St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-01
So Says Attorney Erwin in
His Defense Of Pretty
Mrs. Hegener.
Judge Egan Makes a Note
worthy Address and
Rests His Case.
Mr.. Erwin Eloquently Tells
the Long Story of Ber-
tha's Wrongs.
Testimony for the State Taken
in Little More Than
Two Hours.

Bertha Hegener still remains target
for the eyes of curious idlers, and there
is more meaning in the statement than
appears on the surface. A student OF
human nature would conclude that two
thirds of the audience would not attend
the trial if Mrs. Hegener were absent.
They keep their eyes constantly riveted
upon her, and take little or no interest
in the proceedings unless some vulgar
detail or sensational story is brought to
light. Then, and only then, do they
listen. 1t must be said that Mrs. Hege
ner undergoes the ordeal rather bravely.
She seems to be stronger drawing card
than any actor that has appeared
here this season, and the deputies stand
guard at the entrances continually to
prevent an overwhelming rush.
Court reopened yesterday morning at
10 o'clock. Mrs. Hegener'S two bright
faced children were brought into the
courtroom for an instant and then
hustled away again. Judge Egan began
his address to the jury, stating the case
from the states standpoint. 1t was not
composed of a few legal phrases hastily
jumbled together, but was more than
ordinarily bright and interesting, and
delivered eloQuently.
WITH AN IRON WILL.
"Gentlemen of the jury" said the
Judge, 1T takes man with an iron will
to do his duty in a case like this. Each
individual in this self-government must
learn to control himself, his wild i'm
pulses, and do as his better conscience
dictates. else our government is a sham
and must fall to pieces. You are to try
a woman for crime instead of man,
but there should be no distinction.
There should be no nonsense about the
divinity that hedges women, nor should
than man. She is spoken of as
the weaker sex. Why? She has
lead armies, labors in the field,
clerks in stores and enters into all en-
plOymentS and has the same fiber and
muscle and these things are all of her
own seeking. The law makes no dis
tinction between a man and woman
and she must be governed by law, in
dependent of sentimental rhapsodes,
and it takes Self-cOntrol to act as juror
in case like this. The Smooth-lOoking
confidence man may be thought innO-
cent and the rough farmer pronounced
guilty on sight. To try this woman
who is beautifully moulded and sur
rounded by husband and children, re-
uuires self-control. She armed herself
the day before she came to st. Paul;
then she came and in the populous por-
tiOn of the city pulled weapon. There
was no scream, no hesitation, but a
shot, a fall and Murphy is sent
TO heaven or hell, with no time for the
consultations of the religion in which he
believed. No mother or sister eaSed his
last moments and he died amid Stran-
gers. The law says that no one has the
right or is justified in taking human
life, assuming for the moment that they
are wrongfully charged. The question
is, will you erect monuments to the con-
traTy for the future? The whole queS-
tion is, how can the jury carry out the
law and leave all sympathy, sentiment
and passion behind? If the jury is to
do its duty with the same feelings and
impulses that rule mob OF lynching
party | say that is not republican form
of government. We shall present all
the facts in the case and all the wit
mesSeS we can, whether they be friendly
OF not"
TAKING TESTIMONY.
The introduction of testimony for the
state was begun, and Arthur Thompson,
now foreman Of Hegener'S shop was
first sworn. He testified as follows:
II resided in Minneapolis in April Of
last year, and was foreman for Charles
Hegener. Had been with him about a
year before April 6. Know Murphy very
well. He also worked for Hegener. [
should judge he was tWenty-four or
twenty-five years of age. l knew Mrs.
Hegener, and had known her three or
four years. Murphy had been there
about one year and a half. boarded at
Hegener'S about two weeks. | had
some conversation with Mrs. Hegener
the day before the shooting. April 4, in
the evening, closed the shop and went
to my room. | heard talk and as l went
in, found Mrs. Hegener in perfect
frenzy. l asked her what was the
matter.
""That man has been trying to sep
arate me from my family she replied.
"What man?" | asked.
"Why, John Murphy. / shall shoot
him as soon as he comes in that door,"
She showed me the revolver and took
it from her, saying 1t was no good. l
carried it into my room and then went
back. Mrs. Hegener was sitting down
and seemed dazed. Suddenly we heard
some one coming up stairs. Mrs.
Hegener jumped up and was very much
excited. The footsteps were those of
Mr.. Hegener and Murphy. Hegener
said:
Nov Jack, if my wife is guilty ac-
cuse her before me-"
Murphy said: "Why, yes, have been
intimate with Mrs. Hegener for some
time" Mrs. Hegener jumped up and
said: "Oh you liar. If | had that re-
volver I'd shoot you now" ] sawMurphy
and advised him to write letter.
/ said to him: 'Now Jack, if Mrs.
Hegener is guilty write statement to
that effect; if she is innocent write one
to that effect. Write the truth which
ever way it is"
The statement was handed to the wit
ness and he identified it as written by
Murphy. Mr.. Egan read it. 1t was a
letter directed to Mr.. HegeIer, telling
him that his wife was true and that
there was not a word of truth in Muir
phys story. 81 borrowed $5 of Mr..
Nelson" witness continued. II said:
Jack, you'll have to get out of this
town or Charlie Hegener will kill YOU
He said yes, l know | will, but l
have no money / borrowed that s.
from Nelson and gave it to Murphy
and also gave him a razor of
my own and razor of
Hegener's. Richard Hegener is Charles
Hegener's brother The shop in Min
neapolis is near the Milwaukee depot.
Mrs. Hegenner came in Oh April 6 and
asked her husband for money and [
heard Hegener say she was going to st.
Paul. Hegener worked until about
O'Clock. heard Of the shooting before
Mrs. Hegener returned.
Cross examined by Mr.. Erwin-When
Murnhv wrote that Statement he was