Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-29
THE STEVENS CASE.
The Testimony Is All In for the Prosecu-
ton.

In the Stevens case yesterday af-
ternoon. Martin Berkens, the prose-
cutrix's husband, was on the stand
all the afternoon, and was examined
Mt great length through the interpre-
ter as to the alleged admissions made
by Stevens and his offers OF settle
ment. and also complaints made by
his wife to witness rs of Stevens
conduct. He said he had been in this
country two years. He went
to work for Stevens on the 2lst
Of August upon well ut Mrs.
Braum's. and upon the 22d. in the
morning, Stevens came to him with
his face scratched and said that he
had had trouble with his wife. and
said, keep still; keep still;
say nothing and l make it even with
you'll settle with you" That his
wife followed Stevens to where he
(Berkens) was working and made
com plant Of what Stevens had done,
and the witness at once quit work
and went home with his wife. Mrs.
Bcrkens then went to Squire Kerns
and made complaint. Leo Verdict
came in the evening to settle the
matter up. and later Stevens and
Ncrdiect came and offered witness
$40 to settle, which he declined. The
next day Verdict and Attorney W God
came and tried to settle and desired
the witness to leave the state and not
attend the trial. Upon cross exami-
nation witness denied that he had
offered to settle the matter at any
price or for any sum.
! This Mornings Session.
This mornings session was occu-
pied by number of witnesses as to
prosecution.
The next witness called was Squire
l.. F. Kerns, who said that Mrs.
Bcrkens made complaint to him on
the 22d Of August; that Stevens saw
him the same day and said he had
consulted MIR. Wood concerning the
matter. Upon cross-examination he
stated that in explaining the matter
to him Mrs. Berkens said that after
scratching Stevens face she wen,
into an adjoining room to get a re.
volver, but found it was unloaded
and that then she jumped out of the
window to escape Stevens.
Leo Verdict then testified tina,
Mr.. Stevens employed him to 90 to
the Berkens' and try and settle the
matter, and also that he made sim
liar visit to the Berkens' home ut tn,
request of Mr.. Wood.
Mrs. Winnie Dunlery and her boy
Thomas said that on Monday. the
21st, they saw Mr.. Stevens go to the
Berkens' home and come away again
not being able to get in.
Theresa Fling swore that on Mon.
day. in the afternoon, Mrs. Berken.
came to her house ut about 2 O'Clock
looking so scared she could hardly
talk, and stayed until o'clock.
Louisa Braun stated that Mrs
Berkens was ut her mothers home or
! Sunday and was sitting with witnes.
on q porch. when Stevens came ant
sat down by Mrs. Berkens us clos,
rs he could and after few minutes
Mrs. Berkens slapped him, sh'
thought. and got up and went home
Philomena Braun swore that MIR
Stevens and Mrs. Berkens were boil
ut her house on Sunday. the goth.
Charles Coryn said that Stevens, OF
the morning Of the 22d, asked him i
he knew the Berkens'. Witness sale
mo" Later in the same day h
asked him IL he knew any body tina
did know them. that he had ha,
trouble with Mrs. Berkens and sh
had sworn out q warrant agains
him. Witness referred him to Let
Verdict.
The prosecutrix was then Gale,
and asked IL she did not tell DIR. Ar
that on the day ia question sh
drove Stevens out of the house will
a revolver. and upon her stating tina
she did not so state, the people rest
ed its case.
The Defense.
The defense began testimony thi
afternoon.