"Vanniman said he was willing to state all he knew about the case. Information: Had known John Crow for a long time - had worked with him - thought the world of him. Had been in Big Rapids and neighborhood a good deal. Had an old acquaintance named Fisher at Turnbull's Lake who was now in Grand Rapids. He wanted to see him about taking an interest in a patent, and determined on going to Grand Rapids.
As he boarded the train at Mark Center, his friend, John Crow, got on board, and said he was going north. Vanniman had not the slightest idea where John was going till he saw him on the train, although in the past, he had told him that Big Rapids and Hungerford were good places for work. The two stole their way as far as they could on freight trains. Before reaching Grand Rapids, they made the acquaintance of another fellow stealing his way. The fellow said he was going north.
They reached Grand Rapids Sunday morning, May 31, loafed about the city all day, hoping to find Fisher, occasionally had a drink, did not put up anywhere. In the evening, John (Crow) and his new acquaintance left him to go north on the G. R. & I. He (Vanniman) remained in Grand Rapids until some time on Monday, and then concluded to return to Mark Center"
The trial of John Vanniman for the murder of John Crow took place in Mecosta County, Michigan, where the crime was committed. The Defiance Democrat followed the murder investigation and the trial from day to day. The trial began on March 3rd with the Defiance County sheriff and prosecuting attorney and Crow's family and friends present. On the first day of the trial, John Crow's mother, Mrs. Rebecca Crow, of Mark Center testified.
Report from the Defiance Democrat, March 11, 1886:
"The last witness of the day was Mrs. Rebecca Crow, of Mark Center, O., mother of the murdered man. She minutely described how her son dressed when he started north with Vanimann and produced buttons, braid and pieces of cloth, shirting, etc. from which she had made or repaired his clothes before he left home. When the blood-stained, storm-washed garments taken from the dead body were given to her, she readily recognized them and the trimming bore her out. The identity of the body is not more in question.
Just before dinner, the broken skull of the murdered man was produced and identified as one removed at the time the body was found. Its exhibition created a sensation, and the prisoner at the time was ill at ease. He had not a friend among the crowd.
On March 5th and as the trial continued, more and more evidence was found supporting the guilt of John Vanniman.
His admission in Ohio that he left Crow at work near Grand Rapids and hasty departure with his children from there to Chicago, displaying quite a roll of greenbacks when purchasing his ticket, seemingly fastens his guilt beyond doubt.
On March 6th, the fourth day of the trial, Crow's father testified and Dr. Terrill, who had talked to Vanniman in Big Rapids on June 1st. The case for the defense was presented, with Vanniman's lawyer indicating it was impossible for him to commit a murder in Big Rapids on Saturday night and be back in Ohio by Monday. He claimed that the body had lain out for more than the five weeks, making it impossible that it was Crow. And lastly, the defense lawyer discussed the prejudice against his client in Defiance County.
On March 8th, Vanniman, himself, took the stand. and insisted that all the witnesses so far had lied. He claimed the body was not Crow's and that there was no proof whatsoever that the articles of clothing could be matched by just a patch on the pants.
"The prisoner felt quite elated last night, although the Sheriff took the
To be continued...
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