St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-15

Defense Pleads justification for
the Kilsing-Laura Smith Says
Rollins Began the Fight -
johnson Says Rollins Was
Dangerous Negro and He Shot
Only to Brighten Him.
The Rollins murder trial is drawing
to close. No delays were permitted
yesterday, and when court adjourned
for the day the testimony for both sides
was concluded. Arguments will be
heard this morning and the case given
to the jury by noon.
The cross examination of Mrs. Rol-
Inns was concluded yesterday morning.
but developed nothing new. Mr.. Nc
Ghee was little more cautious in the
handling of the witness than yesterday,
evidently being not quite pleased with
the sharp repartee developed during
the proceedings of the previous day.
DR.. Finnell was called, and he testi-
fed to the taking out of the bullet, and
gave description of the wound.
Capt. SchweitZer and Officer Peter
Carroll related their visits to the house
after the shooting. Capt. SchweItZer
said that he had made careful search
of the pre- misses. He found a stove
shaker under the coal stove in the liv-
ing room, but did not see screw driver
or revolver. He had reasons to look
for any weapons that might be found in
the house, having listened to some re-
marks of the inmates. He identified
the bullet taken from the body of Roll
Inns at the autopsy.
Simon Lefsitz identified the revolver
as one sold by him to johnson on
Dec. IL.
An important witness was introduced
in the person of Martin Hall, who runs
saloon at 1907 Fifth street south, Min
neapolis. He had talked with Johnson
in his place of business OIL Dec. 16, the
day after the shooting. johnson had
said that he was in need and wanted to
sell him revolver. He was ANXIOUS to
get to Chicago, and said he would have
money when he got there. Witness did
not wish the weapon, but finally gave
Johnson dollar for it, and told him he
could redeem it when he got the money.
He had also given him his supper and a
bottle of whisky to take along on The
train, as defendant said he was going to
steal a ride out of town and the weather
was cold. Mr.. Hall identified the re.
volver as the one offered him by John
son, and said it was empty when he re-
ceived il.
Detective McQuiggan related the story
of the arrest that took place at a colored
boarding house in Minneapolis. He was
also in the house on Ninth street after
the shooting, and discovered a bullet
hole in the rear door about three feet
from the floor.
Coroner Whitcomb'S testimony was
substantially the same as that offered
by the other officers, and tue state
rested its case.
Mr.. McGhee opened the case for the
defense. asking the jury to give the de-
Tense their kindest and most careful
consideration. What had been said
about the witnesses for the state applied
with equal force to those for the defense.
The defense would show that Rollins
was bad black man, who cared little
for the rights of other people and who
was handy fellow with a razor. Those
who knew him feared him, and he would
try to show that there was some justi-
fication for the shooting. He regretted
to have TO lay before the jury the dregs
and absolute lewduess of mankind as
found in the negro, but he had no desire
to hide anything.
The first witness after the noon recess
was Laura Smith. After reciting the
domestic relations existing between her
and the defendant, she recited the quar-
rel that led up to the shooting Oh Dec.
Is. According to her testimony the
men had several fights previously. Rol
Inns, she said, began the fight, striking
Johnson, and was aided by his wife.
She said that Rollins had something in
his hand when he advanced upon john
son. but she could not state what it was.
In the main she contradicts the story as
given 10y Mrs. Rollins. A searching
cross-eXaminatlch followed, during
which the witness repeatedly contra
dicted her testimony as given before
the coroner at the time of the inquest.
Witness testified that she had heard
Rollins say several times that he would
get gun and shoot defendant. She
said that when the final quarrel began
she ran to the front door, but found it
locked. Then she, heard two shots in
quick succession.
Henry Johnson, the defendant, took
the stand in his own behalf, and gave
substantially the same account of the
affair. He said that he had known
Rollins about four weeks before the
shooting, and knew that he was a bad
and dangerous man. who always carried
a knife. His intention was only to
scare Rollins. and he did not think at
first that he was hit.
A large number of witnesses followed
to show the relative character of both
men, and the case closed as far as the
evidence is concerned.