Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-19
THE WOODLAND HOMICIDE.
CONTINUATION OF TESTIMONY BE.
FORE JUDGE RUGGLEs.
Further Evidence of Eye-witnesses-
Objections Overruled-Excep-
tiOns Taken.
ESPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO THE REcoRD-uN1os.

ESPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO THE REcoRD-UN1os.
WOODLAND, February 1Sth-The prelim-
mary examination of Harlan and Barnes,
charged with the murder of E. L. Craft on
Sunday, February eth, was resumed this
morning at 10 o'clock. The Courtroom
was crowded with spectators.
The first witness called in continuation
of the testimony for the prosecution was
James j. Fiske. He said: reside at the
Byrns Hotel. Was present February 7th
at P. NJ, when the shooting took place.
Was standing at the north end of the office
counter, facing the east, or toward the
bootblack stand. Saw Craft and Prender-
CAST on the bootblack stand, Craft in the
north or corner chair. Noah Meyer was
standing on my right. Heard some one
open the door looked around and saw
Harlan enter, turn TO the left suddenly and
fire at Craft. Saw Craft rising from the
chair when | started to go back of the
counter. Heard other shots. Turned side
ways. Saw Craft running by, thrusting
his hand INTO his coat or back pocket His
hand came out of the pocket with pistol
IN 1t. After Craft fell Harlan walked past
me to where Craft Lad fallen. | was stand
ing at the south end of the counter. by the
hotel register, when Harlan stood over
Craft As he lay turned upon his back,
motlonless, Harlan stopped and shot him
in the head. Saw no motion of Crafts
body after he fell
Noah Meyer testifid Was present at the
shooting, standing to the right of preceding
witness. His testimony was a complete
confederation of that of Flske. Saw Har
Ian the time the first shot was fired. Was
four feet from Graft. The witness ran for
the Mushroom for personal safety. Heard
| four or five shots. Looked around. Saw
Craft fall and Harlan walk up and shoot
him in the head
Sheriff Beamer recalled, said that he had
known defendants for many years. and he
understood they were brothers-in-law.
William Fl. Souie said he was on Main
street, opposite the Byrns hotel, at the time
of the shooting. Am not acquainted with
Harlan. Crossed the street after the shoot
ing. Was standing on the sidewalk in
front of the hotel when Harlan came out.
walking rapidly, with pistol in his hand.
Harlan said, " If you get in my way | will
shoot you, too" AT that time did not see
Barnes
Counsel for prosecution recalled Under
Sheriff Prendergast.
Counsel for defense objected saving that
Prendergast had testified and could not be
recalled, as no foundation was laid for it.
The objection was oyerruled and the ex
ception noted
| Witness said he was in the office when
Mr.. Harlan surrendered himself.
/ Counsel for the prosecution asked for the
conversation witness had with Harlan.
Objected to and objection argued at
length. Overruled.
| Witness said Mr.. Harlan said to me
that he considered any man had a right
to defend the honor of his family | am
not positive, but my recollection is that he
stated that his daughter had been slandered
and ne thought he had a right to defend
| her
Noon recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The examination was resumed at las
p. NJ.
Peter Krellenberg testified that he was
the Coroner of YOlo county. Was slightly
acquainted with the deceased Took charge
of the body the day of the homicide; found
it at the Office OF the Byrns Hotel. He de-
scnbed the position in which the body lay
The witness produced the overcoat worn by
deceased at the time of DEATH The same
was offered in evidence. Counsel on both
sides examined the bullet-holes in the gar
ment.
On cross-examination, he said the cloth
! ing, except the overcoat and shirts were
returned with the body to his parents. The
shirts were covered with blood, and he
! burned them.
Counsel for defense objected to the over
coat being received in evidence. as being
incompetent, so long as the other clothing
worn by deceased at the time of the killing
| was inaccessible. The point was ably argued
by counsel for prosecution, who claimed
that the clothes found on the body of de-
ceased were perforated with bullets at the
point indicated by the physicians as the
places where the wounds were received.
The Court overruled the objection and
exceptions were taken
Witness, continuing on direct examina- |
| lion, said he took the body from the Byrns |
Hotel to his office and had post mortem
examination held. The next he turned the |
body over to Mr.. Craft, the father of de- |
ceased. On the right inside pocket was |
red silk handkerchief, which was offered in |
evidence. The same objection and the same |
ruling.
Cross examined produced the revolver
which he found under Crafts right hand. |
The pistol was of a similar pattern to the |
one used by Harlan-a Smith & Wesson |
fve-shooter, 2S-caliber. One chamber was |
discharged the hammer resting on an |
empty she'll
The pistol of deceased, also the bullet
extracted from his head and the one taken
from bis back, were offered in evidence.
J. Audette testified that about fifteen
minutes before the shooting Harlan and |
Barnes were standing in front of the Bank
of Woodland. Mr.. Sill, son-in law of Har-
Ian, came up and whispered something to
them. Witness was standing a few feet
distant. conversing with Mr.. Stevens
E. Williams testified that he knew Frank
Barnes; that on the day after the homicide
he heard him make statement regarding
the killing of Craft.
Witness was asked to detail the converse
ton.
Counsel for defense objected first, be-
cause no foundation was laid for it; that
Barnes was In no way connected with the
killing. and no evidence of conspiracy had
been elected; secondly, that it was not
made in the presence of defendant Harlan
Mr.. Hightonlmade an argumentative, elo-
quent address in favor of the objection He
claimed that no evidence had been intro
duced to connect Frank Barnes with the
homicide in the remotest degree He
should be discharged by the Court, and the
latter should apologize to him for the ar
rest.
District Attorney Sprague responded
with spirit He said there was not man
within the sound OF his voice who did not
believe that Frank Barnes stood by, aided
and abetted in the murder of Craft. He
said the evidence showed that Barnes had
followed Craft that day, and with drawn
pistol followed up Harlan when the latter
was firing the fatal Shots A man who
aids and abets murder is guilty of MUIR
der himself. If we have not proven con-
spiracy, great God can't we do it now?
Are we to be prevented from proving that
they both conspired to kill Craft? don't
want to prosecute anyone, but desire fair
and impartial examination, and resent all
the innuendos thrown out by counsel for
the defense against myself and associate
counsel.
Counsel Clark of the prosecution, fol-
lowed the District Attorney. reviewing the
testimony, claiming that the objection of
the defense had no force. The facts and
circumstances surrounding the death of