The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-08


Cross This was about a
week before he was killed there are six
DAYS in a week / told Miller in Jail.
John H. Miller, Esq, testified; Have
had frequent conversations with Hoch-
stetler since February; he told me one
time that if he and @SeigIe" met one or
the other would have to bite the dust
he professed to be stout man do not
think he was as strong as be thought he
was; his reputation for peace was not
good.
Cross The conversation to
which refer to took place in my shop
can tell you Of other threats he made
if you. want me TO he was abusive and
thought every one should think as he
did about people with whom be quarrel
ed he was very violent in his talk and
tried to get people into trouble.
John d. Miller testified Live in jeff
erson township; Hochstetler was pret-
ty rough man f; know him well he told
me that VIM. Miller was a rotten s. ofa
b. and that he ought to be cleaned out;
be told me that he had shot after John
Reese six times; he showed me knife
Is inches long, inches wide and sharp
at both ends
Cross-examined He carried the knife
in belt he wore around his waist he
showed it TO me at my house and had
bottle of moonshine with him that was
pretty good.
Mrs. Lydia Miller, wife Of the former
witness, testified: Have known Hoch-
stetler about 80 years; his reputation
for peace was not good saw him pull
out his big knife at our house but l did
not hear him make any threats.
Alexander C. Moore, affirmed Live
in Middlecreek township, about miles
from Hochstetler, and have known him
for So years taught school on his farm /;
his reputation was not very good.
Cross Have bought moon
shine whisky from Hochstetler /; he nev-
er refused TO sell it to me he was more
of wild man than anything else he
thrashed his father about 35 years ago !;
1 bought moonshine from Seigle ;" +; l
wouldn't like to see the business broken
up saw Hochstetler at raising tear
open his shirt front and throw logs
around and then bump the ground
with his head.
James Gallintine, affirmed Live near
Trent Hochstetler's reputation was not
very good.
Joseph Pritts, affirmed: l heard Hoch-
stetler say that the defendant had SIAN
dered him and that he took his reyolyers
and went to his house and would have
shot him full of holes if it had not been
that there was another man with him I;
this was about year ago.
ross-examined: Live in Fayette coun-
ty, about 500 yards from the Somerset
line, four miles from Hoehstetler's am
cousin and brother-in-law of VIM.
Pritts; was not partner in the moon
shine business of Miller's, but used to
sell il for "Bill."
THURSDAY MORNING SESSION.
Simon Fletcher, affirmed Live in
Middleereek township heard Horhstet-
Ter say he would follow Miller to hell
but what he would have revenge.
Cross-examined: This occurred the
morning before be was killed we were
talking about the moonshiners having
been reported was never in the moon
shine business myself
Isaiah Gross, affirmed: Live in Jefier-
son township: Hschstetler's reputation
for peace was bad.
Cross-examination At one time liv-
ed about one mile from Hochstetler's he
was very abusive with his tongue and on
one occasion, eight years ago, l saw him
knock two men down and shoot at an
other he might have been full of moon
shine at the time.
P. X. Moore, recalled: Hochstetler's
reputation for peace was not very good
he was very noisy and fussy, and abusive
his immediate neighbors were afraid OF
gaining his i'll will, for fear he would do
injury to their buildings or stock.
Silas Pullman, recalled: Hoehstetler's
reputation for peace was not good the
last time l met the deceased was shortly
before the murder, at Saylors sale; he
said:
"I'll show the people who General
Seigle" is; Pm a white-headed hornet
and sting G. d Deep"
John Reese testified: Hochstetler's
reputation for peace was not good.
Cross-examined Am a son-in-lsw Of
the defendants.
Odd you ever make any moon
shine?
A.-That's none of your business.
Henry Fletcher testified: Hochstetler
asked me one day whether l had seen
Bill Miller, that he was id govern
ment robber and ought to be killed and
that if he ever. tackled him he'd do him
up.
Cross examined: Live in Westmore-
land county was never in the moon
shine business; these threats were made
last summer.
Moses Peck: Live about mile and q
half from Hoehstetler's; his reputation
for peace was not good.
George Chopson recalled Levi Miller
and / came 10 Jail with the defendant he
surrendered to Wm. Gilbert in Somerset
borough his reputation was not good.
John r. Scott testified: On the 30th OF
March last was with five or six other
persons travelling in three vehicles in the
mountain above Trent; We crossed up
and down the county line road three or
four times; this Was the day Of the hom-
icide; did not see any of these parties
that day and did not meet or hear ofany
detectives while We were there.
Defense rests.
COMMONWEALTH IN REBUTTAL.
Rolla Hochstetler testified: Am a son
of Jonathan Hochstetler; he got big
knife about 10 years ago and took it with
him when he went hunting but never
made practice of carrying it; fathers
health had not been good for or years
and during the last year he has not been
able 10 do a fIlll daY 8 work.