The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-05-16
And Makes a Strong Case Against
Fields, on Trial at LIy-
lngston.
Mortimer Tolls In straightforward
Manner tho Details OF tho
Orlms.
Defendant WIN Swear That Mortimer
Confessed Tha, Hs HAD Done
tho Decd OF Death.

Special 10 Tho fndeponiont.
LIVINGSTON. May l5,-The evidence In the
fislds murder case 40 presented BY the
state becomes more demaRlng 10 tho de-
fendant each day a. tho case proceeds.
Ths past two days have been taken op by
the state Ia Offering tho testimony which
WAS 10 oorrobors,e their principal witness.
VIM. Mortimer. Mortimer. who 10 charged
with being an aeoompliee OF Fields in tho
murder Of Fleming. and who made con-
fesaIon to Under Sheriff Hogan and County
Attorney Miller soon after hlA arrest, wha
placed on the stAnd this morning. lie re-
lated all the particulars Of the awful crime
In a manner which gAvo his statements
great weight. lie told how he and Fields
had planned TO knock Fleming down with
n club and rob him ton days previous 10 the
killing. whIls DO was yet living on the
island, bot they had been frightened
away by Fleming. who appeared sooner
than expected. and before their plans
we're perfected; that Fleming soon after
ward removed TO Gays shack, on the west
side OF town. and that he aud Fields again
laid plans 10 rob and mnrdor him; that on
tho day previous to the evening OF the muir
der he and Fields we're mp the Ysllowatons
at Youugs cabin. where plans for ths crime
we're made; that they procured the revolver
and cartridges with which the shooting was
done al this cabin; that toward evening
they both came 10 town and lounsed about
the saloons until sbou. nins O'Clock when
they went separately. taking different
routes, TO FleminR's shack that when be
arrived at the shack Fields was alteady in
side. lie knocked al the door and Fields
lot him in.
He told Fi,lds that he had talked with
Fleming down town, and that the latter
would soon come home. They then made
preparation to do Fleming. lie took bis
position behind to door. armed with dou-
ble-bittsd aI. and Fields stood up in ths
bed with the rsvolvs'; that they waited
about ten minutes when Fleming came
and opened the door. Assoon as he entered
the shack he (Mortimer) HIT him With the
az, when Fleming turned 70 run. Fields
then began 70 shoos and empsied the FIVE
charges that were in tho revolver; that thsy'
lumeulhtoiy Ncnb W tho bhth hosh US
where one OF their horses was left. and
both qos on and rode rapidly 10 Stumbo's
house, whore Fields got of and went into
the house, and he went on MP the valley to'
Young's ranch. where he WAS 10 wait until
Fields should go the scene Of the shooting
aud learn ~ Fleming bad recognized either
Of them, when Fields was 60 Join him; that
In about an hour after he arrived Al the
ranch Fields same mp and said there was no
danger; that Fleming had said the man
whot shot him was short. OF heavy build.
and wore q cap; that al Fields request
they Joined the posse then in pursuit Of the
guilty parties; that they went to YounR's
cabin, secui cd two Winchesters. and started
on horseback to ioiu the posse; iba, ihsS
sug aged in the search until near morning.
when they returned to Mrs. Mor,lmer's
houss and went 70 bed. "
Mortimer was subjected TO a severe oross-
examination. but his testimony was moi
shaken in any of the imi ortant particq-
inrs. The state rested this afternoon. u
Ia the general opinion that q strong case
has been made.
ATTORNEY Fox opened the case for The de-
fsnss and stated that the defendsn, viii
prove an slibi. Fields will testify thai
Mortimer. on the night after the murder
confessed 10 him that be had committed
tho crime. W