Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-25
Case For Defense Considered
Some Stronger Than On
Former Trial
HUNTERS OWN TESTIMONY
Tells Same Story as Before With the
Exception Of a Few Additions-or.
dered Sheriff and Doctor Called After
the Shooting of Holland-New Wit
ness for Defense.

Osceola, April 25.-The evidence in
the Hunter murder trial was ended at
1910 yesterday afternoon. The attor-
lneys on both sides adhere to their plan
of discarding all u~nimportant matter,
even to the point of leaving many off
the stand altogether. County Attorney
r.. S. Fuller of Ringgold county, spoke
for the prosecution for almost two
hours last evening, but did not con-
clude. Henry Stivers will make the OPP
ening and Lewis Miles the closing ad-
dress for the defense. NJ. L. Temple
will close for the state.
Both the state and the defense went
at the examination of witnesses in the
trial yesterday forenoon as If they in
tended to complete the evidence IL pos
sible before night. The defense prac-
tically closed its case at 11:45 yesterday
morning, when Matt Hunter left the
stand after an hour and ten minutes
spent in telling his story to the twelve
men who will decide his fate. They re-
sumed the proof by Hollands assoc
ciates that when broke at gambling he
was quarrelsome and violent. Five
witnesses were used for this purpose.
and an equal number to show that Hol-
land was in strength and activity SUI
perior to almost any man in Ringgoid
county. Three swore that Hollands
left hand was powder marked. Lester
Hacker swore to seeing two loads in
Hollands revolver, when it was shown
by J.. H. Liggett otter the shooting.
Three new witnesses of considerable
Importance to the defense were Mrs. A.
Billings OF the Commercial house, Mrs.
A. Morgan. and Mrs. S. N. Burchett.
Mrs. Billings swore that Hunter went
to his room and that she followed to
see that it was not someone trespass-
ing. Looking in she saw him pour out
medicine and drink 1t. He left at once
and went north from the hotel. The
states theory Is h a he went for his
revolver and e back south. Mrs.
Morgan In corroboration of Matt and
Anna Hunter, swore Anna went to buy
meat and a dress pattern for her, and
that she saw Matt going west past her
house. Mrs. Burchet swore Anna Hunter
calne to the Racket store to buy a dress
pattern3a and invited her 10 go to dinner,
as Matt was going TO be there.
Anna Hunter testified as before that
she Went TO buy meat for herself and
Mrs. Morgan. AT the meat market she
saw Matt and got his consent to ON
to dinner. Having forgotten to deliver
Mrs. Morgau's meat, she returned and
met Matt at A. N Smiths corner. He
startedsWith her, but saw Captain Hol-
land coming and went across the street
to see him. After going to Morgan's
She went up the street and saw the
crowd at Liggett's and then h learned
that Holland had been Killed. She met
Matt at Preston's and asked him If he
had done that. He replied that Holland
had tackled him. SO he shot. Miss Hum
ter was not cross-examii.ed.
Hunter on the Stand.
At1O:35 Hunter went On the stand in
his own behalf. He is in better shape
physically than at the former trial, and
did not ask for a morphine injection to
nerve him for the test. His hands trem-
bled noticeably. His story was the same
as before except for O few additions.
He described Hollands manner as an
CRY when he first saw him near Lig-
gets, and detailed their conversation
about the $50 bill, Hollands last re-
mark being, I'll show you,' as ne
jumped towards Hunter and put his
right hand back. He said he was at
Porter's barn only once that morning.
that being before the POKER game, and
that he called for Holland because he
did not want to arouse Forter's suspi-
cions over the crooked work in the crap
by calling, for Lewis. He said
Hollands body was only a foot away
when the shot was fired, and that Hol-
lands left hand struck the revolver. In
fact he thought Hollands blow on the
revolver discharged it. Holland was so
and was making for Hunter so
fast that he fell with full weight against
Hunters shoulder after being shot. This
will be made much of by the state. they
claiming that the statement can not be
r~econciled with the testimony of Anna
lsinebury and Joe Warner as to his fall
ing backwards with his arms thrown
up.
Hunter testified that he put the re-
volver in his shirt when he dressed that
morning. He testified that Hall Liggett
was greatly excited after the shooting
and called, What can we do" whereat
Hunter said, "'Phone for the sheriff and
a doctor, He denied III toto Rusk's
story about his confession four days
later. Hunter made a good witness for
himself. Mr.. Temple took him in hand
for a flfteen-minute cross-examination,
which appeared to be mid. due to the
fact that Mr.. Temple was intent on get
ting material for use in his argument
rather than in confusing or apparently
tangling up the witness. Hunter rather
deffahtly answered, Il won't say how
the crooked dice were prepared" and to
mend the bad impression made he al
put on after dinner for Il few minutes
cross-examination BY Lewis Miles. He
then said he knew several ways of fix
ing dice and didn't remember just
which method was used. He also at this
time denied having said 10 d. ID. Beard
that he proposed to get The money, no
matter what route he had to take.
The case for the defense is considered
ms materially stronger in several places
than 1t was on the former trial.
WINE ROOMS FLOURISH.
DUBUQUE Has Not Vet Been Able to
Cunnress the Evil