Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-02-08
ROAST FOR %EClAlS
Dished Up in the Trial Of the
Deputies by the Presid.
ing Judge.
ASTOUNDING FAIsEHooDs" TOLD,

No says, BY Certain Representatives Of the
Press, Whom He Threatens to Shut Out
OF the Court Room-Judge Rules Out
Concentrations Of Spectators Of tho Shoot
ing-Defense Lays . Trap for Confident
Witness - 10 liberalization.
Wilkesbarre. Pa. Feb. 8. Judge
woodward. presiding at the trial of
sherin Martin and his deputies, had
something to say yesterday about the
specials sent out to metropolitan Jour-
nais anent this trial. His remarks we're
q severe denunciation of the sensation
alism Of certain newspapers in endeav-
oring. as the court said. to prevent JUS
tice by an exaggeration Of the facts and
incidents Of the trial. He would. he
SAID, not mention any names at present,
but II the astounding falsehoods and
Misrepresentation continue. the repre-
sentatives Of the papers will find the
door OF the court closed to them" The
first witness was Silas Jones' Justice Of
the peace Of West Hazleton. He stated
that he had seen the meeting Of the
deputies and strikers at West Hazleton
and followed the deputies to Lattimer.
Court Jlecides Tor the Defense.
He saw Sheriff Martin advance to-
ward them with q paper in his hand.
Some Of them surrounded him and an
alteration occurred. but the witness
could not see exactly how the alterca.
ton commenced or how 1t terminated.
He heard a couple OF shots and then q
volley and saw several men fall. Two
who fell near him were dead. He was
asked what the spectators said after
the shooting. The defense objected. and
the court sustained the objection. Coun-
sci for the defense asked the witness if
he was not frightened when he saw the
sheriff surrounded by the strikers, and
answered that he was, and that owing
to this fact he could not tell clearly Just
what happened ct the moment.
Says the sheriff Was Violent.
George Yeager was the next witness.
He Joined the strikers and marched with
them to Lattimer. He described the
meeting with the sheriff, and said the
sheriff Grew his revolver and pointed It
at the strikers fIe grabbed one of them
and pulled him out from the others. all
the time holding the pistol at his breast
Then come one shouted to shoot and
the deputies fired. after the first few
Shots" said the witness. there was a
volley and then a number of separate
shots and eleven men were killed in five
minutes and lots wounded" Cross ex-
animation did not change the witness
story materially. He said dur
ing the course of the ex-
animation that he could point
out any deputy who was present at the
shooting, and the defense Immediately
scored Strong point by calling up in
front Of the witness stand John Eamp-
ton. chief OF the coal and iron rolice.
Yeaeer was asked IL he ad seen Hamp-
ton with the deputies.
And Hampton Was Not There at AL
Yes" he exclaimed. The was in the
line. and was holding his rifle this way"
and he illustrated the position. The de-
Tense will prove that Hampton was
not on the scene at all, but was in Ha.
zleton at the time.
Thomas Hall. clerk Of the Valley re-
tel in Hazleton. swore that on the Sun-
day following Deputy John Turner was
in the hotel and said, speaking of the
I'VE all marched out to Lat
timer. and as the strikers came up I
heard o shot. II seemed to come from
the ranks Of the strikers, and then we
opened up. I shot nine OF them and
killed Ave-" Christopher Brechen swere
that two Of the deputies had declared to
him that the strikers all should be shot
When John Costello was about to tell
what deputy had said to him after
the fusillade the defense objected and
with the objection pending the court
adjourned for the day.
CB,.rU.1 = r..se n. :. 1-ae;.-s