Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-02
THE BBUGIER TRIAL.


A Sketch of tho Late Remarkable Murder
Trial at Fargo, ID. +.
The telegraph has already brought re-
port of the acquittal of John Brugier, the
scout on trial at Fargo for murder. The
following letter, written while the trial was
in progress, will, however, be found of in
terest:
Special Correspondence Daily Globe
FARGO, Dec. 80, 1s79.-The Brugier case
is still the center of attraction here. The
case made out by the government witnesses
to-day was rather weak, and on the whole
disappointing to those who believed that the
prestige and power of the government had
been invoked to convict guilty and not an
innocent man. The demeanor Of the wit
nesses during to-day's proceedings were, as on
yesterday, dignifed and sedate. The utmost
point reached by the governments evidence
was to the effect that during quarrel blow
was heard, but no scintilla of evidence, beyond
that testified TO by DR.. Turner, and which
inferentially showed that VIM. Brugier's
right arm being disabled no could not have
bCCA CApCOtCA W otAAhO GA0 AotaA DiOWS WOW
to inculpate the defendant as the party who
dealt the stroke which cut short the life of
the deceased. The latter is represented to
have been large, heavy-built man of over
two hundred pounds, and was known as
desperate of the worst type along the whole
length and breadth of the Missouri river.
The government failing to show that the
fatal blow was struck by the defendent, Mr..
Erwin, of counsel, moved to dismiss the
case. This motion was denied, when the
defense was opened and the defendant him
self placed on the stand as witness IN his
own behalf. His manner and demeanor on
the witness stand was highly favorable. As
before noted, the Indian blood predomi-
mates in his physiognomy, and his only evil
dence of French extraction is to be detected
in his chin and lower face. His hair is
very dark, or rather black and coarse,
and Indian characteristics are visible
throughout his features. His manner
is quiet and self possessed and altogether
his contour and general appearance indicate
degree of intelligence scarcely to be expect
ed under the circumstances of the case. His
complexion is true Indian; his hair very
black and coarse, and with the readily rec
ognized Gallo admixture; his tout ensemble
is at once interesting, and on the whole far
from being impalataole. Possessing gu
prerne control of his nerves, and moreover
possessed with more than ordinary intelli-
gence, he makes good witness and speaks
plainly and freely regardless of who is hurt
thereby, whether himself or third party.
He is as bold as a lion and does not fear to
meet the fate to be accorded to him. Prob
ably no witness ever entered the witness box
with less concern as to the ultimate results,
IS is evidenced by the fact that although the
prosecution failed to prove that he struck
the fatal blow, he himself, on his direct e1-
animation, admitted the force, or rather
made open profert Of it, when it would
most certainly have remained in the back
ground had he not voluntarily disclosed it.
Els brother, Billy, who seems to be impli-
Gated in to-day's testimony more than the
defendant, is now in the penitentiary for
ten years term, and was most probably con-
victed under misrepresentation of facts.
AS disclosed to-day in the evidence Of the
prosecution, John seems to have played the
part OF peace-meker rather than that of
peace-breaker. T. he struck the fatal blow
at all it was in defense of his domicil, and
after repeatedly ordering the would-be in
truder to leave the premises. Under the cir
cumstances, a conviction is foregona i'm
possibility, and it is generally understood
that the prosecution admit the case to be
lost. Interest continues undated in the
trial, and large crowds are in daily attend
ance at the court room.
Gen. Miles is in watchfal attendance upon
the court at all times. Every nerve of the
generals manly heart beats in behalf of the
poor, unfortunate half-breed. To-day the
general expressed the opinion that every
word of the mans testimony in his own be-
half was gospel truth, and that he knew the
man sufficiently we'll to authorize him in say
ing that he would speak the truth regardless
of the fact whether it restored him to free
dom or substituted therefor the hangman's
moose. While by no means desperate, it is
clear that Brugier possesses all the native
courage of his French and Indian ancestors,
and that he has no fear of death.
The GLOBE has already adverted to Gen.
Miles interest in the case, and expressed its
sentiments of the honorable character there
Of and the credit therein shown, not only to
the man, but to human nature itself. Here
is q poor, friendless half-breed in peril of
his life, and yet we see the spectacle of one
of the noblest of the generals Of the federal
army devoting his entire time and his every
sympathy to rescue him from the yawning
gulf before him. Gen. Miles is not only a
true gentleman, in all the word implies, but
he is unquestionably man of intelligence,
probity, honesty and ability, and one of the
very ablest men in the foremost ranks of
our service. That he should thus bravely
befriend the poor and the helpless ia an
honor to himself and to human nature, and
one of which he will have cause to be proud
in years to come. B.
PARNELL's PURPOSES
lnterestin0 Interview With HIS Mother--
Efforts to Hid the Irish Unfortunates.
The Sun of the 31st ult. prints an inter-