Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-08-03

ton, after which the counsel on both
sides girded up their loins and waxed
wrathy in argument to prove that the
artillery was or was not in good work
ing order. During the discussion the
weapon was tiourished around in a
manner that threatened speedy exter-
mination to court, counsel, reporter and
audience. When the Court recovered
from his first CONSERVATION he ordered
the cylinder taken out and all breathed
a sigh of relief +
For four long, weary hours did coun-
sci wrestle with the witness and Court.
The latter in answer to counsel for de-
Tense had meantime ordered Mr.. HYDE
to remove all rust that was distinctly
recent, but like Oliver Twist in his cele-
brated porridge act, they still cried for
more. The Court couldn't see it and
the batteries were then brought to bear
on the witness with the result that the
latter remained firm in his belief that
the pistol was not certain to revolve at
all times, especially over the loaded
shells, and at length the subject of gun
smithing was laid aside.
THOMAS SWEENEY
was next witness called and testified
that George Stout came over where he
was working and witness asked him if
he was Lew Sisley's brother. He said
he was. Asked him if he knew anything
about this case and he said he did /
asked what he knew about it and he
said he saw his mother dressing dead
girl in the barn. About a week after
ward he came back. Charley Ivey was
working with me. Charley asked him
if Lew did not kill the girl. He said no.
l asked him if he did not tell me when
he was here before that he saw his
mother dressing the dead girlin the barn
He said ''no did not.'' He then told
me ~ told Mr.. Beebe so and he said it
wasn't 50" Cross-examination made
no change in the statement of witness.
This closed the case for the State
District Attorney Orr, said that as all
things earthly should have an end they
rested here.
ROBERT HAMILTON
was then recalled by the defense. Was
the owner of the pistol produced in court,
had been in his possession for some
weeks previous to the charivari. Pistol
was in good working order so far as 1
knew. Had been always accustomed to
clean it after using, especially if saw
any rust in it. Never knew it to do
than revolve when cooked and
loaded. Shot it twice on Tuesday
Don't know of its being shot before for
one or two months.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES put in
one cartridge and fired it when fired
these two shots. Had used all kinds of
cartridges in revolver, don't know
/ had ever tried it with cart
ridges like these.
Re-Direct-II Have shot it when it was
full of cartridges and shot it until every
one was shot.
MRS. HAMILTON
was next called and testified that she
had fired the revolver, cooked it couple
Of times. It cooked pretty easy, did moi
have any difficulty in cooking it after
Mr. Hamilton showed me how to draw
it back to full cock.
GEORGE STOUT.
was recalled and denied ever having
told Tom Sweeney that he saw his moth
er dressing the dead girl in the barn.
He asked me il Thought Lew was guilty
and said no didn't. He asked me if
| saw my mother dressing the dead body
in the barn and / said that was what
said. Did not tell him any
such thing that l saw my mother dress
ing dead girl in the barn, only said
that was what somebody said.
MRS. ELVIRA BAKER.
sister of Lew Sisley was next placed on
the stand and testified that she and Lew
were intending to 90 to Mr.. Bickford's
the day after Lew was arrested to see
photograph of Ribbey and see if it cor
responded with II man who was at their
house in February. Lewis being ar
rested prevented their carrying out their
plans but witness went and met Mr..
Bedford, saw the photograph and found
it did not correspond 1Cith the man.
Mr.. Bushnell then arose and said:
That will close our testimony on the
part of the defendants unless Mrs. Bick-
ford should arrive in the morning.
might want to put some witness on the
stand but was not certain and would not
consume more than five minutes.
Mr. Carter then offered on the part of
the state to close the case Uithout argu-
mcnt.
MIR. Bushnell replied that the defense
acre DESTROYS of closing the case as soon
Us possible. HoWeyer they desired to
call the attention of the court to certain
of law as applicable to cases of
this sort
Mr.. Carter Then 1oe understand you
decline our proposition.
Mr.. Bushnell -Yes sir
When court opened Saturday morn
ing Mr.. Bushnell said the defense rested
their case and offered the testimony of
Mrs Bckford as taken at coroner's in
quest which was admitted by the court.