The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-10

monWealth. Mr. Daniels said they
would press for Il first degree verdict.
The killing he claimed was vilfull,
deliberate and vicious. That there was
a specific intent to take life was evil
denced. Mr.. Dariels held. by Ludlon's
actions on the afternoon and early
evening preceding the shooting.
During the afternoon Luddon had
some words with Foreman Powell,
Srappled with him and drew revolver
ON him. The revolver was knocked
from Luddon's hand and fell between
some logs. Before Lud Ion could re-
cover it, Powell made good his escape.
Powell reported the matter to super
intendent Jermyn by telephone, and
Mr.. Jermyr ordered that Luddon be
discharged and Matt Barber put on as
Waterman in his stead. Luddon went
to the mine at about S O'Clock at night
and coming upon Barber seized him
and searched HIM to find if he had a
revolver. at the same time making
threats to blow his heart out.
Tony Commir igan. special officer,
and brothcr-in~law of Barber was next
accostcd and searched A revolver was
found on his person and Luddon took
it away from HIM.
He caught Comminigau by the cOllar
! aud marched with him towards the en-
gine house. Passing the head of the
shaft where some men We're at work
on the tinbeHs LuddOn called one of
them, Thomas baVis, to come down.
and when he repeated the call to the
| accompaniment of a flourish Ct the re-
volVer all the men came down
LUDDON'S ALLEGED THREAT.
See this man" Luddon said, point
! ing to his prisoner H had reVol-
| YER I'm going to shoot hi.l. I'll blow
/ his heart out" Then he marched Tony
| to the engine house and placed him in
the far end Of the room, at the ter
| minus Of a narrow aisl@, between Ghe
machinery and the wall.
| Barber came along and protested
| against Luddon's action, whereupon
| LuddOr ordered him q take a seat
| alongside his hrothor-in-law. Fire
man John Moran, who Is also a special
| officer, went to see what he could do
| with Luddon and was forced, at the
| point Of revolver. 90 take seat with
| Comminigan ana B2rtcE
| With his own revolver ana the one
| taken from Tony. Luddon held the
! three men at "hands up" for Il long
! time half hour, III" witnesses will
say, while he leaned his back against
! the wall and repeated warnings to
them that they would be shot if they
mGde u move.
His next move was to blow the
breaker whistle twice, which is tho
/ call for the foreman. After waiting fol
some time and Foreman Powell failing
to appear, he pulled the whistle again
this time giving three blasts, the signal
for help when d catastrophe occurs.
This brought half the town to the
scene. Iuddon was standing near i
! window and could see those who came
the moon being bright. Rafferty, and
/ McKenna We're among those who re-
! sponded to the alarm. LuGdon could
see them from the window and knew
them to be police officers. There was
no light in the engine room, the lantern
having been overturned.
When they entered the engine room
Luddon asked who's there" ant
Chief Rafferty, responded, IT'S Pa
Rafferty," The thought Of the mis-
deeds he had committed during tn,
day, coupled with the appearance d
the officers suggested to his mind, ~
Mr.. Daniels alleged, the punishment
that awaited him. and growing desper
ate and reckless he fired, killing Raf
ferty and wounding McKenna. Raf
ferty dropped al the first shot, and Nc
Kcnna at the third shot reeled and fell
seriously wounded, striking against til,
machinery as he fell
In examining one of the jurors, Nj
Murphy asked him if he was firm be
lever in the law nf self-defense. Thi!
is the only suggestion, so far given, a'
to the line that win be pursued bl
InddOn's attorneys.