The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-06

/ ti0uai testimony, Retef MOrtenSen
/ yesterday experienced the crisis in
his trial for life. He was prepared for
q. Even when confronted by the widow
Of his alleged victim and the father
in-Iaw. the first giving in a weird
monotone the story Of her last meeting
an earth with the man of her heart.
and the other pouring forth the most
bitter words, perhaps, that an accused
man ever was compelled to listen to.
Peter MOrteuSen betrayed not the
slightest emotion, but sat through it
an with his gaze directed towards the
witness chair calmly chewing gum.
When the large east door Of the court
room swung open in the morning. and
there entered a woman. small i'm sta
ture. young in years, attired i'm widow s
weeds. and with grief written in an
the deep Hnas\of her countenancc. "A
hush Of expectation fell over the ire
mcndous crowd that had gathered.
Mrs. Hay on the Stand.
Scarcely a movement was perceptible
during the short time required for Mrs.
James r. Hay TO relate her expert
ences on the fatal night that robbed
her Of husband and protector. She told
her story iu faint syllables. almost in
audible from jhe reporters table. but
bore up bravely through the ordeal and
was out of the court room on the arm
Of a brother before she gave way to
her feelings.
Only one point that Mrs. Hay might
have testified 10 was ruled out. al
though each and every statement made
by her met with the strongest opps-
sition from the defense. The objection
able statement was the reason given
70 her by Mr. Hay why he went 10
M0rteuspn'S house for the money that
night The fact that he did go and
The fact that ne did not return arc i'm
the record.
Then the father. well along in years.
in striking contrast TO the timid. deli
cate little woman who preceded him,
sWore TO some Of the most astounding
statements ever heard IN a temple Of
ustice. In a voice that at times re-
sounded through the chamber like a
desth-knell. and again was calm and
dispaSsiouate. he repeatedly pro-
rounced his accusation of murder
against Peter Mortensen.
Said God Revealed 1t.
Tie swore ;hat God had revealed to
hin the guilt Of Mottensen and told
him how TO prove the horrible deed.
He sw0re that he had seen in a vision
a trail 81 blood. poured from the
wounds Of his son. leading from a rail-
road track into q field beyond
These statements were not voIun-
tered SUdi1usly did James Sharp
Try TO avoid the subject Of revela ton.
and just as studiously did the attor-
reyS for the defense seek to wiring 10 all
from him. That they succeeded there
can be no doubt
II win not deny that these were the
words Of God. here nor anywhere else. /
] wI.. not deny it when I meet God IN
me next world cried James Sharp.
Meanwhile. the large representation
OF eager-cyed humanity in the room
listened In dead silence to the words.
as though they were witnessing some
great drama. as indeed, they were.
Many an eve was wet. so fervent was
The tone OF ar. sharp and so sincere /
vas no. apparently I'm his remarkable /
dsc.srat tons.
Peter Mortenseu was the least moved |
OF al. in the room.
Story of the Widow.
AEgie Sharp Hay. widow Of James I
h Hay. was the first witness called /
yesterday morning. District Attorney
H'nnor. In order not 10 weary the wit /
ness, asked her almost Immediately as /
" j1e return Of her husband from work |
.a me night OF Dec. Is She testified /
.ldt no came into the house about S:25. |
'0l after placing his hat and coat on a /
,'a'E. sat down TO supper. This supper (
''i'ISted of a small quantity Of cold /
''asl mutton. hot biscuits and jam.
,"iler the lignt meal. she stated. Mr. /
lal Went to -he stove and put some I
a ON tho lire. then left the house, the /.
-..a OF his departure being S:45.
".s. Hay. just before your husband
y. you that evening. YOU may state
.-,leT De told YOU where he was 20
NoN. don't answer that. please.
...,aeN1 Mr. EiChnOr. anticipating an
.uon from the defense.
.ae objection came. and was on the
---'aS of ledrsay. inCOmpetenCy and
,.Idleuaity. Tt was overruIed and /
Witness replied afirmatively.
oS,I7tH where he said he was going?"
9'jaeuon by the defense. Overruled.
Hay Went to Mortensen's.
pr. Hay said. 7 am going over to
-..5.S few minutes. to collect some
-l- IlI be back sOon."
-.a he give any reason why he was
song at that hour?"
-ou may state what he said
one defense again Objected and the
.l asked SIR. Eichnor to submit the
NJ D.. expected from the witness.
.,.- district attorney did so. and the
sustained the objection.
n-..>. hay then gave the ages of her
children at that time as 4 years.
N '.' and six months. She went on
f,.i mat she retired about 1920. At
f....-N she awokc and went into the
tuned "uSoahd mad not re-
20, oI some time then I was irving to
ana ~ courage TO leave the children
.t--ssso % Peter Mortensen's house"
. ,.- .,-Ga Mr.. Mrs Hay. Il did go there at
ap.' DO YOU know fl was . O'clock o.,
Pr.-. (, adSa the town clock struck ? as
''''Asen opened the door.
Search For Her Husband.
hags. D. arrived at Mortensen's the /
door ,,5 aS aaTk I went to the south
ulss H. SHOOK IT, In about ten min
M Jensen opened the door.
Ir1Ess rs James" I asked. and he |
M. ana 'Sl he at homer told him
% E-,.-.... said he must have gone nm
no7ar 5. J. asked him If he had the
Answer i didn't understand his first
yes. D. ~. s. asked again. and he said
has r,a. S5Id: 7 wouldn't worry lie
and r r.. over night with Ernest
ho7s,,'H' have missed his laef 49,
Hr
.ou,.- could sec Mortensen coutd
zee he turned q, ,b.r-,..