Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-07
FELL ON HIS KNIFE.
George Strausser on Trial for the
Murder of Joseph Brandt.
STRANGE PLEA OF THE DEFENSE,
Objections to the Handsome Compensation
of Receiver.
THE NEWS OF TIE COUNTY COURTS

The trial of George Strsusser for the
murder of Joseph Brandt on the Sd of last
August was begun yesterday before Judge
Kennedy. d.. Thomas, the first witness,
testified that he called soon after the
stabbing occurred. Brandt was stabbed in
the left side through the bowels and left
kidney to the back bone, which undoubtedly
caused death.
DR.. Rossman, of the Southside Hospital,
said that Brandt was brought to the hospital
In dying condition.
Mrs Anna Stetenberger testified that on
the evening of the murder she and her little
boy Joseph were sitting on the boardwalk
In front of their home on Holt street, South
side. Her husband and Joseph Brandt
were standing at the gate talking. Brandt
was in his bare feet and had no
coat or hat on. She had sued George
Strausser, the prisoner, for board bill,
and the trial had taken place that evening
and won the suit Mrs. Johanna Straus-
ser, the prisoners mother, and Rosa Straus-
ser, his sister, attended the trial and came
back past her house. They had some
words and Brandt took up the quarrel for
her. Brandt followed the women down
the boardwalk to the bridge, and she heard
Mrs. Strausser cry out that she had been
cut.
Went to His Mothers Assistance.
She called for her son George, who came
running across the bridge, He and Brandt
got into fight. She saw Brandl's arm around
Georges neck and saw George jab Brandt
in the stomach with something Brandt
fell of the sidewalk and George ran home.
Frank Stetenberger, aged 13 years, cor
roborated his mothers testimony, and
added that Brandt must have struck the
Strausser women, for they called loudly
for help. Brandt stopped down and
picked up a piece of wood just as George
came up George Stetenberger, husband of
Mrs. Stetenberger, corroborated the testi-
mony of the mother and son, and said that
when The prisoner ran up to Brandt the
prisoner had knife in his hand and made
q jab at Brandt, who fell on the boardwalk.
Killed by His Own Weapon.
Thomas Ewing, Jr, opened for the de-
Tense. He said they expected to prove that
Brandt started the quarrel with the
Straussers, and that he was killed by falling
on his own knife, George Strausser simply
coming to the rescue of his mother and sis
ter, which any son and brother should do
Rosa Strausser was the first witness for
the defense. She said that she and her
mother were returning from the squire's
past Stetenberger's. Mrs. Stetenberger ran
out the gate and commenced laughing at
her because they had won the suit
against George. She continued Il
said: You did not win nor we
did not win,' and turned to GO Just |
then Joe Brandt threw glass or bottle at |
me, and, getting knife out of the house,
started after mother and me, saying he |
would kill US both 1 saw the knife in his |
hand plainly. He caught up with US pear |
the bridge and struck me and mother
botu IN the head, knocking us down.
Mother S hand was cut in the struggle and |
she called for brother George to come and |
help u He came and Brandt struck him
and then tripped over pair of steps and
tell off the boardwalk. 1 ran into Mrs.
Wenner's, across the street, and when I |
came out they were all gone. I went home |
then and did not see Brandt any more"
Thomas Schapan, 15 years of age, cor
the testimony of Anna Strausser
and SO did her mother
Court then adjourned until this morning,
when the testimony will be resumed.