Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-22

MONlJA 1-SAMfl<E y. GEOaNIES
THE DEFENDANTS FORMER
HUSBAND, ON THE STAND YES
TERDAY = AN ATTEMPT TO
PROVE AN ALIBI AND A WIT
NESS TO IMPEACH MFRS. ECK-
ROAT.
Canton, O., April 21.-The testimony
in behalf of the defense in the trial OF
Mrs. George for the murder OF George
d. Saxton was concluded to-day. A
brief cross-examination by agreement
will be conducted tomorrow, and then
testimony in rebuttal will be offered.
The arguments will likely be commence
ed Monday and will occupy at least
two days. The jury will probably be
charged Wednesday forenoon.
The features of to-day's session were
the calling of Sample G. George, for
mer husband of the defendant; an at
tempt to prove an alibi TOR Mrs.
George, and the effort to impeach the
testimony of Mrs. Eckroat, who claims
to have recognized Mrs. George In the
act of shooting Saxton.
Joseph Eckroate, husband of the wo-
man who testified that she had seen
and recognized Mrs. George in the act
OF firing two shots into Saxton's body
testified that his wife had been using
white powder, presumed TO be NOR
phine, for the last twelve years. He
said it made her drowsy and irritable.
E. j. Schlabach. a druggist. testified
to having sold Is ounce bottles OF NOR
phine to Mrs. Eckroatee at intervals OF
a week or two. Harry Taylor testified
to Mrs. George and Saxton going to
Allegheny in March. 1896. Fred p.
Shanfelt and Alex. Carver. druggists,
also testified to selling morphine to
Mrs. Eekroate. A former policeman
was prevented from telling about find-
ing Mrs. George in the Saxton block
after midnight one night. Miss Effie
Darr told of seeing Mrs. George near
the Lineman house about Z 20 the even
ing of Saxtons death, and Mrs. Eta
Fink testified of seeing Mrs. George at
that house during the day and leaving
1t at $50; also to the presence OF burrs
and Spanish needles in the yard.
An effort was made to prove BY
County Commissioner j. b. Summey
that Mont Eassler, brother OF former
Policeman Eassler, had sought to have
the county commissioners offer re-
ward for the finding of the revolver.
but the testimony was excluded. Form
err tenants of Saxton's farms testified TO
Mrs. George going with Saxton to the
farms number OF times. Alice Man
dagaugh testified to having often seen
Mrs. Althouse enter the Saxton block
in 1896.
The defense sought to show by Miss
Florence B. klinger. that in 1896 Mrs.
George was making preparations to so
TO housekeeping. 1t was excluded until
better evidence OF a promise to marry
her had been furnished.
The witness testified that on the
night of Saxton's death she saw Sax
ton about 5:55 o'clock riding west on
his bicycle, and that she went to her
home on Marion street, five or six
blocks from the square, entering the
house just as tho clock struck six.
While she was preparing supper Mrs.
George came in about 6:25, and about
FIVE minutes later Ira Howengtein
dropped in. Mrs. George remained un-
til $50 o'clock and then left. saying
she was going to Attorney Sterling's
Office.
When cross-examined she said she
was divorced woman and warm
friend of Mrs. George. The cross-ex-
animation was largely devoted to an
assault upon her character.
Ira Howenstein testified to having
gene to visit the Klinger woman on the
evening OF Saxton's death and OF ind
ing Mrs George there at the time Of
his arrival. which he definitely fixed at
6:35. Both Mrs. Klinger and Howen-
stein testified that Mrs. George appear.
ed entirely natural.
The court docket showing the be-
ginning and settlement OF the damage
case OF Sample G. George against Sax
ton for alleged alienation OF his wife's
affections was offered In evidence.
Benjamin Beuter. one OF the managers
of the Zoar Hotel. testified to Saxton
having visited the hotel for three days
accompanied by Mrs. George on one
occasion and by Mrs. Althouse on an
other occasion-
Michael Burke and his daughter,
Laura, OF Barberton, formerly neigh
bors of the Eckroate family, testified
to knowing OF Mrs. Eckroate using
morphine to the extent of making her
drowsy and irritable. and that she sep
arated from her husband twice because
of her use Of the drug
Miss Burke related several instances
in which Mrs. Eckroate attempted vio-