The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-12-13
CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTBR.
That Is the Finding Of tbs Jury In the Goss
Trial.

before the Columbia County Court,
on the charge Of having maliciously
and wilfully run down and killed John
Cole, above Benton last July, was
concluded on Thursday. The wit
nesses in the case numbered seven.
The first for the Commonwealth was
Robert Evans. He sat beside Goss
in the wagon, on the night of the kill
ing According to his story Goss had
made up his mind not to leave any
one pass him on the road, and that
Just as soon as he observed Cole
going by he whipped up the horses
and overlook him. He swore that
Goss had pleaded with him to deny
all knowledge of what had occurred,
if questioned In regard to it. The
witness was very slow in answering
questions put to him, he appeared to
possess an inactive mind and was
unable to grasp the meaning OF the
questions, unless repeated to him. In
cross examination he was not positive
Of anything.
Clarence Dirk was the next to take
the stand. He was Coles companion.
He told how they had left Benton on
their wheels to ride home. He re-
membered that Cole had shouted
"Hurrah for Bryan" when they had
caught up to the wagon near the
Edson bridge, but did not hear him
ask to go around. He did not see
Cole struck. When he found him he
was dead. His story was very clear
one.
Thomas Brown, Constable of
Benton, was called. He simply ex-
planned how he was called to the
scene of the accident. Had made an
examination of the road and wagon
tracks, all Of which he described.
DR.. Whitley sworn. He too, was
summoned on the fatal night. He
told of the nature of the injuries in
flicted. In his opinion, Cole had
gotten around the team and was turn
ing into the road when hit. His tes-
timony was corroborative of that Of
the two gentlemen who preceded him.
The District Attorney here made
an effort to show to the Court that
the act was premedltated, that it was
his purpose to run his victim down.
Ikeler, for the defense, objected
and he was sustained by the Court.
Rev. o. L. Buck, OF Waller, called
and sworn. He testified that on the
afternoon of July IL, he was driving
from Waller to Unityville. Goss
came up behind him with team, and
without uttering word of warning or
requesting him for permission to go
by attempted to run into him. He
was obliged, in order to avoid an
accident, to turn abruptly to one side
of the road.
This closed the evidence on the
part of the Commonwealth.
Col. John G.. Freeze opened the
case on the part of the defense. He
addressed the jury briefly, and called
for the first witness, DR.. Whitley. The
Doctor said that early in the evening
of the night the accident occurred he
received call from Ritter Goss, the
defendant, who complained OF feeling
unwell. He attributed his illness to
heart failure, nervousness. He pre-
scribed for him and gave him medi-
cine.
Ritter Goss was ordered to take the
stand. He told, in his own way, how
ne had left Benton that he did not
see Cole pass on the road. Suddenly
the horses began to run and contln-
ued, he not being able to check their
pace until they had covered probably
a mile. Then he turned them into
a lane and finally succeeded in stop
ping them. Up to this time he was
ignorant of what had taken place. He
did not know that man had been
run over. They continued on their
homeward journey. At the St. Gabriel
Church Robert Evans left him to 60
home. Said he was arrested the
following Sunday evening. Had been
personally acquainted with John Cole
for about three years; had always
been good friends. The cross examl-
natination did not change the strength
OF hls story. In fact, little attempt
vas made to disprove it.
Boyd Gibson, of Benton, Constable,
gave evidence that he had arrested
Goss. When told of the accident he
said Goss appeared greatly affected
and said, "My God, is i, my friend T,
J. B. McHenry, of Benton, testiheo
that he had been acquainted with
Robert Evans since he (Evans was
little boy. HIS reputation for truth
and veracity was bad, generally con-
s'dered so. Would not believe him
under oath.