Evening journal., 1898-02-02
THE THE LATTTTTMEIEERR LATTTTTMEIEER CASE.
Sheriff Martin and His Dep
uties Now on Trial.
CHARGES AGAINST SOME DROPPED.
Prosecution VIII Try to Prove That
Even IL He Did Not Order the
Shooting There Was a Prear-
ranged Signal to Fire.

WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Feb. Mot
since the trials Of the Molly Maguires
has a case excited so much interest in
the coal regions as that of Sheriff Mar
tin and his 50 deputies, just begun in
the Luzerne county court. Long before
the court was called to order the room
was crowded, and it was found neces-
sary to close the doors. When this was
done, there were in the corridors hum
dreds Of persons who were unable to
gain admission.
Sheriff Martin and his 50 deputies are
charged with shooting and killing p
striking miners and wounding more
than so at Lattimer, this county. Sept.
TO- 1897. The SO deputies marched in in
a body and after seating themselves
began to read newspapers, apparently
unconcerned.
Judge Woodward presided. The first
move was made by District Attorney
Martin, who asked that special attor-
neys for the prosecution, five in num-
ber, be allowed to assist him. Counsel
for the defense raised no objection, s...e
ing that 1000 assistants would not avail
the commonwealth. The court granted
the request.
The commonwealth thereupon asked
for a nolle pros in the cases Of Leonard
Babcock, William Drum. John Dough-
erty, J. ]. Gallagher, William Mulhall,
Fred A. Sloppy. William Costello, Will
liam siewell, Calvin Pardee. Jr, John
w. Crooks Jr.. r. c. Warmer, Thomas
A. Harris, Samuel Arnold, Craig Ander-
son and Samuel Gundery.
District Attorney Martin explained
that while the names of these men were
on the Indictment the commonwealth
found that the men were not present at
the scene of the shooting and therefore
could not be held for trial. Mr.. Lena
han, counsel for the defense, objected
strenuously. saying that it was unfair,
after the men had been indicted and
had had the terrible charge of murder
made against them. to rob them Of their
constitutional right-a fair and impair
tial trial by jury.
The argument lasted 20 minutes, and
the court then allowed the motion, and
the nolle pros was entered.
The work of selecting a jury began,
and during the afternoon seven jurors
were selected before court adjourned.
The men thus far obtained are:
Eli Weaver. laborer; c. r. Shaw, car
penter; Aaron Fallman, ropemaker;
Alfred Stevens. clerk; A. II. Shields,
carpenter; Herman Gregory, farmer,
and Adam Larvon, tinsmith.
One of the most interested spectators
at the trial IS Rev. G. Aust He was
the pastor of most of the men killed
and oficiated at their funerals. He also
attended the injured. He is an impor-
tant witness for the prosecution. The
prosecution committee which has its
headquarters at Hazleton, claims to
have sufficient evidence to convict IL
of the defendants 1t is alleged that
every one Of the Is made threats or
the morning of the shooting. 1t is
claimed one man said, Il would like tC
get chance to shoot down some of the
foreigners" Another is reported tS
have said: II will help fill them full o.
holes. The country would be better of
without them"
1t is also claimed that Sheriff AIartir
had an understanding with the depu
ties. 1t has been claimed all alonl
that the sheriff never gave the ordel
to fire. The prosecution say this may
be true in one sense of the word, bu
the sheriff gave a signal which was JUS
as effective as a word by mouth order
The signal was for the sheriff to pul
his revolver. The instant he did thi.
the posse was to fire. The lawyers fol
the defense say no witnesses will b,
found to testify to such facts but tn,
attorneys for the prosecution say ther,
will