Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-03-25
Royslton and Dr. II. Riohsrd of

Royslton and Dr.. III r. & Il chard of
Little Falls. 4 II. I. g 5s# . ,s.: Wy
Saturday morning DR.. Chance was
called to the stand. He testified as to
the autopsy, saying the body was In
good condition. On cross- examina-
zion he said no changes: had taken
place In the body since Dec 28th,
being moved would not cause
changes. no changes in$cold storage.
objection was made that the evidence
was improper, irrevelant, immaterial,
the sbody's custody not having teen
shown: that body wac not legally
exhumed, defendant having no notice
OF such action which occurring during
trial he had right to, ard no founda-
tion had been laid for such testimony.
Overruled.
On examination the coroner said it
was unquestionably VIM. Shows
body; he had known him 25 years
Drs. J. Chance and Richard had
assisted in autopsy; two wounds
found In body: bullet entered about
/ IA inches to right Of right nipple
at sixth rib, bullet passed through
lobe of right lung, liver. severing
a large artery. through left lung,
passing through eighth rib on back
two inches to right of spine, nearly
en- level with entrance The pleural
cavity was filed with Hood, heart
drained of blood, all organs in nor
NAL condition. Bullet caused death
instantly by passing through organs
described. Snow was alive when
1o
tion showed no change in testimony.
the autopsy, that the body was in
followed the coroner's testimony.
the autopsy. Said he had much
experience as an army surgeon with
all kinds of gum hot wounds. De-
scribed nature of wounds caused by
firing at close range. Could not say
whether Snow was advancing when
shot. when shot q man might fall in
any direction.
Heme Snow. re called, said he had
not seen William on the day of the
murder. but the day before. Saw
him buried Dec. 30th.
G. E. Vastly of the Herald testified
that on Dec. 31st saw the prisoner
in the county jail. Sheriff and >un-
ty attorney were present. Heard no
promises made as to statements
prisoner might make. Had been in
PRODUCED as a newspaper man. Pri-
soner said the killing was matter Of
self defense; prisoner said he had
gone..to house. had aome words with
deceased, who turned toward him
with gun in his hand, whereupon
prisoner retrested, took gun from wall
where he placed 1t Oh going In. and
fired. Someone asked prisoner whether
dead man had lifted his hand with
gun, had answered no.
Sheriff Tanner was called to the
stand. His testimony was about the
same as that of preceding witness.
Witness had considerable experience
with firearms, and testified as to shape
of bullet according to resistance of
material 1t encountered. Had made
no promises to prisoner but Informed
him of his rights
The state then rested.
Mr.. Blanchard orened the case for
the defense with statement to the
jury. The defense would try to show
that William Snow had lived at his
aunt's house since he was small. that
Charles, the aunt's son, returned at
ter many year. absens, and had been
provided with money by his mother.
which incensed William. Mrs. Pierce
on the morning Of the 2Sth, went to
Myra Shows to borrow gun and
Bill was very angry. She asked him
If he had any tobacco and he rel lied
foh %
either.'' Mrs. Pierce took her mother
home and Charley was teld about Bill
being wild and that Mrs. Snow was
what Bill said. Charley went to the
gun with him. He placed the gun
against the wall Bill was in the
kitchen and when Charley asked what
the matter was turned round with
revolver in his hand, called Charley a
vile name and raised the revolver,
whereupon Charley picked up the gun
ard shot him. Like reasonable man
he went to his nearest male relative,
his brother Luther, taking him some
time through not knowing the coun-
try. His every statement was that
the deed was done in self defense and
this was the defense.
A re cess was taken to 80 p m.
The first witness for the defense
was Mrs. George Pierce of Parker,
sister of the accused and cousin of the
dead man. She said William made
his hume at her mothers a quarter
of mile from the Pierce home on a
place belonging to her mother. Wit
ness went to her mother on the
morning Of Dec. 28th, for gun to be
used in killing pigs, and her mother
and the defendant were there. She
got the gun and cartridges from Char
Icy. who went out, and Bill came and
asked about cartridges, having pro-
pably heard Charles say something
about cartridges: Bill said he had car
tridges too; also spoke of being
driven away and mother said nobody
was trying to turn him away {;
mother went to south room and was
washing dishes, and Bill got in front
of her with his fists closed and arms
moving, appeared angry and said ::
by Cd, this must be settled
today. when I 60 don't go alone. I"