Connecticut western news., 1897-09-23

Preliminary Hearing of Martin and Ills
 Posse at wiIkesbarre on the Charge of
 Killing Twenty-four strikers-Held In
 s4,00O Ball Each.
 Wilkesbarre, Pa, Sept 22.-Sheriff Martin and his 64 deputies have been given a preliminary hearing before the court, charged with the killing of 24 striking miners near Lattimer on Fri day, Sept 10. The deputies were brought up from Hazleton under military es- cort. 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 M. Garman opened for the pros- ecution and stated that he was employ ed to investigate the shooting at Latti- mer and inquire if the sheriff and his deputies were justified In killing 24 men. He began by referring to Gener- al Gobin, who refused to allow the dep- uties to be arrested when warrants were issued ten days ago. He also re- ferred to Coroner McGee being major in the Ninth regiment and to his man. ner of procedure in the arrest of the deputies and tc his bringing them here surrounded by the military com pany with guns and bayonets.
 MT. Garman then made a motion ask ing that the warrants of Squire German be given the preference and that the deputies he remanded to the regular of ficers of the law.
 Judge Lynch replied that the judges did not act hastily. but issued the war rant 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 be proceeded with with such witnesses as were present. Attor- neys Garman and McGahren then noti- fled the court that they would withdraw from the case. District Attorney c. H. Fell then took charge. Sheriff Martin was seated at the defendants table surrounded by three lawyers.
 Says Miners Carried Clubs.
 John Walsh of Hazle 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. Wit ness told them to throw away their
 
 got on 6 car and started for Lattimer He heard one of the deputies. named Turnback, say, 'I 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 scuffie, and some one cried "Firel" There was one shot, then another and then a volley. The deputies kept on shooting as the men ran away. He said the firing lasted about five minutes
 Johnathan Lichensberger, a Hazleton contractor. was the next witness. He said he was standing about 150 yards from the strikers when the trouble be- gan. He saw Sheriff Martin approach the men. The sheriff had a paper in his hand. which he read. After reading the proclamation he ordered the crowd to go back Then they had a scuffle 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 Gussrot, a schoolteacher of Lattimer testified to seeing Sheriff Martin scuffiing with the deputies. His testimony was much the same as the preceding witnesses. ..
 At the conclusion of Gussrots testi- mony the judges, after a consultation with District Attorney Fell. held all the deputies in s4,000 each until the hearing is concluded.
 Joseph A. Sim, trust officer of the City Trust Safe Deposit and Surety company of Philadelphia, qualified as bondsman in the sum of s256.0