The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-12-19
FOR LIFE OR DEATH.
The Trial of Peter A. Weast for
the Murder Of Thos. B. Parks
Occupies the Attention Of
the Court this Week.

The sheriff opened court in the afternoon
in bran new suit Of broadcloth, which SCI
off his portly figure TO advantage. The wit
ness, resuming his testimony, said that Parks
sat in the northeast corner of the room
Yeast sat in the southwest corner, or just
inside the partition. The discussion was be-
tween Reeves and Newell about Mrs. Weast
and Parks. Parks said in response that he
would make an explanation but that it was
no use in his making it except Weast believed
him. | said that WAS an extraordinary re-
mark, to ask any one to believe q person in
advance of his statement. Weast asked Parks
if he went to his house Wednesday morning.
Parks replied about o clock. Weast asked
him if it was not later than that Mrs Weast
said that she had told him Weast later than
that. Parks said he did not know. Wesst
asked HIM if dinner was not on the table be-
fore he left Weast asked Parks then if he
was not up stairs with his wife, Parks said
he was not Weast said tina. he was. MIR.
Reeves told Weast to sit down. Weast ap-
peared when he first raised up to be remark
ably pale and in violent agitation. He ut
tered something and motioned with his left
hand, and turned red in the face. Reeves
said "Weast! Weast Pete Weast - and |
Jumped up and caught him by the collar.
lie kept repeating "iou took advantage of
me; you took advantage of me-" Prior to
the time we went to the hotel said to Weast
that would have nothing to do with the
business unless ne allowed me to do the talk
ing, that | could control myself and perhaps
he could not. lie was in my company from
the time he came to my Office until the shoot
ing. As to his excitement at the occasion Of
the shooting, he was absolutely uncontrola.
BILE. | gripped him by the lapel of the coat.
Was betwe him and Parks when the pistol
went Oft. was about to keep my back to
Parks, and it would have been if he had
kept his position. When | got out in the
hall Parks circled round and was facing me-
There was shot fired in the hall Parks
was passing in the door when the shot was
fired. The ball struck the floor near the
door. At the second time that Weast passed
me ! grabbed and showed him into a room
opposite the one we occupied. When | got
in the other room found Parks lying on the
floor. After came up from down stairs
saw Mrs. Weast in clothes room near room
43. ran down stairs to tell party 10 run
for DR.. Taylor. Some one discovered DIR.
Minor across the way and called him. He
came first. Mrs. Weast stayed around the
room until crowd collected there. Saw
Yeast at his house that evening about dark.
was hunting for him. The constable said
he had a warrant for him. went to his
house. lie WAS not there. Went to the JUS
tees room, but found him near the Streator
House Mrs. Weast was gong along TO the
Plumb House and we went along-Reeves,
MIR. and Mrs. Wesst and myself. Crhe court
here sustained objection as to what Weas:
told witness. Bull said that Newell had Civ
en- similar testimony. Afterwards the court
permitted the witness to answer) Ii was at
Mrs. Weast' request that went to the hotel
that evening.
Cross. Examination. was engaged in
the saloon business when first got acquaint,
cd with him. have never been retained by
Weast except on special matters. Have never
advised Weast how to run his saloon. On
Friday he came to me to go to Benson. The
property was conveyed to Parks about the
time Weast was going to Europe. Never
heard Weast say that he was afraid that
Parks would not make the conveyance to
him, and that should 60 along to compel
him. In regard to the kilograms that passed
between Parks and Weast, the witness stated
that W east told him that Parks had sent
telegram stating that he could not come, and
ask ed me if would not go with him. At
the meeting in the room there was no diff
Guilty over the Benson property matter. At
the consultation in the room Reeves and
talked together. Weast heard it, and did
not dissent. Reeves made the suggestions
and concurred in what was to be said when
we went back into the room; and Reeves or
Newell began the conversation when we re-
turned. The words used by Newell were
that if there was anything improper they
would deny it, and let Mr.. Parks speak for
himself. (Hero a short recess was taken.
N hen the second shot was fired think that
il must have passed me. Parks had just
about stepped from the hallway into the room
when that shot was fired think that Weast
handed the pistol to Reeves after he was
pushed into the room. | asked Parks, who
was lying almost on his face, where he was
hurt He made no remark, and turned him
over and then went for doctor. Since the
shooting have been acting for Weast. He
has conveyed large amount of his property
to me. Had no conversation with him about
tue CuSc slnCc hccVtb ahu llo"
il. Mrs. Wesst and made the arrangement
about the conveyance. paid 81 800 for the
Wsast homestead and lot. don't know
whether there was any other property that
Weast had an equitable interest in conveyed
10 me. There was other property conveyed
to me to the amount Of $500 In order to
pay the $4,000 made an overdrafl on the
bank of Jas. G. Wilson Of $500.
EMMA HEINER.
Live in Streator. Am IA years of age.
Know Mr. and Mrs. Weast. Knew Parks
Lived at Weast's house for two weeks.
Parks was there once while was there He
came one evening and stayed that night. He
was up stairs in the house all the time with
Mrs. Wesst. Weast was away from home
at that time. Know Jennie Grunden. Parks
stayed in the spare bedroom. | slept in
Mrs. Weasts bedroom with Maudie and
Birdie. The spare bedroom door was locke
| took Jennie's place until she came back.
Cross ETdminatiOn.-li two or three
blocks frem Weast's. My brother worked
about the bar room for Weast about year
First worked for Mrs W east two years ago
| was there before Mrs. Weast went TO Ohio.
After she came back from Ohio was there
nearly every evening. Never saw Parks
there but once. Saw no other men there
Miss Heiner, who had just arrived when
= he vns called occupied the stand ahout ten