The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-08

gun. Mcleod said that he was present
Z but did not hear IL. Upon cross-exam-
/ ination he said that he was in another
| part of the room and was very hard Of
/ hearing. being deaf in one ear.
Hans Garsey testified that he was in
RusseFs saloon Immediately before the
shooting and that Joseph Martini. one
of the states eye witnesses OF the af-
fair. came in and begged a quarter and
was standing by the stove when the
witness went out.
Frank f. Simonds said he was deal
ing faro at Russers saloon at the time
of the shooting. That Martini came in
! and was standing by the stove when a
man opened the door and said some one
had been shot at Johnson's. Both wit
nesses were positive in their recogni-
ton of Martini.
Robert Johnson said that Zig ap-
preached Leyden in a very angry man.
ner and was striking him between the
first and second shots.
At this point the defense put the de-
PENDANT on the stand. AS his name
was called a hush fell over the court
room. not a sound broke the intense
silence. Every head was bent for
ward and every eye attracted to catch
sight of the man charged with the
murder of Victor Zig. AS Leyden took
his seat on the stand II could be seen
that he was under intense nervous ex-
element, but IL was equally as evident
that he was keeping IL under control
by a powerful will His usually pale
face was sometimes fiueshed and his
hands at first moved restlessly about;
now and then he would thrust one
hand inside his open vest only to with
draw IL as quickly. At first his voice
was so low as to be almost inaudible,
but by degrees he gained control of II
and his replies were given slowly and
n lett, MT Hr.
did not get confused or did he tried TO
| explain away or excuse anything, but
his replies We're given with almost cir
cumstantial directness.
Steve Leyden said that he was born
| In Ireland and was at present 81 years
old. He came to America when he was
years old. His parents are alive and
live in Milwaukee, where are also a
brother and sister. Another brother
and another sister live at Philipsburg.
He said he had been in the West since
1887 and had lived in Colorado. Wash
ington, Idaho. Utah and Montana. He
said his weight was 13ii2 and that he
was feet inches tall. He went TO
Belt Oct. 13 of last year. where he was
Joined later by his brother He opened
a faro bank at Johnsons saloon on
Nov. 10; has been a faro dealer most
of the time he has been in Montana.
In Belt he roomed at Mrs. Rays, a
place nearly half a mile from the beer
hall In reference TO his habits, he
said he was strictly temperate, not us
ing tobacco i'm any form and hardly
ever drinking liquor or beer. His
health has not been good for some time
and he has had to be very careful OF
1t. He recognized the revolver and
said he had 1t since 1856. but never
carried weapons. always keeping IL in
his grip or trunk. lie was obliged TO
n q "a ut 20 In nd 70
tect his money which he kept i'm his
room when the game was not on. 1t
was his habit to take his supper at the
lunch counter at the hall after the
opening of the game. Here he identi-
fed the table and boxes. Continuing
he said that he did not know Zig and
had never seen him before. Had never
before had any row or trouble with
any one.
The evening of the tragedy he open
ed up the game as usual and while at
lunch first saw Zig, and his attention
was attracted TO him by his quarrel
with Dwyer when he heard the con
troversy. He did not see him stagger.
He next observed him between the ia
BILE and the bar, where some one asked
him to pay for the drinks. Zig then
walked over ITO the faro table and be-
gan to abuse his brother. Anthony
Leyden, who was keeping cases. TO
which his brother made no reply. De-
PENDANT came back and took his seat.
Zig sat down on a stool at the end Of
the table with his elbows on the layout
and began making imaginary bets and
finally reached over and grabbed the
cards, saying he was being cheated. In
reaching over he struck Leyden a blow
near the eye. Defendant jumped up
with his gun and struck him with the
side of his hand and forced him out
into tho middle n the Ilo wa
in a fighting attitude. with his hands
up, and Leyden struck him four times.
Then Zig managed 10 hit Leyden,
knocking him down on his hands and
feet. Then Leyden says he realized
that ne had no ordinary man to deal
with, and. partly dazed from the blow.
he went back and sat down at the ia
BILE. AS he was turning TO the table
he heard n shuttle and turning saw Ilg
coming towards him. but some one
pulled Zig away and he heard him ask
for a gun.
His brother asked him II he had not
better get Sheriff Mcleod. and defend
ant told him to do SO The next time
he saw Zig he was behind the stove
with his hand in his hip pocket. and
by the way people were scattering
away from him ne Judged he had a gun
and reached for his. Zig then started
towards him. When Zig was about 10
feet away Leyden stood up and warned
him away. telling him that II he did not
go he would have to hurt him. As he
continued to approach Leyden warned
him again. At this point Leyden
stepped down among the blood stained
boxes and the table. and with Attorney
Wallace taking the part of Zig. acted
for the second time the tragedy OF Dec.
2. IL was a thrilling piece OF realism.
the man was playing for his life.
Continuing I.eVdpp said iv
neared him he raised his hand to keep
him off. when Zig grabbed his hand and
gave II a violent twist. keeping his eye
on the gun which was in Leyden's right
hand and at the same time making a
grab for IL. Leyden kept his gun out
OF his reach and did all he could to
gain time for the officer To arrive. Zig
at last forced Leyden back over the
chair and as they both fell the revolt
yer Has DISCHARGED. Liz was fighting