The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-07-02
STILL NO ONE KNOWS.
WITNESSES SUDDENLY LOSE ALL
MEMORY.
TESTIMONY IN DEMUND CASE
A Severe Sensation Sprung by q Is Year
Old Gir1-Unusua1 Amount Of Ig-
norance Displayed bv
witnesses.

A question has risen in District At
tOrney Buckmaster's mind. It is big
and momentous one, and runs like this:
Are the citizens of Salem who saw the
mob there June % perjurers or monu-
mental ignoramuses? They convict
themselves of one charge or the other
in the tar and feather hearing which
has occupied the attention of Justice
Slater for two days. That the citizens
OF Salem seem determined to shield the
alleged rioters has become thoroughly
apparent. The extreme anxiety the
witnesses have shown, to know abso-
lutely nothing discriminating, may yet
wind some of them up in most dis
agreeable tangle.
If it be true, that the citizens Of that
town are shielding rioters, they are
deepening the awful stain of the crime
upon the village.
Late Tuesday afternoon Postmaster
John Button was called. Said he was
in bed at the time of the riot. Could
not see what was going on. Had had
conversation with Mr.. Sibley during
the day. He had given Demund some
advice that day about getting out of
town. Said that sentiment was very
much against Demund, and in favor of
Sibley. On cross-examination he got
a trife mixed and showed anxiety not
to get mixed up in the case.
Henry Schlax swore that he saw the
crowd on the night in question. Stood
near the crowd. There were about
twenty-five of them. Did not recog-
nize anyone to certainty. He named
some who were on the street, but not
in the crowd. Heard voices in the
crowd, but could not recognize them.
Went to get Hunter at Sibley's request.
He seemed to have seen and heard a
great deal about the affair, but paid an
ominous Indifference to it all.
On cross examination he stated that
he could not recognize single voice in
the crowd.
Albert Hayes was called. Said he
knew Demund and the defendants.
From to p. M, of June %, was at
home. Went to Stewards store, the
postofice and to Sibley's. George
Hartnell, Henry Schlax and Charles
Clark went with him. There were
about six or seven in the party.
Couldn't tell why he went there. Staid
outside the yard. Nothing was said
about Demund. Went to the hotel and
staid an hour Or so. Heard nothing of
the reason why Ripley should be at
Sibley's. Left the hotel at about 10
O'Clock. Recognized not man in the
mob. Hadn't heard thing of the ap-
preaching assault. In fact, he, like
most of the witnesses, showed density
of ignorance which showed an unnat-
ural course Of proceeding, to say the
least.
On cross examination he sWore that
all the voices in the crowd we're NUT
fled and unacceptable.
After this testimony the court ad-
journed to the next day.
WEDNESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
When court opened this morning
there was not as large an attendance
as there had been Tuesday. The trend
of the testimony appearing SO contra
dictory to what many had expected
made the hearing rather tame affair.
Scarcely any but the defendants and
the witnesses appeared in the court
room.
Old Sol came up dreadfully hot as
he had the day before and reminded
many of those who had attended the
great arson trial last fall when he shot
in such deadly rays as to almost suffO-
cate the occupants of the court room.
The hearing was not called on again
until 10 o'clock, when District Attor-
ney Buckmaster again began the weary
round of questions to witnesses only to
receive negative and unsatisfactory re-
plies.
James Ward was the first man sworn.
He said he was in Salem at the time OF
the riot. Heard something was to be
done to Demund before the assault
took place. Talked with Mr.. Stewart
about it. At the time of the assault
was north of Demund's shop about sixty
feet. Told some of the men not to
commit the deed. Witness tried to
keep away from the ARRAY.
On cross examination said the men
were all masked and he could recog-
nize no one, either by looks or voice.
MINIS was with witness near postofice
at time of assault. MINIS later fol-
lowed the crowd and then went home
with the witness. Saw Sibley in the
crowd at the postofice for time, but
lost sight of him.
Charles Burgess was sworn. Knew
all the defendants except Hunter. Was
in Salem at the time of the assault