El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-23

Never before in the annals OF the
criminal Jurisprudence of west Texas
has there been such an interesting
witness put on the stand as little Clin-
ton Harrison. seven years of age. who
testified in the Pitt murder trial yes
terday AFTERNOON. late
Little Clinton Harrison, so small
that his short legs only half reached
the floor as he sat in the witness chair,
and so truthful that one of the most
peculiar and masterful cross exami-
nations ever heard in the district
court room of this city failed to cause
him to deviate one iota from his orig
inal story.
Ii Sid Pitt is cleared he will in a
great measure owe his vindication
from the charge of wanton murder to
little Clinton Harrison, who can claim
the distinction of being the only eye
witness to the fearful tragedy at Mon
door or hide behind the counter to es-
cape the flying bullets.
LittleClinton was in the thick of
the fight. His father bOlted out the
back door and when he had gone some
distance happened to think of my lit
tie son." who had been left behind in
the store where desperate men were
engaged in mortal combat
Meantime Clinton had lodged under
the gun barrel and leaped out of the
front door. He had been in the midst
of the shooting and saw it all-prob-
ably the only one who did see it all.
Testimony Last Eveneing.
Yesterday afternoon the cross ex-
animation of witness Burchfield was
continued. He was kept on the stand
longer than any other witness.
Didn't you send word to all the
neighbors who were kin to Pitt that
you would shoot them il they attended
Hills funeral" asked Judge Cunning
ham.
No, sir: | only told them that l
wanted them to stay away"
Redirect by Judge Hamner.l The
witness was instructed to tell the jury
al about the lease of the land over
which the trouble occurred. He ex-
planned and wound up by saying that
Pitt wanted TO sink the well within
300 yards of Hills house and the re-
suit. he said. would have been a gener-
al bust up" anu Hill would either
have had to sell his ranch or buy Pitts
Now. they said something about
you being a violent and dangerous
man Did you ever Kill anybody"
No. sir. only in war; l haven't
carried a gun in sixteen years"
Witness said he had no intention of
ki.iing anybody even if the we'll
was dug. but his idea was to shoot the
rope in two. He explained that he
wanted to spend $4,000 in money to
prosecute Pitt and spend it only for
legitimate purposes.
Witness explained that Quarles had
been paid of for boring the well few
minutes before the shooting.
[Re-cross.l Didn't you tell Jack
Coker and others that Hill knocked |
Pitt down with a rope and would have |
got the best of him if it hadn't been |
for his six-shooter?"
Il told him that l had heard that.
didn't see anything of the kind"
The threatened shooting of the rope
in two used by the well borers was |
brought out and the cross questioning |
as to what might nave been the re-
suit. became so searching that attor- |
ney for the prosecution objected on
the grounds that the queries were ar
gumentive. The objection was sus-
tanned and an exception noted.
State Rests.
Inc witness was excused and the |
state by Judge Hammer. who had con-
Quoted the prosecution, announced |