davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Clarence Cornell.

Clarence Cornell, of AmboY, testi.
fed that he owned 22-calibre Smith
& Wesson pattern revolver, and that
on June 7th it was in his room.
Either the evening of June 7th of the
forenoon of June 8th, Crook asked
me whether my revolver was in my
barber shop and 1 said no. He said
"Bring it down with you.,, l brought
it to the shop and put it in the
pocket of the coat, and hung the lat
ter behind my BARRIERS chair. Crook
was in the shop three or four times
that day, and near my coat. Saw him
after the shooting, June Sth. He
came into the shop, walked through
and went back and out. About $3.50
or 900 p. M. found my revolver ia my
pocket. l asked him about the shoot.
ing, and his remark was "You
needn't worry, didn't use your re-
volver," or II didn't shoot him with
your revolver" This was about $50
p. m, June 8th.
On cross examination witness said
that he and Crook had been in the
habit of going ont shooting together.
He suggested about going hunting
that day, and said 1 couldn't get
away. He asked me if had brought
the revolver down. l think the re-
| volyer was loaded when I brought if
down, and don't think it was loaded
when 1 found it again in my coat
pocket. Had loaned the revolver to
other young men.
On redirect examination, witness
said that Crook knew where the re.
volver was kept when it was in the
office, and did not ask where it was
when 1 said l had brought it down.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
] ElDAY.

Today's report of the progress of the
Crook murder trial contains the
most sensational testimony on both
sides that has been introduced. The
ante-mortem statement of the de-
ceased lis very important piece of
evidence for the state, and sdenies the
essential features of the defense.
Clarence Crook and the young lady to
whom he is engaged to be married
were both upon the witness stand late
yesterday afternoon, and each made a
good impression. The young lady's
position is a peculiar one,
for she is niece of Crooks
victim. She evidently believes
implicitly Crooks account of the af-
fair, and little tinge of romance is
had from the fact that Crooks incen.
tive to his interview with Bornt was
derived from the reports that he had
heard of Bornt's talk and inquiries
about the actions of the two. Her
manner in the court room shows that
she is very fond of Crook. She shas
stayed by him throughout his trouble
with remarkable devotion.
The defense this forenoon at.
tempted to attack Bornt's general
reputation at home as regards his
being peaceable and law-abiding
citizen, but the CROSSE examination
greatly weakened this evidence.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
DIR. w arner.

DR.. G. f. Warner testified that he
was calledsto attend Henry G. Bornt
June 9th. He was in bed and his
condition was such that surgical
operation would be improper. There
was nothing by which the bullet
could be located. There were no
symptoms that an important part had
been wounded. Witness described
.ihe location Of the wounds. Saw
iBornt June 18th, and his condition
had not changed much. The third
visit was June 10th, and Bornt's con-
dition was not so favorable, as there
was an increase of fever and more
pain. 1t was thought best not to
operate yet. Next saw BorntJune24th,
and more symptoms occurred to make
JUS think that the bullet was high
l up, in the right lobe of the liver.
We decided to come on June Goth
prepared to make an incision. On
that day he was much worse and
his condition was so alarming that
we thought he was going to die. Wit
ness described the operation what
and was found, and said that the three
doctors had decided that the man
would die. Witness produced and what
identified the bullet and the fibres
found in the wound. The bullet is
thirty-two caliber. The wound caus-
ed by the bullet and 6bres caused the
death of the deceased.
The cross examination was very
minute, and was mainly as regards
the treatment given the deceased dur.
ing his confinement in bed.
The state offered the binding Irvine
in evidence, and also the other things
found in the pockets of the cloth
ing.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
VIM. F. Stevens.

