Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-05-11
JAMES H. GOSNELL.

JAMEO II. GOONEL
fence some distance away, where q
horse had been hitched. Those who
followed the horse tracks. and they
were sharp-eyed coon hunters, found
that Cramblett's horse, hitched in the
stable at his fathers barn, male tracks
similar to those found at the fence
and along the road. One shoe was
missing, and the hair and name rubbed
ON the fence were the color of Cram
blett's horse. Bloodhounds were
brought to the scene, but they could
not run the trail. Several times Cram
Iblett was taken into custody and pri-
vately examined. but so good was his
standing as quiet. unobtrusiye citl-
zen that he was released. After the
offering of the reward he was arrested
again, but only kept under surveil-
lance at the constable's home, so sure
was he that Cramblett would not try
ito escape. Then came the trial before
Squire Humphreys of Mount Pleasant.
1t was burlcsque The citizens took
mp collection and hired the town hall
to hear the trial, and so strong was the
feeling in Cramblett's innocence that
the crowd applauded and cheered the
good points scored by Crambletts
lawyer.
Cramblett was held, however, but so
strong was the feeling Of his not be-
ing guilty, and so meager the evidence.
it being purely circumstantial, that 1t
Is doubtful II he would have been in
dicted had it not been for the indis-
erection Of his relatives, two Of whom
admitted before the grand jury to de-
stroying and throwing in deep we'll
a gun the states officer had been look
ing for after the murder. 1t had stood
in a corner at the Cramblett home, but
after the murder was not to be seen.
The gun was recovered through the
testimony of William Miller and Mil
ton Hall, relatives of Cramblett. Other
damaging testimony came up before
the grand jury.
Cramblett was indicted and the trial
set, but was continued because Of the
affidavit of a physician that Cram
blett's mother, who is temporarily in
sane, will recover In few weeks and,
1t is said, will testify to an alibl for
her son.
The state contends that Cramblett
was desperately in love with Cora Cos
nell; that when she would not marry
him because Of her fathers opposition
Cramblett concluded to remove him;
that he had made threats against Cos
nell; that Cramblett had proposed to
Cora that, as they could not marry,
they could die together. Cramblett at
torneys contend that Cramblett was a
welcome visitor to the Gosnell home;
that he was always invited back by the
father; that the first person arriving
at the Gosnell home the night of the
murder was asked to go for Cramblett,
who came and stayed about until after
funeral, assisting the family, that he
ssat up at night with the dead man
without tremor, and that he did not
the bloodhounds; that they can prove
an alibi for Cramblett, and that sus-
picion points strongly to another az
the one who committed the crime.
The Cramblett connection is a large
and influential one, and they are re-
enforced by many everywhere who be
lieve some other person committed
the deed. He enlisted with the late
war with Spain. Before daylight the
morning after the murder man came
into Martins Ferry and gave details of
the murder such as were not known to
any one for miles in the direction Of