The Butte inter mountain., 1903-12-23
STEFAN0 FERRARA
PLACED ON TRIAL
CHARGED WITH HAVING CHEATED
AN AGED ITALIAN OUT OF
SAVINGS OF YEARS.
COURT HAS A HARD TIME
Interpretation Is Difficult and the Evil
dence Is Therefore Difficult
to Take Down.

Stcfano Tcrrara was placed on trial this
morning in Judge McClernan court OH
the charge of grand larceny in buneoing
James Shiro, an aged Italian, out OF his
earnings for years.
The olfense upon which the defendant
is being tried is alleged to have occurred
about June II, 1908.
The morning was consumed in securing
a jury and with the testimony of James
Shiro, the complaining witness.
The Complaint.
The complaint as read by Mr.. Lynch of
the county attorneys Office. stated that
Ferrara had approached Shiro and made
deal with him wherein both men were to
put 5000 each into a business and go into
co-partnership. Shiro who was running
small peanut stand, readily assented and
Ferrara produced n money bag aud placed
his wad OF 5000 inside and then Shire did
likewise. The money was then locked IN a
trunk belonging to Shiro for safekeepng.
Shiro became suspicious and had the
trunk opened and found that there was no
money in the sack.
Only Paper.
When Shire took the stand this morning
nc SlilGi lllll Itli dptiiba1HNh NO pNa
nut stand last June and bought cents
worth of peanuts and rendered a dollar
in payment. refusing to accept the change.
II was Immediately after that, on the day
following. that Fcrrara came around again
and suggested the business deal.
They went to the cabin OF Shiro and
there Ferrcra produced roll and placed
it into the money bag aud Shire dug up
his coin and did likewise. Then Fcrrera
became thirsty and went after n drink Of
water, but did not return. Shiro, accord
ing to his narrative. became suspicious,
and as Ferrera had the key to the trunk
in which the money was placed. Shiro
went for a locksmth and had it opened.
Instead Of finding money. he discovered
that there were two rolls OF paper i'll the
bag, each wound round with paper re-
sembling real money.
Shiro reported the matter TO the police
and Ferrera was arrested and identified as
the man who had worked the bunco game.
During the forenoon, while Shiro, who
cannot speak English. was on the stand
| Tony Geresi was called as interpreter. He
| did not satisfy the court and Judge Nc
| Clcrnan asked chat the records show that
| the interpreter did not understand English
| SNlHNieIlhly " pt'pNiig'
Deputy Sheriff Baldsero was suggested
| as an interpreter, but Ferrcra objected on
| the grounds that the deputy sheriff had
expressed himself as not being favorable
to the defendant
| Anton Gossi was then called and Mr.
Gcrcsi was excused. 1t was then that the
thrce-ring circus began.
Ferrera insisted that the interpreter wa
| tb,
questions properly, and every time h,
would put a question TO Shire, Ferrcr;
interpreted il to his attorney and claimed
it was different from what was asked.
Baldisero took a seat by Mr.. Lynch ant
interpreted for the benefit Of the count,
attorney. the former interpreter interpreted
for the benefit OF any interested spectator
the defendant interpreted for his aitorne!
and the regular interpreter acted i'll
similar capacity for the jury.
This left the court to get what was lef
and several times the situation became St
complicated that il looked as il somethin;
would happen. Ferrcra was SO loud il
his interpretations to his attorneys tha
the court called him down, and then rea'
the riot act to the court interpreter Aftc
an hour or more OF questioning the cas-
was virtually where it started with til
announcement made by the plaintiff in tb
opening.
Mr.. Lynch had the money bag and til
rolls OF stage money in evidence on tn
table and will introduce them as exhibits
The Jury.
The jury selected to try the case is a
follows James Rickert, NJ. J. Pryor, Co
O'Nell, a. s. McIntire, ]. w. Shephert
William Bailey, William Ayrcs, A.
Palmer, Dan Sweeney. John Spargo v
X. Foote and d. f. Little