Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-29
Trial on Attempted Murder
Charge is Finished in Des
AZ, s-,-.<. Moines.
COURT DECIDES MONDAY
Former ottumwa Man Insists That
Doctor Drew His Gun First-Says
He Knows Mrs. Hammond to His
SorroW-His Testimony,

Des Moines, May 29.-The trial of
Jesse Hammond of Des Moines, we'll
known in Ottumwa on the charge of
shooting at DR.. E. B. Walston. also of
Des Moines, has ended. Justice Dun
can announced that he would take the
matter under advisement and render
a decision Monday at 2 o'clock. He
set the case of the state against Wal
ston, charged with assault with intent
to kill Hammond, for June at 10
o'clock, and simultaneously the peace
bond case against Hammond. The
case involving the custody of Ham
mond's child comes on in district
court June 10.
Hammond went on the stand in his
own defense. He insisted that he
went to the Allen home, where he shot
at Walston, in response to telephone
message from Mrs. Hammond for an
interview with regard to the future Of
their child He insisted that Walston
drew his gun first. He denied that he
attempted to approach the house by
stealth.
Hammond Tells His Story.
Hammond was placed on the stand
Under direct examination he stated
that he was acquainted. with William
Murphy, one of the propristors of the
Murphy Bros saloon.
did you see him on April 20. 1902"
asked the attorney.
S..Y es.'
I'm the afternoonsp Il
IL "Yes. 4
# sAt about what time?s q
q. About 4:30." 81
ION what business9"
HE came into my bowling alley and
told me lady had called up over the
Iowa phone to please have Mr. Ham.
mond call up Mutual 1882.
.sWhat else did he say?'
81 do not remember anything else
that he said.'
Witness stated that he rent to a
place opposite Murphy's saloon and
called up Mrs. Hammond, as she had
requested He was asked to repeat
their conversation.
sShe said: I understand you will
commence proceedings to prove that
am not fit person to have the custody
of our boy. said would. She said,
Can't you come up tonight?' / an
swerad, I am very busy, but will
come UP either tonight or tomorrec--.
Cant you come IN before the suit?
she asked. I replied, III como up af
ter supper if get through in time. II
not. tomorrow.
..That was about what timer
"About 4:30."
What did you do then?"
81 went back to the alley where
was on duty
You are acquainted with Mrs. Ham
mbnd?" !
ITO my sorrow. ! am"
"Do you know her voice."
81 do.''
"Are you sure it was she you were
talking with?"
Yes"
couldn't there be any mistake
about that?'
mo"
Had you been called up by Mrs
Hammond before over that 'phone??"
Yes"
.sHow many times?"
'Three or four"
with reference to what matter?"
.'To giving up the custody of m.
boy to me or to my mother"
.'Did Mr.. Murphy always call you t.
the phone?D
yes"
.eWho delivered the message to yol
on this occasion?"
murphy"
Hammond was asked by his own at
torneys about the shooting and toll
the same story as before. He went t
the door with Policeman Hess. Wal
ston opened the door. Hammond dc
manded to see Mrs. Hammond. 6
had done nothing said the witness
s.when he whipped out his gun an,
tried to pull the trigger, with the mu2
zle pointing at my breast, pulled m
gun as quickly as l knew how and too
a shot at him. He threatened m
when he pulled his gun. I'll max
you get off the porch he said with a
OATH Hammand denied vigorousl
that he had looked in the side windoN
of The house or gone anywhere abou
it, except at the front door,
sLAYs PLAYMATE WITH FIST.
Aeuno Boy. at St. Joseph confeseos t
Killing Companion.
St. Joseph. NO, May 20. Jaeo
rrobay,, 4 wears cf nya N f{ebonj ho,