The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-01-05
THAT TERRIBLENI
Witnesses Describe Scenes at
the Gilberton Riot.
FIRING TIE FIRST SHOT'.
Couuoilmen Stone and Foley say Positively
That John Briggs Fired Gt-stone and
Reynolds Disagree About the Pointing
of the Guns.
Special to HERALD

Special to HERALD
PorTsvGLLE, Jan. 5.-The first affecting
scene in connection with the trial of the
Gilberton riot case before Judge Weidman at
Pottsville transpired yesterday afternoon,
just after the court reconvened after the
dinner hour.
Mrs. Briggs, mother Of John Briggs, the
man charged with the murder of james
Parfit, made her first appearance in court.
Briggs father has been regular attendant
since the case started. He always seats him
sells behind Mr.. Brumm, one of Briggs
COUNSEL he never looks to the right or left,
but keeps his eyes rivited upon the Judges
bench and has not spoken to any one during
any of the sessions. He is a tall, white
haired man. of kindly face with doridlcom-
plexion, and his frame indicates that in his
younger days he was healthy and sturdy
The resemblance in the countenances of the
father and son is striking. The former
dresses plainly, but comfortably.
| Mrs, Briggs is a short, slender woman, with
face which reflects respectability, patience
and love. She stoops considerably from the
effects of the years which have turned her
hair as white as that of her life partner. She
wears black shawl, little black bonnet
and plain dress. Upon entering the court
! from one of the side rooms Mrs Briggs
passed along the railing which divides the
spectators from the space reserved for
the lawyers. During the passage she kept
her eyes upon Briggs, who had taken his
seat beside his counsel ready for the trial to
proceed. Passing through the gate Of the
railing Mrs, Briggs approached her son. For
a moment she stood behind him, then she
threw one arm across his back and left
shoulder, and at the same time leaned over
so that she was able to plant kiss square
upon the prisoners lips. Briggs was taken
by surprise. Like flash he arose from his
chair and turned When he saw his mother
his face sparkled with light which only joy
under such circumstances can bring, and the
next moment mother and son embraced and
kissed each other. In an undertone the old
lady said something about a parcel, with
newspaper covering, which she carried upon
her arm. The couple then separated. The
son resumed his seat and the old.time calm
expression which has covered his countenanc,
while in court since the beginning of th,
trial reappeared. The mother retired to
seat near the railing and almost directly
behind the son. She drew out a haudker
chief and hurriedly applied it to each eye
Then she settled herself down to listen T.
the trial During the scene Mr. Briggs, Sr
was almost wholly impassive. When tn
mother first kissed her son he turned his fac
slightly toward Them hut the next momeu
his eyes were again rivited upon the Judge
bench.
Upon his continued re.cross examination
Stone testified that he could not identify tn
gun Briggs used when he fired 1 have see
the gun since in Foley's hotel and m
knowledge of it is based upon what l hav
seen since the riot.
Two Springfield guns were produced, bu
the witness could not identify them. TIL
other guns were produced with like result
There was no shot fired prior to the on
fred by Briggs Other shots fred in rapi
succession, but Parft dropped before tn
- second shot was fired.
Stone said his memory was so bad j
wouldn't be positive as to what he swore
before the coroner's jury as to the distan,
Parft was from the dinkey when Brig
fired the shot
JOHN F. REYNOLDS,
of Mahanoy Plane, was the third witne
called for the Commonwealth. lie testifC
\ that he is the president Of the GilbertC
Borough Council and held the office at Il
time of the riot. On the night of August
1893 he was in East Giberton. He we
there at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon an
remained there until the whole of tn
evening. He left there after midnight.
was there when the dinkey arrived. TIL
was about 1890 o'clock. The car stoppt
where the track was torn up. Reynolds stot
in front of the ear when it stopped. Some o
said, The dinkey is coming and they a
coming with arms" When the car stoppC
said Reynolds, ] noticed two men standi
- out in front of the car, they were Richa
Amour, and don't know who the other WI
They carried guns. When the car stopp
Mr.. Amour spoke and called, as near as I C
recolleot, MT Reynolds and Mr.. Stone a
the Chief Burgess TO help him get the cro'
away aud protect them in relayiug the traC
l told Mr.. Amour that L for one, would
fuse to act or help HIM that before d
track could be relaid the street would ha
to be put in proper condition Amour tn
. said, 81 command all trespasscrs, or all peo
1 standing ia front where this track is torn
to leave" and at the time the gun was rails