The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-22
WHY MEDL|N WAS SHOT.
Taber'S Wife on the Stand
Tells the Story of the !.
Killing.
All the Testimony In and the Case
VIII Probably Go to the Jury
To-Day.

SAN BERNARDINO. CAL, June 21.-
The trial OF VIII l.. Taber, for killing
James T. Medlin, was resumed this morn
ing by the calling of H. C. Rolf Jr., who
went, the morning after the killing, to the
spot and measured the distance to Med
Inns cottage, which was 245 steps.
Tom Holt was recalled to testify that he
told Doyle to take the shells out of the
guns when Taber and Medlin were there.
as Taber was bad man with a gun.
Doyle took the shells out of the Winches-
ter and hid the shotgun under the bed.
Harry Reeves testified that Taber COM
planned of his wife and Medlin being too
much together and to the fact that Taber
while in Jail said to him: 'Medlin bled to
death; had to kill him."
Mrs. Hopper testified she was often at
Mediums home, and saw drawings on the
wall done by Mrs. Taber. Medlin told
witness he loved Mrs. Taber. He knew it
was wrong, but he couldn't help it, Wit
ness told her husband there would be
trouble there some day.
Nat Armon testified to talking with
Medlin, when the latter admitted his love
for Taber's wife.
Harry Hopper, boy of Is, was with
MeGlin the night he died Medlin said to
him: Don't let them arrest Will for
deserve all this GOT
Mrs Taber, the wife OF accused, was the
next witness. The crowded courtroom
leaned forward to listen as she told her
story in very voluble manner, not allow
ing the question TO be more than half
asked when she would answer, and talked
| in spite of Interruptions. She said she had
been married for years. They lived on a
homestead upon Cajon Pass three years.
Medlin frequently visited the house Once
when sick three or four days she and her
husband cared for him. Finally Mediums
conduct TO her was such that she
was afraid of him, and when he came
would not stay in the house, but go to a
neighbours. The day of the killing-March
10-she and her husband went to Mediums
| and she cooked dinner for them at Joseph
Cormonts. The latter brought gallon of
wine with him, and the four drank the gal
Ion before and after dinner.
Medlin was trying to quarrel with Will
all day about different affairs. She was
sick from the wine, and with Will sat
down to rest, when Medlin called back to
VIII and he went to Medlin, she following.
Medlin struck twice. She got between
them and told her husband not to hit Med
lin. Will went on ahead and called to her
to follow, but Medlin took her by the arm
and said she should not go. She said, 'Let
me CO."
Medlin answered, "I will not
They were near Mediums cabin, Will
ran in, got his gun and said: LET her go
and scatter OUT
She jerked away from Medlin, who
started for Will. She called out, Don't
let him get the gun, Will" and Will ran
back little way, but Medlin followed, and
Will fired and Medlin fell.
As she and Will assisted Medlin to his
feet, Will said, 'I'm sorry, Medlin, but 1
had to do it."
Medlin replied, "Say no more about it,
Will, l deserve it ALL"
The morning after the killing witness
was hailed by the officers and
told to get in their carriage or
they would arrest her. Her brother-in-
law, Harry Taber, came along with a car
riage and said he would bring her in, but
the officers said one would have to go
with them, or arrest both, and she got
in with the officers and came to
town. On the way in they tried to make
her tell about the killing; but she had not
slept or eaten since the shooting, and was
about crazy and did not know what she
said.
After three or four unimportant witness
es had testified the case was closed and
counsel ordered to have instructions ready
by 9 O'Clock tomorrow. The case will
probably go to the jury tomorrow after
noon.