Bridgeton pioneer., 1891-05-14

West jersey depot on the fourth of
May in which Cummings and Elwell
were engaged. Elwell's face showed
the effects of the fight.
Councilman J. D. johnson saw the
occurrence. Elwell was accosted by
some one soon after arriving at the
depot with the remark "You have
been In fight haven't your" and he
replied ut is not over yet" After
ward Elwell went down to where Cum
mlngs was, and somebody knocked
Elwell down. Mr.. johnson says he
did not know Cummings.
Geo. Evans, q 'busman, was called.
saw Elwell go down to where Cum
miDgs was, and moment later EIwell
fell back on the platform from a blow
delivered by some one whom he could
not see, but supposed it was Cum
mings.
Hackman Charley Fort said that
Eiweil came up to Cummings and said
Il am ready to settle that matter"
and Cummings replied ''Come 20
around here, and I'll do you" The
two then went into the baggage room
door and an instant later something
knocked Elwell out of the door. His
nose was bleeding when he arose.
Afterward the two men were strug-
CLING on the platform. Lewis Danzen.
baker separated the combatants.
1t almost became necessary tor the
two lawyers for the defense to pull
straws to see which should first put
witnesses on the stand as from the
very nature of the case it was really
legal battle between the two defend.
ants, rather than the defense against
the State. Mr.. Trenchard scored
point by not making any opening,
while Mr.. Sheppard opened his case,
and OF course had to follow with his
witnesses
Cummings himself testified first.
He said that Elwell came to him and
said, Il want you to settle this mat
ter now" Cummings replied that he
would not fight around there and
started down the platform. Elwell
followed end when the baggage room
was reached said, ''D-n if 1 will
follow you five miles," and "put up his
props and struck at the witness. He
warded it off and Elwell struck again
''and that Time" said Cummings, ST
pasted him in the nose" Cummings
declared that he did all he did in self
defense. Cummings said on cross ex-
animation that the scrimmage began
in the morning at the Central depot
To make it appear that Elwell was
the aggressor, Mr.. Sheppard called
VIM. Bonham. the Roadstown and
Shiloh stage driver, who said that FL
well told him that a man struck him
in the morning and ''the thing amt
settled yet," Elwell then started
down the platform and Cummings
beckoned to him and both went down
to the baggage room. There Elwell
put up his fists but did not strike Cum
mings and the latter knocked Elwell
down. Both clinched and a slight
tussle followed.
Walter Danzenbaker told the jury
that in the baggage room Elwell put
bis props up and and began punching
and Cummings knocked Joe down
with his left hand" Then came the
tussle.
Lewis Danzenbaker said he parted
the belegerants, and then Mr.. Tren-
chard took. his whack, and Joseph
Elwell, the second defendant was put
on the stand.
The witness was called upon to state
what occurred at the West Jersey
Depot. This was after the affair at
the Central.
He said some remarks were made
about his nose, which was bruised,
and he walked up to Cummings and
said, when are you going to settle
this" This he said as a mere pleas
antry, not haying any intention or
desire to fight. He did not want to
fight. Cummings stepped backward
and beckoned witness to come on,
to the back part of the
depot. Witness said, II won't go 400
miles to fight" Cummings then ad-
vanced to him. hit him under the ear
and knocked him down, when he got
up they clinched, he acting entirely on
the defensive.
Before this he had wanted to talk
the matter over and settle the case in
that way, but Cummings wanted to
fight all the time.
He was not drunk, had had two
drinks OF beer that morning, and was
not 'out of the way"
Will Paullin was called and said he
saw Will Cummings, or something hit
Elwell, and knock him down. He told
a nrettv clear tale Of the fipht at the