The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-08
DUNCAN ON THE STAND.
Says Newman Tried to Rob Him and
He Fired the Fatal shot

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal
SHELBYVILLE, Ind, April I'm the
Duncan murder trial here to-day a new
feature was sprung by the prosecution in
the testimony OF William H Watts. a
neighbor of Duncan. Mr.. Watts testified
that one day six years ago Duncan rode
with him from Greenfield TO near his home.
and that during that ride Duncan talked of
some trouble that he duncan had had
with the murdered man, Newman short
time before. Duncan claimed at that time
that Newman had taken two of his dun
can'sl brothers away from the polls and
had kept them from voting, and that he
Ouncan) intended to Kill Newman when
ever he got an opportunity. He also swore
that Duncan had spent thirty-three months
OF the last six years in Jacksonville
prison, and had only returned to his neigh
borhoOd last winter, few months before
the tragedy. John Evans and officer War
sren Heahl swore to the dying statement
OF Newman that he did not know why
Duncan shot him. Mrs. Catherine Newman
the mother of the murdered man, swore
that her son was thirty-four years old and
that she was present when he died. This
closed the testimony of the State.
David Duncan. the defendant, was the
first witness introduced by the defense.
He said he was twenty-five years old ard
was reared in Hancock county; he had
known Jacob Newman fourteen years. and
they always had been the best of friends.
They had lived in the same neighbOrhOod
and had had no trouble until the night of
Feb. p, when Newman was fatally shot;
saw Newman about l o'clock Feb. Il, and
they had drinks together, for which Dun
can paid. Following this the testimony
was unimportant until the circumstances
involving the shooting were reached. Dun
can said:
I'VE reached Meloy's barn about $50 or 7
o'clock We went across the street to Will
liams's saloon and one other and had sew
eral drinks. / went back to Meloy's barn
and stayed, while Newman went up town,
as he said, to see a girl. When he came
back we went across to Williams's and
drank together. There were Newman and
myself with the Ensley hoy and straw
baler that I do not know. 1 said Let's
have another drink and then go home.
Newman and / went directly across the
street to the stable and / ordered the pony
and buggy. While they were getting ready
/ walked back to the pump to get a drink
of water. Newman followed me. and.
throwing his right arm around my neck.
tried to put his left hand into my pocket
without saying word. | knew the charac-
ter of the man and what he had done be-
fore 1 drew my revolver and fired into
his side. Stepping back. Newman followed,
and ] fired two more shots into him The
straw baler knocked me down. Newman
GOT up OH lne lOOI anu went lilO inc
stable office and I followed. | asked for
the sheriff, and, when asked why did the
shooting said that had right TO protect
my property. I saw Newman the after
noon of Feb. %. Jake asked me why l
shot him and 1 told him that L did not
know. thinking that If 1 said that he was
trying TO rob me l would be reducing his
chances of recovery. told him that / was
sorry. Newman said: We'll. Dave, you
did it, anyway, and 1 answered, Yes,
sir
on cross-examination he stated that he
had Just returned from indianapolis, and
that ne always carried a revolver when he
went away from home. The other wit
nesses introduced by the defense largely
corroborated Duncan.
1t is expected that the case will not reach
the jury much before Monday night or
Tuesday morning.