Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-10
THE DEFENSE HAS Opened.
Colonel Eastham's Side Of the Case
Now Being Presented.
Three Witnesses Testify That
Thompson Fired tho First Two
Shots, Point Blank at the Defend
ant Before the Latter Used His
Pistol-Only a Slight Variation In
the Descriptions They Gave.
Each Admitted Himself a Friend
of Eastman.
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
II Parsons, w. Va, December Sine
State has closed it's case in the East
ham trial and the defense is putting IN
it's evidence. Only one witness was Of
fered by the prosecution this morning,
Harry Mate, and his evidence was ex-
cluded by Judge Holt upon motion OF
the defendant.
Then the State rested and the defend
ants witnesses were called and the
taking of testimony in his behalf be-
gan.
J. F. Wilson was introduced and IN
his examination in chief averred that
he sat near the centre of the car, saw
Eastman come in the car door and go
down the aisle singing or saying some
thing witness did not know which.
When he came to where Thompson sat,
he slapped him over the face and passed
on. Thompson arose with drawn re-
volver, took two steps into the aisle
and raised his weapon. Witness hol-
lowed to Eastman to look out and the
latter turned his head just as Thomp-
son fired. Eastman then turned around
and Thompson fired again. Then both
commenced shooting. Witness did not
know how many shots were fired.
Thompson fired the first two shots.
William Silver said he was seated in
the car and upon hearing a cry of ''put
him out looked up and saw Thompson
coming down the aisle of the car fol-
lowed by Eastman. About the middle
in the act of sitting Szwn when East
ham cursed him and struck at him
with open hand, but whether he hit him
or not witness did not know East
ham then passed on down the aisle and
Thompson arose, drew revolver from
his side coat pocket, stepped out from
between the seats and walked down the
aisle toward Eastman with his revolver
down at his side. When he came I'D to
his full arm, placed the pistol against
Eastham's breast and fired. Then he
again, just as deliberately, placed the
pistol against Eastham's forehead and
fired a second time. Then they both
began shooting. Thompson fired the
first two shots. Witness also said he
heard Eastman say Frank Thompson
could go on that special train if he
wanted to, he didn't care.
Allen Hayes, the next witness. testi-
Ned on his examination in chief so
nearly to what Silver had said. that
1t sounded like the same story being
told over, and makes it unnecessary to
repeat it here, except that he saiu
Thompson deliberately placed the pis-
tol to Eastham's breast and fired both
of the first two shots at that one
point, and not one of them at the head,
as sworn to by Silver. Hayes is still
under most thorough cross-eXamina-
ton by Mr.. Howard
Nc CIUSS-eAdUllHdIlOn OF wilson
and Silver was conducted by Mr..
Davis. Wilson admitted friendship for
the prisoner, said that after the
shooting he took him home and cared
for him until he was brought to ,all
some days later. Silver and Hayes
admitted that they had a grievance
against Thompson, and were friends
Of Eastman. Hayes admitted having
taken Thompson by the throat after
the shooting was over, and Silver that
he had shouted that Thompson ought
to be hung. All three acknowledged
that their sympathy was with the ac-
eused and they hoped to see him ac-
quilted. Silver also acknowledged
that he attended the Supreme Court at
Charleston, when the prohibition pro-
ceeding was pending, and remained
throughout the term at his own ex-
pense.
Messrs. Mccormick and Reynolds
successfully conducted the eXamina-
ton in chief for the defense to-day.