Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1910-09-23
GIRLS MAY
EFFECT JURY
Sweetheart of Accused
Shows Her Devotion
In Courtroom.

trial of Ira r. Allen, youth of z
years is charged with the murder of l.
P. Cosc. a, a native of Italy, age'
about 70 years, who lived alone in thu
hills near Mount Aukum, FL Dorado
county. Coscia was known to have
lots of money. Allen had sweet
heart, but no money.
On the day that Coscia was supposed
to have been murdered, Allen does no
account for his whereabouts, but OF
the succeeding days he had plenty Of
money, and hired a rig from stables
in Placerville, drove to Shenandoah
valley, got Miss Gussie Thompson, his
sweetheart. and for several days
there were picnics and dances galore.
Allen treated his friends and footec
the bills.
Later watch which had belonged
to Coscia was traced to Allen and also
some opera glasses. and Allen told
the officers conflicting stores as to
how he came to have them.
The first week of the trial is over.
Daily Miss Thompson, who is barely
IS, small and handsome, follows
closely the proceedings of the court,
and when her eyes meet those of the
prisoner, who usually sits half facing
her. smiles are exchanged. When
there is word that is derogatory to
her love she frowns. At recess she
comes and sits by Aliens side. None
of this love making is lost on the jury
and it is prophesied that they will never
hang Allen and break the little girl
heart.
The evidence III the case is circum-
stantial. Coscia S body was not found
for many days after he had been
murdered. With some blunt instru-
ment he was hit on the back OF the
head Afterwards his pockets were
rified and his cabin was robbed. Most
of his money was in banks in San
Francisco, and the murdcrers got only
about $40
George M. Thompson, the district
attorney is prosecuting the case and
C. E. Peters is for the defense. There
are about 100 witnesses in the case
and 80 of these are for the defendant.
About the time Coscla was murdered
there were number of sheepmen in
the neighborhood of Aukum The de-
PENDANT will try to prove that these
are the men who made away with the
old Italian. Since the murder these
men have disappeared.
Miss Thompson will take the stand
in defense Of her lover this week. AS
the courthouse was burned last May,
the parlors of the Presbyterian church
are being used for the trial.
Mrs Joseph Wrigglesworth testified
regarding the visit that the murdered
man made at her place on the day he
was killed. He bought some cheese,
rendering a $50 gold piece in payment,
and she returned S19.57. There was
no money on the body of Coscia when
it was found. She also testified re-
gardng the watch of the dead man, of
his habits and general manner of life.
She, who as postmistress notified
Seeley, who was on the stand so long
Yesterday, that Coscia had had no mail
delivered from May IL to May q.
This led Seeley to discover the body
of Coscia lying in pool of blood the
next day near his cabin.
H. N. Vennewitz, neighbor, testi
fed also. He was on the coroner's
jury anu told what was seen and done
at the time. George Cruson was also
on the coroner's jury, and following
along the same line, corroborating the
testimony of Vennewitz. He told of
the terrible wounds of the murdered
man, of the broken jaw and false
teeth and of the crushed skull.
D. G. Justice, who is neighbor of
Hart, foster father of Allen, told how
Allen borrowed 81. 80 on April 18th Of
him, that he might take in the dance
at Somerset. This was but a few days
before the murder was committed.
Allen traded what purports to have
been Coscla S watch to son of JUS
tice, the trade being made IN the wit
ness presence. He described the
watch minutely. John Justice, hi!
son, was on the stand. He is lac
about Is years of age. He told the
same story. The trade was the watci
for .38 cahber revolver, and was
made on May 22d. On May 9th, the
day Coscia's body was found. the boy!