The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-21

did not fit il. From this il would appear
that Sickles, after firing the pistol, threw it
away and used his revolver.
TESTIMONY OF DIR. R. a. COOLIDGE.
DR.. X. II. Coolidge, ~. 8. A. testified
that he made ap examination OF the body OF
Mr.. Key made two examinations. A par.
tial one on Sunday afternoon, February 18th,
at the Club House. When be first saw him
his clothes were on. Did not remove any OF
his clothes from the body, but opened it to
examine. At that examination saw one
wound on the lett side, between the tenth
and eleventh rib.
The ball had traverscd the body 3ia
inches above the hip bone aud Z inches from
the middle of the back. On the opposite
side, 6sinches above the hip, felt ball un.
der the skin. On the right thigh found
another wound, the ball having passed
through the thigh. Afterwards the clothes
wcre removed by witness and DIR. Stone, IN
the presence of the Coroner. They found
wad, on removing them, on the left side
Thinks be handed the wad to one OF the
jury. On stripping the body, saw on the
right side slight confusion OF the skim
and on looking at the coat and vest, saw
that they had been penetrated by u ball and
concluded that the hruise had been made by
ball CHANGING of.
On the following morning, Is hours after
death, full examination was made by DR..
Stone and witness. There was no injury
about the head. There was bruise on the
little finger of the left hand. On opening
the body found large quantity OF blood in
the cavity of the belly The course Of the
ball broke the eleventh rib and cut the pos
terror and under-edge Of the spleen, and
made deep groove through the upper end
OF the kidney and entered the large lobe Of
the liver, within half inch from the great
vein of the liver II then went through the
diaphragm, aud passing through, broke the
eighth rib on the right side, and lodged, as
before stated, under the skin. There was
an unusual quantity of fattened matter about
the heart, and the structure Of the heart was
healthy.
Mr. Ould asked the witness to state what
was the probable position Of the deceased
when the wound was given.
Mr. Stanton objected, that that was for
the Jury TO determine.
Mr. Ould argued the question, and stated
that the ball penetrating the spleen, the
kidney and the liver in its course, would
have wounded the intestines had the de.
ceased been in an erect position.
Mr.. Brady objected, that the general rule
of law was that witnesses were prohibited
from giving their opinions in matters Of ju-
dicial investigation This was not ques.
ton OF science, but one OF fact, and il was
for the jury to determine what the relation
between the parties was when the shots were
fired.
Mr.. Ould claimed that the question was
legitimate, it being competent tor the wit
ness, as an expert, to show That wound re-
eeived in standing position and touching
the vital parts described, must have injured
the intestines.
Mr.. Brady did not deny tina, a physician
or surgeon may express more learned
opinion, but contended against his compe-
teDcy to give such rs evidence before the
jury.
The Court decided that the question was
a competent one.
Mr.. Brady noted an exception to the
ruling.
The witness stated that the course Of
balls in the human body is very tortuous at
times and difficult to trace. His opinion
was that Mr.. Key mus, have been in semi
recumbent position, on his right side, with his
shoulders higher than bis hips when he re-
ceived this wound. Witness is an Assistant
Surgeon in the United States army
The witness resumed. and stated that be
cut the ball out Of the wound himself.
Thought he could recognise it.
The witness was here shown ball, which
he said was the one to the best Of his know
ledge 1t had been marked 10 bis resence,
and this resembled the one taken from the
wound.
Cross. examined by Brady.--The wound
in the groin was three inches from the shear
bone. near the main artery and just above
the main branch Of that artery. II was a
flesh wound, and not mortal or even severe.
1t was q wound which would grievously
disable man. Witness attention had been
called to the affair by the shots. When
witness FIRST went into the Club House,
six or seven persons were there, but no one
was in charge Of the body when be first saw
it. Was present when the Coroner took
the opera glass case. 1t was taken from
the left hand breast pocket OF the coat.
Thinks the case was closed when h. saw it,
When witness felt for the wound in the
thigh he felt loose change and keys in the
pocket Of the pan,aloons. Everything was
given 10 the Coroner az soon "a taken from
the clothes Witness slso saw very srnalI
pear. handed penknife. The indits about
the skin on the left side, by which witness
would determine that the abrasion there was
made By pupshot, would b. the CORES
pondence between that abrasion and the in
jury to the clothingAthe coat, vsst and
shirt-immeiiately over it. This opinion,
Of course, Was 10, infsllible, but il was wit
ness opinion. There u 70 Law that infali.
bly, regulates the course Of ball after II
enters the body No one can tell, without
an anatomical examination, what obstacles
interpfse to change the line OF q ball Mr.
Key was q tall man, Eve feet and half or