The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-06
ANACONDA NEWS.
CHARGED WITH MURDER
The Preliminary Hearing of w.
r. Conn.
1T Is NOT YET CONCLUDED
No Trouble Was Known to Have Ex-
listed Between the Two Men--Self
Defense VIII Probably
Be the Plea.
1T Is NOT YET CONCLUDED

n The preliminary hearing of w. r.
Conn on the charge of the killing of
w. B. WoolfOrd at Helmvile on the
morning of April o. was commenced
yesterday afternoon in Judge Boland's
court County Attorney J. H. Duffy
and Deputy ]. T. Casey represented the
prosecution, and w. r. Conn was rep
resented by Rodgers & Rodgers The
hearing was continued until late in the
evening. A large number of witnesses
We're heard both for the state and for
the defense. The hearing Will probably
be concluded to-day.
The hearing was opened at 2 o'clock
Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth Woolford was
the first witness. She had been on the
stand but few minutes when Attor-
ney H. w. Rodgers made a motion
that no evidence be introduced, as no
offense was charged in the complaint
and it also was not mentioned what the
nature of the weapon was
u Court was then adjourned until
p'clock. at which time Judge Roland
announced that Mr.. Rodgers motion
was overru1ed
Mrs. Woo!fOrd was again called to the
stand She testified that she was the
wife of the deceased WoolfOrd. Her
husbands age was 3S. She had seen
her husband early that morning. She
saw him again in the evening and he
Was aware, no trouble existed between
Conn and her husband. They were on
Very good terms and their business re-
lations had always been excellent.
IT B. MGnniX was the next witness.
He testified that he was a justice of
the peace at Drummond. on the morn
ing of the shooting he saw Conn and
told him that the shooting was very
sad affair. Conn responded: Il had
to shoot to protect myself Conn gave
himself up to Deputy Sheriff Mullin at
Helmville. Witness said that when he
Raw Woolf0rd he was dead and had two
bullet wounds in the head and one in
4lle body.
y After Judge Mannix had concluded
his evidence the court adjourned until
6 o'clock.
When the hearing was resumed at
O'clock John Henry Divers was the first
witness called. lie testified that he had
left Conn and WoQlford about 10 min
utes prior ITO the tragedy. He heard
walking away. Seph Conn was holding
Woolfords head. The prisoner made
do statements about the affair
4 James William Divers was the next
Witness. He repeated the evidence
given by his brother John.
A reporter from the Standard was
next called. sIte sIslat edsS*he interview
he had had with Command the state
anent made to him by the prisoner and
published in this paper several days
ago. .'''
Mrs Woo1ford was recalled. She said
There was a gun at the house which
was not loaded. The WOOlfOrd resi-
dence is situated about 400 yards from
where the shooting occurred.
ANDREW j. Mcfarland repeated the
statement made to him by Conn. The
latter said that WOolfOrd had told him
he was going to the house to get a gun.
Conn said he had told WoOlford to stop,
that the latter had refused and that
then he had To defend himself.
81 AS DR.. Remington could not be found
anywhere. County Attorney Duffy ask
id that a bench warrant be issued Ey
the court. This was granted.
The prosecution rested and the de-
Tense proceeded with the hearing of
their witnesses.
John W. Blair said that Conn was a
man of good reputation. Witness had
heard that he carried a gun.
.aCharles B. Smith testified that Conn
had always been Il good and quiet citi-
zen Woolfcrd had the reputation of
being a hard citizen and was quarrel
some.
u. A. Featherman, ]. S Bignall and
Edgar Q. Freeman were also heard and
they testified to the good reputation Of
Conn.
sThe hearing was ADJOURNED until this
morning.