The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-01

An attempt will be made to prove
that Nicholas Eckes killed Fred Roma
in elf-defense, and that all the eye-wit-
nesses agreed that he did, until a clique
Of his personal enemies concocted the
story that they later, gave before the
grand jury and are now telling to
petit jury.
The defense's belief that the states
case is founded on enimity was plainly
indicated by Mr.. Halls cross-examina-
tion Of the state s witnesses before
Judge D. F. Simpson today. Emil Nor
mandin was examined by County At
torney Smith and told the story in
manner that made the tragedy appear
a cold blooded murder. Turned oyer
Trough sledding''. Mr.. Hall produced
the records of the coroner's inquest and
read the testimony given at that time
by the witness. It varied from his
present testimony in many important
features, including a. statement. that
Eckes did not shooot Until after Roma
had approached with one hand in his
pocket and with clenched fist raised in
a threatening attitude.
| + Denied the Transcript.
Asked if he had not SO testified Nor
mandin said that he had not. He de-
MED the accuracy Of nearly all Of the
transcript of his testimony before the
ccroner's jury. LII. D..
Mr.. Hall then confronted him with
note book in which the lawyer had
written down the witness answers to
questions put to him in private con-
versation at Osseo few days after the
shooting. I'LL.
didn It you?'
[ wrote down what you said in this
book, did I not?'
"You wrote something.' -".
eAnd after you had finished I read
your statements to you and you signed
them, as being true statements Of facts
concerning the happenings in the sa-
loon?''
"You read my statements and l
signed the book all right. - e
EtDid you not, in answer to my CUES
ton, say, Roma came toward Eckes
! with one hand in his pocket and one
fist raised threateninglyF' -
, No, sir. - .1h IT,
"Did I not read that and these other
statements en- to yous'
Two other witnesses of the state con
} were confronted with their testimony
and statements prior to the returning
:, OF an Indictment against Eckes, an(
they denied many Of them. The wit
nesses suffered much by cross examina
8 ton and grounds have been laid for tn,
5 Impeachment Of all of the states eye
witnesses.
. Charles Reitz, an Osseo farmer an,
t another eyewitness, was the other prin
| cipal witness of the morning.
' The OsseO census enumeration nigh
: do we'll to start work in Judge Simp
son s courtroom, as all Osseo seems t
be present. The courtroom was crowde
: with men and women from the villag
: ~ 49, l. ,,,+a .11+ o1x
I and the defendant g pretty brown-eye
| daughter moved their chairs up along
| side the accused.
Charles 0. Brigham of Osseo was tn
first eyewitness to the Eckes-R Rom
: tragedy called as a witness. Yesterda
v afternoon he related the details Q
a what, according to his story was awilfl
a and entirely uncalled-for murder. H
~ said that Roma was somewhat intox
! Gated and that after the quarrel wit
Eckes about stove, the defendant O
dered Roma out Of his place. He wei
q after being persuaded with a revolve
u ! It is a good thing he went out {
4 he would have been dead man, ;,
4 the statement the witness swore Eek
made after Roma. left. Brigham test
fed that few minutes later Roma r
entered and walking toward the pr
prietor said:
!, ssshoot- me, Nick, if you dare
Il Eckes leveled his revolver at II
man who continued to walk towa1
him until within twelve feet WHIT
IN Eckes shot twice, the second bull
u proving fatal.
at On cross examination Mr.. Hail gain,
* from the witness the admission tn
he Roma was quarrelsome and had on o.
Mt 8, been on 0spree' and had had
9 fight or two previous to the saloon ira
edy.
Il Louis Menke, another one of the c
- SEQ citizens who was drinking in Il
Eckess saloon at the time Of the shoe
ing, was the next witness and his te
E timony corroborated that given
he Brigham.
Of
n TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY