, 1896-07-07
THE CR0CKER TRIAL.
DEFENDANT TAKES THE STAND
AND TESTIFIES IN HIS
OWN BEHALF.
His Statement is a Lengthy One and
He Carefully Accounts for All His
Time During the Afternoon of the
Fatal Day-The Gray Suit He
Wore.

OF certain evidence on croSs-eXamina-
ton was taken up and argued by Mr..
StOll for the state. and Judge Lacey for
questions by the prosecution were
proper cross-examination. The jury
was brought in and Daniel Hinchman
called to the stand for further cross
examination, and stated that he testi-
fed on the former trial that he assist
ed the defendant in loading a load of
hay at the ranch on Wednesday pre-
ceding the murder, and saw two bags
of potatoes and a loin of beef on the
load and hat Mr.. Crocker drove away
with them. That that was true to the
best of his knowledge.
Crocker, the defendant, was then
called and testified: | vas 40 years old
OF August 4 last; am defendant in this
case; have known Harvey Booth nearly
ever since l came to Wyoming: were
partners nearly II years. AT moor of
the Goth OF January. 1895. was at home;
took dinner as usual between IL and l
o'clock.
The defendants testimony was prin-
cipally a history of how he put in the
time on the day Of the murder. In the
some purchases and returned home at
about 4:30. AS l went by the barn |
went in and did my chores: got
through about $40.
Then went home. Can't state posi-
lively what time it was. Asked Mrs.
Croker If l should light kitchen fire.
She said it is too early yet, it is only 20
minutes to 5. Swept off snow from out
side door, then opened the cellar and
carried Of ashes. Washed my hands
and got ready to go to the show. Ate
time. Took my bath, then went down
to Rockers store. Left there at five
miutes TO 5, 10 c. 40 ul.nu..s 49,. T~~t
to show at opera house. Got home
about twenty minutes after IL. Went
to furnace room and banked the fire.
Went to bed soon after.
Witness then described how about 10
minutes after he had been in bed, Mrs.
Booth and Wagstaff came to door, Mrs.
Booth said Mr.. Booth is dead down at
the barn. Dressed rapidly and went
much excited. moaning and crying and
wringing her hands. Went to cellar
and got lantern. Then Mrs. Booth, Mrs.
Croker, Mr.. Hinchman, Wagstaff and
myself wen to barn, tried to get in lit
tie room, but could not. Tried to break
lock, but could not; climbed in little
window and found Booths body. Said,
He has been murdered and robbed"
and suggested that we go for the sher-
if or marshal, and started out of the
door. After we got out of the granary
had better reman here" He said, mo,
| will go with you" l passed on down
the street with Mr.. Wagstaff, leaving
the two ladies with Mr.. Hinhman in
front of the doors. I went to the mar
shal's Office first because | thought we
would get help there sooner, but there
was nc one there, and then we went to
Sheriff Wards house. l raped at the
and Mr.. Ward came to the door.
l told him that Harvey Booth was at
the barn dead and that he was murder
a1 and rnhhoi Uo than unrt ho or -,
the barn. Within a short time there
were IS or 20 or maybe more there; the
last time l was at the barn that night
prior to the time Mrs. Booth came to
house, was as nea as l can state
between half past 4 and 20 minutes TO
5. But whatever time it was, it was the
same time that Mr.. Brown left the cor
raj gates. I was dressed in a dark
brown suit. a dark gray l should say.
The coat was a sack. l wore the suit
each time that l went to the barn. l
wore the gray suit several times after
the 26th of January. The first time 1
recall was the second Tuesday aft
er the day l went to the ranch. I put
this brown suit on when l went to the
show and wore it for several days after
for the a that I had friends visit
ing me from Ogden The gray suit was
dirty and did not look very we'll. I re-
call sitting In q sleigh in front of Blyth
& Fargo's. and Mr.. Foote coming out
and examining my suit. l wore it to the
ONCE when Mr.. Priest and Mr.. Hamil-
ton were there. I had heard some ru-
mors about this suit that I wasn't wear
ing it. and dare not wear it. Some
thing to that effect. / thought I would
lay 1t away 90 l could keep it in the
condition that 1t was then. That
was under the advice Of Judge Corn.
Witness IL shown suit.)
I recognise that as the suit Of clothes
that I wore on January 26. wore nc
other on that day or about that time. I
wore the coat and vest l have on now
IN the evening with the pants to match.
I had two regular everyday suits-one
= dark gray and the other q lisht gray,