The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-07
DAVID DUNCAN ON TRIAL
CHARGED WITH KILLING JACOB
NEWMAN AT sHELBYVILLE.
Muncie Doctor Accused of larceny
Child Killed by Taking Strychnine
Electric Plant Burned.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
SHELBYVILLE, Ind, April 6.-The trial
of David Duncan. charged with the murder
of Jacob Newman in this city, the night of
Feb. Il. began in the Circuit Court to-day.
Considerable difficulty was found in finding
a jury and not until afer was the
panel filled. The statement of Prosecuting
Attorney Blair showed that the State was
prepared To go back in the history of the
men for several years and show that an
animosity had long existed.
DR.. Morris Drake the first physician to
examine Newman after the shooting tes-
titled that his death was due to the results
of two pistol balls which entered the left
side and passed through the eighth rib. the
diaphragm and lodged i'm the great muscle
in front of the backbone. Len Williams,
bartender for Oscar Williams, across the
street from the Meloy stable, where the
tragedy occurred, swore that the two men
were in that saloon just few minutes be-
fore the tragedy and that Duncan pulled
cut revolver and pointed II at a man
named Cooper and that Newman and Dun
can drank in that place. He watched them
walk directly from the saloon across the
street into the stable and in few minutes
heard the shots fired. William Cooper, the
man referred to, corroborated this story.
Jesse Meloy, nineteen year old boy, was
across the street. in front of the bowling
alley. and saw all the shots fired He saw
Duncan standing at the left side of New
man with the revolver in his hand. saw
him fire the shot while Newman was ap-
parently retreating; saw Duncan follow
when Newman clinched with Duncan and
attempted to secure the weapon. Both fell
to the ground and when he (Meloy) reached
the barn some one had pulled Duncan off
Newman and he helped Newman to his
feet. Newman was taken into the office
of the stable and fell PROSTATE. He heard
Duncan say that he had to defend himself
Coroner Frank E. Ray testified to the
cause of death and the result of the
autopsy, presenting the fatal bullet, and
identifying 1t as the one found In New
mans body.
Sheriff Schoelch testified to the dying
statement of Newman made on the night
of Feb. 21 That Newman stated that he
and Duncan had been friends for more
than fourteen years, and that he did not
know why Duncan had shot him. When
asked If Ii was true that he had tried to
rob Duncan of some money Newman said
he did not know that Duncan had any
money; that Newman had agreed to bring
Duncan to this city and he was TO receive
three dollars for it. Afterwards, when both
men were in jail they asked the sheriff to
let them talk together. Shoelch took Dun
can up into the hospital ward where New
man was lying on couch. The two men
shook hands and called each other by
name Newman asked Duncan why he had
shot him; asked him to reform and lead a
better life. Duncan In that interview with
Newman. gave no reason why he had shot
him. The revolver was loaded with No. 50
short cartridges and when examined had
three empty and two loaded shells. To had
been found under the ladder leading tothe
barn loft. Officer James Magill testified
to practically the same effect.
Duncan is represented by Wilson & Will
son, while Prosecutor Blair is being as
sisted by Attorney Charles Hack.