VIM. F. Stevens, of Amboy, justice
of the peace of Shelby, said that he
visited Henry G.. Bornt June 26th,
and found him in bed and physically
weak. G. L. Benedict and Attorney
Fairfield Smith, of Amboy, were
present. Bornt's memory seemed to
be very good, and he was perfectly
sound mentally. He made a state
ment of his being shot, and l reduced
it to writing in his presence. l wrote
it just as he told it to me, while he
told it, and afterwards read the
statement over to him and asked him
whether il was all true, and he said
it was. Witness identified the anti
norton statement Of Bornt. The
settlement was made at about HOO a.
NJ. The statement was rendered in
evidence, and was objected to by the
defense as incompetent, prevalent
and immaterial.
The jury was excused until 200 p.
M. to give the court time to con-
slider the admissibility of the state
ment. A recess was taken until 200
p. m.
At the afternoon session the court
overruled the objection to admitting
the ante-mortem statement of Henry
Bornt, and said that portions of it
could be admitted, Mr.. Young said he
would rather all of it should
be admitted than portions of
it and withdrew his objection and the
entire statement was then read to the
jury. Frank Latin and Jesse Decker
were recalled to the stand, after
which the state rested. Mr.. Pau
opened the case for the defense, and
said in brief, that they should
attempt to prove that the shooting
was in self defense, that Crook did
not fire until Bornt made a motion as
though to draw revolver. After he
concluded, Clarence !Crook, the de-
PENDANT, was put upon the stand and
told his story of the crime.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Witnesses Recalled.

Frank Latin was recalled by she
defense and said that Crook told him
that during the talk in the barn,
Bornt said to Crook II could kill you,
or 81 will kill you" Crook said that
he thought that his time had come
and that was why he had shot.
Jesse Decker was recalled by the de-
Tense and said that the side
curtains were put on the buggy the
day before the trip to Bornt's.
Mr.. Hughes announced that the
state rested.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
him. Crook also 2aid that he might
be brought back dead or alive.
Jesse Decker.

Jesse Decker. of Amboy, was called
and said in answer to question by
Mr.. Young, that he was sworn before
the grand jury in this case. Mr..
Young objected to his testifying, on
the ground that his name did not ap-
pear on the Indictment as having
been examined. On the indictment
the name is spelled Becker"
The court stated that this raised a
new question. If he did not testify
before the grand jury, he could pro-
badly not be sworn. 1t was probably
a mistake.
The defense withdrew the Objec-
tion, as it was understood that there
was no Jess Becker" to be sworn.
Mr.. Decker testified that in June
last he was working for FrankLattin,
an Amboy liveryman. On June Sth,
at about 300 p. M, saw Clarence
Crook. Saw him again at about 800
o. m. He came to Mr.. Lattin's barn
and asked me to drive him out to
Bornt's. After supper we drove out.
When l went to supper, l left Crook
in the office of the livery barn. l was
gone to supper about twenty minutes,
and when | returned. Crook Was
either in the office or in the buggy,
which was top, two horse carriage.
II
right. The top was raised and the
back curtain rolled down. We drove
out at fair trot. Crook made no
statement as to why he wanted to go
to Mr.. Bornt's, while we were driv-
ing out When we approached the
house we saw Henry going into the
barn door. l drove to the barn door
and let him out. Nothing was said
about his going back, and l drove
down eight or ten rods west of the
barn, turned around and came back
and stopped before the barn door. In
a moment l heard shooting in the
barn that scared the team of ponies,
duu UlltJ WcuU d lOu CdSO VI UhC Odl Ii
before 1 could stop them. The shoot
ing sounded as though it was in the
west side of the barn. Think heard
three shots in rapid succession. In a
moment, saw Clarence Crook come
out Of the barn and he wanted to get
in. Did not see Henry, but heard his
voice, though could not understand
what was said Did not hear any
more shots before Crook got into the
buggy. He got In on the right side
and [ moved to the left side. He said,
"Now drive on" Did not see him
have anything in his hands. He said
THE old man stabbed me in the
shoulder and it pains me-" Heard
five or six shots fired behind thebug-
gy in rapid succession. When the
bullets came through the top of the
buggy, l drove as rapidly as the
horses could go. Crook did not say
anything more on the way home.
On cross examination, the witness
said that when Crook got into the
buggy he may have said ''Drive on"
or "NOw drive on"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Defense Opens.

