The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-29
CHARGED WITH MURDER
Indian Ernest Stricken Is Fight
ing for His Life.
CASE IS NEARLY FINISHED
The Defendant Asssmpts to Prove That
the Deadly Blow Was Struck by
John Hanson Instead
Of 6tricksr.

Helena. Nov. 2s.-The trial OF Ernest
Stricken in the United States court on
the charge OF numbering John Brusuier
Is about ready for the closing addresses
of the respective counsel and the jurors
its case this morning and the afternoon
was devoted to the introduction OF evil
dence for the defense.
h chief events of to-day were the evil
dence of the defendant and the attempts
of the counsel for the defense to estab-
lish that IL was John Hanson. and not
Ernest Stricken. who dealt John Bru-
guier the deadly blow with an evener pin
on the Fort Peck reservation last June.
Indian Agent Scobey was the first wit
ness to-day. He was recalled by the gov
eminent to testify as TO stricker's In
generation In the guard house after sus-
picion was directed to him. and to bring
out some matters not touched upon In
his direct examination. He was followed
by an Indian named Muskrat. who told
the jury about some shirts belonging to
the dead man found near his body. and
one OF which. IL IL claimed. was found I'm
Stricker's possession. J. n. Bruguier. a
merchant at Culbertson. who sold some
shirts to the dead man. which are In ev-
idence. identified the property. William
West. al assistant Indian farmer upon
the reservation. testified briefly as to
Stricker's actions after arrest and other
matters of little Importance.
The government rested at this point
and the accused was called TO the stand
TO testify In his own behalf. He was
dressed I'm a dark suit and looked a triie
pale from the effects of his sojourn In the
county Jail. He told his story in good
English and appeared to be at ease on
the stand. He said he was 20, a Sioux.
and lived at the Greenwood agency. South
Dakota. lie was educated at Hampton,
Va. He was at the Fort Peck reservation
ON a visit to Louis Lambert at the time
of the occurrence. and remained longer
than expected because of Lamberts alb
sence In South Dakota. The afternoon
preceding the evening Bruguier was kill
ed he met the deceased and an Indian
by the name of Circling Eagle at old
lady Lambert's place. All got very full.
CircIing Eagle getting 30 much the worse
for liquor that he was laid out. Before
dark Stricken and Bruguier started out In
the ~latter's wagon to 20 to the agency.
Witness said he remembered nothing
more that occurred that day after they
had proceeded about three miles from old
lady Lambert's His mind was a total
blank until the next morning. when he
awoke and found himself lying on the
prairie. undressed and wrapped In Bru-
guier's robe and blanket. He saw moth
ing OF his companion of the nights ca
rousal: The blanket and robe were so
tightly wrapped around him that he was
| certain some one had placed them about
him. lie proceeded to Circling Eagles,
where he went to bed and slept. After a
nap he borrowed some clothes and a
blanket and proceeded to old lady Lam
bert's. where he met John Hanson. wha
told him of Bruguier having been killed.
With Hanson he started for the agency
When they met the agent Scobey arrest
ed him.
Ernest, did you strike John Bruguier
with that wrench" asked f. ID. Weed.
counsel for the defense.
mo. SIR" replied Stricken.
He denied that he had had any differ
ence with the deceased. On the contrary.
he claimed they were the best OF friends.
He told practically the same story upon
cross-examination. except that II was
| brought out that he was not particularly
well acquainted with Bruguier. having
met him but three times. Effort TO get the
defendant TO commit himself as to oc-
currences after leaving Lambert's with
| Bruguier were futile.
GRAY Hawk, an Indian. told of finding
fresh horse tracks near Bruguier's BODY
| that looked as though the horseman had
wheeled and ridden RAPIDLY away. George
| Cooley. n white man. living at Box Elder.
| told OF having seen a horseman riding
RAPIDLY by on the night of the killing as
| ,ho,uh A., .r.a, hasta