St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-20
TWENTY-ONE YEARS.
This is the Period of ImprisoD-
ment Given to Frick's As
Sailant.
Berknan Started to Read a Long
Anarchistic Document Writ
ten in German.

PITTsBUBG, Sept. 19.-The trial OF
Alexander Berkman, the anarchist who
attempted to kill II. G. Frick July 25,
was called before Judge McClung in
criminal court today. Berkman, when
brought in, maintained the same indif-
ferent demeanor that has characterized
his conduct since his arrest. He had no
attorney and did not croSs-examine wit
nesses. lie had no witnesses for his
defense. The prosecution was conduct
ed by District Attorney 0urlelgh, who
in his opening speech presented The
seven indictments charging Berkman
with offenses ranging from felonlouS as
sault and battery down to carrying con-
cealed weapons.
II. c. Frick, chairman of the Carnegie
Steel company and the victim of Berk-
mans assault was the first witness. He
stated that the assault was made be-
tween and O'Clock July %. Witness
saw Berknau pacing the hall outside
his Office when he entered. Shortly
after Berkman was announced. aud
when he came he shot at witness, who
fell to the floor. He tried to rise, but
received another bullet wound. A
photograph showing the dlsarranged
furniture as 1t appeared after the shoot
ing was shown, as was also the clothing
that Mr.. Frick was wearing at that
time. Berkman was then asked if he
had any questions to ask and said mo-
that l wanted to shoot Mr.. Leischman.
too?' MIR. Frick said he did not know
about that and left the stand.
DR.. Litchfeid gave the medical tes-
timony relating to the wounds. Mr.
LeiSchman, vice chairman of the Car
negle Steel company, who was in Mr..
Frick'S private Office at the time. did not
see Berkman. or know of his presence
until he heard the revolver shots. He
grapDled with Berkman. Berkman
tried to shoot him, but the weapon
missed fire. Mr.. Frick came to Mr..
LeiScbman's assistance, and together
they grappled with Berkman. who drew
a knife and stabbed Mr.. Frick several
times. Berknan said: That state
ment is untrue" and asked Mr.. Leisch-
man: Are you positive l tried to shoot
you?''
Il am positive my statements are
true" was Mr.. Leischman's answer.
Other witnesses described details of
the assault. Here the prosecution
rested, and Berkman asked for an inter-
prefer, which was granted. He then
said: II am not guilty. ] have
Defense" and began to read ir-
relevant matter from large roll
OF paper, which the court checked, but
finally permitted him to proceed. The
statement was an anarchistie and in
fammatOry address. written LII German.
Berkman continued his argument from
11:45 until 1:05 o'clock, when the court
shut him off. The district attorney did
not make an address, saying that argu-
ment was unnecessary. Judge NC
CIung made a brief charge, and the
jury returned verdict of guilty Oh all
seven indictments without leaving the
box.
Judge McClung pronounced the SEN
tence at once, aggregating tWenty-one
years to the penltentiary, and one year
10 the workhOuSe. Just before sentence
was passed, Berkman said he had not
been given justice, nor had he expected
way to the penitentiary, and at O'Clock
he had donned the convict's garb. and
had begun his loEg term of imprison-
ment.
On his arrival Ga the penitentiary
Bergman was carefully searched. 1t is
believed that If opportunity offers he
will carry out his threat of suicide, and
for that reason he will be closely
watched and kept i'll close confinement
for six months. Bergman's statement
which he was not allowed to finish in
court today covered eighty fuolseap
pages and closely written. 1t also con-
tanned some newspaper clippings and
poetic selections, and would make
about fourteen columns in a neWspaper.