The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-09-29


can be expected that the trial can be
brought to a close this week.
The presiding Judge Is c. A. Wood.
% the United States Circuit Court OF
Appeals, sitting in the place OF Judge
u. /. Keller. Of the District Court
The defendants are II. l. simptins.
II. u. coploy. q. w. Kelley. w. s, Hat Z
field, Tom Maynard. Grnnt Gibson, Bon
Copley. Noah Lester. IAnko Blankeh-
ship, Anthony GauJot. Berman Hat
field. Grecnway Hatfield, brother OF the
doyernor; Jack Brewster. Noah White.
George Il. Maynard and Valentine Hat
field.
Noah Lester, the first witness intro
duced. testified that he and his half
brother, Llnko Rlankcnship, had been
In trouble which threatened to lead TO
an Indictment and that he was urged
by Tom Maynard and Mrs. X. l.. slmp-
kIns 10 serve as an election onicor,
helping them and winning their ahnlst-
anoe for himself
ITO told Of meeting, which no said
was held tho night before nj tho home
of Tom Maynard at which W. & Hat
field. herman Hatfield. Grant Gibson,
X. l.. SifnpkinB. Harrison Coploy, Ben
Copley, LInko Blankonahlp, Geo. Kelly.
Anthem 0AuJot and Blaine York we're
present He testified that Il was agreed
nj this meeting that II votes should be
allowed 10 tho Democrats Ho left tho
Maynard house for the voting place at
$3.50 o'clock
lie and HIS companions had been, no
said. instructed by Bob SimpklnA and
Tom Maynard 10 20 TO the pollA early
and organize the precinct before tho
arrival Of the Democrats He testified
that several OF tho persons who went
10 the polls thus wero armed, Tho polls
wero organized long before daybreak
when Tony GanJot said II was Hnnup
Warrington time. lilo related his story
OF the removal OF ballots from the IN
locked box, the burning OF ali not in
accordance with tho ideas Of those con-
Quoting tho election. and tho aubntitu-
uon OF fraudulent ballots. also tho cast
INK OF ballots 10 cases In which no vo-
ter had appeared.
LinkO BlankenAhip told story cor
responding in practical details with
that OF Lester He aaid he had been
threatened with indictment IL he did
not serve and promised Immunity and
IS in moncy II he did.
lilo testified that after tho election no
and Noah Lester went to Williamson.
tho county seat 10 secure tho releaso
OF a friend from Jail and that sheriff
ureenwayl who IL named In the indiot-
ment. had asked Thorn II they were tho
boys who had helped out in the oloc-
ton Mt War Eagle
Mrs Noah Lester told how nhe had
sought To prevent her husband from
serving aa an election officer. fearing no
might be killed, She said she followed
him TO tho homo OF r. l. simpklns and
remained there all night. While therc
she heard conversations between some
OF the defendants in regard to tho plans
for tho conduct OF tho election. Ahe
said.
Al noon the next day nho took dinner
TO the officers at tho election precinct
and stayed there several houra. She
testified that while there were no vo-
tera inside and Tom Maynard was
writing at "A table she WINS told that vo-
ters were going IN faster than any
time before She said that she could
not read. but she saw Maynard mark
papers OF some sort and saw these pa
pers put in tho box
She testified that after her husband
and Blankenship had mRdo a state
ment 10 the Government investigator
Bob SimplinA tried 10 got them 10 10
to Williamson and make AFFIDAVIT that
they had done 40 under duresa. She
said she told him they would not 10.
and that he threatened 70 prosecute
her boy on pistol charge.
! Questions put To tho witnesses on
cross examination apparently fore
Swallowed tho Intention OF the defonse
To attempt 10 snow that Biankenship
and Lester were influenced through
outside sources to make their alleged
confessions
The defense also indicated possible
intention OF attacking tho Govern
ments case, on the ground that the
precinct is not properly designated as
War Eagle, but IN known officially IA
No. 3. and 10 many citizens AS Star
Branrh operations than to War Eagle
Judge Woods has ruled that II liz only
necessary TO advise the defendants fully
as to the precinct In which alleged
over acts are supposed to have been
committed. Cincinnati Enquirer.