The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-15
STATE SCORES HEAVILY IN
SHORT SESSION IN THE
GILLESPIE MURDER TRIAL
Strong Point Made Against Mrs.
Carrie Barbour by Testimony OF
Mrs. Laura Johnson.
THREAT TO THROW ACID
Implied in Conversation Related
by the Witness, Elizabeth Gil
lespie Being Mentioned.
LEFT-HANDED GUN SHOT
Also Made Much of by the State
Defense Ridicules Contentious
of the Prosecution.
THREAT TO THROW ACI
LEFT-HANDED GUN SHOT
Special to The indianapolis Journal

Special TO the indianapolis Journal
RISING Sun. Ind. May 14.-After a short
session this morning the court adjourned
until Monday IN order that attorneys en-
gagged in the Gillespie case might return
home 20 spend Sunday.
Some excitement was caused this morn
ing before the hour for convening court
when John Erdington. superintendent OF
the poor farm, came into the village with
a bundle of ropes in his hand. He was
soon surrounded by crowd of curious per-
sons. eager to give a grewsome meaning TO
an incident that ordinarily would not at
tract attention. Finally Erdington halted
and explained that the ropes were TO be
used for halters for some cattle that had
broken out of their pasture. and the crowd
dispersed.
Several witnesses were recalled when
court was opened to-day to complete their
testimony. among them was James
Henscher. the tenant on the Gillespie farm,
who was examined as 10 James Gillespies
conduct when notice was served on the de-
fendant to quit the farm. The prosecution
is seeking to show that James had a bad
temper. that he abused Mayor Matson, at
torney for his mother. as well as Eliza
beth and others when the notice was served.
stand or do her any good.
The state failed to elicit any threats
against Elizabeth Gillespie. as alleged to
have been made by James. Henschen testi-
fed that when he spoke to "Jim" about the
conveyance of a tract of land to Elizabeth
by her mother. being the tract on which
Henschen lives tenant. Jim said it
would not stand. as Lizzie was getting
more than her share; and again. when no.
uce was served Jim terminating his
right to act as agent for his mother and
notifying Henschen to account for the
crops TO the mother and not to 'Jim," the
latter said il was "ail a scare"
Though IL failed to-day. the state, never
theless. expects to be able to show dire
threats made by James Gillespie in refer
ence to this conveyance and notification.
CALLED SISTER VILE NAME
The only startling testimony given this
morning was that of John w Griffin, of
this city. ex-soldier. and formerly an
engineer on the b. g. o. Railroad. Griffin
stated that he heard James Gillespie call
Elizabeth a foul name last summer as she
was passing along the street in company
with another woman. While 1T was a ques-
tion as TO whom the remark was addressed,
the fact was shown that Elizabeth was
looking at her brother James at the time
he looked up at her and said Hey you
dirty -"
Mrs. Laura Johnson, who was one of
Elizabeth GilIespies particular friends and
associates, testified as to a conversation she
had with Carrie Barbour three years ago.
In which Mrs. Barbour said many unkind
things of Elizabeth and accused her of
flirting with every man she could while
on river excursions. and called her hypo-
critic In alluding to her church work Mrs
johnson said Mrs. barbour did not saw
that she would throw vitriol i'm the eyes of
Elizabeth but that a friend had told her
that IF Elizabeth did not quit peeping
TO throw vitriol in her eyes," and the wit
Gess inferred from the spiteful manner in
which Mrs Barbour said it that she would
use the vitriol. Witness said to Mrs. Bar
bOur. You are wicked woman
On cross-examination of this witness by
Captain Coles. for the defense, her testi-
mony was materially strengthened by her
statement that 1t was the way and man.
ner Mrs Barbour said these things that
made such an impression on her mind
PLAN OF THE SCENE
State Senator George II. Keeney was ex-
amined with reference TO plats of the Gil
lespie premises and vicinity including the
room where the assassination took place.
as made by him under the direction of the
attorneys for the prosecution Courses and
distances from the Gillespie home to the
Seward and Barbour homes, just across
the street: the yards in the rear of these
premises. where James was supposed TO
have been soon after the shooting; the
Jane Boyle residence and the room where
Mrs. Belle Seward is alleged to have made
the exclamation, Some one has been
shot," the lattice gate where James and
his sister Belle are said TO have met after
Mrs Seward left the Boyle home. all these
rat rr-a1a
the location OF buildings. trees street
lamps. fences and gates and in fact every
object having any bearing on the case.
The plats were submitted TO the jury and
carefully examined by them and verified in
connection with their recent view of the
premises. Mr.. Keeney identified the win
dow curtain through which the fatal shot
was fired The curtain was taken down by
him and taken before the grand jury and
has been In his possession until turned over
10 the sheriff recently Witness stated that
he found seventeen shot marks on the wall
OF the room where Elizabeth was shot in
range with the shot line.
The state claims that these measure
ments show that the shot fired from
the left shoulder and by man OF James
that way. The theoretical line presented
showing how the assassin would go in the
deepest shadows TO the outhouse in the
rear OF Mrs. Stewards house. where Mrs.
Seward found him after the murder. is in
tended to defeat the claim OF alibi.
The first week of the trial has closed
with each side claiming the advantage. The
defendants ridicule the testimony of the
state. alleging that IL has wholly failed TO
establish a single link in the chain of evil
dence which the state said IL would forge
about the defendants While the attorneys
for the state say they are we'll satisfied
with results so far. they add that they will
give the defendants the surprise of their
lives during the coming week.
The twelve jurors are safely quartered at
q private boarding house under charge of
several baiiifrs. and are not permitted to
talk with any one. Judge Downey believes
this the only way TO keep the jury free from
criticism. matter how honest IL may be.
The court. just before adjournment is
sued an order that no persons under six
teen years OF age be admitted 10 the court
room.