The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-22
Held a Marlin Spike introduced as Eqi-
delCe In His Hand.
SAID He DID NOT BURN VESSEL
But That Hastrough and Marsh, Two of the
Sailors. Are the Guilty 0nes-kiled
the Captain and Mate to -
Save His Own Life.

Norfolk Va Dec H.-Rapid progress
was made in the federal court today in the
Andersen case and it will probably be con-
cluded tomorrow so far as the charge that
John Andersen murdered Mate Saunders
of the schooner Olive Peeker, is concerned.
With the exception of some brief and not
important testimony in the morning, the
day was almost entirely consumed with the
hearing of the evidence of the accused
placed on the stand by his counsel to tes-
tify in his own behalf.
In the course of direct examination An
dersen held in his hand the large Marlin
spike which had been introduced as evil
denee. He was excited, dramatic and very
much in earnest. He spoke rapidly and
was with difficulty Kept within the limits
of the examination, which was confined to
the events of the day of the tragedy His
story in its essentials differed from that of
his mates, in that he alleged that the mate
was coming towards him with the Marlin
pin raised to strike him when he shot him.
killing him to save his own life. He said
he did not burn the vessel, but that Has
brough and Marsh did and that he exer-
cised no force after killing the mate but
that all worked together and no one was
compelled to do anything.
Grew Quite Excited
while District Attorney White was argu-
ing against the admissability of certain
evidence and quoting from statements of
the accused, Andersen became excited and
at one point arose to his feet and attempt-
ed to correct the lawyer who sharply bade
him sit down and the prisoner, with an
Lii oJ.or
The cross examination of Andersen was
begun at 2 o'clock. The accused in re-
sponse to- questions said that when the
first shot was fired at the mate he (An-
dersen) was up ON the forecastle house and
the mate below him on the forecastle head.
He denied that the captain felt the back
of the dog to see whether hot cold water
had been thrown upon him. before he had
struck him in the galley.
Witness admitted that he had lied to the
consul at Bahia as to how he acquired pos
session of the captains pistol and denied
he had stated for publication that he had
taken 1t out of the captains bunk. Asked
/ If he called the mate down out of the rig
ging Andersen said he did not remember.
He denied that the mate said For God 8
sake don't shoot" dramatically adding,
! HE did not say it for he did not have any
| God If he had a God he would not have
put me where 1 am today
| Crew Threw Body Overheard
"That is arguing you have not any God,
because you put the captain where you
! did," retorted the district attorney. as An
| dersen choked back the sobs. When he
| had mastered himself he denied that he
!, had told the men to shove the mates body
overheard. They did 1t of their own
! accord.
Further examination brought out the
statement that Andersen has asked the
crew to take the vessel to port. He did not
| tell Hasbrough that he was in charge and
nobody gave orders about lowering the
boat
i Cross-examinaton lasted about an hour
and half.
| The defense introduced Capt. Walter J..
| Small, who testified that he had employed
| Andersen for six months in 1895 and found
him peaceful, well-behaved and attentive
| to his duties.
| John Osborn testified that he had known
! the prisoner in Sweden, and as far as he
! could remember, his reputation was good.
| They were schoolmates.
| John Ahuart was introduced to prove the
| reputation of Capt. Whitman, but was not
| allowed to testify. The defense here rested
and the government introduced in rebuttal
! William Hasbrough, who denied all the al
legations made against him by the ac-
cused and said March set the schooner on
fire while Andersen stood over him and
| made him do it.
Lind, Barrial, March and Barstead, MEM
bers of the crew, were all examined in
rebuttal and contradicted Andersen at ev-
cry point. where he had referred to them
in his evidence on cross examination.
Several other witnesses of minor inpor
tance were examined in rebuttal, and the
court adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning for argument.