The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-25
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
Father and Sister of the Dead Girl on
the Witness Stand.

PITTSFIELD, Mass, July A.-The doors
of the courthouse in which the Fosburgh
manslaughter trial Is proceeding were be-
sieged fully an hour before the opening Of
to-days session by crowds of spectators
and, owing to the crush, hundreds had to
be denied admittance, so great was the in
terest in the address of Mr.. Joyner, the
attorney for the defense.
The theory of the defense is that the
crime was the performance Of burglars;
that the stockings. which were worn and
cut, were drawn on over shoes TO muf-
fle the sound of steps; that the tracks seen
were made by the men when they left the
house. and that they intended to steal any
thing they could lay hands on. In con-
clusion Mr.. Joyner said: The defense will
show that the family has done its utmost
10 bring 10 justice the men who entered the
house, and that whatever may be the
theory. Miss May was a woman without an
enemy. In her home and in her church life
she the affection of all who knew her.
She was her brothers companion her moth
ers idol, and TO the younger members OF
the family she WAS ever helpful. There
was no estrangement between any mem
bers of the family" Mr.. Joyner concluded
his address just before 10 o'clock. and the
witnesses for the defense, including neigh
bors members of the Fosburgh family and
Miss Bertha Sheldon, were sworn in
group.
Robert L. Fosburgh. the father Of the
defendant was called He began by de-
scribing the movements of his family from
the time they came 10 Pittsheld till the
day OF the shooting. The defendant and his
wife came TO live with the witness about
July /. He said ne employed about 270 men
in his business as a contractor. They were
mostly Italians, and came from New York.
Mr.. Fosburgh described the day previous
To the tragedy. Mrs. r. l. FosOurgh had
returned Saturday from St Louis where
she had been for six weeks on account OF
the illness of her father. He spoke Of
Miss Sheldon as on a visit TO his house.
having been there for two or three weeks.
THE SHOOTING.
Mr.. Fosburgh proceeded TO relate the
happenings of Sunday. telling how they
went to church. how they had luncheon.
how they sat upon the porch In the after
noon reading. During the afternoon he took
a short rest AT o clock the defendant and
his wife went for drive. taking Mrs
Robert Fosburgh to the works returning
about Z o'clock After supper they all sat
upon the porch until dark and then passed
into the parlor. Mr.. Fosburgh trembled
and there were tears in his eyes. Mr.. Fos
burgh then told Of the shooting. lie said
he was awakened by his wife, that he
what appeared 10 be light moving In the
hallway.
He raised himself upon his left elbow and
saw two men walking into the room to-
ward his bed one Of them holding a re-
volver IN his left hand and pointing IL to
ward the face Of the witness. Mr.. Fos-
burgh sprang up, shouting. and got his
feet upon the floor. re struck the man or
the muscle or the arm and knocked tho
revolver out OF his grasp. Then ne, him
SELF vas struck with a sandbas and he
recalls nothing further OH he got up and
went 30 the kitchen bedroom. where he
saw someone standing by the bedroom
looking out.
he heard Beatrice cry: "Oh, mamma, look