The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-09-20
Examination of States Wit
nesses in Latferty Murder
Case Started Yesterday
Mrs. Edith Major, Widow Of
Victim, Takes Stand
Nephew Testifles
Opening Statements OF De-
tense and Prosecution Civ
en-Jury Visits Scene

Examination oc STATE witnesses in the
case Of .ne State OF Ohio ~ Dan
Acus:a. charged with murder ~ me
first degree ri connection with the XIII
ing OF John |. Major 40 New l&heriE
On June -. vas begun late yesterday
afternoon IN common pleas court az -.
C'a:rSvil'c, after the court had finally
succeeded in the selection oc jury.
The twelve good men and true were
the rrNdUc, ot one original and three
special panels, containing more than
200 names.
Mrs. Major On Stand.
One Of the first witnesses - ;aSe
the stand was Mrs Edith Major, widow
Of the murdered man. She was ALTERED
In blue dress and wore black. hat
and blacf veil and looked pale and thin
Mrs. Major bore up we'll under the
ordeal. but her voice fell and wavered
~ she identified the blood-staincd and
bullet-riddled garments worn by her
husband on the day % the murder
The articles OF clothing, as we'll as the
picture os tho dead man. wee passed
on the jurors after Identification b"
Mrs Major. Tho examination was con-
Quoted by Prosecutor W. T. Dixon. the
defense waiving cross examination.
Mrs. Major was asked several uucs-
hand and testified tina, re loft home at
8 a M, on the day OF his murder. In
his car.
Sylvester Tsstthes.
Julius Sylvester. Storekccper and
miner a. Lafrerty. succeeded Mrs. Majo:
on the stand. Sylvester, in response TO
q vol,ev OF questions. testified that he
was secrc,ary-treaSurer Of tho miners
local az Lafrerty and as ouch was we'll
acquainted with Rooer; Farmer. sub
district Vice president. indicted in con-
motion with the murder. Farmer, Syi-
vrster testified. notified him (Srlrcsteo
on June IS % the mass meeting OF the
mixers scheduled for a. N. June 81,
tho day oc the murder. and instructed
him 70 notify the union men OF the
meeting. In authorizing the meeting.
Farmer cautioned against any violence
or demonstrations OF any kind. Sylvester
said. Later IN the evening. Farmer
phoned Sylvester. according 20 the lat
ter's testimony, 20 ask X the call had
been issued
Sylvester said no was ~ Tho New
I.sfTer,y school house a: The time OF the
shooting and that two or three hundred
men had assembled n the immediate
vic!n!ty. Following N" shooting. Syl-
rester testified. the men scattered In all
directions.
when questioned concerning the pur-
pose OF tho meeting. Sylvester proressed
ignorance stating that IN issuing trc
call he merely followed out the iastruC-
tons % Farmer
Coroner Clyde NardeSty. another
witness examined received his conncc-
ticn with he case telling % tho In
quest AVID the autopsy which followed.
Dr. G. T.. RnScngrant. Majors ply
s!CiaN. testified that Major. a few days
before u" Shooting was in remarkably
good health. lie also told II IN" bring
Ing - ~" body To his cE'ice on tho
da- or n" shooting
Night Session
GC"rS" =. VanIIorN was tn" first s,,-
rrSs called ~ tho night session Of cour
~" testified =" Iractialjv the samc
thing as h" did AT Tho first trial
clyde Naj"~s. nephew Of tn" dad
man. John T. Majors. VII" was also shot
twic" IN the lack At tho time his uncle
was kr''"d, testified also ~ ~" sam.
story lo.i a. 'hc f'-sf trial "s Ven
tura,o Hn told ~ -rt1- 10 work on
tho morning - -" murder and Of DO
Ing STOPPED >, Miller, Grove Farmer
the witness said hold ~ his hand and
stopped IA" machtu" Farmer aud Ma
tors hold a conversation 'o- some time
tho witness said. during which time II
was saId "rh"rN'S Il rod TIA. hanging
up down there. Don't 70 down" Ma.
jors. ths wiHess sail remarked y live
uudc- tho Stare and Stripes" rre then
described t." trip duv ID - the mine
They reached within 2a0 Zee, ~ tho
bridge when he noticed between 50 and