The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-20
testimony or TWO srnLs.


y
Fish Man.
The case OF Peter G. Bergman, charged
With attempting fiendish crime upon a
little girl. went TO the jury at { o'clock
Yesterday afternoon, and an hour later the
Jury placed a sealed verdict In the hands
ofshe baiiifi. This morning 1t will be
Known as soon as court Is opened by Judge
Humes whether Bergman has been con-
vcsed, or whether the testimony of i2-year-
old Carrie Mabel Shank, the alleged vic
Tim. and her friend Of about the same age.
Rsna felitz. has been disbsiisvsd by the
. Jury. Both little girls unhesitatingiy
Dwors TO facts sufficient to convict the
man, but he denied their story and proved
sgood reputation by several witnesses.
The case had no novel features, for SIM
Mar ones have been tried in King county
several times before. The alleged crime
vas committed on November %. 1898. In
Bergman's cabin in the shantytown ut the
foot of Pike street on the water 'front.'
Bergman kept fish stall near Fourth and
Pike street. aud the little Shank girl lived
near by with her father. w. ii. Shank,
Who Is horseshosr. When jury had
been obtained yesterday morning the liz
he girl took the stand and told her story,
which was in substance as follows: She
had known the fish market man, Berg
man. some time. and was In the habit OF
going to his stall to buy fish. He had
always treated her respectfully. On the
day OF the alleged crime she and her play.
mate. Rena Feiitx. who 10 II years old,
we're invited by girl named Ida Emerson.
vho had formerly lived ut the Shank
house, TO 60 down to shantytown to visit
Mrs. Johnston. Neither of the little
iris knew who Mrs. Johnston was, but
agreed 10 go. Instead Of taking them to
Mrs. Johnsion's. however, the Emerson
Cir! took them to Bergman's cabin. She
appeared To be on friendly terms with
bin, for they went into the back room of
the shack. which was the mans bedroom,
snd held short conversation behind the
closed door. Then the Emerson girl
opened the door and called the younger
firis TO come in. saying that she had some
ming to show them. As soon as they
we're inside the room the Emerson girl
vent quickly into the front room, closing
Ae door. and leaving them alone with
Bergman.
The door had hardly closed when Berg
man seized her, the witness. around the
We Feliiz girl ran out and also closed the
eeoF. Bergman then took very indecent
aesrlies with her She screamed and
struggled. and upon hearing the cries the
fe'i,r giri ran back into the room. There
apon Bergman released her, the witness.
and seized the FeliiK girl and attempted TO
ase similar Liberties. She resisted and
sereamed and finally broke loose; then
- .
'ont room. bergman followed them. aud
saen they had recovered from sheir fright
snsile, gave the witness IS cents. and the
EMERSON girl. who had been in the front
nom al the time, 81 cents. but gave the
ssis glFi nothing OF ell that time.
Iae two younger girls then wen. home.
ahc the witness mother being i'll. the
Witness told her nothing Of the occurrence
hf some time. When she did her father
aeaee hal Bergman arrested.
Tie little FslitE girl thea Was sworn,
VIC told story eorroborative In all ma
IRA points. Mr.. and Mrs shank testi-
SEQ that Carrie was Just one week less
'0An Il wears old At the time Of the alleged
snaait, and the states case was closed.
ias only thing new brought cut in the
ssamonv Of the last three witnesses was
saa' The fe,itE giri said that subsequent TO
sAs crime she went 10 Bergman's house
saa he gave her small sum Of money.
sss state then closed.
Bergman. in bis owa behalf. testified
val The girls were not in bis house af ali
the day mentioned, and that the
saaaSs girl was there last Jane. the only
1as ne ten emherea her visiting him. On
as-e1anination che prosecution tried to
prove 'hat be bad been criminaliy init
se wlEA the Emerson girl. but Judge
.a@'aes would not ALLOW Bergman 10 an.
The questions. Several witnesses
eo Resulted 10 Bergman's good repats-
n' snf the only thing unfavorahle
s1'sn OF; Of them on concentration
s thSs Bergman was known indiffer-
10y hy several aliases The ease MAS
$50 gwen 10 the jury, which brought in
aied verdict an hour afterwsrd.
tae alleged victim OF the assault is
A'eyed, dark~haired girl. who looks
sea elder than aes age, II it wa giyea