The age-herald., 1898-09-25
GOVERNMENT
 RESTS ITS CASE Testimony For Defence Now
 Being Heard. TRYING TO PROVE AN ALIBI For Dodger Blankenship-Some of the Witnesses Get Mixed As to Dates Pretty Girl on the Wit
 ness Stand.
TRYING TO PROVE AN ALIBI

The government has rested in the trail of the five Talladega mountaineers in the United States court, charged with the mur- der of w. A. Thompson, and witnesses for the defense are being heard.
 Thus far the efforts of the defense have been directed to prov an alibi for Dodser Blankenship, but under cross examination by the district attorney some of the wit nesses have become badly mixed
 The last witness for the government was indtain B. w. Bell. who testified that no to make a gfare held out to Bob Taylor here rested and Vent JolrTrghhe government ed by the defense Joiner testified that Re saw Dodger Blankenship at the house of his nephew March 14, 1898, the day of the tragedy, about two hours by sun The date had been impressed upon him by the fact that it was two days before a log rolling at iris nephew's, which occurred on the 18th, at which time ho heard of the killing of Thompson.
 On cross examination the witness was unable to fix any other date on which he had ever seen Blankenship. Vent Joiner, Jr,. nephew of the first witness gave ma- terlally the same testimony.
 The next witness was Mrs Ad Smith mother-in-law of the defendant, Blanken. ship. She testified that Dodger came home from Birmingham on the Sunday before the killing of Thompson and that she went to his house, which was about mile and a half from her home and spent the night Blankenship left home early Monday morn ing to go to Monroe Thompson's and re- turned coming by her home about o'clock in the afternoon.
 Under cross examination Mrs. Smith could not remember any other date She said that she had referred to her almanac to impress the 14th of March on her mind Couldn't tell what date it was now Said that Blankenship was sick after he got home. Was suffering from a cold, but never heard that he was hit in the back with a rock until Taylor said so. Was attended by Dr. Fruit. The witness fur ther testified that the Jack Smith who was mentioned in the indictment was her son, same Jack Smith who was arrested for H. lict distiling.
 Jane Smith was the next witness. She is a pretty country girl and was neatly at tired in black skirt and colored shirt waist She testified that she was a sister of Dodger- Blankenship's wife Remem- bered that Blankenship returned home Sun day previous to the Wednesday, when Thompson's body was found. Didn't see him on Sunday. Saw him Monday morn ing. He came to her fathers house about o'clock and got saddle to ride to Mon roe Thompsons. Was riding a mule He stayed at the house until about o'clock and then went on. Saw him again about o'clock in the afternoon come by and left the saddle and stayed about half an hour and then left for home. This was on March 14.--On cross examination the wit ness was asked if she knew what date the following Monday fell upon, but could not tell Was also unable to tell what day of September it was.
 She further testified on cross-examina ton that she got up about 6 o'clock on Monday March i4, and that her mother was at home when Blankenship came up. Didn't remember if her mother ate dinner at home or not.
 There was a little barley between the at- torneys when MT. Cowart for the defense asked the witness for the purpose of re- freshing her recollection, If her mother did not spend the night at Partnerships on the Sunday night. She did not remember.
 James Stanley was the next witness. He testified that he had seen Blankenship on March II about an hour by sun going to- wards his home. On cross s-eXa mlnation this witness was also unable to fix other dates he had seen Blankenship.
 Ad Smith. father-in.law of Blankenship was on the stand when court adjourned