The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-27
FARMER HARMS CASE
New Hearing on Charge of
First-Degree Murder.
FORK AND CHuRN- CRANK FIGHT
Stofy OF the Fatal Combat at Kent
Told Once Again-IIarn Held With
out Bonds for Trial.

Anthony Harm. the Kent farmer who
killed Peter Nelson Eggan during a quar-
rel October ). 1894. and who was charged
with mansiaughter. now lies in the coun-
~ Jail on the charge of murder in the
first degree. Prosecuting Attorney HASTE
filed the new complaint because In his
estimation the case needed thorough
investiga tion. and because the statute re-
curing q trial Within sixty days after
the filing of an Information In the SUI
perior court was bar 10 a prosecution
OF the first charge.
When the case was called yesterday
afternoon before Justice OF the Peace
Nc h.lwain. there were present quite "A
number of people from Kent and also
Terence OBrien. ex Sheriff William coch-
ran and ex-Sherfn ]. II. Woolery. who
all were willing to 90 on Harms bonds
for any amount within their reach
Prosecuting Attorney Haste read the
new complaint Attorney Piles said his
client refused 10 plead to the charge. Mr.
PILES then addressed the court claiming
that the court had no jurisdiction In the
matter, there was a charge stan pend
ing against Harm in the superior court.
lie then pointed out that. ever since the
preliminary examination at Kent. Harm
had remained within the jurisdiction Of
the court. was ever ready for trial all
his witnesses were ready. but the case
had never been called. By the operation
OF the law he could not be tried for man
slaughter He said that It was not right
TO drag man around the country null
tiplying charges against him, and then
went on 20 show that in the present case
there was no merit I'm the prosecution
He explained that from the prosecu-
TONS own witnesses at the preliminary
hearing At Kent before Justice or the
Peace Hardy. it was shown that Peter
Nelson Eggan was advancing on Harm
with heavy Iron churn crank in HIS
hand when Harm struck him with fork
handle. After this Harm 81 ell in his
power 20 alleviate the sunerings OF the
man and provided medical aid for him.
Mr.. HASTE said that be believed that
moro than one indictment could be lodged
against man. and that the action OF one
Justice OF the peace was not binding on
another Justice.
Justice McElwain maintained that ne
had jurisdiction and ordered the prose
cuttan to proceed with fts testimony
The first witness was ex-coroner George
". Horton. II took him just two min
utss TO tell thar Eggan died from the ef-
fects 81 a fracture OF the skull on the
left side Of the head over the ear and that
the physical condition OF the victim was
good Or. Hoye. Of this City. formerly OF
Kent who visited Eggan during his ILL.,
ness. testified 20 the same facts.
Then ths important testimony ~ the
state came OUT. Edward NoItie. n tack
of-all-trades, who lives near Kent and
who was fixing a fence on the dav that
Egvan received his death wound was
called. MIR. Moltie spoke Tn a low voica
bat gave his story in an annarentiv
stralgh forward. honest manner he sat1
that he was about 800 feet from Harm
and Eggan when the row took rIara ara
that be turned his head away so ehat ha
ga not see al thai went on Mr. MoltfA
does not Ike the idea OF hloodshea He
said that he saw Harm and Fwxan going
north along the county road near Kent
bath drunk and talking. He heard one
of them say. Yes. / will" and tha
other 'sNo. YOU wont" Harm had a FORK
lie did not remember ttst Erwan had
anything IN hts hard. He heard a hIovr
saw the fork swing and Eggan fell "a
the ground. Noltie went into the house
and told Ais wife he guessed Harm had
Killed nah. Harm hir1self came rush
ing IN greatly excited. and asked him a.
help aim. He had \ fork In one hand
ard a churn crank in the ether MostIA
said he would help Harm Il he would taroN
away the fork and handle OF the churn
Harm said. certainly. / ali not know
HAD them. he also said he was sosler
and ali nst know what made him strike
Began When thev went our 20 Erean
mound His head was bleeding and he
dia not want 10 get into ere wagon Fg-
gan was about sixty feet froeu him when
The Slew wss struck.
Cyto Neltte a son - the ~rgx-fsfsS vyfe-
ress. said thAt Ne was with hts father
fixing a fsDcs when Harm an4 Eexan
Passed ny Harm held re fork In the
middle ard Esgran ha& a cbuFu crank ta
htz hand They stopped IN gha rad. ard
after talking = few min saFez fSmrr Srr7.- r
ENEan. k0ocSinx him down. Tee VII
ness woald Dot swear whether E-swau
struck a. Harm
on crass-ex animation Attorney Piles
ASKED the witness shy be testified ar
Kesst that he saw EgRan advance cm Harm
wtrsl she chura han1ie ard str$ss q Harm
before Harm struck hsr7. Moltie sa}s az
Faoslgns a. that tine ne Al ssat was uot
sure shout & nnH-
4 J STEELE, \ farmer ~ho lives ore
~ft- ~e~sh cf Eenf- focs care - EEEaa