The herald., 1894-11-18
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.


Craig trial approaches the interest in
creases. 1t has remained for crowd Of
curiosity seekers to illustrate practically
how closely humanity can pack together
without having the ribs crushed.
Throughout the morning session yeBter-
day Judge Smiths court room appeared
to be as densely thronged as possible.
But in the bright lexicon Of youth there
lie no such word 90 fail, and in the alter
noon the younger ones showed and
elbowed their elders until the order had
to be given to place guard on the doors
and keep them closed.
The news had spread abroad that the
defendant would take the witness stand
in his own behalf, and men and women,
old and young. poured into the arena
where with windy verbiags Q human
life was being battled for.
And 90 q oonnteYfol the great sensa-
tion OF the day was the pitiful spectacle
of . little boy-a more infant, albeit
sturdy one, standing close up in front OF
the twelve jurymen trying with childish
tongue to tell his story. To plead the
cause OF his father? No, rather that by
his innocent prattle he might help place
the halter around his fathers neck. The
idea is revolving, and fieud in human
guise % Craig may be, the moment when
he bowed his head and wept at the sight
OF his child testifying was the one in
which he has appeared as true man.
But how delightfully."- thrilling; what
refinement OF torture to be imagined
by the onlookers! ltwhetted their ap-
petite for what was to come.
The defendant on the witness stand
was cool, self-possessed and told story
that. admitting the main premise,
would appear very plausible and give
him fighting chance for his life. Will
the jury concede this one point? Who
can tell?
Under cross examination the witness
did not lose his presence OF mind, al
though he appeared sometimes to be
nonplused as to what answer should
be made. Attorney Gage, euave and
genial ordinarily, is showing little In
tention of leaning to the side OF mercy
in his probing after the truth. He is
taking the full advantage the law gives
him. and by every little quip and quib.
BILE OF law. he is putting the extrsordi.
nary statement of Craig to the test OF
legal shot and shell.
Human nature is complex in charac.
TOT. ~ 10 Qulto pobciOio buhb III loolluk
did exist between George Hunter and
the defendant, and this may, indirectly,
have been the active cause in bringing
death to three people and i'm paired fac.
ulties to one. But the feelings. not to
speak Of the motives, that can animate
q man to take life with as little COM
junction as he would crush q fly are
not to be readily understood. When
the cross examination of Craig is re-.
sumed tomorrow, and better still, when
counsel on either side address the jury,
an analysis OF the facts in this case may
bring some understanding to the lay
mind. At present there is little in the
defendant's statement to lift the shroud
of mystery that envelops the memory
OF the three murdered members of the
Hunter family.
THE TESTIMONY.
Several witnesses were introduced to
speak as to the general reputation OF the
defendant after which William Stewart,
q colored porter at w. s. Aliens furni.
ture store, testified to having known the
defendant about five years.
II know the grocery store on Alpine
and Buena Vista street." said witness,
II was employed there. saw George
Hunter and MIR. Craig there on the 9Th
of July. heard them converse togeth.
or. Hunter was in the store when
Craig entered and went into the yard.
1 told Hunter his friend had gone out
in the yard and he went out to find him.
l don't think he saw him for he return
ed but shortly after Craig left the store.
Hunter accused Craig OF saying that he
had been seen with lady of ill fame
riding about town. and friend of his.
Hunter called him vile name."
'What was it ?" nonchalently said the
district attorney.
The modesty OF the defense was out.
ragged.
ut is too vile to utter before ladies'"
said Mr.. Guthrie.
"We don't want you to make any such
statements," retorted the district at
torney.
Resuming, witness said that the only
reply Craig made to George Hunters
outburst was to say: II didn't think
that OF you. 6eorge!' and at once b Q
went out. and George followed him. He
used the vile names several times.
while wishing to get George exple-
tives on the record the defense were shy
about asking for the obnoxious terms.
The district attorney. admiring probably
the neral rectitude of Mr.. Guthrie, gave
encouragement.
ASK what you want" he said.
Making desperate plunge into the
sea OF iniquity, Mr. Guthrie asked witt
ness: Did he call him a S. p"
"Yes, sir"
The chubby stained glaes angels
Dlushed roster color, and the modesty
OF the defense was justified.
well, that's enough, the other ex-
precision Is too vile to be repeated"
Some delay took place At this point
through the witnesses for the defense
not being present. After come little
trouble, W. +. Gard, chief deputv
United States marshal, was found, and
'ook the stand.