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[First line torn off]

[Torn] What He

Knows

[A]bout the Murder of

Guard Lauderbaugh.

Effort to Make the Crime
Manslaughter.

Unhappy Marital Experience of
a Commission Merchant.

Latest News of the Franklin Courts
Briefly Told.

    The trial of John Atkinson, the convict indicted with three others for the murder of Guard Lauderbaugh, in what was at the time believed to be a widespread conspiracy to effect an escape from the penitentiary, will in all probability continue throughout the week and possibly longer. The state has not exhausted its list of witnesses already called and it looks as if not more than half the witnesses that will be examined had as yet been summoned. The efforts of the defense, as made manifest in the cross-examination of witnesses, are plainly bent to show that the killing was no higher degree of murder than manslaughter.

     Mark Clark, who was in the penitentiary at the time of the shooting and witnessed the tragedy, was the first witness today. He described the shooting of Lauderbaugh by O'Neill, his story in the main agreeing with the published accounts.

     Walter Davis, Harvey Brooks and William Willinghoff, all Convicts, testified along the same line.

    Guard L. H. Davis, who had no gun when Atkinson and O'Neill entered his shop, testified to their pointing revolvers at him and searching for weapons, and to the fact that Atkinson, the defendant, supporting his right hand, crippled by a shot from Lauderbaugh's gun, with his left hand, shot at Guard Lime.

    Guard R. H. Lime, who was in the shop with Guard Davis, testified as to his experience with the two desperadoes. Lime was shot at by Atkinson and, finding himself at the mercy of two armed convicts, did the best he could for himself. Attempt was made on the cross-examination to make it appear absurd that Atkinson, after having his right arm wounded so badly that it is still paralyzed, should be able to shoot holding the revolver in his right hand.

     Walter Taylor, a full-blooded Seminole Indian from the Indian territory, who is serving a term for horse-stealing, was the most interesting witness of the morning. An interpreter had to be called in and Joe Cates, a half-breed Indian who is serving a term for forgery, acted in that capacity. Taylor said he saw Atkinson, Frank O'Neill and Jimmie O'Neill come out of the shops together just after the shooting. This is one of the most important bits of testimony brought out to connect Jimmie O'Neill closely with the principals of the shooting and will undoubtedly be used in the trial of that worthy.

DR. GRAY'S PERSONAL ESTATE.

    Mrs. Roxanna Gay Bancroft, administratrix of the estate of the late Dr. Norman Gay [Sic.], asked the Probate court today for authority to sell real estate in order to pay debts. She says that debts amounting to $14,000 have been reported and that the costs of administration will be $200. The personal estate, she says, is not worth more than $50. Dr. Gay, who was one of the oldest and best known physicians of the state, left some real estate.

A DIVORCE QUICKLY WON.

      John W. Shobe, a Fourth street commission merchant, got a decree for divorce in a very few moments this morning. After the morning testimonies in the penitentiary murder trial had been taken, Judge Badger called up the Shobe case. Mr. Shobe was the applicant for divorce and his wife did not appeal. The husband testified that his wife swore at him, abused him in public and made herself so disagreeable that, in order to preserve their good name and to try to get friendly neighbors, he had to move several times. She was in the habit of visiting his office and abusing his customers and patrons, and on one occasion she said she would be glad when Mr. Shobe's parents died because she could spit and dance on their graves. She also called his sisters naughty names. Other witnesses testified to like unseemly conduct and Judge Badger, saying that no other testimony was needed, granted the divorce on the ground of extreme cruelty. Mrs. Shobe was originally Miss Lola Koiner. She has been living for nearly three years with her parents in Augusta county, Virginia.

[NOTE: The next report was only five lines long and is mostly torn off. The following is what can be read.]

NOTES.

    Probate Judge Galloway today con-[torn] tion of Florence C. [torn] kely by Mr. and Mrs. [torn] The names of the [torn][ch]hanged to Spitler.

    The matter of the settlement of the accounts of John F. Gale, guardian of William H., Edward A., Isabel and Edith Gorman, will be given a hearing in Probate court April 4.