Mr.. Pau opened the case to the
jury for the defense, and spoke for
twenty minutes. He said that the
defense would not deny anything
that the state had proven except a
few side issues. We will not deny
the firing of three shots at the time
and place stated. We shall attempt
to show that an alteration occurred
between Henry G.. Bornt and the de.
PENDANT, that Bornt became incensed,
threw the milk pail at Crook and
made motion as though to draw a
revolver, aud that then Crook drew
his revolver and fired three shots in
rapid succession. We shall under
take to prove that Crook was engaged
to be married to Gertrude Smith, had
few days previously taken her to a
picnic at FairInont, and had frequent
ly taken her home from church and
other places. Henry G.. Bornt, the
girls uncle, we shall show, made re-
marks about the couple, and enquIred
OF the church Jan1tOr ABOUT tnem.
Crook had been told by Miss Smith
and others what Bornt had
said about them. He had laid off
work on June 9Th as it was rainy
day, and had intended to go hunting.
but on his way met Miss Smith, and
also talked with the janitor. He
then concluded for the first time to
see Bornt and asking him what he
meant by making remarks about his
niece and himself, and DIGGING them
about. The fact that Crook took two
revolvers with him leads me to be-
leve that he did not intend to shoot
Bornt. He went to Bornt's to ask
him what he meant, and Bornt, being
irritated and angered by the ques-
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
CROOKS TRIAL.
ffContinued From Last Weeks Issue.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
DIR. Harrington.

DR.. Z, G. Harrington testified that
he saw Henry G.. Bornt June 18TH
last, having been called to atteno
him.. Bornt was in bed and had &
Y wound in the abdomen, similar to q
bullet wound, and a flesh wound on
the left arm and a slight abrasion OF
the skin on the wrist. From the eX
animation, l thought it best to wait,
The bullet was so near the dividing
line that there was a question
whether it was not in the chest
Saw Bornt again June 26th, and he
was in a critical condition. The
general conclusion was that he must
die, but there was bare possibility
that he might be saved if there was
pus that could be removed. When
we made the opening into the aldo
men we saw that it was necessarily
fatal case There was pocket OF
pus back of the liver, which was
drained. This was all that was done
at the operation. Was at the post
norton examination next day. The
bullet was barely in the right lobe OF
the liver. Found some tibres of grass,
rope or something. 1t looked like
this Irvine. The effect of these fibres
in any of the large organs of the alb
dlominal cavity would be to produce
death. The germs on the hbres
would poison the wound. A piece OF
cloth that lies around any length of
time after being boiled is not con-
sidered fit to come against wound.
The wound was necessarily fatal.
On cross examination the witness
said that any fibres that had been in
aIstable would be poisonous, because
loaded with germs. The germs are
Of all kinds. A bullet seldom carries
FERNS with it, and can often remain
mans body without harmful eff.
feet. The bullet might take germs
from the clothing that it passed
through, as was the case with Gen.
Garfield, whose wound supperated.
The fibres were packed near the bull
let and strung along the wound. The
pus cavity was outwards and down
y, wards from the bullet. The wound
in the arm was made with another
bullet, and we couldn't decide which
way the bullet went in, but do not
remember enough about it 20 des-
cribe it accurately. Witness thought
the bullet entered on the inner side
of the arm and passed out the rear
and outer side.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Sheriff Bowen.

Sheriff d. T.. Bowen testified that
he had received a revolver from
Frank Latin. He identified the re-
volver. Crook has been in my Gus
tody since the preliminary examina-
tion. Before the examination, at
Amboy, Crook said TO me that he had
shot Bornt because Bornt had been
talking about him.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12

