South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-10
Willard Arney Takes the Stand
and Denies Story of High
SCheW Killing Told by Book
err and Other Witnesses.
HE AND BOOKER HAD
A FIGHT OVER MONEY
Several Witnesses Called by
the Defense to Prove That
Defendant Was Not Near
Scene of Crime.

Entering a sweeping denial TO the
stories OF both his principal accusers,
willard Arney took the stand in the
circuit court Thursday afternoon in
the effort TO save himself from the
penitentiary. Arney swore that he
was not with William Booker on the
night Enoch Highschew was murder
ed, Nov. ;. 1903.
Arney also denied that he con
fessed to his sister-in-law. Mrs.
Laura ROsinski, that he had been
with Booker when the murder was
committed
The defendant was the last witness
OF the day. His direct examination
was concluded before court adjourn
ed The cross examination will be
taken up this morning. Mrs. Arney
probably will follow her husband on
the stand and after her testimony
the defense will probably rest.
Character Witnesses Heard.
Several character witnesses and
two whose testimony was aimed to
establish an alibi for Arney were on
the stand Thursday afternoon. Chas.
King testified that he worked with
Arney during the afternoon and
evening until II o'clock. They were
unloading a carload of lumber for
the Roper company, according to
King.
Film Joseph Foy Of Mishawaka
was another OF the alibi witnesses
Foy created a stir in the court room
when he said he remembered the
events OF the night Highschew was
killed because he thought he might
be called upon to establish an aiibi
himself When asked on cross-exam-
nation by Atty. Kitch how it hap
pened that he remembered seeing
Arney on the latter's porch on the
evening of the Highschew murder,
Foy explained:
Il was living out in the country
near where Highschew was killed and
the folks in the neighbOrhOOd knew
that l was in town during the after
noon and didn't return until evening.
/ thought maybe I'd be called upon
to give an account OF my where
abOuts. so l just made it a point to
remember who I had seen that night"
Foy created a ripple of merriment
which had TO be quelled by the
Judges gavel. when asked if he came
from Ohio. Shaking his head en-
phatically. he replied:
mo. sir I'm from Missouri
Among the other witnesses who
testified on behalf of Arney were
Mrs Rose inks Arneys sister. and
son. William Long. George Smith,
John Tyler. J. Q. Swanger and W. T.
Van Dusen.
Quarrel over Money.
In detailing his story 10 the jury.
Arney said he first met Booker while
working in River Park for Henry
Reed. Booker was employed on the
same job. Booker started going with
Arney's sister. In April. 1907. Arney
said he spoke TO Booker about some
money which he claimed Booker
owed him. Arney testified Booker
swore at him and said he didn't owe
the money and wouldn't pay any.
Then he pulled a revolver from
his pocket and I grabbed for the
gun. We fell 20 the ground and |
got the CUR away from him. We were
never good friends after that
Arney also declared Booker held
grudge against him, claiming that
Arney was standing in the way of
Booker's returning to his wife from
whom he had separated
He asked me TO see what / could
do 20 help him back 10 my sister. but
7 told him I would not NEEDLE in that
affair. I said that was up TO her 10
decide"
Arney declared the first he knew
Of the Highschew murder was at Il
o'clock on the morning after when
he heard some fellow worker at the
Mishawaka Wooden mills talking
about the case