Fergus County argus., 1904-02-03
FLYNN SENTENCED TO THE
PENIHEN9IARY FOR LIFE
Murderer of James Skinner Barely Escapes the Ex-
treme Penalty--Half of the Jury Favor Capital
Punishment--Tria Attracts Great Interest.

hand back to his hip pocket, the de-
fendant, Flynn. thinking that Skinner
was going to get a gun.
After the opening statements were
concluded, George Gordon took the
stand for the state. Gordon was the
barkeeper in the Mint saloon on the
day of the shooting. In direct eXami-
nation he gave substantially the same
testimony that he gave at the coron-
er's inquest on the morning of jan
uary 18th. In the saloon at the time
of the trouble were Red" Scott,
Billy Kimball, Jack White, James
Skinner, Jack Flynn and the witness,
Gordon. While Flynn was in his bar
ber shop. Gordon told Skinner and
the rest of the boys about fight which
Flynn had with Abe Hill, negro, ov-
er some money which he had loaned
the negro and which had never been
paid back. As he finished telling the
story. Flynn came in from his shop.
Gordon told the boys not to tell Flynn
he had told them the story, but short
ly after the latter entered the room,
Skinner, who was an inveterate Josh
err" commenced to Josh Flynn about
trying to take all of the negro fights
off of the hands of Siddons. the local
prize fighter. Several words were
passed when suddenly with the words,
Maybe you want some of it," Flynn
struck Skinner under the left eye with
his fist. He then squared back, and
Skinner, who was taken by surprise.
rushed at him. The men clinched
and fell at the end of the bar. Cor
don pulled them out and separated
them, telling them at the same time
that he wanted no trouble In that
place. Flynn then went into his shop
and commenced to wipe the blood
from his face. He and Skinner kept
talking and great deal of profanity
passed between them. Flynn reach
ed into a drawer ana took out a
revolver. Skinner called him cow
ard and a cur and said something
about his always wanting the advan-
tage. Skinner also, according to the
witness. said that he (Skinner) was
only joshing and Flynn was coward
to strike him for IT, After the quar-
rel had proceeded for several mo-
ments. Flynn said: "Well. il you bat
an eye, I will shoot 1t out" Shoot
ahead" replied Skinner. Without an
instant's hesitation Flynn grabbed the
revolver. which he had placed on the
table, in his left hand and fired. Skin
ner, with his hands clutching his side,
staggered over to the pin pool table,
where he was caught by William Kim
ball. The witness went to Flynn and
said: you've shot him. What do
you mean? Give me that gun" Flynn
replied, "Oh, no; | haven't" and at
the same time handed the gun to Cor.
don. Gordon then went out into the
street and assisted in taking Skinner
to the Delzell drug store.
Attorney Freeman cross-examined
Gordon for an hour and hall, but
did not succeed in breaking his story
or in getting him confused as to the
incidents leading up to and occurring
during the time of the shooting.
When questioned as to SINNERS at
titude when he was shot, the witness
stated that Skinner was standing with
his felt hand on the door frame and
his right resting on his hip, palm
turned half way outward and outside
of his coat. "Skinner's hands were
never anywhere near his hip pocket,
said the witness. Gordon's testimony
was concluded at $3.50 o'clock Friday
afternoon and Immediately afterwards
of the sheriff. and attorneys went to
the scene of the tragedy. The court
appointed George Gordon to show the
jury the different places where the
persons and articles mentioned In the
testimony, were located during the
difficulty. A shiver of revulsion
seemed to go over the body of Flynn
as he got to the door of the saloon
, but 1t passed In a second and he
braced up and walked into the place
The jury was detained here but few
moments and the states case was re
sumed at 4 o'clock with James Skin
ner on the stand. He simply testified
as to his relation to the deceased ant
the fact that James Skinner never
, carried a gun or any other deadly
weapon. William Kimball another
one of the eye witnesses, testified, hi:
testimony being very much against
the defendant. His testimony agreed
D in the main with that of Gordon
a Red" Scott, who also saw the entire
!. trouble, was placed on the stand ant
A his direct examination concluded Fri
day afternoon. At o'clock court ad
q journed until $3.50 o'clock Saturda!
r morning.
n On Saturday morning Scott wal
o cross-examined. His testimony wal
Z practically the same as that of thu
! other eye witnesses, each differin,
q somewhat as to the exact words spok
!. en- by Flynn and Skinner. He wa
r slightly confused as to the position o
4 SINNERS right hand and held to tn
a assertion that Skinner was doinI
i nothing which could lead person {,
o think that he was going after gun
Q His testimony was finished at 1913
A and Jack White was called to the wit
$ ness stand. White saw the troubl
= from start to finish and was anothe
Il good witness for the state. After tn
/. ,scuffle which preceded the fight h
4 tried to get Skinner to leave the plac
;. and avoid having any trouble, but thi
q Skinner refused to do and continues
q to talk to Flynn. AS soon as th
d shooting occurred White ran for
|. doctor.
/. Joe Briggs, who next took tn
e witness chair. said that he Wake
d into the saloon after the quarrel ha
% begun. As he went through the doc
N of the barber shop into the card roor