The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-02-19
PROSECUTION CLOSES
In the Case Against Sheriff Martin
and His Deputies.
DEFENSE WILL OPEN ON MONDAY.
From Present Indications the TBial
win Drag Along For -Four Weeks
Longer-Mor ore Evidence as to Threats
Made by Deputies.

FROM IfeSeub lluluhClons INC Iblal
WIN Drag Along For -Four Weeks
Longer-More Evidence as to Threats
Made by Deputies.
wilkesbarre, Pa, Feb. 10. The
commonwealth today finished its
case against Sheriff Martin and his
deputies, charged with shooting down
the strikers at Lattimer. The defense
will open on Monday, and will CON
Clude in about two weeks. The dis
trict attorney will then call about so
witnesses in rebuttal. Altogether it
looks as though the trial will drag
along for fou weeks longer.
The first witness called yesterday
was Frank Kubiskl. He said that the
sheriff had told them at West Hazle-
ton to go home, adding: Pm the sher-
if of Luzerne county, and you cannot
go through here without you kill me-"
Then the witness stated hat Deputy
Cook fired in the air, and when the
strikers had gone back Policeman
Jones showed them how they could
reach Lattimer by a side street, telling
them that so long as they were unarm-
ed the deputies could not hurt them.
At Lattimer he saw two men shot dead
by the first fire, and as he ran two
more dropped by his size on the fur
Their side of the railroad track. He
was way up on the hill when the fir
ing ceased. He denied, on cross exam
i%nation, that his father had dynamite
In the house to blow up the company's
works, but he admitted hat he had it
in the mine 10 use in his work there.
John Peckuhanis testified that he
was shot in the thigh while $40 yards
from the deputies. John Hantiwicz, a
friend, ran over to assist him, and was
shot through the body.
John Micklas, the youngest witness
of the trial, a ~16-year-old breaker
boy, who marched with the strikers
to Lattimer, testified that when the
sheriff stopped the men at West Ha-
zleton that official was told they were
going ~peaceably and with no intention
Of hurting or numbering anybody.
Joseph Padladeck, the next witness,
declared the sheriff gave the order to
fire. Asked if he could identify the
sheriff he pointed out Mr.. Palmer, one
of the lawyers for the defense, and
there was much laughter.
B. c. Laubach, a baker Of Freeland,
heard Deputy William Raught say af-
ter the shooting, Il used five or seven
shots" Another deputy said, Il emp
tied my gun"
Bernard Ruman, who was brought
into court on a stretcher from the Ha-
zleton hospital, is shot through both
hips, and may not ecover. He said that
the sheriff told the strikers at Latti.
mer to dispense, and when the leaders
began to argue he shot down a mar
standing near to him, and when the
man chung to his arm the sheriff struck
him down with the butt of his revolver
He then Jumped back and shouted
"Ffre!"
Andrew Stabonik showed to the jury
the scars of three Wounds. He was
shot through each shoulder and in the
middle of the back, each bal passing
quite through his body.
The widow of Mike Cezlak, for whose
death the sheriff and deputies are OF
trial, said that she had been married
16 years and had five children.
Mike Zlek became eXasperated wher
in the cross examination Attorney Len.
ahan persisted in asking where the
strikers expected to see the men al
Lattimer, and finally exclaimed: 90
don't know; I'm not the Holy Ghost
Zlek was shot in the side, and exhibited
the wound.
Thomas Lynch testified regarding
threats by the deputies. He said: "a
West Hazleton Thomas Manley told mi
to get out of the road, saying 1 nigh
get shot, and when l would not go h,
swore at me and said he would knocl
my brains out. Deputy Cook told hin
to hut up, as l had as much right Their,
as anybody. Later l heard George an,
James Ferry say they would blow GU
the strikers brains. l also saw Alonz
Dodson holding a wounded strike
against a fence with the muzzle of hi
gun. The man was bleeding from a GU
on his head"
John Welsh said he heard Edwart
Bareback say: This is the hardes
days work I've done for some time.
don't see why the sheriff is taking u
around without giving us a chance t
do some shooting" Welsh admittet
hat John Damschek, the driver of
beer wagon, who was wounded, said t.
him that the strikers had pulled hin
from his wagon ana forced him agains
his wishes to join them and march t,
Lattimer. Damschek died in the hos
pital a few days later.
Anthony Novatny, John B. Hallmal
anE John Marinko gave corroborativ'
audience.