The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-07-02
WILLIAM DEMUND FACES HIS PER-
SECUTORS IN COURT.
THE TAR AND FEATHER CASE.
The witness Tells Very Clear Cut Story
and Has the Demeanor of an Honest
Man.-Hts 1dentincations
Rather Shaky.

Hartnoll and Fred BOulQen, charged
by William Demund with riot and IN
lawful assemblage, took place today
before Justice Slater in the circuit room.
The case is better known as the Salem
tar and feather case.
AS evidence of the intense interest
taken in the case not alone by citizens
of Salem, but by Kenoshaites, it should
be stated that the court room was
nearly filed with the spectators, wit
nesses and friends.
The first Nan to take the stand was
William Demund, the complainant.
He is short, stockily built man Of
about 38 years of age. He said he had
been a resident of Salem since Jan. l
last and operated harness and shoe
repair shop. Is acquainted with all the
defendants. Had been acquainted with
Henry Hunter about two weeks; Sibley
and MINIS since about Feb. /; also
Henry Barnes, james 4Pease, Thomas
Clark and George Hartnell; Boulder
since March /. Never had had any
special trouble with any except Barnes.
On June % Henry Hunter and RObt.
Sibley went to plaintiffs place about 4
p. NJ, and ordered HIM out of town.
Hunter said there was law to make
men get out of town who are not want
ed and Demund said he wanted the
law, that if he was guilty of a crime he
would stand trial. Had seen Hunter
the day before in regard to an alleged
SANDER regarding Hunters sister and
himself. He wanted to know of Hunter
who had started the story. Hunter re-
fused to tell He went back to Salem
and Sibley ordered him OF of his
house. Went to see ball game short
" after and Sibley met him and order
ed him not to go any further. He went
to see the game and returned to his
shop, avoiding Sibley everywhere and
in every way. Had boarded at Sibley's
about six weeks. Both Mr.. and Mrs
Sibley urged him to go to their home
to board. Left Sibley's on Saturday
morning.
The following Monday evening he
heard a gunshot at about IL o'clock and
some hallowing. Some one knocked
on the door. He jumped out of bed
and went to the door and asked who
was there. James Pease demanded
that the door be opened. Demund
wanted to know what was wanted and
Pease replied, "Open the door and
we'll show yon."
81 am willing to stand the law.
Have me arrested and if / am proved
guilty l am willing to suffer the conse-
quences, !" replied Demund.
Pease replied by demanding that the
door be opened and threatening to
break it open. Demund turned the
key in the door and told them it was
unlocked. The crowd hesitated mo-
ment and some one in the crowd was
beckoned to come forward. The first
men he saw were Jim Pease and Joe
MINIS. The next he recognized Robt.
Sibley and Henry Hunter. Robt. Sib-
ley caught hold of Demund and was
recognized by his voice and beard. He
was pushed off. Then Jim Pease,
Henry Hunter and Joe MINIS caught
hold Of him. Took him out of doors
onto the walk and Henry Barnes and
George Hartnell helped throw him to
the street Boulder remarked Here's
the tar" This was poured on his
head His coat was torn off and three
or four began pouring the tar and Fred
Boulder put the feathers over his head
and face. There must have been from
twenty to twenty-five men in the crowd.
Some one then hallowed where is the
rail. A long pole was brought up by
Fred Boulder and some one else and
he was given free ride. Plaintiff
could not say whether that ride would
be charged up Eto him or not. They
went about thirty rods, pulled him off
the pole and poured on more tar, tear
ing off nearly all the clothes.
After the second dose of tar had
been put on, Henry Hunter wanted to
know if he would leave town now. He
said he would if they would let him
get some clothes. Hunter pulled re-
volver and told him to hurry up, and
followed him up. Went back to the
shop and struck light to hunt for the
clothing, grabbed up the clothes the
best he could and started off down the
street south. Thecrowd followed behind
hooting and hallowing. At the rail
road track they told him to take the
track east and not to return to town
Some stopped here and about a dozen
followed him on for about mile. Then
they shouted to him to halt. Hunter