The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-14
Apparent Effort Not Only to Clear
Accused, but Direct Suspicion
to Another.
TRIAL TO BE RESUMED TO-DAY.
Booher May Be Sufficiently Recnv
cred to Participate in Proceed
ings-Character Sketch of
Deputy Peter Neff.

BT A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Savannah. Mo-. March Rowing to the
| sudden illness of Prosecuting Attorney
Charles F. Booher the Fife case has been
delayed for another day.
Booher's physician. Doctor David Bryant,
said that his, patient was partially recov-
cred. bnt was still unable to resume mis-
duties. Doctor Bryant said. however, that
Booher would probably be strong enough to
enter court tomorrow.
Judge Burnes continued the case until to-
morrow at a. m. overruling the defending
attorneys objection to this course. The
court said. however. that he would not de-
lay the case longer and that. If Charles
Booher cannot assume his task at the time
stated. the case must go on
Charles Booher was much exhausted after
his eXertions at the PIattsburg trial. and
was on the verge of prostration when that
was ended. The necessity to take up the
Fife case brought on the Illness.
Should Booher be unable to get back into
the case II will be a severe blow to the
prosecution as he is its mainstay. Other
wise the delay will not be unwelcome, a.
the prosecution is making strenuous exer-
ton to obtain the attendance of f. A. Nor
ris. a witness who is missing. and whose
testimony Is considered vital. Lloyd Booher
claims that Norris can identify the pistol
found under the sidewalk after the shoot
ing. Another witness. woman of st.
Joseph. whose testimony is important. is
very sick and each days delay increases
the possibility that she may be present.
Defense's UIterior Motive.
AS the case proceeds. II is apparent that
the aim Of the defense is not alone to clear
Fife. but to direct the suspicious of the
Jurors toward another man. Attorney Boyi
has said as much outside the courtroom
Fife has friends and the other man. thus
Indirectly involved, has adherents by the
score so that feeling runs. high on either
SIDE. and may find sudden vent in a clash
between hot-headed individuals of the two
factions.
On the other hand. the prosecution is con-
Quoting the case fiercely. since 1t is the feel
ing here that q solution must be found for
the mystery that surrounds the murder OF
Richardson's problem that has baffied H.
quisitors for almost eighteen months. The
more that circumstance has been sifted, the
farther away has seemed q definite conclu-
sion, until II has become matter OF Su-
preme effort to prove that truth IS In the
ume-worn alleged trueism, murder VIII
out"
uty Sheriff Peter Mem has procured for
them an organ. a mandolin, and several
decks OF cards. Between the music and the
games. they while the time away. 3
Nen an Interesting Deputy.
Z "Uncle's Peter Nen. Deputy Sheriff OF
Andrew County, is one of the interesting
: s'eharacter" 1t is Uncle Peters. duty to
guard the jury from prying outsiders, ana
TO prevent any stranger holding even an m
.stant's conversation with any OF the twelve
men. who have been chosen to decide the
fate Of Stewart Fife:
This duty is Uncle Peters pride. ana
never was a jury more carefully protected
When court adJourns at noon the aged dep
uty leads the turymen from their seats out
into the street and down to the hotel where
their meals are served in q dining-room.
where no person, Peter excepted. can OBJ
tain admittance. During the march Uncle
Peter heads the procession like an army
and his turymen. Any unthinking man. be
he Judge Burnes or any Of the lawyers in
the case: who allows ,, himself to get. get in the
be great muscular heavy-set farmers. Peter.
in in some , sort, regards .,,a as his children
Attorney Booher's illness and other causes.
have made necessary long intervals. in
which the jurymen must remain cooped up
in not overcommOdious room in the Court
house.
Peter then takes his stand at the door
But he realizes Ike conscientious parent.
that health must be considered. So. at reg
ular intervals. Peter announces to the Jury
a walk Then again ne heads the process
sion. and walks his charges round and
round the Savannah square. crying out as
he goes along, Make way for the Jury"
Uncle Peter is 72 years old. and has had
the distinction Of being Deputy Sheriff for
fourteen years. He has lived in Andrew
County for over fifty years For the greater
part Of the time he was the proprietor Of
q farm.
Each day at opening of court he declares
the court to be In session.
"Oh. ya-as. Oh. ya-as!" he cries. '.the
His peculiar "ya-as' is known all through
the county. and the only explanation of the
pronunciation Is that Peter wished to throw
a particular emphasis into his words and
SO pronounces differently than on ordinary
occasions. HASTINGS MacADAM.