The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-19
LAST EFFORT MADE
TO STAY SENTENCE
Final Argument for a New Trial for
Van Horn.
CONDEMNED MURDERER LOOKS ON
Attorney Weidmsn Produces Newly
Discovered Testimony Tending to
Destroy the Contention Of the Com
monweaIth That Van Horn and Mrs.
Westcott Were Upfriendiy I'm m edi-
ateiy Preceding the Killings His
Attorneys Handicapped

George X. Van Horn, the convicted
murderer of Mrs. Josephine Wescott
witnessed yesterday the final effort to
save him from the impending sentence
of death.
court before Judges Archibald, Gunster
and Edwards by l.. 7. Wedeman, the
condemned murderer's aggressive at
torney. 1t was the final argument for
new trial on the reason previously
advanced and upon the strength of the
newly discovered testimony, tending to
bear out the contention of the defense
that Van Horn and Mrs. Wescott were
friendly and doubtlessly intimate even
up to the day of the killing.
Mr. Wedeman read the dispositions
of Hostler Frank Sweeney, whJ swore
that he saw Van Horn talking to a
woman of Mrs. Wescott's description
several times during the day of the
killing or the day Immediately previ-
Gus. Van Horn was working in the
cellar of the new Slower building and
was visited by the woman in question.
One conversation between the two was
carried on at the corner of Oakford
court and Spruce street, about noon
time.
NET BY A WOMAN.
Later in the day Van Horn left the
cellar and walked down the court as
far as the Linden street intersection
and was met there by this same wo-
man, apparently by appointment. They
talked for some time, evidently in no
unfriendly manner, and then separated,
the woman returning the way she had
come and Van Horn resuming his work
at eXcavating the cellar
The witness, Sweeney, saw all this
from the Won Storch stable, in Oakford
court, in the rear of the Slower prop
erty, where he was then employed.
Mr.. Wedeman urged this discovery
strongly upon the court, contending
that in itself it was sufficient to war
rant a new trial. as it broke down the
main contention of the defense, that
Van Horn had been going about threat
ening the life of Mrs. Wescott previous
to the killing and was therefore shown
to have been maliciously disposed to-
wards her.
Assistant District Attorney w. Gay
lord Thomas argued briefly against
the motion, holding that this new tes-
timony, even admitting it to be COM
petent, was simply accumulative and
corroborative and did not in any way
affect the materialftv of the case.
Court made no indicative comment,
but simply took the papers.
VAN HORN WAS PRESENT.
Van Horn came in With Deputy
Sheriff George Pryor while the pro-
ceedngs were on. He looked quite as
nonchalant as the first day of the trial,
when his almost taunting air of indif-
ference was the subject Of such sur
prised comment.
Van Horn was present under the pro-
visions of the statute requiring that in
every proceeding of capital punish
ment trial the defendant must be al
lowed the opportunity of attending.
AS far as suggestions or inspirations
are concerned, Van Horn was about as
much use to his attorney as a wax
figure would be. 1t is said by his at
torneys that their greatest handicap in
making a defense has been Van Horns
inability to give them any assistance.
They say that he has told them of
various occurrences which, If they
could be proved, would go a long way
to establishing his innocence, but in
every instance he is totally unable to
remember any detailed circumstances
or the names or even description of
witnesses.