dence on the part of other witnesses
that the statement was made in the
expectation of immediate death.
MIR. Young said that he would
rather have the entire statement 60
in than part, and therefore with
drew objection to it. The entire state
ment was then read to the jury by
Mr. cray. The reading was listened
to with close attention. 1t was as
| follows:
L, Henry G.. Bornt, being fully in
| formed 10y my attending physician
that my condition is critical, do
make the following statement in
reference to The shooting OF me by
Clarence Crook on the Sth day OF June,
1896, to-wiG: He came INTO the barn,
came behind me, behind the COWS, and
says now are you, now do you get
alOng;" L said first rate, hOw's your
Self" he said "dll rignJ." | asked
him il he had plOwed corn all day in
rain, he said he did not nave to. He
wanted TO know what business l had
to ask the janitor about him. l told
him tnat l did not know that it was
any of his business. | did not enquire
any more about him than l did about
Gertie, Nellie Green, George Van
Norman. / said l supposed they were
all together, and ne said they were.
II want to know VIII you mean
about talking TO Gertie as you did
about going to FairmOnt." L told
him wanted to know what she said
that l had said told him [ was not
going to say anything about what did
not know. He said he did not have to
tell. when l refer TO he, l mean
Crook | told him the best thing he
could do was TO get out of the barn.
He said he did not have to. | told
him l thought he had better 60. He
said 81 don't have to and l will show
you So" During all this time [ was
milking, and when he said that he
kind of jumped back behind me. He
stood behind the COW; he drew his re-
volver and snapped it at LIE; l tried to
Jump on to my feet; he Shot three
times before J was fairly on my feet.
| The first of the three shots | was hit
in the side. | did not know l was hit
| by the other two until afterwards.
The first shot hit me in the left side;
the other two hit me in the left arm,
| but did not know it then. Father
got up then and started towards him
and he whirled and pointed his re-
volver at father. l threw the milk
pail at him just as hard as could. l
fell over then kind of backwards in
the alley, and crawled to the door. L
got up on my feet then and started to
the house on the run. Jess Decker
was there and | h - to him "JeSs
l am shot, a. sss whipped
his team up l had not
get more than Dad before
Crook shot at Father
struck him with pitchfork. l
couldn't see where he struck him. [
ran towards the house calling for my
revolver. Fora Bornt brought it to
me. Crook had got into the buggy
and they had got around the corner.
| ran in the road east of the house
and fired SIX chambers at them. l
came back and started father after
the doctor. / had no revolver at the
barn. The above statement made by
me in reference to the shooting of
myself by Clarence Crook is a true and
correct statement of the whole
thereof.
I told her not to make a fool of her.
self and disgrace the family.
Dated this 26th day of June, 1896.
HENRY G.. BORNT
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
This Forenoon.

Hiram Bornt was recalled this
morning by Mr.. Young for cross exam
nation. When I went to town after
the shooting 1 carried Henry's revol
yer. Think Fora held it. Think it
was loaded. Do not think that Fred
Bornt was at my house that day, and
if he was it was not until after the
shooting.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
T. II. Andrews.

Capt. T. H. Andrews testified that
he is a dealer in guns and sporting
goods. He said that the revolver is a
32-calibre, and the calibre of the bull
let is the same. The revolver is an
liver Johnson make, and uses Smith
& Wesson cartridge. This cartridge
is Smith,& Wesson, and fits the re-
vOlVer.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Asa Baker.

Asa Baker, of Amboy, testified that
he was in the hardware business June
Sth last. That evening after the
shooting saw Crook on the street and
asked him whether the shooting was
an accident or done purposely. He
said "Of course, I did it purposely."
On cross examination, witness said
that Crook added that he had to or
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
John Decker.

John Decker, of Amboy, testified
that on June 9Th Crook came to my
house about noon and, wanted me to
drive him out to Bornt's. told him
1 couldn't go, as l didn't have the
team. 1 asked him what he wanted
ITO go out there for, and he said that
he wanted to 60 out to see whether
he could not stop Bornt talking about
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12
Yesterday Afternoon.

