The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-11-24
BLIND AND HI.
D|SF|CURED
MARION ERASE GOES UPON
THE STAND
To Testify Against Har-
rison Baum.
PROSECUTION RESTED
PROSECUTION RESTED

And Defense Began at Noon-- Trying to
Establish an Allbi for Prisoner--Many
Character Witnesses Called Who In
sist That the Prisoner Has Always
Beer Quiet and Peaceful
Marion Erase, the blind victim of
the shooting, hesitatingly stumbled his
way to the witness box Thursday
through a crowd Of spectators to testi-
fly against Baum who is accused OF
shooting him with intent to kill. He
was led by attendants and walked with
feeble steps, dragging his left leg
which has been paralyzed ever since
the shooting. One eye is totally de-
stroyed and the other is able only to
distinguish rays of bright light.
The appearance of the man Great
ed a profound sensation with the spec
tators and jury. Harrison Baum, the
man accused of infiicting the injuries
that wrecked Frase's physical strength,
sat unmoved as the man took the box
and gave his testimony. 1t was a
supreme moment in the trial.
Erase gave the details Of what hap
pened In his home the evening OF the
shooting up until the time the
SHOT WAS FIRED.
From that time on he had no knowl-
edge of the events as he was uncon-
scious. He claimed that Baum had
been hanging about his home for some
time previous to the shooting and the
Wednesday night before he had heard
a noise and discovered that some one
had thrown a wagon tongue down the
cellarway. He did not go out. but
went UP stairs and looking down in the
bright moonlight saw Baum looking
In the downstairs window. He had
ordered Baum to stay away from his
house and threatened him II he did not
do so. Baum has replied that II he
got anything he was paid for. Baum
had boarded in the Erase home some
time before the shooting. .ttE
On cross examination Erase admit
ted that he had been arrested at one
time upon the charge of burning a
house, but he was discharged.
MRS. ERASE
was also placed upon the stand and
corroborated her husband as to the
appearance of Baum on the Wednes-
day night preceding the shooting. She
had seen him several nights before
that, but had been afraid to tell any
one.
Officer Zimmerman told story sim
liar to that of Officer Bour as to the
actions of the dogs and Of their run.
ming the track to the Baum home.
Jail companions Of Baum who are
now In the penitentiary, but who were
in the county Jail before receiving SEN
tence, are here and will be used as
witnesses, They are Ed Oliver and
William Grover. They talked to Baum
in the jail and are said to have got
him to make some damaging admis-
sions.
The state rested at noon and during
the afternoon session witnesses for the
defense were heard. They we're prin.
cipally y.
CHARACTER WITNESSES.
and persons called to establish the
time that Baum quit work on the
evening of the shooting and where hi
was up until his arrival at home The
employees at the brick works were posi-
tive that he had worked UP until quit
ting time, or $3.50, and he was seen 60
ing toward his home by several per
sons just before the evening trair
went south on the Valley road. i
was little late that night and passed
through the village a little after
o'clock. Baum was seen between How
enstine and his home by several per
sons, carrying his dinner bucket and
p ~. WEARING FELT 10
instead of gum boots. The attorney
for the defense have brought out only
two lines Of defense. Baum's charac
ter and the impossibility. as they CLAIM
Tor him TO have gone home and Sc
cured his gun and returning In tim'
to do the shooting. Ten or more char
acter witnesses were examined who tes
tifsd that Baum was always quiet ant
peaceable,
Attorney Shields was in pleasan
mood during the afternoon and seem
e6 to make an effort to keep the ex
aminations along an airy and ligh
vein. There was lack OF WITNESSES
near the close and court adjourned 2,
minutes before the usual time for clos
ing.