Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-06-25

duu dhs Nhihb " lh"t oiiNoNy S'Sh'
DR.. Hedges testimony related to the
nature of the wounds received by
Pierce and was all along expert lines.
States Case Closed.
Louis d. Smith, the last witness
called yesterday, was n of the
strongest witnesses introduced by
the state. He told Of the fight at sup
per time and of having seen Fisk so
to his cabin and then return and look
into the bunk house and also into the
dining room. evidently in search of
Pierce. He also saw him take his
stand outside the dining room door
as he waited there for Pierce to come
out. He was positive he heard four
shots. Cross examination could not
shake his testimony and when it was
finished the state rested its case,
and shortly afterward court adjourn
ed for the day.
Self Defense Claimed.
This morning when court convened
all the witnesses for the defense were
sworn, and Attorney Blackboard made
the statement to the jury that the de-
tense would introduce testimony to
prove that the killing of James Ma
than Pierce was done in self defense;
that the shots fired by Fisk were all
from in front of Pierce. in close proX-
unity of him when fired. and that Fisk
was in fear of his life when he shot
Pierce. Also testimony to prove de-
PENDANTS previous good character for
quiet and peaceableness would deb
brought forward.
DIR. II. II. Wilson was the first wit
ness to testify for the defense. He
stated that in his official capacity as
county physician he examined Fisk
a few days after his arrest, and found
a wound. he thought. was on the left
side of the head. The wound pene.
trated to the skull. and the skin and
flesh was tori as if struck with a
weapon. Also a wound on the nose,
that looked as IL il was a cut. lie
stated positively that the wounds
could not have been inflicted with the
fist. The places of the wounds were
shown on Fisk's headand face by DIR
Wilson. on cross-cXaminatiOn the
doctor said he did o think the in
strument used either blunt or yer!
sharp A.. The wounds might have beer
made by the butt of a revolver.
Fisk on the Stand.
Charles l.. Fisk. the defendant, wal
then placed on the stand. Fisk is
rather large. squarely built man, will
a forid complexion, slightly stoopin,
shoulders, and large. bright gre,
eyes. He Is a rather intelligent look
ing man, and answered all the ques
tons put to him in a steady, delibeI
ate way. His story differed in man.
ways from that given by witnesse
for the state. and, il true. places
rather different light upon the xii
ing. Fisk stated his age at 81 years
his birth place as the state of Maine
and his occupation as an engineer
He first came to Montana in 1866. re
NAMED here n and one.half year
and then went to Minnesota, wher
he lived for many years. Then re
turned to Montana and has lived il
Bozeman. Boulder, Neihart, Bel
Great Falls and Lewistown since. Ha
lived in Lewistown nearly four years
having come here from Belt. Ha
worked at c~arpentering most of tn
time, and has worked for Pierce sine
January 20, 1901. He was runnin
the planer at the mill all day Apr
10th. First saw Nate Pierce the ever
ing OF the 10th at the stable door
Asked him what kind of a trip he hat
to which Pierce replied. What tn
hell is it to you?"
He stated positively that at SUI
per Pierce addressed the question t
him, asking If he had heard that Roo,
eyelt was dead. Fisk then asked
it were true that Roosevelt was deaf
not addressing the query to anyone /
particular. Pierce said, C d. yol
you wouldn't believe me-" to whic
Fisk replied: You anarchist. 20
would be glad il he was shot" an
then Pierce said he would rather b
an anarchist than a Republican. A
this point William Pierce came on
of the adjoining room and told ther
If they wanted to quarrel to go on
side. Fisk vent out first and Pierc
followed him, saying. C d yol
you wouldn't believe me-" Fisk lool
ed around and Pierce struck hin
knocked him down and beat him Will
on the ground. Fisk started for hi
cabin after the fight, and it was ther
he said, that William Pierce Gale
to him that he wanted to see hin
At this time he said his nose wa
bleeding and he answered: You can
see me now" He went TO his cabi
put some wood in the stove, an
placed some water on it to heat. The
be went to the house to see Wlllial