The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-01

BY what line of defense other than
that of a ulcn of insanity, the attor-
neys for Van Horn can hope to save
his neck from the halter is impossible
to even conjecture, after 'he testimony
adduced during yesterday, the second
day of trial.
The contention that the wound was
the result of playful attempt to
frghten Mrs. WosCOtt as has been in
timated would he the line of defense
is shattered by testimony of Mrs Wes-
colts own assertion that it was mur-
der."I'm murdered. George Van Horn
did it, one of the witnesses swears
Mrs. WescCtt declared. That Van Horn
did not commit the leed-nOt to say
Crime-Will hardly admit of a faint, let
alone reasonable. doubt. That it was
a wilfull and deliberat" murder or the
act of a Jealous mailman are the only
two theories left. What the defense will
be was not even intimated by an act
of Van Horns counsel through all Of
yesterdays proceedings, eXcepting--if
indeed it is deserving of mention a
question propOunded to one Of the doc
tors as to whether the wound could not
have been inflicted by Mrs. Wescott
herself.
Van Horn himself is far from being
the cool and careless enigma that he
was during tha dra wing of a jury. Dis
trict Attorney Jones' opening, with its
illusions to the brutal crime, made the
somnolent conscience awaken and as
the day progressed and the terrible
tale urfoldcd and his responsibility for
it brought home TO him in such a
dread manner his interest grew gradu-
ally to painful anxiety, and when court
adjourned. instead of being the most
careless person in the room as on the
previous day, he was, as any right
minded man in the same position ought
to be, the most soliCttous.
The crowds were much larger than
on the first day and in the afternoon it
was so crowded that Judge Archibald
directed all who could not find seats
to retire and ordered the tipstaves not
10 admit anybody until there was a
vacant seat. This was done because
the constant surging and shutliing OF
the crowd kept up continuous noise.
MOTHER SAT- BESIDE HIM.
Mrs. Van Horn, the aged mother of
the accused murderer. was among the
spectators of the afternoon. She sat
beside her son at the defendants table
but only occasionally We're there any
words passed between them.
How do you feel?' Van Horn said
to her after she had been seated by
his side for some time.
II feel good enough" she replied.
What are you doing here?' reioin-
ed the son in q half -chiding, half-curi-
Gus tone of voice.
Your lawyers told me to come" said
the mother.
Huh said Van Horn
Mrs. Van Horn only remained about
an hour.
At $50 O'clock when Judge Archibald
nodded to the district attorney to be-
gin, the court room was as still as
death.
All eyes were turned upon the figure
of the district attorney as he arose from
his seat, and after arranging some pa
pers on the table and uncovering
hlc-bladed razor, advanced to the jury
box and proceeded with his opening
For the first time since the opening o
the trial Van Horn manifested NOR,
than a passing interest in the proceed
ings. He shifted his position so tina
he could have square view of Mr.
Jones and during the entire speech h,
listened with evident deep attention t
every word that was uttered and fol
lowed the district attorneys ever!