The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-01-15
Special to HERALD.


the Briggs trial was a very uninteresting and
tedious one The first part Of it was con.
sumed by the consideration of the testimony
of Surveyor Britton and was of a techinal
character, so that those who had gathered in
the court room for the sake of listening to
the testimony lost interest in the case,
After the examination OF Mr.. Britton was
concluded Mr. Brumm called several witnesses
to prove the good character of the defendant
The prisoner received excellent recommend.
alton from the latter witness, but his testi.
mony related only to the life of the prisoner
from boyhood up to ten or eleven years ago
aud if there is anything to be shown in re.
gard to the character of the prisoner during
recent years it must be done by other wit
nesses.
D. j. sHOLLENBERGER,
a shipper at the Thomaston colliery and
residing at Thomsstown, was the first witness
called to prove the prisoners character.
Mr. Shollenberger said he had known the
prisoner for % years.
Q. What is the reputation of Briggs for
good order and peace?
A. SO far as know it is all right.
Q. And so far as you know hi. character
is good?
A. First rate, so far az know. None bet
ter.
On cross examination the witness said that
Briggs had never exhibited quick temper in
his presence and he had seen very little OF
him for the past six years.
WILLIAM FENNELL
employed as stable boss at the Thomaston
colliery, has known John Briggs since boy
hood. Went to school together.
Q. What is his reputation for peace and
good order?
A. Good, so far as know.
The witness met Briggs several times since
the latter left Thomaston and never heard
anything contrary to hisopinion of the latter.
JOHN o'DoNNELL
| is q storekeeper at Heckschervile and has
lived there since 1868 He has known john
Briggs since 1867 or 1865
Q State what the general reputation OF
John Briggs as to peace and good ORDER
A. Good, so far as l know.
This witness knew nothing Of Briggs
movements since he left Thomaston about l.
years ago
JEREMIAH O DONNELL
has lived in Thomastou thirty years aud
never heard John Briggs reputation for peace
and good order questioned
THOMAS FARRFLL
lives at Minersvile and has known John
Briggs since 1865
Q. What is his reputation for peace and
good order?
A. Always good. have never heard it
questioned in anyway. Ineyer saw him in
anger
The counsel for the Commonwealth moved
to have the latter part of the answer stricken
out and the court so directed ON the grounds
that the testimony of the witnesses should be
restricted to the reputation of the accused for
peace and good order.
JOHN LITTLE
a resident of st. Clair, testified he had known
the prisoner for 27 years aud his ropu alton
was good.
JOHN BEEGEN
a resident of HeckschervIle testified he had
been a resident of that place for nearly 10
years. lie had known Briggs for % or "a
years
@, What is his reputation for peace and
good order?
A. Good. Inever heard itquestionod
In answer to question by Mr. Brumm,
Mr. Bergau said he was am ex,Poor Director
of Schuylkill county.
In answer to a protest by both Mr. Brumm
and the Courttoa question as TO whether Mr.
Bergen had been defeated for nomination
Mr.. Whitehouse said he had the right to
cross examine and the question as to Mr..
Bergen being an ex.Poor Director had no
more bearing than that he had been defeated
for nominations and if the fact tiht he wa3-
an ex Poor Director gave him a standing, the
fact that he was defeated for the nomination
reduced that standing.
Mr.. Bergen got in a word edgeways aud
intimated that he was not defeated for the
nomination and evidently intended to say
more, but Judge Weidmau quashed the dis
cuIsion.
NCHENEY wILHELM
sworn
Were you connected with the schuylkil
Traction Company on the 2lst OF August
last?
A. Yes, sir. was their attorney,
Q. Had you anything TO do with the or
finance passed by the borough of Gilberton,
or the negotiations leading to it, giving the