The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-11-19
rHn Haas MURDER TRIAL.

The attorneys we're from four r. n, the day be.
fore, till 10 o'clock next morning. when the jury
vas obtained - iollows: H. D. Olustesd, John
Jones, Anthony Geduldig, H. P. Moore, ]. Ber-
nard, A. Grove. Chas Bowers. J. ID. Olmstsad,
Peter Lsck, Gideon Mace. T. 8. George and J.
n. johnson.
Blanchard for the people. and Geo. w. stipp.
l.. B. and J. G. Croker. Esqs., for the prisoner.
The indictment charges that Jacob Haas, on
the Goth of June last, at Mendoza, stabbed John
Ksissl, killing him almost instantly.
Blanchard, in opening the case for the people.
said he expected to show that the defendant and
some friends were returning from beer garden,
ON Sunday evening of the day of the murder,
when they passed Keisel, and were singing bAw.
dy songs. Keisel was with some ladies. He
told Haas and his party to "go back or "go
on also, to "shut up singing" That Haas
crowd passed and repassed Keisel and the girls
several tines,l continuing to sing the obscene
songs. When Keisel went up to them to stop
them from offering further insults, he was
stabbed by Haas, the defendant, and that he ex-
pired soon afterwsrd.
Mr.. Stipp, for the prisoner, said the defence
expected to prove that the prisoner does not IN.
derstand English, or much of our laws or Gus.
toms; that he and his friends passed Kiesel,
singing; that Kiesel told Haas to shut up, or
he would slap his mouth; that fight ensued
when Kiesel was killed.
EVIDENCE.
ANNA kONAN.-Live in Mendoza parents re-
side there. Knew John keisel; he lived at
Mendoza; was about 81 years old think he was
born in Germany. Didn't know Haas then
This affair WAS on1Sunday, 29,h Of last May, in
the evening, about -. o'clock. Mr.. Kesel,
Miss Lizzie Hume and Peterl Levy were a, a
| beer garden. On our way home, Haas and two
| other men followed US. They were intoxicated,
| and were singing indecent songs. keisel told
| them to 60 on. We stopped they stopped; We
went on they went on. keisel told them TO 60
on and shut their mouth, and sprang forward
| and then backward. I saw the blood comm Z
| out Of his white coat, at his arm. We led him
| about quarter of a mile, to a German house.
| He lived about twenty-eight hours afterwards.
| Haas was walking between the ether two. Don't
know how many were singing. Haas was the
noisiest Of all. He was singing in German. I
| am German, and understand that language.
| Keisel was with me. Lentz WAS with Lizzie.
John told them to 90 on twice, TO mind his own
business and stop his mouth. They were 10
steps ahead OF US when John started forward.
Haas told John to come on if he wanted any
thing from him. John had no arms he was the
largest man. He was a stone cutter. Saw no
blow struck. turned my back. 1t WASH. one
he said I'm hurt" knew John. Vsite Snyder
was with Haas. Didn't know the other.
Cross Eramiatd-Didn't hear Lsntz say any.
| thing. l think l saw him 20 TO the railroad,
| but am not cure. | was talking with keisel
| Didn't see keisel strike Haas, nor Haas strike
! keisel / am sure Haas said come on Tue
other two were standing wide apart, Don't re.
collect that saw him when he said it. Didn',
| look to see the time by any clock watch
| Didn't see keisel drink more than two glasses Of
beer-was with him all the afternoon. Pretty
sure he did not drink more than two glasses.
Veite Snyder was with Haas, but lie helped u
lead Keisel home. Think Haas drunk.
The other man stayed back, and Haas ran OF
| right away after keisel stabbed. Didn't
hear any thing about Lentz saying she would
get some stones. Keisel spoke English to me all
the time. think he spoke German to Haas
| tried to stop keisel when he went to meet Haas,
but he pulled himself away.
| DIR. f. T. Cook sworn: / live at Mendoza
was called to zee Keisel; found d cut in hi,
right shoulder mn inch and half long and three
J
severed the main artery across the first rib 1t
was all inclosed wound, caused by sharp wsap-
| on from in iron; Of the arm, aud from the side.
Iieisel had nearly b.ed to death when got
| there; he could scarce speak, and was about un.
conscious. | sent for aid, stopped the flow, and
gave bin some stimuants. lie seemed to raj 3,
but never successfully. He died on the morn.
Ing Of the 3lst. The loss OF blood from the
wound was the cause of his death. I have no
knowledye that he was dissi pated-hc vas d
Ieacaabe man.
Cross Er,minod-He was in vigorous health.
| He WAS tall, muscular, vigorous md Young
Skilltnl surgery might have saved his life, had
it been administered at once, but it WAS u very
serious wound. That arm was deprived Of cir.
| culaton OF blood.
Miss LIZziE YoHN sworn; Was present
when this fatal affair occurred. Live at Mer To-
to, where have resided II or 10 years knew
Anna Roman, Mr.. Lent@ and Say der. and knew
John kesel ia his lifetime. On Sunday We
were returning from the beer garden. Mr. Kei.
sel end Anna aud Mr.. Lent and myself were
together, coming home. when we were overtakeu
! by Haas, Snyder aud man whom l did not
kno :. They wee singing indecent songs. keise
turned around and told them to "Pass on" W.
stopped and stepped aside. They did, but soon
fell back aud came behind US Keisel again
went slower and told them TO "Pass along and
MUD their own business" or to "Go on or he
would slap their mouth" They went on ~ tew
steps, and then Haas Ill back and aid. '.lf you
want anything out me come on." John Kei
vel sprang forward and then came back He said
he was hurt. l didn't see any blows It was al
in u minute: DON'T think Kei:el used any othe'
words Didn't know Haas. Didn't see wher,
John was hurt. Hsass ran away. The other,
went with John. This was at dusk.
| Cross. ESdD.1<I-I think nav, all these men