The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-22
The COOKS OWN TESTIMONY
Anderson CiTeS In Excited and Drt
matte Evidence.
THE MURDEROUS MARLIN SPIKE
His Story Differed Essentially From That
of His shipmatcs and Claimed Self
Defence for Killing the Mate--Asked
the Crew TO Take the ship TO Port.

NORFOLK. VA, Dec. 2L--Rapid pro-
gress was made in the Federal Court
to-day in the Andersen case, and II viii
probably be concluded tomorrow, so far
as the charge that John Andersen mur-
dered Mate Saunders, or the schooner
Olive Pecker. is concerned. With the ex-
ception OF some brief and not important
testimony In the morning, the day was
almost entirely consumed with the hear
ing OF evidence OF the accused, placed on
tho stand by his counsel, 10 testify In his
own behalf.
Andersen was upon his feet during near
ly the whole OF hts testimony. and In the
course OF direct examination, he held In
his hand the large marlin spike which
had been introduced as evidence.
EXCITED WITNESS.
He was excited, dramatic, and very
much i'm 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 to the events OF the day OF the
tragedy. His story i'm its essentials diff
fered from that II his mates, in that he
alleged that the mate was coming toward
him with the marlin pin raised TO strike
him when he shot him three times. killing
him 10 save his own lie: that he did not
burn the vessel. but Harrisburg and March
did: that he exercised no force In killing
tho mate. but that all worked together.
and no one was compelled TO do anything.
CORRECTED THE LAWYER.
While District Attorney white was argu-
ing against the admissibility OF certain
evidence. and quoting from statements OF
the accused, Andersen became excited,
and al one point arose 20 his feet and
ATTEMPTED 10 correct tho lawyer, who
sharply bade him sit down. and the pris-
oner, with an appealing look at his coun'
sci. obeyed.
The cross-examination Of Andersen was
begun at , O'Clock. The accused. In re.
sponse 10 questions. said that when tina
first shot was fired at the mate. he tAn-
dersen was up on the fore-castle 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 wheth-
er hot or cold water had been thrown
upon him before no had struck him In
the galley.
ADMITTED THAT IIE LIED.
witness admitted that he had lied 10
the Consul at Bahia as 10 how he ac-
quired the possession Of the captains pis-
tolls. and denied that ne had stated for
publication that he had taken 1t out OF
tho captains bunk.
Asked II he called the mate down
NOT remember. He denied that tho mate
said. For Gods sake don't shoot" Ora
matically adding: "He did not say II. fol
he did not have any God. n ne had a God
he would not have put me where / am
to-day"
CHOKED BACK soBs.
"That is arguing that you haven't got
any God. because you put the captain
where YOU did" rStorted the district at
oh I'll
sobs. When he had mastered himself.
stiu answering the district attorneys
questions. he said that John Lind called
the men I'D after the mate was killed. He
could not remember whether he had the
pistols in his hands or pockets when tho
crew came up. He threw two or the pis-
tolls overheard later on; he denied that hs
told the men 10 throw the mates body
overheard; they did II OF their own ac-
cord.
Further examination brought ont the
statements that Andersen had asked tho
crew 10 take the vessel 10 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 n half.
ANDERSFiN'S REPUTATION.
Tho defence introduced Captain Walter
j. Small, VINO teStned tnat ne nah en-
ployed Andersen for six months In 1890
and found him peaccable, well-behaved
and attentive 10 his duty.
John Asburgh testified that he had
known the prisoner IN Sweden. and as far
as he could remember his reputation waa
good. They were school mates together.
John Ahuhart was introduced 10 prove
tho reputation OF Captain Whitman, but
was not allo7ged to testify.
THE REBUTTAL.
The dcnfense here rested and the gov
ernment introduced IN rebuttal William
Harsburgh who denied all the allegations
made against him by the accused and
said arMch set the schooner on fire while
Anderson stood over him and made him
do n.
Lind Barrial. March and Barstad were
all examined in robuttai, and contradicted
Andersen al every point whore he had re-
ferred 20 them in his evidence ond cross
examination.
Several other witnesses OF minor impor.
tance were examined I'm rebuttal. and the
court adjourned until 10 O'Clock to-mor'
row FOR argument.