OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
It was just 9:40 o'clock, April, 7., when Judge Helm entered the court-room. Immediately the hum of conversation which had been going on at a lively rate stopped, as, with hardly a pause after sitting down, the Judge ordered the Sheriff to open the court. Every seat in the spectators gallery by this time was taken. Judge Helm at once went to the business of the day, calling "Case 2,296, the Commonwealth vs. Scott Jackson," and directing the Sheriff to bring in the prisoner.
There was a perceptible movement on the part of the assemblage as Jackson followed Jailer Bitzer and the Sheriff into the court-room and took his place on the left of the witness box and slightly in its rear. His chair was next to that of Attorney Andrews, of Hamilton, Walling's counsels, and the narrow table seperated the prisoner from Hon. L. J. Crawford and Colonel George Washington. As on his former visit to the court-room, Jackson flushed slightly after taking his seat. He paid close attention throughout to every thing that was said by the Judge and the lawyers.
Around the table to the right of the witness box were seated Commonwealth's Attorney M. R. Lockhart, Colonel R. W. Nelson and Attorney Silas Hayes, of Greencastle, all representing the prosecution. The Sheriff called the names of the jurors summoned for duty, and these having been disposed of the Judge asked:
"Is the Commonwealth ready?"
To which Mr. Lockhart replied: "The Commonwealth is ready."
"May it please Your Honor, Scott Jackson is not ready," stated Mr. Crawford, rising. "We desire to file a motion for postponement."
The highest point in Forest Hill Cemetery where the headless remains of Pearl Bryan are buried.
He read the affidavit as follows:
"Affiant L. J. Crawford says he is still the only attorney herein for defendant, Scott Jackson: that affiant has been ill with la grippe during the last ten days; that for more than a week one of his children has been and still is very ill and under the care of a physician; that, in consequence of his own and his child's sickness, he has been unable to give this case the attention necessary to properly prepare it for trial; that, so far as he has been able, he has constantly and assiduously worked upon the preparation of it; that the commissions to take depositions in Cincinnati, O., Greencastle, Ind., and Brooklyn, N. Y., have not been returned; that the persons named in the former affidavit of affiant as residing in joint places will testify as follows, viz: While in Greencastle that Scott Jackson's general reputation among the neighbors in said town, until charged with the offense mentioned in the indictment, was good; that he resided there for about two years just before or shortly before being so charged; that each and all of said witnesses knew him and his general reputation in said town during said time.
"That the reputation of Will Wood, of Greencastle, Ind., whom the prosecution will introduce, for truth, can be successfully impeached by witnesses residing in Greencastle, if time is given in which to take their depositions.
"Affiant says he was not aware until April, 1., 1896, that said Wood would be introduced; that affiant will be able by the 10. inst. to file a list of names of persons who will testify upon Wood's reputation and to file a list of interrogations to be addressed to them."