The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-13
ISLAND CITY NEWS ITEMS
Virgil Gslisher Has Asked Z Change
of Venue.
MOTION WILL BE DECIDED TODAY,
Bond Of Receiver for Honston Eiec-
tric LIGHT Company Filed.
Prisoner Ordered Released.

Galveston. Texas. January 1.-THE case
OF Virgil Gallaher. under indictment for
the killing OF his mother last August. vas
called for trial In tho criminal district
court here today Judge Gavin presided.
District Attorney Gillespie was present to
/ conduct the prosecution. and the defend
snt was represented BY Mcssrs. Mcdonald.
keetch and Skinner. II is a celebrated
| case and great interest WAS manifested.
many people being present to watch the
| proceedings.
In order. TO avoid n rush Sheriff Thomas
had the doors TO the court room locked, and
| guards on the outside prevented any one
from entering before the opening OF court
! AZ $3.50 the prisoner was brought from the
Jail and taken to the sherifs Office with
out great many of those present being
able 10 get glimpse OF him. The doors
OF the sherif's office were kept closed and
the prisoner screened from the inQuisitlye
gaze of the curious crowd He was neatly
attired iii II business suit. and gave no evil
denccs OF excitement. His face was pale,
but this In a great measure can be attrib
| uted to his confinement In prison for sew
eral months.
There were some fifty witnesses sum-
moned to give evidence on the trial, prin-
cipaliy for the defense, and there had been
a special venfrc for 100 jurors issued in
the case from which to select panel OF
twelve for the trial OF tho cause.
shortly afler 10 o'clock the doors we're
opened ana there was a rush for the court
room. and II took all the efforts OF the dep
uty sheriffs on guard to prevent the people
from tramping over one another In the mad
rush for seats strong force of deputy
shefiffs prevented the spectators from en-
croaohing on the space within the railing
assigned to the lawyers aud witnesses
Az IL. 49,. 80.
secured the audience was warned by Den
uty Sheriff James w. Wood that auietness
must prevail, and court was formally
opened and. tho spectators were notified
that they must remain seated.
The defendant WAS then brought into
court by Sheriff Thomas and the case was
called.
Defendants counsel then filed motion
FOR change OF venue on account OF the
prejndice prevailing here against him. The
nfhdnrit was sworn 70 by the defendant.
and signed by his counsel The statement
was supported BY tho sworn atfidayits OF
nine witnesses
The court stated that the motion would
be acted upon tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock, and the clerk was directed to is
sue process for witnesses.
The witnesses In the case of the State
W. Gailaher We're then called. for the
purpose of determining whether ar not all
vi th'ii nilbWFItl 10 the PROCESS.
All the jurors summoned on the special
renire were excused until tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock and were directed
to leave the court room quietly.
The witnessed We're then called. aud as
they answered to their names the list
was checked off. Some of the witnesses
were absent. having lat the State.
DEFENDANTS counsel announced TO the
court that they would ask for compulsory
process to secure the presence OF the alb |
sent witnesses before the court
All the witnesses in the case were then
excused until tomorrow morning ut 10
o'cIaek
Tho application for a change Of venue. |
which viii be heard tomorrow morning. |
is in conformity with the statute and al |
leges that there is such prejudice exist |
Ing IN this county against the defendant |
that it will be impossible for him TO Sc
cure fair and impartial trial here
There were probably six or seven hun |
dred persons in the court house and on |
the pavement below during the proceed
ings and 1t is expected that the crowd will |
be even larger tomorrow morning.