing out
evidence tending to show their clients in-
nocence, or by the impeachment of wit
nesses. Neither was accomplished to-day.
The nearest approach to an impeachment
was made in the case of Philip Kile. one of
Redmonds associates at fire engine house
y hnt had oYIU
appearance of success and was easily
changed to a more emphatic Interpretation
Of Kile's testimony and conviction of it's
truthfulness.
1t is the understanding that the attorneys
for the defense will depend largely upon
the argument of the case. They can have
little direct evidence for their client, but
they will make great point of the alleged
fact that witnesses for the state have been
coached. This was the object in introducing
Kiles testimony at the coroner's inquest.
1t went to show that Kile apparently knew
more about the case now, ten months after
the commission of the crime, than he did a
few days after the crime. His testimony
and that of nearly all the witnesses did
have the ring of studied effort. Witnesses
were overexact on dates and time, but mac
curate regarding other and less important
that an overzealous police and fire depart-
ment has sought to fasten the crime OF
murder upon an innocent man; that the man
was found and the crime made to fit him
whether he is guilty or innocent.
From few words dropped by Prosecutor
Witsie in his opening statement, 1t APP
pears that the state Is willing to allow
Edward Phillips to go scot free as innocent
Of any connection, not only with the Red
mond murder, but as well with the att
tempted robbery of Eldridge. He is ap-
parently to be allowed to set up for him-
self the position hired man in connec-
tion with the escape of Burton. He will
probably be allowed to deny that he knew
the character of the stranger (Burton),
who came to his place of business to visit
Harvey. He will not be accused of know-
ing of the plot of these two men to rob Job
Eldrldge, and will be considered as inno-
cent Of any criminal connection with two
men who made his store their place Of
starting out to commit this robbery. He
may not even be charged with knowing that
he was aiding a murderer to escape when
he drove Burton to Greenwood. He went
there, according to Mr.. Wiltsie's statement,
as hired man, over his protest and was to
be paid SO for the trip. Mr.. Whistles OPEN
ing statement required about one hour and
thirty minutes for delivery. 1t was con-
sidered by attorneys in the case to have
been an able address and concise review
of the crime from the states point of view.
TRIAL BOOMS GREENFIELD.
Greenfield is enjoying boom on account
Of the trial of Burton almost equal to its
annual county fair. The hotels are crowd
ed and there is a general appearance OF
Eustling about the streets. The local pa
pers, of which there are two publisheG
daily are making special effort in reporting
the Burton trial, and are giving their read
ers full and accurate accounts. The vis-
itors are chiefly Indianapolis people. This
mother and sister of the dead fireman are
here They came over this morning on the
early train, accompanied by Firemen Kile
and Cassidy, and will probably remain until
the close of the trial, and may be made
witnesses, though their testimony will not
be material Timothy Splann, who was
chief of detectives when Redmond was
killed, came over this morning. He will
be one of the most important witnesses for
the state as he has been one of the most
active men in working up the case for the
prosecution. His testimony will come either
tomorrow or next day. 1t was to him that
the alleged confession was made by Bur-
ton. He went with superintendent Colbert
to Nashville to fetch Burton to Indianapo-
lis, and the two officers claim that Burton
admitted everything to them on the train.
With Splann came Frauber Sanders, Mer-
ritt Long r. II. Wilson. II. Fl. Wilson, Ar
thur Klein, Cyrus Covington and George
Thornberg. All but one of these witnesses
finished their testimony to-day and re-
turned tonight to Indianapolis. The two
firemen are still held and may be examined
further by the defense. when the records OF
the preliminary hearing of Phillips are
brought over from the city. Walter Car
penter the official stenographer who res
ported the proceedings at that hearing has
been summoned to appear forthwith He
was expected to-day with the records but
he did not come.
Burton is a study during the trial All.
solute stolidity characterizes the man. He
sat throughout the speech of the prosecutor
this morning without apparent interese
never even so much as shifting uneasilvs
as most any prisoner would do under fnn
circumstances when the speaker woulA
turn upon him and point him out To th~
jury as red-handed murderer. His idents