The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-09

ton with Blattner occurred. afser
which they went up Main street past
the Parker block that Friday afternoon,
and Johngon heard them talk about en-
tering the house. but were deferred by
enc os the crowd who said they might
shoot one OF the kids In there" The
reason Johnson didn't tell the women
about the McLaughlins being outside
with pistols was because put him out.
Thus surrounded, and after having
been beaten by them It wasn't strange
that johnson stole his brother-in-law's
revolver. Johnson would have been
Justified IN shouting the three assailants
Of him and Devlnney Thursday morn
Ing had he been possessed OF u revolver.
Captain Dovener asked the jury 70
take the word OF the prisoners, which
was cOrroborated, IN preference to that
OF Frank Mclaughlin, Craig and Thorn
as Lynch. The testimony OF Craig and
Young at the inquest conficted with
that given at the trial, as result OF
cross examination. Craig's statement
that "Bandy" said he'd put n hole
through the three Of them was made 70
coverupthe fact that the trio, he. Charles
and James Mclaughlin, had revolvers.
Lynch Is right as to the number OF w9-
men standing out on the porch OF the
Combs house, or Frank Mclaughlin and
Craig are right.
Coming nearer to the tragedy. Cap
tain DOVener claimed the state hadn't
produced witness TO show that when
the prisoners left the Parker block, they
knew which route the Mclaughlin
crowd had taken. Martin Kemp, an en-
~ ham the
wrong man for johnson or Devlnney to
pull revolver out in his presence. and
say give It to them" Remp's testi-
mony wasn't substantiated. 1t was RI
dlcuIous 20 believe that JohRson and
Devlnney would start down street after
four men, and II they had any inten-
lions OF killing or injuring them they
would have shot them in the backs. Nc
Laughlln's coat sleeve showed that the
fatal bullet had entered his right side.
McLaughlIn's bloOd-stained coat was
shown to the jury by Captain DoVene:,
Later the dead mans pants We're exhlb-
tied TO disclose the bullet hole on the In
side OF the left leg. The bullet hole in
the deceased's hat was also pointed out.
and Captain DoYener said these bullet
holes didn't come from a revolver fired
by johnson from his position out in the
street, and the state didn't refer to the
holes in the hat and pants.
There was no evidence In rebutta! OF
Johnson's story that he fired with his
left hand The captain claimed thabul-
let holes in the billboard and the photo
graph gallery door. came from the re-
volvers used by Craig and Mclaughlin.
Johnson's pants with bullet hole in
them was produced. Somebody fired at
the prisoners and made the holes in
the fence, which came from O point OPP
posite to where the prisoners stood.
What became of Frank McLaugh-
Inns revolver" asked Captain Dovener.
Echo answers, why hasn't 1t been pro-
duced? There were two empty cham
bers In Craig's revolver; we know one
was fired beforehand, but we claim he
used his gun In the tragedy. Craig did
not sag a word about revolver at the
coroners inquest. He had given 1t to
Richter. He told Richter not to say
anything about the revolver, for the
very reason he used 1t before he ran
across the bridge. The only difference
between Craig and Judas is that Craig
wanted to live. for Judas who betrayed
his Savior hung himself. but'Cralg, who
was responsible for the death of his
comrade, preferred to live.
After further scoring Craig, the
speaker instQnceG how the prisoners
had given themselves up Mt the city
building, without attempt at flight. The
state set up the theory that they had
two revolVers and threw one. AWAY.
Why didn't they throw both? was n
question the state ought to answer.
They couldn't throw TWO guns away
when they had but one. a further proof
that the prisoners hadn't tried 10 as
snsslnate Mclaughlin was the opportn'
mites they had OF doing 1t under cover,
from the Parker house, while the Nc
Laughttns stood outside.
Concluding the captain appealed to
the jury 20 give the prisoners every
consideration of justice. and not TO
dwell upon the loose life they might
have led. The prisoners were human
beings, and while the defense wouldn't
deny that bullet from Johnston's gun
killed Charles Mclaughlin, because no.
body. not even Johnson knew this, the
defense yas certain that the killing was
done In self defense. Captain Dovener
asked the jury to consider the facts. He
wouldn't deal In oratory or appeals to
sympathy. He was certain the evidence
would aedait the prisoners.
Captain DOvener spoke for two hours
and twenty-five minutes, closing at 1875
O'Clock. Prosecuting Attorney Meyers
address, consumed similar period and
AIR. BoYcc spoke three hours.