The Indianapolis journal., 1897-09-22
On the Charge of killing Twenty
Four Striking Miners at Latti-
mer, Pa, on Sept. 10.
STORIES OF EYE WITNESSES
NO ONE HEARD THE SHERIFF GIVE
THE ORDER TO FIRE.
All the Deputies Placed Under Bonds
of $4,000 Each-Work Resumed
by Thousands of Miners.

WILKESBARRE, Fa., Sept. 21.-Sheriff
Martin and his sixty-four deputies were
given preliminary hearing before the
court to-day, charged with the killing of
twenty-four striking miners near Lattimer
on Friday, Sept. 10. The deputies were
brought uD from Hazleton under military
escort. A large crowd met them at the
depot but they proceeded unmolested to
the courthouse. Judges Lynch and Bennett
presided Judge Lynch announced that the
judges would sit as justices of the peace
to hear testimony in the case.
John NJ German opened for the prosecu-
ton, and stated that he was employed to
investigate the shooting at Lattimer and
inquire if the sheriff and his deputies were
justified in killing twenty-four men. He be-
gan by referring 10 Dictator Goblin, who
refused to allow the deputies to be arrested
when warrants were isused ten days ago.
The attorney also referred to Coroner Nc
Kee being a major in the Ninth Regiment,
to his manner of procedure in the arrest Of
the deputies and to his bringing them here
surrounded by a military company with
guns and bayonets. Mr.. German then made
a motion asking that the warrants of
Squire German be given the preference,
and that the deputies be remanded to the
Judge Lynch replied that the judges did
not act hastily, but issued the warrants
after due deliberation. The judge said that
this hearing has nothing to do with the
conduct of General Goblin. The court said
the witnesses who Were not present should
be brought in, and that the hearing could
proceed with such witnesses as were
present.
oh
notified the court that they would with
draw from the case. District Attorney Fell
then took charge. Sheriff Martin was seat
ed at the defendants table, surrounded by
three lawyers.
John Walsh, of Halle township, was the
first witness. He said he saw the strikers
coming and went out to meet them and to
see what would happen. Some of the men
carried clubs. Witness told them to throw
away their clubs and they did so. Walsh
said he got on a car and star ed for Latti-
mer. He heard one of the deputies named
Turnbach say II don't know what the
sheriff means by taking US around like this
without ordering us to shoot" He said the
deputies got off the car near Lattimer. The
strikers came up and witness saw Deputy
Hess grab one of the strikers and cry
halt. There was a scuffle and some one
cried fire" There was one shot, then an
other, and then volley. The deputies
kept on shooting as the men ran away. He
said the firing lasted about five minutes
Jonathan Lichensberger, a Hazleton con-
tractor was the next witness He said he
was standing about $50 yards from the strik-
ers when the trouble began. He saw Sheriff
Martin approach the men. The sheriff had
paper in his hand, which he read After
reading the proclamation he ordered the
crowd to go back. Then they had scuf-
fle with him. He drew his revolver. but
some one grabbed his wrist and held up
his hand so that he could not do anything.
Then the shooting began.
Charles Gussrott, a school teacher of Lat
timer, testified to seeing Sheriff Martin
scuff1ing with the strikers. His testimony
was much the same as that of the preceding
witness.
At the conclusion of Gussrotts testimony
the judges, after consultation with Dis
trict Attorney Fell, held all the deputies in
$4,000 bail each until the hearing is con-
cluded. Joseph A. Sim, trust officer of the
City Trust Safe Deposit and Surety Com
pany, of Philadelphia, qualified as bonds
men in the sum of $256,000 After bail had
been furnished a recess was taken until 2:SO.
Several witnesses were examined this aft
ernoon but the testimony was merely cor
roborative of previous witnesses. Not a sim
gle witness has testified to hearing Sheriff
Martin give the order to fire. The with
drawal of Attorneys German and McGahren
has weakened the prosecution. and it is
doubtful if the evidence will be strong
enough to hold the defendants for court
The hearing will be resumed at 8 o'clock
Tomorrow morning.
Peace Restored.