Newport weekly independent., 1901-08-02
Killing of gs6 Near Alicia Iit Court Proceedings.

for trial in the criminal court Tuesday morning.
 The work of empanelling a jury in murder case, where the evidence to be presented is entirely circumstantial, is not an easy task owing to the pre- judice of many people against a con viction on such testimony. The morn ing and part of the afternoon was taken up in this work and the names of the twelve men with whom rests the fate of John Wilson, had not been settled at two o'clock.
 The attorneys for the defendant are Stuckey & Stuckey and Stayton & Stayton, who upon presentation of copy of the indictment to the pris- oner, filed a demurrer, which was overruled by Judge F. D. Fulkerson. An arraignment was waived and plea of not guilty was entered.
 The accused man is alleged to have murdered August Jesse sometime be- tween the 27th and 30th of June last, and the state will endeavor to show that his motive was the robbery of the dead man.
 Jesse was substantial and we'll re- spected German farmer living near Alicia in the northeastern part of Jackson county. He was the owner of good farm, lived economically, and the belief was prevalent in his community, that he had with him several hundred dollars, the savings of his industry. He was about 45 years of age and had neither family nor servants about him upon the place.
 The last time Jesse was seen alive was by John Wilson, the defendant, who was at his house Thursday, July 27th. Wilson denies having seen him at any later time until Sunday, June 30th, when the dead body was found. On this day, a neighbor Wm. Rut land, desiring to secure information relative to the payment of his taxes, decided to go over and inquire of August Jesse. When he reached Jesse's home, he found the doors open and upon investigation ran upon the dead body of the man just outside the yard near the gate. He had been killed by two loads of B. B. shot from a shot gun and the empty shells which had been used in the murder were found near by. From an exami- nation of the body, it was thought Jesse mnst have been dead for sev- eral days, probably since the preced- ing Thursday night.
 The trunk of Jesse in the house had been broken into with an ax and from the best information probably con- tained $7OO or $500.
 The neighbors were notified and laid plans for an investigation and the apprehension of the guilty parties The defendant was instrumental in having two parties arrested for the crime and is said to have urged the lynching of these two men.
 John Wilson, who is now on trial with his life at stake upon the result, was farmer and stock raiser living near Jesse, fairly good looking and of middle age, but does not bear a good reputation among his neighbors.
 The evidence upon which his guilt is alleged, is purely circumstantial. He was seen going in the direction of the Jesse home the evening the crime is supposed to have been committed. A gun of same gauge, loaded with the same kind of shells as were used in the killing of Jesse was found at the home of Wilson. There are other circumstances which strongly indicate the guilt of the defendant, but upon which the defense may throw light that will bring an honorable acquittal.
 CIRCUIT COURT.
 c. B. Coe, administrator of estate of I c Harrison deceased VIC WI, o,d