When court convened yesterday af-
ternoon, the judge overruled the OBJ
lection raised by the defense to the
ante-mOrtem statement and ordered
that portions of it might be intro
duced in evidence. There was evil
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12

couldn't help it, or something like
that, and then someone led Crook
away before he could say anything
more.
Court took a recess until 900 a. m.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-12

Continued on fourth page.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-11

Special Personally Conducted Excursions
to Niagara Falls, \. v, via York River
Line and Penn. n. n. and u. and q. X. II.
For the benefit OF those who could not
avail themselves OF previous opportunl-
ties offered this summer TO visit Niaraga
Fails. n. y. "The Wonder Of America"
The Southern railway announces they
Will continue the sale OF the S13 round-trip
tickets Richmond 10 Niaraga Falls, ON
the following additional dates: October
4th via York River Line 10 Baltimore
and Baltimore and Ohio railroad from
Baltimore. September 18th and October
nth via York River Line 10 Baltimore
and Pennsylvania railroad from Balu-
more.
Via this route, trains leave Richmond
$50 r, ". on dates given. connecting at
West Point with steamer for Baltimore.
arriving Baltimore I'm time TO connect
there with special train leaving via Bal
timOro and Ohio railroad at 1906 A. NJ.
and Pennsylvania railroad S.45 A. NJ.
This is most delightful trip and those
who have not taken advantage Of the
former excursion rate Of S13 round-trip.
route, should not miss one OF these dates
For further Information, state-rOom
reservations, etc, apply 10 c. w. West
bury. i. +. A.. e20 east Main street; J. O.
Verser. Ticket Agent. Virginia Street
Station. or Richmond Transfer Company
So8 east Main street.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-11
very Low Rates 10 Nashville, Tenn, and
Eetnrn.

very Low Rates 90 Nashville, Tenn, and
Return.
All who have had the pleasure Of visit
fRg the Centennial Exposition at Nash
VILE, Tenn, since its opening May LIST.
have expressed themselves as being sur
prlsed and delighted with the variety and
completeness OF It's exhibits. The gentle
men iu charge Of the management OF this
great Exposition have deeply impressed
the public with their ability TO make this
one OF the most successful Institutions OF
its kind. The thorough and systematic
manner IN which they have distributed
illustrated matter OF the Exposition. alone
has aided materially in their-succcss. and
their efforts In this particular are not the
least ahated, although the Exposition
closes its gates finally on October 8lst All
whose means permit should avail them
selves OF the opportunity 20 visit this Ex-
position. The railroad companies having
connections for Nashville have spared no
pains 10 furnish best possible facilities
for those visiting that place. The follow
ing round-trip rates from Richmond 20
Nashville are IN effect for those going to
visit the Exposition: 1885 sold daily
good until November T. 1897; $l9.25, sold
daily. good for twenty days; Si4 sold
Tuesdays and Thursdays only. good for
ten days These lew rates apply via the
Southern railways Land OF the Sky
Route" passing through tho beautiful
mountainous region OF Western North
Carolina and East Tennessee. widely
known as the Land of the Sky" and
often termed the Switzerland Of Anne
rica." The schedules via this route are
most excellent. one train leaving Rich
mond 70 noon. TO which a sleeper IS at
tached az Greensboro. sos =. NJ. which
goes through TO Nashville without change
arriving there following day at ;35 ?. NJ
There is also another train leaving Rich
mond A. NJ sleeper open $3.50 =. NJ
which connects with train leaving Sails
bury 1855 4. NJ, carrying through sleeper
TO Nashville, arriving there GAS A. NJ
Schedules. sleeping-car reservations, IT,
lustrated matter OF the Centennial. ETC.
furnished upon application 10 c. w. West
bury. Travelling Passenger Agent. 92O
east Main street Richmond. Va.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-11

Between Richmond, Baltimore. PhiIadel-
phia and New York TO which points very
low rates apply Tor both one way ana
rOund-trip tickets This IS also the Ia
vorite route 20 Bumalo. Niagara Falls. To-
ronto and Montreal. with favorable scne-
dulles and rates Trains leave Richmond
2:S0 =. NJ and 4.30 II. NJ. Monday. We'd
neaday and Friday connecting az West
Point with steamer which arrives in Bal
Trains leave and arrive Richmond Viz
hnia-street station Southern Railway
Depot.
For further Information. rates. sche-
eules state-rOom reservations. etc, aD-
ply 20 ]. o. Verser, Depot Ticket Agent,
Virginia-street Station; Richmond Trans
Ter ComDany. S03 east Main street. or q.
W wcstbury, T. =. A., $50 east Main
street