The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-19
PROSECUTION CLOSES
In the Case Against Sheriff Martin
and His Deputies.
DEFENSE WILL OPEN ON MONDAY,

from Present lnuluatiOnS the Trial
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 four weeks longer.
The first witness called yesterday
was Frank Kubiski. He said that the
sheriff had told them at West Hazle-
ton to go home adding: I'm the sher-
iff of Luzerne county, and you cannot
go through here without you kill me-"
Then the witness stated that Deputy
Cook fired in the air, and when the
strikers had gone back Policeman
Jones showed them how they could
reach Lattinler 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 side on the fur
Their side of the railroad track He
was away up on the hill when the fir
ing ceased. He denied on cross exam
nation, that his father had dynamite
In the house to blow up the company's
works, but he admitted that he had it
In the mine TO 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
3. c. Laubach, 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 gum
Bernard Ruman, who was brought
into court on stretcher from the Ha-
zleton hospital, is shot through both
hips, and may not recover. He said that
the sheriff told the strikers at Latti-
mer to dispense, and when the leaders
began to argue he shot down a man
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,
"Fire.'
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 ball passing
quite through his body.
The widow of Mike Cezlak, for whose
death the sheriff and deputies are on
trial, said that she had been married
16 years and had FIVE children.
Mike ZIek became exasperated when
in the cross examination Attorney Len
ahan persisted in asking where the
strikers expected to see the men at
Lattimer, and finally exclaimed: II
don't know; I'm not the Holy Ghost.'s
Zlek was shot in the side, and exhibited
the wound.
Thomas Lynch testified regarding
threats by the deputies. He said: AT
West Hazleton Thomas Manley told me
to get out of the road, saying l miS3ft
get shot. and when would nat no he
swore at me and said he-Svoula knock
my brains out: .SSy'pIty Cook told him
10 smut Was had as much right there
d ally body. Later I heard George and
James Ferry say they would blow out
the strikers brains. l also saw Alonzo
Dodson holding wounded striker
against fence with the muzzle of his
gun. The man was bleeding from cut
on his head"
John Welsh said he heard Edward
BAREBACK say: This is the hardest
days work I've done for some time. l
don't see why the sheriff is taking us
around without giving us a chance to
do some shooting" Welsh admitted
that John Damschek, the driver Of a
beer wagon, who was wounded, said to
him that the strikers had pulled him
from his wagon and forced him against
his wishes to join them and march to
Lattimer. Damschek died in the hos
ptal few days later.
Anthony Novatny, John b. Mailman
and John Marinko gave corroborative
evidence.