Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-01
BRUGIER'S TRIAL.
THE HEARING CONCLUDED.
ISpecisl Telegram to the Globe.

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
FARGO, D. T., Dec. 31.-Upon the opening
of the court this forenoon John Brugier, the
defendant, was cross-ezamined at consider
able length by Judge Campbell, without vary
ing his former statements in any material
particular.
Capt. Harmon, of Fort Lincoln, next tes-
titled to the excellent general reputation of
accused for peace and quietness; also-to Nc
Gees quarrelsome disposition when under
the influence of drink.
The defense next introduced number OF
witnesses as to character, whose testimony
was ruled out on the ground that knowledge
thereof was denied subsequent to the date of
the homicide.
Gen. Miles then testified, as follows, the
district attorney interpreting no objection:
Ny command went to Fort Peck In Novem-
Der, 1876, when Brugier came to me and
said he had been indicted for the murder OF
MCGEE, and told substantially the same story
he has given on the witness stand. Accused
said he was not guilty, and was anxious to
stand trial, if he could have fair and I'M
partial ore. I advised him to enter the SER
vice and get money to pay counsel. Accused
did 90 in and rendered invaluable services.
He seemed anxious to be acquitted, but he
was afraid of trial because of the prejudice
against him. He wrote to the commandant at
Fort Peck on this subject. Witness also
correspondent with the department of justice
and with the governor of the Territory, rep
resenting that his services could not be
dispensed with. Last spring accused came
and said that he had made up his mind to
surrender himself and stand his trial. His
services have been exceedingly valuable to
the government. During three years of
constant employment, his character has
been that of q quiet, law abiding man. 1t
was by information gathered by this scout
that was enabled to prevent the junction
of the forces of Sitting Bull and Crazy
Horse, in the winter campaign of 1851.
The unexpected admission of the generals
testimony created considerable laugh at the
expense of Captains Ewers and Baldwin and
Lieut.. Wheeler of his staff, who had just
been refused permission by the court to tes-
tify to the same facts, some one remarklng
that captains were too small fry to testify
when generals were about, although they
were right good captains, too.
Judge Campbell then presented the case
for the prosecution, and after recess was fol-
lowed by Messrs. Flandry and Comstock for
the defense in able arguments. The senior
counsel for the defense next addressed the
Jury in speech of one hour and half. His
speech is pronounced the happiest effort OF
bis life by those who know him best, and was
listened to with breathIess attention by the
largest audience that ever assembled in
court house in the Territory. At the con-
clusion of Erwin's address the court took
recess to o'clock tonight.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session District Attorney
Campbell made an earnest and impressive
speech, in the course of which he was inter-
rupted by the court, who suggested that the
striking had no connection with the open
ing of the door. Argument was contin-
ned by counsel, who insisted upon verdict
of manslaughter.
Judge Barnes then charged the jury fully,
after which several exceptions were taken by
counsel. At $50 the jury retired, and after
remaining out until l O'Clock, returned With
verdict of
NOT GUILTY,
which was received with cheers, which were
promptly suppressed by the court. The
court then discharged defendant with the
remark, shaking him by the hand, $50
home and serve your country as before
On going out the jury stood eleven to
one. On returning to the hotel an elegant
COPE of Shakespeare was presented to
Brugier, on the fy-leaf of which were in
scribed the autographs of w. W. Erwin, j.
A. Stoyell. F. C. Burgess, ]. E. Haggart, A.
h Barnes, Hugh ]. Campbell, Nelson A.
Miles, {. S. A., with the inscription, "Hope,
and Fear Not. Fargo. January LIST, $780,"