EXPLOSION

Caused a Suit Now pending in the
Supreme Court.

     The case of the Central Ohio Natural Gas and Fuel company against the Capital City Dairy company was argued before the Supreme court Wednesday by T. P. Linn, jr., the plaintiff in error, and B. E. Steele for the defendant. Suit was originally brought by the Capital City Dairy company for $1880 claimed as damages on account of a natural gas explosion in the plaintiff's building at Spruce street and Dennison avenue.

     The jury returned a verdict for $829.33 against the Natural Gas company and it was subsequently reversed in error by the Circuit court. The case was remanded to the Common Pleas court, and at the second trial, judgment was given the Natural Gas company for $941.79, which was affirmed by the Circuit court, and upon which issue was joined in the Supreme court Tuesday.

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FIFTH REUNION

Otterbein Association Has a
Delightful Celebration.

     The fifth annual reunion and banquet of the Columbus Otterbein association was held last evening at the Great Southern hotel. President Andrew J. Timberman welcomed the guests, who numbered over 100. The president closed his address by introducing Mr. George R. Hippard, a member of the class of '88, as the master of ceremonies. He first introduced Rev. M. DeWitt Long, who spoke on "Coeducation and Theology."

     Miss Helen Camille Shanck rendered several pleasing vocal selections, immediately after which Eugene C. Wagner of Grove City, a member of the class of '78, answered to the toast "The Public Rhetorical." Professor Josephine Johnson of Westerville was to have responded to the toast "Otterbein's Daughters," but was taken suddenly ill and left the hall.

     Miss Helen Camille Shauck rendered "A College Incident," a clever story, and the last toast of the evening was responded to by M. C. Howard, who spoke on "Otterbein in the Twentieth Century."

     Superintendent J. A. Shawan, of this city, J. T. Minehart of Chicago and other prominent educators were present by invitation and made pleasing addresses.

OHIO COLLEGES.

Meeting of Presidents and Deans at Delaware, March 9 and 10.

     The fourth annual meeting of the presidents and deans of the Ohio colleges will be held at the Ohio Wesleyan university Delaware, March 9 and 10. Dr. Canfield, of the Ohio State university will speak at this meeting on the subject, "Should Students' Choosing of Electives Be Limited?"

     Hon. L. D. Bonebrake, state commissioner of common schools, will speak on "State Graduation and Inspection of High Schools." President John H. Barrows, the new president of Oberlin college, will be among the speakers, his subject being, "What Modern Life Demands of the College." The presidents of the college Y. M. C. A.'s of Ohio will hold their annual convention at the same time and place.

     During the month of July the sale of stamps at the Columbus postoffice amounted to $36,000, which is the largest in the history of the office.

BREVITIES

     The new Board of Trade Bulletin, the official organ of that organization, makes its first appearance Saturday.

     Rev. Joseph Clarke gave a lecture at the Miller Avenue M. E. church Tuesday evening on "In and About New York." The entertainment was in charge of the ladies of the church and the Pastors' union and the proceeds go to the church treasury.

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CENTRAL OHIO FANCIERS.

     The Central Ohio Fanciers' club held their annual meeting Tuesday night at Volk's grocery. The attendance was good. Officers were elected as follows: President, W. F. Volk; first vice president, J. W. Quinnius; second vice president, Charles Kraner; secretary, J. F. Beum of Westerville; treasurer, J. C. Rowe; executive committee, J. Q. Quinius, J. P. Lind, E. A. Noble, J. C. Rowe, and Dr. S. Short

     The report of the late exhibit in the City hall was very encouraging. A very nice profit was realized and the club is in a prosperous condition.

     The Ohio State Fanciers' association contemplates giving an exhibition in this city next January. Mr. Rowe thought that two exhibits would not pay and suggested that the state association be asked to co-operate with the Central Ohio club, the two giving one grand show. This was agreed to.

     The club will participate in the Elk's street fair next July.

     The executive committee of the club will hold a meeting in Elks' hall next Tuesday evening. A regular meeting place will son be hired.

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2 MARCH 1899