Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-07-20

was the man.
Q-How many times did you call
A-Two or three times.
Q-And it did not answer.
A-No. This was the way the story
originated. Witness had said it was a
man because he was afraid he would
laugh at him but when Bishop had come
to him about it he had told the same
story as here.
The narration told as it was in immi-
table dialect conyulsed not only the
court but the whole audience. The
humorous part being intensified by the
mixing up of pronouns to such an ex-
tent that the court was led to ask whcth-
er it was the dog or the bush that had
leaves and which one was barking.
Nothing further of Importance was
developed from this witness.
MIR. REUBEN ELLSWORTH
was the next witness and testified 10
having received a letter from Frank
Ribbey four years ago asking who was
going with Emma Bickford, Ribbey be-
ing at the time, witness thought out in
the Indian Territory. He did not an
swer the letter and received none other.
Had heard nothing against Sisley's
character.
MIR. JOHN FAUX
was next placed ON the stand. Had
been acquainted with the defendants
about two years, was acquainted with
Hamilton's wife longer than with him.
They had the reputation of being
peaceable so far as witness knew. Had
never heard anything to the contrary
before this occurrence. Staid at Hamii-
ilton's the night after Mrs Sisley's body
was found. Did not remember of tell
ing Misunderstanding about his father
seeing stranger about his place, story
was out at that time.
Cross-eXamination- Witness did not
know as he had ever heard anv one say
anything about the character of defend
ants one way or the other. Heard the
story of his father seeing man from his
wife. Thought he told Simon Sisley
about it. Told him some time that
week Did not know whether he told
Hamilton or not
The court adjourned at the close of
the examination of this witness until
hbAob'tl hiOl
MIR. ALBERT DAILY
was up to Hamilton's on the morning of
June IA, for few minutes. After
was there for few minutes | went into
the house along with Hamilton We
had not been i'll there but few minutes
when Lew came in and Thomas Gallo
way aftel him. He looked around as
tbnnprl, ha f,,,. l..
Think he went into the bed room and
then went up stairs. After he had gone
up stairs Hamilton pointed to the butt
OF his rifle sticking out under the flour
box and said "Albert take that rifle and
hide it for believe Lew is looking for
it, | took the rifle out across the
ravine south and hid it in hollow log.
Did not remember hearing Mrs. Stout
say anything about the rifle being hid
den.
DISCRIMINATION not know
when he heard the story of strange
man being seen whether that week or
the next. Had heard Hosea Munden
talking about character of Hamilton and
Sisley before Mrs. Sisley's death, about
the time they made horse trade. He
thought Lew was pretsy straight kind of
fellow but thought Bob would swindle
him out of horse if he could Had
known Sisley since he first came into
this part of the country.
MIR. NAGLE
was next called. Witness testified to
general good character of the defend
ants. Was fhther of Mrs. Hamilton one
of the defendants. Did not hear any
shots fired on the morning of June II.
Lafayette Pesler living somewhere near
union school house said he heard acouple
of shots fired that morning
Cross-eXamination- Should not think
union school house was more than two
miles from Hamilton Did not know
as he had ever heard any one talk of the
character of defendants before the death
of Mrs. Sisley. Sisley had waited on
wetness' daughter very little early part
Of winter.
Re-diirct-H Had never known Sislev
to come to the house to set up with her
Had taken her to parties. Never knew
or heard of her expressing any disap-
pointment when Sisley married his wife
MIR. WILLIAM DENNIS
was the next witness called and testified
to knowing Hamilton since a boy with
exception of time he was out west. Had
generally borne good character ex-
cept once he had been accused of writ
ing slanderous letters against some
young girls, wife of witness was aunt of
the girls.
DIR. f. j. BUCK
was the next witness called who testi-
fled without any evidences of dissatis-
faction until counsel asked him for his
opinion as to the possibility of the
wounds on the body of the deceased
could have been inflicted when witness
replied That being a matter of opln-
ion only am willing to give it when |
am assured of a professional fee for an
opinion This was taking the bovine
by the horns with a vengeance and had
decidedly stimulating effect upon court
and audience.
Counsel for the defence made a learn
ed and vigorous plea in behalf of the
interpOsition Of the court to force an
answer from the witness but the question
being one of opinion only the court re-
fused TO interfere, after spirited dis
cusSion between court. witness and
counsel The examination was there
fore turned in another direction until the
close of the morning session.
At the assembling of the court in the
afternoon. counsel for the defense
arose and stated that the Dr. had no
desire 70 show any contempt of court
but on the direction of the court would
answer the question propounded in the
morning. His only 4 sire being to have
the order of the cour, for answering as
in his opinion that placed him in diff
erent position than if nc should answer
without Upon this understanding Of
the matter the court directed the Dr. to
answer and he did so giving it as his
opinion that the wounds might have
been self-inhictcd. As the examination
Of this witness from here on, occupying
another days time, was somewhat in
the nature Of a wordy dwelling match
in which the attorneys endeavored to
get what they could and the witness to
tell as little as possible. a full report is
not included rs it would prove Of little
interest to the general public.
MRS. NANCY BICKFoRD.
was the next witness called. Was wife
Of Hiram bIckford and mother Of the de-
ceased Mrs. Sisley. The latter was n
years old on the eighth day of June
Deceased had always been wen enough
So far rs witness knew. Had not APP
peared any different than usual; thought
she was going to get happy home
Had always lived at home except when
She was Ell DndoeXiIle with her older