The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-01-11
YHE BRIGGS TRIAL .
Witnesses Forget Their Cor
oner's Inquest Testimony.
SOME PARTS RfPUDIATED
Special TO HERALD.

Special to HERALD.
PoTTsvmLE, Jan. 11--Wheu the court
last evening it was understood that |
Thursdays session would wind up the
Commonwealth's case and the defence would |
begin to tell its story of the unfortunate |
affair at Gilberton on the night of August |
Dist, last, either towards evening, or Friday |
morning. Before the close of that side, |
however, three or four witnesses will be
recalled by the the Commonwealth.
One of the most attentive spectators at
Wednesdays sessions of the trial was pretty
young woman of Mahanoy City. She has an
attractive face, fine figure and dresses
neatly in black After the afternoon ad-
ioumment the young woman critically
examined the photographs Of the riot scenes
which are in use at the trial, The young
woman was the betrothed of James Par6t.
for whose death John Briggs is on trial. The
couple had been lovers for seven years.
CROSS EXAMINATION.
My house is just about 2lO feet from
Trevethan's house. I know the distance be
cause l thought I would be asked that ques.
tion and I figured it. I thought l would be
asked that question because l read the tesh
mony in the newspapers. l did not shoot
anybody that night and didn't have any fire
arms. l didn't see any one with firearms
that night, except those in the dinkey and
didn't see any shooting, except by those on
the dinkey. l was playing cards on the hill
with other fellows when the Chief BuIge s
came up and told us that they were going to
tear up the track and he asked US to 60 down
l went down and the others went down. too.
l helped to tear up the track and was EN-
ployed to do it on the Saturday night previ
Gus by the Chief Burgess and Michael Leahy.
l believe Michael Murphy helped to move
some Of the stuff away off the street towards
the pavement. l got $3.50 a shift for the
work. After we tore up the rails they wanted
us to tear up the sills and we wouldn't do it
unless we get another shift and we got it.
got full that night after the shooting was
over. l didn't see any firearms, only those
from the dinkey and didn't see anybody un.
der the influence of drink There was not a
good deal of drinking while the track was be-
ing torn up, or after. Not as much as usual,
because the people were all around the track
l was also special officer that night, en-
ployed by the Chief Burgess. l got 81 for
| that and So for helping to tear up the
| track. did nothing as special police Off
| Ger. l only took the 81. I was not armed
that night, not even with a club. didn't
| throw any stones that night or see anybody
throw any, or see any thrown. l heard
stones were thrown. l saw Briggs fall back
on the platform that night but can't tell the
reason why. l didn't see him put his hand
to his head or see that he was shot After
the shot was fired by Briggs it was or A
seconds when he fell back. didn't know
how long Briggs and Mahony struggled for
the gun. saw Briggs fall back 3 or sec
onds after Mahony grabbed the gun. mis-
understood your previous question. It might
have been or seconds between the first
and second shots. Mahony grabbed Briggs
gun Just after Briggs fired the shot.
Weavill fred three shots from the same
gun. l didn't see Hullihan try to get
on the dinkey to grab Briggs, or see him
| knocked with stone, or after. / saw him
about 20 minutes after under John Stones
awning. l saw no blood or marks on him.
| Briggs pointed his gun in the middle of the
crowd and fired in easterly direction
| Parft stood ON the south rail and about 8
feet from the dinkey. didn't see Weayil
until after Amour had left. don't know
what direction he came from only out of the
car, When Weavill fired he stood on the
| platform of the ear. If l swore before the
coroner that Weayill stood in the center of
the door way of the car it is the truth and
swore to it. When Mahony grabbed the gun
he got hold of the leather strap with his
right hand. ] saw him.
@ You are positive Of that?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Quite pOsitive2
A. Mahony grabbed the gun first with his
left hand and then grabbed the strap with
his right hand and that is the reason why
can identify the strap of Briggs gun
Although saw Weavil shoot three shots
north then south, and then north cant
identify his gun, or say it had a strap ON it.
but could tell that of Briggs
JAMES MAURER.
live at Mahanoy Plane and was in the
East ward ON the night OF August 2lst, last
l saw the dinkey pass through Mahanoy
Plane that night at about II o'clock.
noticed people on the dinkey but did no
recognize any of them ON it, l noticed
guns on it, The dinkey was going toward
Glberton, l didn't go on it, but took th'