Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-07


Canton, Ohio, April 6.-The morning
hours of the trial of Mrs. George gave
indications of proctrated delay in COM
pleting the jury panel.
A special venire of sixteen had been
called and inquiries as to qualifications
were resumed The first man called
was incapacitated on account of de-
fective hearing
The next qualified and School Teach
er Lind was peremptorily challenged
by the defense. The next three were
barred by positive opinions held on the
merits of the case. Two wouldn't do
because of views against capital pun
ishment, the next was over the age
limit and the next would only vote for
the death penalty under direct evil
dence. Court room scenes were about
the same as before, the room being
crowded to it's capacity. Mrs. George
was dressed as before and had the
same Ifl6QQS WIN 06r.
Another boquet was brought to her
by one of her friends. At ten o'clock
the defense had eleven peremptory
challenges and only ten names were
on the venire
Shortly before the second venire call
was exhausted the jury box was again
filled with men who had qualified, but
a peremptory challenge by the defense
made another vacancy. Two men were
excused because of confirmed opinions
on the case, and two more because Of
their opposition to capital punishment
and circumstantial evidence. This eX-
hausted the panel, and court adjourned
for three hours, including the noon
hour, to get another venire called from
Osnaburg, a nearby country village,
and Massillon. The first man of this
panel qualified, but had to get out Of
the box on a peremptory challenge.
Two more would not do on account OF
set opinions. The next was all right,
and then one qualified yesterday was
ordered out by the defense. Three
more had disqualifying opinions, and
then one passed the qualification ques-
tions, taking the twelfth seat in the
box. 1t was now time for adjournment,
and the request of the defense to defer
until tomorrow morning the exercising
of other peremptory challenges was
granted. They still have nine such
challenges, and if all are exercised
much more time will be required to
complete the jury. 1t is not believed,
however, that any more challenges will
be preferred and that at least ten of
the men already selected will be ac-
ceptable. to the defense.
Sixty men have so far been exam
ined as to qualifications for the jury
A feature of the case to-day was the
development of the United States secret
service agents name in the question
ing of the jurors as to their qualltica-
lions. The defense asked the array of
jurors whether they had at any time,
since the service of summons upon
them, been approached by Secret Ser
vice Agent John Webb, Deputy United
States Marshal Kelley, of Cleveland,
or by Postoffice Inspector A. P. Owen,
of the district extension through Ohio,
Kentucky and Tennessee.
Attorneys for the defense state that
they know that Owen, whose home is
in Canton, owes his appointment to
President Mckinley, and that he has
been more than ordinarily active in
hustling for evidence and witnesses
against Mrs. George.
Owen worked up the case against
Mrs. George when she was arrested for
sending through the mails a letter to
Mrs. Eva Althouse, accusing her of
alternating Saxton's affections. She
was charged with using language that
is not permitted in the mails Mrs
George was held for the United States
Court for this offence, and the indict-
ment is still pending.
1t is contended by the State that
Owens continued presence here, when
he is under the pay of the government,
means only that he is a witness. be-
cause of knowledge he has Of some
transactions between Mrs. George and
Saxton.
The defence strongly intimated that
While ostensibly the relatives of the
dead man are keeping out Of the case,
the mighty power of the yelled hand is
seen in the effort to convict the wo-
man.
Owen is subpoenaed by the State, and
when he taxes the stand the defence
will have some pointed inquiries to
make.
Mrs. Althouse and Young Hogan. the
witnesses wanted by both sides, have
not turned up and their present where
abOuts are unknown. Mrs Althouse
has left q Pennsylvania town to which
she had been traced. The defense has
failed to locate Mrs. Elizabeth Parks,
former cashier in New York hotel,
who was reported as having been en-
gagged to marry Saxton at the time of
the tragedy and whose deposition is
wanted by the defense.
Mrs. Alth0use is the woman to whom
Saxton had been paying attention. He
was shot as he assembled the steps from
the sidewalk to her front lawn
Prosecutor Pomeroine stated to-day
that he was powerless to get her here,
as she was beyond the Jurisdiction OF
this court Her deposition cannot be
taken by the State. and it is for the de-
fence to take any step In the direction
OF getting her testimony. Attorney
Welty, for Mrs. George. said they had
made every effort to get Mrs. Althouse
or her deposition, but did now feel
that the deposition would be Of avail.