Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-12
"The Spotter" Takes the Stand
and Tells about the
Shooting.
WAS STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES
Rendered Almost Unconscious by the
Blows-Does Not Remember Shoot
Threatened by the Crowd
Arguments To-day.

Woodstock, June 1o.-This was an inter
esting day for spectators at the trial of
Samuel d. Wilson for the shooting OF IL. L.
COSTA at White River Junction. The re-
spondent was on the stand for two and a
half hours, making a good appeara ncc,
but the tears could hardly be kept back at
one point in his story of the tragedy. ).
H. Mccullough of White River Junction
was at the hotel on the night of the shoot
ing leaving before the occurrence, but he
said he heard the boys boot and Jeer at
Wilson, outside of the house. lie saw
Gosha at the hotel during the afternoon
and heard him ask a man named Eeete if
he would stand by him if he got into troub-
Bile. Keefe told him to go away. On cross
examination he said the shouting was by
small boys. He did not know what it was
about
| The respondent then took the stand and
gave a detailed story of his experiences in
| 'crmont up to the time of the tragedy. lie
said he was born in Boston Il years ago
and his parents are now dead. He was at
PhillipS-EXeter one year and also ATTENDED
a classical school at Newton, Mass. He
had been page at the Somerset and Uni.
versity clubs in Boston, and did work for
the Watch ard Ward society. He was am
bilious to be a detective.
He was engaged by States Attorney Tar
bell of this county to get evidence against
the lawbreakers and began work last June.
He was engaged In several raids, once at
White River Junction, where five men were
arrested for gambling. This was on the
Sunday preceding the piazza tragedy. The
next day, While he was at the Junction
House a crowd gathered about hooting and
threatening violence, and calling him a
id spotter," etc. He asked the protec-
ton Of officer Bruce.
Saturday, December Z, the states attor-
ney having no more work for him he made
| 1flu tc 70 tt,a Hat 10 ~
Sunday with Jailor Thomas here and went
to the junction to get a billy and revolver
which had been taken from him and some
clothing. Securing his property he went TO
the hotel for supper. Afterwards he talked
with Landlord Wheeler, who loaned him a
rubber coat into the outside pockets Of
which he thrust his billy and loaded revol-
yer.
There were insulting remarks from the
party In the hotel Office and more of id
spotter' talk I'D like to punch your h. ad
and the like. Wheeler told the people to
mind their own business"
He told Wheeler that he ordered omelet
for supper and that in it he found black
lsteel pin placed there purposey, he be-
lev ed, with the object of injuring him.
Then he left the office going directly to
the team by the piazza. AS he was hand
Ing some money to the driver he received
a severe blow on the left temple and he
staggered half stunned toward the build
ing. Two or three more blows left him al
most unconscious but recovering he drew
his revolver and fired as he believed to-
ward the floor to summon help and prevent
}, further assault. He was conscious of FIR
ing but once, and did not shoot until as
saulted. He denied making the remark
" well l guess hit him.
i There were lot Of men standing around
He was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Peck
who took his gun and led him weak and