Evening journal., 1908-11-17
TELEGRAPH POLE
CASE TRIAL ON
Linemen Of Western Union
Co. Tell How Poles We're
Cut Down in Country
ACCUSE FARMERS
OF THE DESTRUCTION


dred farmers who are indicted on
charge OF malicious mischief. began this
morning with the examination of addi-
tional witnesses for the State. Chief
OF these was George r. Lyons, chief
lineman Of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, who gave testimony
concerning the destruction Of telegraph
poles in front of the McAlster farm,
and if statements and actions by both
Little and McAlister which the state
contended indicated alleged malice on
the part of the farmers against the
telegraph company.
/ Tho defense will open its case this
afternoon. As there are about fifteen
witnesses to be examined. the case Is
likely 20 continue until tomorrow.
Was Cross examined.
After the reopening of court this
morning Il. l.. Wilson. who was OH
the stand yesterday afternoon, return
cd for further cross examination by
counsel for the defense. Wilson denied
that he had said he was on the Nc
Alister farm at the time he was ar
rested for trespassing on the property
and then left the stand.
BY Detective Harry I. Gillis. the State
then connected McAlister with the war
rant on which Wilson had been ar
rested Gillis said McAlister had told
him of swearing out such a warrant
and wanted to know why it had not
been served, but Detective ellis told
McAlister he did not know. because the
warrant had not been given to him to
serve.
George T. Lyons. local chief wireman
of the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany. testified TO the location of one
of the razed polls in front Of the Little
farm on May &c. Lyons said he had
gone TO the place with other men TO
reset the pole and while sthey were in
the act of taking measurements Little
grabbed James O. Edmundson. and was
in the pot OF assaulting him when wit
ness interfered. A scudle which fol-
lowed resulted in Lyons being fined IS
= and costs on a charge OF assault.
De-' - was Warned.
Upon cross examination ~ Mr.
+ Knowles Lyons aspind that McAlistei
had ever warned him not TO trospasl
on the farm Lyons added that h'
! could not say Edmundson wa0 on IN,
farm when Little attacked him. H'
v denied that he had scratched Little''
a~-~.-'a ---~n FS---------~~
Upon being recalled by the State Lyons
testified concerning the destruction OF the
oles on the night OF October 4 and Of
having gone 10 the McAlister farm OF
October u. to reset the poles lie saiC
McAlster and Little were on the seem
and that McAlister said that il he rese
the poles it would be at his own risk
,,f. fofI Of
Wood. the colored man, driving where III,
me nwere working. Of the man shovelinl
back dirt after the telegraph company
= employees had dug It out and of Other
obstructive methods alleged to have beer
taken by McAlister to prevent the cree
tion of the poles. Lyons said all the poll:
u were not reset that day and when they
Z went back on the following day to I'm
Z sh the work Little ordered Wood to 81
= in one post hole which the telegraph mer
. were digging. Lyons said the pole wen
pafter he had pulled Wood from tn
hole
Witness said he found this pole. as wei
as another one. cut down on November
and when he returned 10 the place on No
= vember he found the poles on the Nc
Alister farm. but Little refused TO Civ
\ him permission to remove the poles. Sew
eral days later McAlister gave the per
mission and at the same time told Lyon
e he did not know who had cut down tn,
J. polls. Mr. Handy sought TO have much o
% this line Of testimony stricken out but Mr.
= Hastings argued that It went TO show
q u malice against the company and there
- fore, should be admitted. The court agree
e with Mr.. Hastings.
y To Mr.. Handy Lyons said he had never
: been warned by william W. Knowles
COUNCIL for Little TO stay off the Ilttl
= farm.
!, James o. Edmundson. general forema
I- OF construction of the local district West
. ern Union Telegraph Company. was mex
- called. lie told Of the destruction OF tn
I. poles in front of the Little farm on al
ferent occasions. In May Edmundson sal
n he went with Lyons to replant some
N the poles when he saw Little armed wit
If a club. When Edmundson later began 4
measure the width OF the road that i
might not get the pole on the McAliste
farm. witness said Little laid hands Of
= hi mand said he was under arrest.
m John Levy. a new Castle county roa
s. supervision also gave testimony for IN
: state He said he thought Edmundson hs
( one foot on McAlister's land when Lit
"a arrested him.
- In court yesterdat afternoon Wiliiar
or r. Wood the States first witness
se continued his testimony. Witness sal
he was instructed by Mr.. McAllists
to sit on the stump Of one Of ne pole
cut down and when employees Of IN
g. telegraph COMPANY started 70 dig
al hole alongside fhe stump he was T.
re structed 10 nut his foot in It. but III
p. worlllnen with the mid Of crowba
ne forced his foot out of the hole and "a
C. him awav. Later. witness said :
is was brought to this citv and befoi
reaching an attorneys office. was tol
20 limp as ne entered.
In cross-examiration Mr. Handy.
OF counsel FOR the defense. sought to sho
E. Woods had been directed 10 secure en-
as plovment at the McAliister farm f.
the purpose OF PLAYING detective Il
TIE COMPANY. but the witness deni,
this.
g John G. Allard testified he was q
ID gared by George Lvon, a representi
er tive az the Western Union TelszraT
~ ~ COMPANY. to guard pole in front
CONTINUED on Second Pare)