The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-02-01
SEQUEL OF TRAGIC DEATH.


SEQUEL OF TRAGIC DEATH.
Grand Forks Court begins the Trial
of w. e. West, Alleged Murderer.
The trial Of w. e. West for the kill
Ing Of Frank ". March has begun in
the district court at Grand Forks. The
case is n in which great interest has
been taken on account Of the prom
lnence Of the men and the peculiar sur
rounding circumstances. March was a
travelling man, representing the North
Star Shoe company of Minneapolis in
the Grand Forks territory, and making
mis- headquarters in Grand Forks. where
he had lived several years. He was
married two years ago to Miss Ethel
Cavanaugh of Grand Forks, and they
had one child.
W. E. West is an Iowa man, his home
being in Cedar Rapids. and he came to
Grand Forks last March to represent
George w. Wright Of St. Paul, VINO has
large real estate interests here. He and
March became acquainted and became
very friendly, one bond Of union being
the March baby, to whom West became
very much attached. In tastes and
habits the two men were as different as
we'll could be. March was an athlete.
large in stature, strong and active, with
a taste for outdoor sports. He had
been very prominent in base ball circles,
had pitched for dhe Minneapolis team,
and had umpired in Montana and OH
the coast, and lately in North Dakota,
having been chief umpire of the North
Dakota league last season. His ability
as an umpire was unquestioned, but he
frequently gave offense by his autocrat-
lie ann and his quick temper, and
his superb physique caused those who
knew him well to avoid him whenever
lit was evident that he had been drink
Inc, as he was considered a dangerous
man at such times.
West was little known 1.ere, being
luiet ard retiring. So far as known his
habits were good, and his disposition
was to avoid trouble. For some cause
during the last week in November
March threatened West with personal
Violence several times, and on each oc-
casion West avoided him. On the even
ing of Nov. 80, March had been drink
ing, and was in a quarrelsome mood.
He went into the Prescott hotel dining
room for supper, and found West there.
To an acquaintance at the table he adj
dressed severa, remarks of an offensive
nature, which were obviously intended
for West. The latter left the room and
crossed the street to the. Dacotah.
March talked so extensively of West
that the proprietor of the Prescott re-
1uested him to desi,t and March left
COR the Dacotah, annou, cling his inten-
ion Of getting that fellow"
March entered the Dacotah Office a
few minutes after West, n the two
men conversed a few moments in low
tones while standing at the desk. There
was nothing about their conversation to
attract the attention Of bystanders, n
tie first in%tinlation that those in the
room had that anything unusual was
going on when March struck West a
blow in the face. Two blows We're
struck before West fell to the floor. n
March seized the fallen man by the leg
ard. struck at him again while he was
IN the floor. Men crowded around, n
March either stepped back or was
pushed back, and West rose to his feet.
lie uIGW d ISSolSSI, LII
March said: ,"S1oot again; Ill die
game" and started for the billiard.
room adjoining, West making no at
tempt to follow. March was ound TO
have been hit about four inches above
the left groin, and the intestines were
perforated. He died on Monday, Dec.
J., having been only partially conscious
at any time after the shooting.
West was placed under arrest. ana
retained Cochrane & Corliss to defend
am. Many Of his business associates
N Grand Forks offered to furnish an,
unlimited amour. of hail. If bail could
be accepted, and his employer, George
3. Wright of st. Paul, made similar
offers, and instructed his legal repre-
sentatives, Bosard & Bosard, to see
hat his legal rights were protected. At
he preliminary examination the case OF
he state was presented end the Wit
aesses Of the transaction We're exam
ned, but the defense did nDt offer am
evidence. The prisoner was held to the
district court, md Judge Fiske refused
n application for bail. An application
vas made to the supreme court Tor q
writ Of habeas corpus, and it was denied.
IN legal Grounds. and Mr.. West hns re-.
NAMED in the county Jail since thai;
line.
The prisoner was a%rraigned on saa1
charge Of murder, to which he pleaded
not guilty. The state will nedeavor %
prove. that a sufficient time elapsed ar
Ter the prisoner was struck by March
md before. the shot was fired to permit
rim to collect his faculties and to real-
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