The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-13
Miss SIsgIg Takes Advantage
Of Witness Privilege.
BLUSnED WHEN QUESTIONED.
Hamilton, Tho Man Accused Of Numbering
Du, Vas vsu Nervous While The Young
Woman Was On Stand


Slagle was called to the stand yesterday
in the Hamilton-Day murder case. but to
the surprise of all she claimed the privi-
lege Of refusing 10 answer questions on
The ground that they might tend to crimi-
nate her. and she was accordingly ex-
Iuscd.
The young woman was as pale as death
as she stepped forward when her name
was called, but as she sank into the wit
ness chair her face became crimson,
which color IL remained until she left the
stand after the court had sustained her
sn her declInation TO answer any ques-
tIons. especially question regarding a
conversation she had with Hamilton IN
which Days name was mentioned, few
days before the killing.
While the woman and the court were
talking Hamilton flushed and became i'm
tensely nervous. lie bit his finger nails
10 the quick and turned and twisted ia
his chair until the attorney spoke To him,
cautioning him 10 keep quiet.
When Miss Siagle was allowed to step
down from witness stand sigh OF RELIEF
went up from all over the courtroom,
for there were present several persons
who had feared that the young woman
would say things that would open a
choice scandal and perhaps break up
few homes.
Miss Slagle is the daughter OF a wealthy
physician of Minneapolis. and she was
drawn into the case through the state
ments made by the friends OF both the
young men that the quarrel In the West
Hotel. which ended fatally. was about
her.
attentive 10 Miss Slagle. and the rumor
was that she had told Hamilton some
thing that Day had said about him and in
turn had repeated TO Day what Hamilton
said about the young millionaire.
WOMEN IN A CRUSH.
The greatest crush OF the trial came at
Che ol,ening session yesterday, when sew
eral women had their clothing torn al
most of In the wild rush for seats. One
OF the noted spectators was Richard lie
Galiienne. the poet.
He was much impressed with the fact
that the court did not wear wig ~
English turists do, and the simplicity of
the entire proceedings seemed 10 him
wonderful in the extreme.
William G.. Bennett, "a travelling sales
man. gave most graphic description OF
Days death. He saw the Hamilton par
~ enter the room and heard Day say TO
Hamilton: You're the man I've been
looking for
Bennett heard talk OF a woman. but did
not catch the drift OF the conversation.
a scufiie followed. bat the men we're sep
arated. Shortly afterward he, with sew
eral others. was ordered from the room
by special officer. A moment later he
was called back by Barbe. another travel
ing man and found Day lying on the floor
Hamilton was not there. Continuing.
Bennett said:
II rubbed Days left hand and then
went 10 the bar for the brandy. Failing
TO get any I returned TO the side OF the
dying man and found Hamilton and Cam
Held there. told Hamilton TO slap Days
hands and take OF his shoes and rub his
feet as his eytremities were getting cold.
Neither Hamilton nor Garfield said any
thing. said He Is dying. Hamilton
said, rs he? and reached his hand over
Days breast.
PRAYER BESIDE THE DYING MAN.
I'VE continued 10 rub his feet and apply
hot water. About ten minutes afterward
the doctor came I'm and five minutes later
Day died said: Let US offer pray
err. l kneeled down and so did Hamilton
By my side The prayer was a silent one.
AN officer came and stood beside Ham
ilton and Canfeld. l did not hear Hamil-
afterward. ] had no knife nor had Barbe
Neither OF us mad any trouble in the room
with any one"
Barbe lives in ST. Louis and IL Is said
that he will not appear 10 testify for the
defence This may cause delay, as the
lawyers for Hamilton say tho missing
mans evidence rs vital
Another element of mystery has been
introduced into the case by the testimony
of watchman O'Mally. who was ON duty
at the West Hotel the morning OF the
tragedy.
lie sworc that there was present In the
room and standing very close To Day aud
Hamilton. a man whom the witness did
not know. This Is the first time the pres
snce OF a stranger has been mentioned by
any of the witnesses ana the defence will
undoubtedly make q strong point OF ID
Grace Townsend. the pretty stcnog-
Erapher, has not yet appeared in the court
ioom. although IL is understood that she
has been 70 the jail 60 visit Hamilton M
company with his attorney Hamilton
denies that ne has az any time had an In
iorest In her ana declares the only name
mentioned between himself and Day was
that OF Miss Slagie.