Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-22
THE ANDERSEN CASE.
TESTIMONY or THE ACCUSED IN
HIS OWN BEHALF.
PRISONER EXCITED AND DRAMATIC.
lie Insists That lie shot and Killed
the Mate I'm Order 60 Save His
own Lie, and That lie Did Net
Burn the Vessel.

NORFOLK, VA. December g-Rapid
progress was made in the Federal Court
to-day in the Andersen case, and It will
probably be concluded tomorrow. so far
as the charge that John Andersen MUIR
dered Mate Saunders. OF the schooner
Olive Picker. is concerned. With the
exception u some brief, and not impor-
tsHt testimony. in the morning the day
was almost entirely consumed in the
hearing OF evidence from the accused,
placed on the stand by his counsel to
testify I'm his own behalf
Andersen was upon his feet during
nearly the whole OF his testimony. ana
in the course Of the direct examination,
he held in his hand the large marline-
spike which had been introduced as evil
dence. He was excited. dramatic. and
very much in earnest. He spoke rapidly,
and became so much wrapped up in his
story that he was with difficulty kept
within the limits OF the examination
which was confined 20 the events OF the
day Of the tragedy. His story in its es-
scntials differed from that of his mates
IN that he alleged that the mate was
coming toward him with the marline-pin
raised 10 strike him, when he shot him
three times, killing him 10 save his own
life; that he did not burn the vessel. but
that Harrisburg and March did; that he
exercised no force in killing the mate,
but that all worked together, and no one
was compelled to do anything.
While District-Attorney White was ar
guing against the admissibillty of GER
tain evidence. and quoting from state
ments Of the accused. Andersen became
excited. and at one point rose 20 his feet
and attempted to correct the lawyer.
who sharply babe him sit down, and the
prisoner, with an appealing look at his
counsel obeyed.
The cross-eXamination of Andersen was
begun at 8 O'Clock. The accused. in re-
Spouse 20 questions, said that when the
first shot was fired at the mate he CAN
derSeu) was up on the forecastle house,
and the mate was below him on the fore
castle-head. He denied that the cap
tain felt the back of the dog to see
whether hot or cold water had been
thrown upon him before he struck him
in the galley. Witness admitted that he
had prevaricated to the Consul at Bahai
as TO how he acquired possession Of the
captains pistols. and denied that he had
stated for publication that he had taken
IL out of the captains bunk.
DIDN'T HAVE ANY GOD.
Asked If he called the mate down out
OF the rigging. Andersen said he did not
remember He denied that the mate
said: For Gods sake, don't shoot" dra-
matically adding: He did not say IT, for
he did not have any God. If he had had
God. he would not have put me where
! am to-day" THAT is arguing that you
haven't got any God, because you put the
captain where you did" retorted the Dis
trict Attorney, as Andersen choked back
his sobs.
When he had mastered himself. and
still answering the District Attorneys
questions. Andersen said that John Lind
called the men up after the mate was
killed He could not remember whether
ne had the pistols in his hands or pock-
cts when the crew came UP. He threw
two OF the pistols overheard later on.
He denied that he told the men 70 throw
the mates body overheard. They did it
Of their own accord.
Further examination brought out the
statement that Andersen had asked the
crew 10 take the vessel to port. He did
not tell Harsburgh that he was in charge.
Nobody gave any orders about lowering
the boat.
The cross-examination lasted about an
hour and half.
The defence introduced Captain Walter
J. Small. who testified that he had en-
ployed Andersen for six months i'm 1895,
and found him peaceable, well-behaved,
and attentive 10 his duty.
John Asburgh testified that he had
known the prisoner i'm Sweden. and, as
FAR as he. could remember, his reputation
was good. They were schoolmates to-
gether.
John Ahuhart was introduced to prove
the reputation of Captain Whitman, but !
was not allowed to testify.
The defence here rested, and the gov
eminent introduced in rebuttal William
Harsburgh who denied all the allega- |
tions made against him by the accused, |
and said March set the schooner on fire |
while Andersen stood over him and made
him do IL.
Lind Barrial. March. and Barstad were
all examined in rebuttal, and contradicted |
Andersen at every point where he had re-
ferred 10 them in his evidence on cross
examination.
Several other witnesses Of minor i'm |
portance We're examined in rebuttal. and |
the court adjourned until 10 o'clock to- |
morrow for argument.