The record-union., 1891-11-19
FUURG0US' DEFENSE.
His Wife Tried to Shoot Him Before
She Was Killed.
He Says the Revolver Was Exploded
During Tussle for It's Possession
His Reputation.

The trial of August Fourgous for the
murder of his wife was resumed before
Superior Judge Van Fleet and jury
yesterday morning.
The prosecution closed its case with the
testimony Of Mrs. Schiminger. The lat
ter's evidence was to the effect that Four
gous was in the habit Of treating his
wife like dog" She said she saw Four
morning prior to the homicide.
Attorney Grove L. Johnson in making
his opening statement for the defense
said he expected to prove that the de-
fendant is a native Of France, about s.
years Of age; that he came of hard
working, industrious family; that while
defendant was working in the mines in
France he was very badly injured III an
accident, from which he suffered a long
time, and never regained his strength OF
body or mind. He came to this city in
May. 1887, and obtained employment in
the railroad shops, where he was en-
plOyed up to the time of the trouble He
was steady, industrious man, had the
confidence and respect Of his fellow-em-
plOyes. and bore q good reputation for
peace and quiet. 1t would be proved
that Mrs. FOurgouS was - years Of age
ten years the senior of defendant; that
she had been married twice prior to her
marriage to FOuTgOus, and bad been di-
V0rced from one or both husbands. It
would be shown that she was addicted to
drink, and had been before she iuYcigled
the young man into marriage. It would
be shown that she had assailed her has
band, and at one time wounded him with
hatchet. She assaulted HIM at another
time with q stick. The trouble between
them was caused by her conduct and
threats and not because Of defendants
acts.
1t would be shown. declared the attor-
ney, that the witness, Mrs. mbruster
drank, and that she was preiudiced
against the defendant because he had oh
iected to her drinking with his wife. It
would be shown that tourgOus had been
good husband, and that he gave his
wife his earnings. 1t would be shown
that on the morning Of the homicide Mrs.
Eourgous had gone to Lamet's and Mr..
FOurgOus came down town and visited a
number of his friends. lie went home
sober and had not been drinking.
He went out and split some wood and
his wife asked him, when she came home.
to go down in the cellar ard get his wine,
and he did So Everything was pleasant
enough uutil Mrs. Heisch came, when
she spoke to her mother in n cross way,
and was reproved by Mr.. Fourgoas it
would be shown that after Mrs Heisch
had departed, FOurgous and his wife both
drank wine, and 1t had considerable
effect upon him. He finally went out TO
get some wood and when he came back
she met him armed with a revolver, and
pointed itat him. He rushed to her, seized
her hands, for the purpose of protect
ing himself. They struggled and during
the struggle the shots went off, and the
wounds were inflicted. The defendant
would tell his story, with the aid OF an
| interpreter and would show how. in the
| tussle, the shots were fired. 1t would be
shown by medical testimony that the
shots were fired as stated-that the bullets
entered at angles that would have been
impossible except in the manner that
will be detailed in illustrating the strug-
gle.
At the conclusion of the attorneys
statement, evidence for the defense was
taken John Isles, w. X. b. Eellam.
Tim Lether, +. Mulligan, Charles Cop
pin, +. West and John Wade, all en-
ployes Of the railroad shops, testified
that Fourgous was quiet and peaceable
while working with them.
B. Feraut testified that he knew both
the defendant and his wife. Fourgous
was a peaceable man. Mrs. Fourgous
drank. Once when he went to FOurgous'
house, the latter had a mark on his face
Mrs. Fourgous said, 81 am sorry did
not split his head open"
Mrs. Emma Kellam testified that she
once saw Mrs. Fourgous shake stick at
her husband.
Several other witnesses were called for
the defense. and then Fourgous. himself
was placed on the stand He did not
testify, however, as Judge Van Fleet
thought it was too late in the day, and
adjourned court. Fourgous viii prob
ably tell his story this morning.