The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-18
BOWMAN ACQUITTED
OF KNEIREM MURDER
NO TESTIMONY FOR THE DE-
FENsE WAS NECESSARY.
Commonwealth Witnesses Convinced
the Jury That Kneirem Died Of a
Disease of the Stomach, and That
the Knife Wounds Were in No
Wise Responsible for His Death.
Glinsky Convicted of False Pre-
tense-Other Gases in Court.

on the strength of the common
wealth's testimony, alone, a verdict OF
acquittal was secured yesterday for
William Bowman in the Petersburg
murder case. Coroner Roberts testi-
fled that Kneirems death was due to
a disease of the stomach and that
the knife wounds inflicted six weeks
previously by Bowman were neither
directly nor indirectly responsible. The
jury was out less than an hour.
The commonwealth did not press for
a first degree verdict, but insisted
that Bowman should be found guilty
of second degree murder or man
slaughter. Kneirem was fifty-seven
years of age and had never lost a day
in his life on account of illness, it
was contended, until he was laid low
by Bowman's knife. Consequently. it
stood to reason that the stabbing
was the cause of his death. though
possibly not the immediate cause.
The story Of the stabing was told
in detail by Fred Swartz, an eye-wit-
ness, and corroborated in various fea-
lures by other witnesses. 1t appears
that a crowd was at Joe Haus' saloon
on the night of ;he Tenth ward Re-
publican primaries, January g. last,
Knelrem and Bowman being among
them. The crowd had made fun of
Bowman's dog and they angered him.
Bowman and Swartz went out and
while they were standing in front Of
the saloon, Kneirem passed them out
carrying a pail of beer Kneirem
made another stinging remark about
the dog and Bowman called Kneirem
a vile name. Hot words were ex-
changed and finally they grappeld, but
before they did any damage they were
separated.
BOWMAN WAS IN WAITING.
Bowman started down the street.
and a minute or so later Kneirem, ac-
companied by Swartz, followed, all
three being headed homework Bow
man was encountered waiting behind
a post and the fight was renewed
During the struggle, Bowman stabbed
Kneirem eight times about the neck
and shoulders with pocket knife,
having a five inch blade.
He was laid up in bed for a couple
OF weeks and did not leave the house
until nearly six weeks later. February
"a he was out on visit to the West
Side, and two days later he died. Dr.
Bernstein, his attending physician, pro-
nounced him well before he went ort.
When on the witness stand DIR.
Bernstein expressed the opinion that
while death might have been due to
stomach trouble, it was very likely
hastened by the loss of blood from
the stab wounds.
Coroner Roberts, who performed the
autopsy, gave it az his positive he
lief that death was due, solely from
stomach trouble, following a constric-
tion of the bowels, the latter resulting
from an excessive use of liquors. The
deceased, by reason Of his being a
blacksmith, was in the habit of drink
ing a large amount of water. ana
this, the coroner thought, was the
cause Of his disease.
The coroner was called reluctantly
by the commonwealth, and only after
the defense protested that 1t was the
duty Of the commonwealth to call
him.
The defense offered no testimony
whatever. When the prosecution rest
| ed, Mr.. O'Brien asked for binding in
structions for acquittal, but Judge
| Archibald refused to grant the motion,
prefering to have the jury pass on the
matter. His charge strongly favored
acquittal.