, 1888-03-22
The Alleged Murderer of Tin Hat
On the Stand.
The Prisoner Talks About Himself
Four Hours.
Admits Identity, but Denies Knowl,
edge of the Murder.
Swears That He Did Not Ride
With Trumble.
Couldn't Resist the Temptation TO
Take Flight.

Harry Patterson, the defendant in the
sensational murder trial in progress here,
took the stand in his own behalf yester-
day. The prisoner answered the dues-
tons of his counsel for four hours. He
spoke quite deliberately, but in low tones,
and was prone to enter into unimportant
details. The murder charged, some evil
dence of the prosecution il relation to his
revolver and the ride with Trumble, were
the only material dcnials made. Nearly
every allegation made by the territory was
frankly admitted. Patterson was nervous
under the gaze of the audience which
crowded the court room, but did rot lose
his self-possession. For himself he was
an excellent witness Only once did he
waver. Twill ask you, Mr.. Patterson"
said his attorney, IF you ever in any
manner, did any violence to the person
known as Tin HAITI" Il never did,"
was the slow response, as the witness
idgeted in his chair and neryously moved
his fingers. Il had no reason to hurt
him" was added to the required answer,
as his eyes were lifted upward.
Patterson was still undergoing his ex-
animation in chief when court adjourned
last evening. His story was quite inter
estinG. At times a ripple of i~ncredulity
seemed to run through his hearers, but
again his narrative was quite plausible and
natural.
The alleged murderer is in lis 9th
year, was born on a farm near Atchison,
Kas., but left home at the age of IA. In
1918 he was a stone mason's apprentice
at Ellsworth, Kas. His first stay in Chey-
enne was in the winter and spring of 1884.
He had been employed at the LIZ ranch a
season prior to that time. Patterson was a
horse tanner at the Pc ranch, and after
wards assisted in the construction of a tel
ephone line. In this city he was for a
time employed at Wightman's livery
barn. In March he became an attache of
the OW outfit. The latter part of June
he was discharged for accidentally shooting
a COW. Patterson then determined to come
to Cheyenne and settle for the animal. At
~Runningwater, fifteen or sixteen miles
FROM the ranch, he met Tin Hat and gam
bled with him upon one occasion only,
losing 81 at poker. He was not absolute
ly certain that McElhone was a party to
the pastime. Though posing as a gam
bier and dealing monte, Patterson had
first INDUCED in the passion for gain in
1883. At the Spanish game he won a few
dollars. AT that time the prisoners as
assets included $3.50 in money and
FIVE horses, the much talked of flea bitttn
gray was among the number. Four of
the animals were sold to Ed. Mays for
$l2O.
Tin Hat proposed that he and Patter-
son pool issues and fleece the uninitiated
while en- route to Cheyenne. This was
agreed to, and one morning Tin Hat in
formed him that he had an opportunity
to ride to Rawhide Buttes. McElhone
left at once, and Patterson followed on
horseback at leisure. The departure was
made Monday morning, June 30. Frank
DeCastro was the only person he met on
the road. At Ed. Mays place he over
took Tin Hat. At hat time witness
knew Trumble by sight, but does not re-
member seeing him at Mays place. At
his suggestion McElhone and himself
continued to Thorp's. Tin Hat carried a
coat on his arm and a small sack partly
filed with clothes. He was attired, as
Patterson rccollected, in overalls, a light
shirt and straw hat, and walked while he
rode. The footman suggested plans for
future operations as they proceeded
toward the stage station. He thought it
would be an excellent idea to proceed to
Hartville and open a monte game, as a
round up was in progress in that vicinity.
Patterson responded that he wa bent on
spending the glorious Fourth in Chey-
enne, and would not delay. Tin Hat then
opened negotiations for a loan, saying
that his woman" here would want money
upon his arrival. Patterson refused
to part with $50 and suggested that they
dissolve partnership. The pair had
reached Thorp's and upon the refusal of
Tin Hat to take dinner there, parted for
ever.
Patterson returned to Runningwater