The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
STATES CASE STRENGTHENED
KETCHAM SPENT SUNDAY IN CINCIN-
NATI ON HIS SPEECH.
Arguments To-day Before Justice
Craig, who May Reserve His De-
cisiOn Until Tuesday.
specIal to the 1nalanapoIIs journal.


testify in the Hughes lynching investiga-
ton became apparent late yesterday after
noon when they were brought before JUS
tice Craig under attachments from Milan,
in the north part of the county Baggott
was at Versailles the night of the lynching
and witnessed the whole proceeding. He
was the first witness to admit having been
in or near Versailles that night. He testified
that he went to Versailles from Milan with
Frank Wood arriving about 10 O'Clock, hav-
ing heard that the five men in Jail were TO
be lynched and that friends of the prisoners
we-e isuing to attempt to rescue them from
the hands of the mob. His claim was that
he went out of curiosity. He heard the
shooting saw men patrolling the streets,
was ordered to keep still and not interfere.
He witnessed about fifty masked men drag
efng the bodies Of the prisoners from the
Jail toward the trees where they were hung.
1t has been the states theory that Will
liam Kenyon, brother-in-law of Sheriff
Busching, who was TIE jailer, was in the
north part of the county the day before the
lynching notifying people to be on hand.
Kenyon himself admitted having gone to
Milan, Napoleon and other northern towns
that day, but said that he was riding bailiff
of the court and was serving court sum-
monSes. The fact that the first witness to
admit that he saw the lynching came from
one of the towns Kenyon visited is regarded
as significant. Witnesses summoned by At
torney General Ketcham from the other
towns Kenyon visited denied having seen
him or having known anything about the
lynching or having been at Versailles that
night Baggott's testimony created some
thing of sensation.
The attorneys for the defendant
''Hez' Hughes introduced but lit
tie evidence in defense after the
State closed it's case yesterday
afternoon. witnesses were put on the
stand to impeach the testimony of Charles
Kelly, who testified last Thursday that he
saw the defendant kill Schueter by beat
ing him over the head with club. They
testified that Kelly was a notorious liar.
Evidence to prove an aIibi for the defend
ant was also introduced. witness called
for the State had testified that Hughes
was in Versailles that night, but took no
part in the Iynciitng. they slept togeth-
er. This was corroborated by others There
was evidence going to show that Kelly had
a grudge against Hughes ON account of the
latter having caused corporal punishment
to be inflicted on him when he was an in
mate of the county infirmary. of which
Hughes Is the superintendent Kelly was
there uine months prior to the ynching and
Hughes, it is claimed, had good deal of
trouble getting him to observe the rules
of the institution.
It will be remembered that Kelly testified
in his xamination-in-chief last Thursday
that he saw James Mccoy, of Osgood, kill
Jenkins 1t is claimed that Kelly also had
a grudge against Mccoy who owns store.
Mccoy, 1t is claimed detected Kelly trying
to steal a necktie and kicked him out of
the store. On the witness stand Kelly flat
ly impeached himself at the crosS-examina-
ton in the afternoon, denying that he had
testified in the morning he saw Mccoy kill
Jenkins and knew Mccoy because he wore
no mask On cross-examination he said he
knew Mccoy by his voice. The defendants
attorneys seemed 10 think that Kelly had
so impeached himself it was unnecessary
to do much to discredit his testimony. Still
they did not wish to let it go by default
and hence attempted TO further impeach
him. The only direct evidence against
Hughes tending to show that he was in the
jail and killed Scheuter was that of Kelly.
There has been no evidence showing that
he was connected with the conspiracy to
defeat Lyle Lewis efforts to get ball. no
matter how correct the States theory may
be, and the attorneys contend absolutely
nothing of a tangible character has been
adduced to show Hughes's guilt. They pre-
diet Justice Craig will discharge their
client. Everything is quiet here to-day al
though the feeling is most intense. There
is u growing sentiment in favor of urging
Governor Mount not to push further pro-
ceedings against others, whatever Justice
Craig may decide to do in the Hughes
case. A large crowd of the defendants
friends is expected here tomorrow, but it is
asserted that there will be no trouble and
that the decision OF Justice Craig will be
respected
KELLY'S MAIN CHARGE.
On the other hand, Attorney General
Ketcham feels that the State has made a
pretty good case. or at any rate that there
is sufficient doubt of the defendants limo
cence TO warrant Justice Craig sending him
to the grand jury for further investiga-
ton by higher court. Keliys declaration
that he saw Hughes kill Schueter was not
shaken. Last night Mr.. Ketcham and w
5. CARRIER. the expert stenographer who has
been taking down the testimony went to
Cincinnati. where the attorney general is
to-day engaged IN preparation for the open
ing argument tomorrow morning. Mr..
ketcham cannot reach here much before II
o'clock. His argument viii be followed with
speeches by the defendants attorneys. Mr..
Aetcnam hopes that Judge McMullen. who
was compelled To drop out of the trial last
week and 90 to his home in Aurora. will be
able TO return with him to-day lie is re-
ported TO be much better now.
IT does not now appear that the argu-
mcnt will consume more than one day.
How much time Justice Craig will want TO
consider the case. if any, is not known.
but it appears likely he will render his YER
dict Tuesday. What it will lie no one can
predict. Hughess friends say it will be
acquittal. The prosecution lawyers believe
If he does his duty fearlessly and be not
cowed by threats OF ostracism and intima-
lions that he viii be compelled to leave the
county unless he acquit Hughes, that he
will send Hughes to the grand jury. Justice
Craig has the reputation of being an honest
man. a believer in the doctrine that the law
should be upheld. ard man too conscien-
tious 10 swerve from right and justice
While he was soldier in the war and has
gone through many dangers uhfiinchinsly
he Is an old man now, and would like 10
pass the rest OF his life among friends aud
neighbors Of thbsy years in the home where
his children hans been born and reared. lie
e. comparatively poor. II is known that he