New-York tribune., 1894-01-03
WEAVING THE WEB ABOUT COCGHLIN.
THE EX.DETECTIvE SEEN IN THE CARLSON
COTTAGE THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER

THE EX.DETECTIvE SEEN IN THE CARLSON
COTTAGE THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER
Chicago Jan 2-Danel Coughlln was pointed out
In Judge Tuthilrs courtroom this morning by Will
lam Mertes, a witness, as the man ne saw on the
night OF May T. 1882 about $50 o'clock. Jump out or
a buggy in front OF the Carlson cottage run up
the steps take a bunch Of keys from his pocket,
tumble with the lock. change the key and then'
opening the door disappear in the cottage. Mertes
came from his farm at Prescott, WIS, last week
to repeat the damaging story he told at the FORMER
trial. Coughln nerved himself for what was COM
ing, and turning in his seat met the climax oy
sauarey facing the witness and looking hard at
him while being described and pointed al. Mertes
recognized a smaller man. who drove Coughlin 10
the cottage as John Kunze the little Dutchman
who was tried with the consprators four years
ago and secured his liberty because the prosecution
believed he innocent tool. Mertes was IN
the milk business at the time of the murder, put
lost his customers result OF testifying at the
other trial. Judge Tuthl opened the days proceed
ings by reading decision adverse to the defences
objection to the admission of testimony against
Others charged in the indictment relating TO acts
and conversations after May T.
Judge Wing cross-examined Mertes. keeping him
on the rack nearly all the afternoon. The lawyer
wanted to know how loud Mertes heard the men
in the Carlson cottage say "Heo!' TO Coughln
when the defendant entered. Not pelng ape "
Wing directed the witness to do the shouting him
self. Mertes promptly responded by giving three
sharp, loud "Hellos." -. .,,u"
"Then there were three men who said Helio!
to the man you say you saw go into the cottage!
Yes" a., .
Mertes was pressed hard in regard to the answers
he gave at the first trial. and did not acquit him
self credtably. -, ,.,.
William Niemann was Of the dead witnesses
whose testimony was read by the court stenographer
from his notes. He a saloonkeeper at SGnooi;;
St and Ashland-ave., in May, 1882 Between ~ ana
II O'Clock of the night Of the murder. OSuliivan
came into Niemanns saloon with two otner men
both of light complexion but one taller than tns
other The witness identified the younger ana
shorter man Of the three John kunZe. at inc
first trial. and said In regard to OSulivans other
companion when asked II Coughlin was the man:
well | don't how can swear II was him.
Coughlin Is a man who looks just like him.. This
evidence went in under objection from TIM defence
Niemann also swore that OSullivan and the man
who looked like Coughlin talked In low tones apart
from Kunze with their hands at their mouths 10
prevent any one hearing what was said. OSullivan
paid for wine and cigars. and told kunZe to take
something good" when the little Dutchman' called
for beer.
Rumors OF impending trouble with the Coughn
fury are becoming more and more prevalent IT
is now reported that juror who swore on his
examinatio that he did not know the defendant
has been shown to have been one Of Coughn' s
intimate friends The report Is not openly given
credit by the State but 1t is certain that the police
are making searching inquiry into the past life
of the suspected man.