Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-08
DEFENSE BEGINS THE
CROSS EXAMINATION
Prisoner Admits That He
Has Been Guilty Of Bur-
glary and Arson in Addi-
tion to His List
Of Grimes

The assassination Of Frank Steunen-
berg, former governor of Idaho, was
all that saved John Neville from shar-
ing the same fate, according to the
story of Harry Orchard on the witness
stand Neville left Ottumwa about 25
years ago and since that time has
been engaged in the mining business
in various parts of the west, locating
finally in GoIdfield, New, where he be-
came acquainted with the principals
In the Moyer-HayNood-P Pettibone at
fair. Is was brought out In Orchards
testimony that Neville was one OF
those who were marked for death by
the leaders Of the miners, and that he
would have. been assassinated had not
the prisoners arrest followed the
NSteunerberg crime.
After the blowing UP Of the lnde-
Npendence station, which crime in Or
chard's testimony is laid at the doors
Of the Federation Of Miners officials,
Orchard suspected that Neville had be-
conae possessed OF secrets Of the min
ers, In connection with the independ-
ence cynamiting outrage, which was
DANGEROUS to them and in order to free
himself from fear of the man, he want
1t was at this point, Orchard states,
that the federation officials decided to
assassinate Steunenberg and then
communicate with Neville and mum.
ber Of others who were marked for
death, that their turns were coming.
John Neville is we'll known to older
residents Of this city, having been EN-.
pIoyed here as bookkeeper before he
left for the west. He Is brother OF
Thomas Neville, Of Alabama, form,
erIy of Ottumwa, and also a brother
of Mrs. Regina Neville-Evans, of this
city. He resided for some time in
Denver, after leaving here and later
was in Cripple Greek, but for some
time past has made his home in Gold
field.
Boise, Idaho, June 1.-THE cross ex
animation of Harry Orchard continued
today when the Haywood trial was re
Sumed.
In reply to questions by Attorney
Richardson Orchard gave a descrip
ton of the makeup of the train which
took party Of the riotfng miners te
Wardner and said he was not playing
poker, a pastime in which he INDUCED
a great deal, when the explosion oc
cured
I'm sure said the witness, 81 Iii
cne of the fuses which fired the powder
under the mill. .
Orchard named several men who
helped unload and place the powder
under the mill He said Haywood
Meyer and Pettibone were not al
Wardner when the mill was blown III
as far as he knew
Orchard said he left Idaho afte.
blowing UP the mill to avoid arrest
He was taken over the years from
1899 to 1902 in detail, explaining where
he worked, where he got the money
where he went from time to time. Or
chard said he worked on an average
OF ten or eleven months of the veal
In mines in Utah, Nevada and Ari
zona. He gambled part of the time.
Orchard said Bill Easterly, amons
others, had discussed with MIN tn.
method of blowing up the Vindicato
mine. Richardson called Easterl,
was identified by Orchard.
Haywood Advised Peace.
Orchard said there were about fifty
non-union men working in the yindi
Gator mine. He believed the touching
off Of a carload of Dowder would have
meant death to all.
And you proposed TO murder fifty
men for s200?" was asked.
st proposed to touch off the powder,
was the reply.
Orcnard said Meyer and Haywood
came to Cripple Creek during tn.
strike and made speeches urging tha
no overt acts of any sort be commit
ted, saying they would surely bs
charged up to the Western Federation
Of Miners. They cautioned the strils
ers against drinking and gambling. al
well. Haywood said that any yiolenc,