The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-27
NOW FOR ARGUMENTS
GHNCHERs WORRIED ABOUT
SPEECHES AT CROSS PLAINS.
<-
Evidence of Both Prosecution ana De-
Tense Completed Before Hear
ing Adjourned Saturday.
ATTEMPT TO IMPEACH KELLY
DEFENSE RUSHED IN THROUGH SOON
AFTER STATE CLOSED.
Final Witnesses for the State Badly
Tangled the Evidence OF YER
sailIes Jail Guards.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
CROSS PLAINS, Ind, by Courier to Os-
good, Feb. 26-The state rested in the pre-
limina-y hearing of the lynching case this
afternoon, and an hour later the defense
closed the testimony to impeach the evil
dence of the boy Charles Kelly who was
brought here from PIainneld to testify that
he saw "Iez'' Hughes, superintendent of
the County Infirmary, kill Henry Schueter.
The present plan is for the argument to be-
gin Monday. 1t now seems quite probable
that Justice Craig viii reach a decision
Monday night, unless he takes the matter
under advisement for time. Curiosity is
aroused almost to a fever heat as to what
the decision of the justice win be. and every
effort will be made to influence him to find
for the defendant. From what Hughess
attorneys said a few days ago, they will
advise that he abide the decision if it is
adverse and quietly wait for the institution
of habeas corpus proceedings before Judge
New, at Versailles At that time, however,
they seemed to have no other idea than
that their client would be discharged by
Justice Craig. Sympathizers Of the defend
ant say that if he goes to Jail they will ac-
company him. There may. be. more. signifi-
canoe in this expression than appears on
the face of it.
There. was talk to-day of having Cover
nor Mount subpoenaed to testify as to the
knowledge on which he based his affidavit
charging Hughes with the murder and on
which q warrant for his arrest was issued
The attorneys were urged to this course by
sympathizers with the defendant who said
that even if Governor Mount could give no
testimony it would be good thing to en-
barrass the state as much as possible. To
this the attorneys gave but little heed. One
OF them this evening said. however, that
Governor Mount, as the maker OF the affi-
davlt ought to be the states prosecuting
witness, as the maker of an affidavit charg-
ing a crime or misdemanor usually is. In
asmuch as the taking of evidence appears
entirely closed, it is not likely that any
such step as this will be taken.
Bit by bit testimony is being adduced
which strengthens the theory that there
was conspiracy to get the prisoners all in
jail on the night OF Sept. a. 1882, that the
officials had cognizance that mob was to
lynch them, and that no resistance was Of
fered whatever by the five guards who were
there to watch the jail and protect the pris-
oners. One of the most important wit
nesses from the states standpoint was Will
liam Harrison Black, young man who
slept In the jail that night with William
Kenyon, brother-in-law of Sheriff Busching
Kenyon was nominally in charge, and
opened the door to the lynchers Yesterday
Kenyon said that Black was the only one
who came down stairs with him when tile
door bell rang. Kenyon's story is contra
dicted in almost every point by BlacS.
Kenyon said that he slept with John Bas-
sett in room absolutely without light,
which was reached by going through an
other room, in which Black, Bob Bassett
and L.insey Windsor slept; that he was
awakened by John Bassett. who told him
that there seemed to be trouble outside. He
paid no attention to 1t. he said.
THE MOB ARRIVED.
After a time the door bell rang and he
arose, slipped on his trousers, got a re-
velver from the mantel passed through the
room in which the others were and called
to Black to accompany him down stairs.
He said that when he reached the lower
floor he asked who was there and received
the reply, We've got a prisoner for you."
He threw open the door and was confronted
by three masked men, each holding two
revolvers, and demanded that the guards
throw III, their hands He said the masked
men then searched them, taking Kenyon's
revolver. Pushing them through kitchen
they were locked in the bathroom. and from
that time forward he had little knowledge
of what happened until he saw three pris-
oners dragged past the room The other
two prisoners. he said we've brought down
a stairway that did not pass the door He
testified to being in the north part OF the
county that afternoon, serving subpoenas
for the court, and that when he returned
he found the other four men already on
hand. the sheriff having gone to the house
Of his wife's father
Right here is where the discrepancy be-
gan. Black testified to-day that he was
employed at Shocks Hotel that night. After
being to the Hassamer House and the post
office he returned to Shocks about o'clock.
intending to go to bed, he said. In a mo-
ment or so William Kenyon came along and
asked him to go over to the Jail to stay all
night. He consented At the jail they
found the other three sitting on the steps,
talking All went to bed about 10 O'Clock.
he and Kenyon occupying one room and
the others another, which he did not enter
at all There was a lamp in the room, he
Said He could not tell what time 1t was
when he was awakened by the ringing of
the door bell He and Kenyon arose, the
latter lstling on his pants and socks, Black
slippnt, his pants and shoes He did
not see Kenyon secure Il revolver. There
WIS none Ill lNtHSOu puChGls 4AS Sdlus do
Kenyon had thrown his pants on the floor,
and a weight like that of a revolver would
have caused a dull noise loud enough to
be heard. He then said Kenyon went down
stairs ahead of him, carrying a lamp. As
he reached the foot OF the stairs lamp in
the end of the hall shed its light on Ken
yons back. so that If he had a revolver in
his pocket Black must have seen it. He
denied any talk at ttr door about n pris-
Oner The door was Jf glass and kenyon
looked out. Black. looking over his Shout
der, saw three masked men with revoIvers,
who demanded that the door be opened,
which Kenyon refused Il, do. There was
parley and after a time Kenyon admitted
them without calling TO the boys above to
arm themselves and come 10 his assistance.
Kenyon and he were taken through the
kitchen where Il lantern was found by one
OF the men, The trio demanded the keys
You'll have to search the house Tor
them" said Kenyon.
While two guarded Kenyon and Black the
other searched the kitchen and soon found
the jail keys. large and easily dscerned
lying on the mantel. Then they were
taken into the corridor The man with the
keys opened the south entrance door let
ting IN twenty-five ar thirty others in
masks. Then he opened the doors leading
into the celiroOm. and all but five or six
rushed inside. He heard some cries az
''Dh. my God, don't.9 Then there were