Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-28
AS SEEN ny HAWTHORNE.
Thorn Trial Described by Novelist
GOthn's Testimony.
(New York Telegram in Philadelphia

| OF new witnesses. The interesting oues-
ton as TO whether or not Mrs. Nacl,
| would testify in this trial now came up.
| After Captain O'Brien, in answer 10
| Howe, had identified that woman" Howe
asked that he be required to be present
when Mrs. Mack testihes." His Honor
SAID he had no power TO compel the Cap
! tain's attendance. Mr.. Weller waived the
technicality and would allow the Captain
| TO come.
"Will she be examined to-day?" asked
| Howe
Il cannot tell you that" said Weller.
We'll" he added, after a moment, 81
| viii say that she viii not be called to-
| day"
FURTHER conversation developed the i'm
| plicit assurance that she would be called
| next week, much to Mr.. Howe's salts
faction, who would be inconsolable were
] he deprived of the opportunity TO rend
that woman limb from limb"
| John Gotha, in his story Of the pre-
| liminaries Of the murder, made some inn
| portant points. He said the fight with
| Guldensuppe lasted, according to Thorn,
| half an hour during which Thorn had
| drawn his pistol and repeatedly jabbed
II into Guldensuppe's ribs but that It re-
| fused to go off. Guldensuppe finally got
| it away from him and beat him over the
head with it.
Gotha went on to say that Thorn had
subsequently declared to him several
times that the first chance he got he
would kill Guldensuppe with a revolver
which he showed him. On another oc-
casion he showed Gotha dagger and
said he would get even" with his enemy
with that.
lie now came to Thorn's confession
TO him in the saloon in July. Gotha
said that he asked Thorn If he did the
murder. Thorn at first replied mo"
but then admitted it. He told how he
went to the cottage, tried the pistol
against the wall, and awaited his victim
The latter came with Mrs. Mack, who
went out in the yard. Guldensuppe came
upstairs, and as he was looking into a
closet Thorn came up behind him and
shot him in the back of the head Gull
densuppe fell, but was snoring some
what. Thorn dragged him into the bath
room, where he still 'snored," and cut
off his head
While this terrible tale was being told
Thorn, sitting with his arms folded and
his head on one SIDE at first flushed,
but gradually grew pale The jury, with
intent frowning faces, leaned toward
the witness.
Gotha made a good impression-an I'M
eXpectedly good one, ! think He SEEM
ed truthful and positive his story was
believed. Indeed. ] never witnessed so
moving a scene in a courtroom. 1t was
impossible to listen to Gotha's even
voice, observe his serious, but ready,
manner, and look upon his strongly
marked features without feeling that he
was telling the truth--the fearful truth.
The effect Of the direct examination
was greatly enhanced by Mr.. Olcotts
conduct of it. His questions were pre-
else, pointed, and cogent; there was no
hesitation or delay; he knew what he
wanted, and he got IT, He was a COM
petent actor in the most exciting and
important scene thus far of the trial.
Mr.. Howe began his attack with enor-
nous impressiveness. His opening effort
was to intimidate the witness, both by
his manner and by the tenor Of his ques-
lions, which was to undermine GOtha's
character. The Judge had TO interfere
occasionally TO protect the witness
rights. Howe worked this vein for all
there was in it, but before awhile Gotha
got on the track Of his memory and Mr.
Howe took another tack.
His object now was to show that GOtha
had been mysteriOusly supported over
since the arrest; had been in an inebridte
asylum, and other unworthy things. The
witness promptly denied most of the in
situations, and frankly admitted others.
Mr.. Howe's onslaught had nothing in
it except rhetoric and browbeating, the
facts as TO Gotha's support by the Dis
trict Attorneys Office were admitted at
the outset by Mr.. Olcott, who offered to
submit the official records, much TO Mr..
Howe's indignation.
Let me conduct my own crOss-eXami-
nation" shouted he.
III
ing to save time" observed Mr.. Olcott,
with a satirical smile; "he cannot do it
betier than by accepting our offer"
Mr.. Howe appealed to the Court, and
his Honor was indulgent The stentorian
bombardment went on and became mo-
notonous. The sum of IL all was that
Gotha was unable to get work since July,
and that ne has since then received some
$500 toward his and his wife's support
from the State. This was known and
admitted from the start, but Mr. Howe
must have the pleasure Of bullying it out
Of the witness. When the process was
completed he let the witness go without
entering into the matter of ThOrn's con-
fession.
Mr. Olcott rose in redirect attack TO
show that Gotha was supported in ac-
cordance with precedent, and without any
reflection upon his character Mr.. Howe
tried to stop him, but was worsted in the
encounter. Mr.. Olcott went on to ira
verse all HoWe's attack and took what
ever sting there had been in ii out.
Mr.. Howe asked him whether he had
ever tried 20 get work during the time
of his State support. and Gotha disap-
pointed him by saying that he had done
so several times
In short, Gotha LEFT the stand with his
testimony not only mistaken, but even
unattacked-although he himself had
been sufficiently assailed. After other
testimony came the surprise
Of the day. After a brief recess, during
which there were sundry conferences with
the Judge on the part of counsel, Mr..
youngs rose and announced that the peo-
ME rested. and Mrs. Mack had not been
called.
Mr.. Howe said that he had supposed
AIRS. Mack would be called and was,
therefore. not prepared to go on. The
.Judee adjourned till Monday, when there
IS some hope that the trial will conclude.
JULIAN HAWTHORNE.