The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1905-12-08
MURDER ! TRIAL |!
AT ABERDEEN
BARKER CHARGED WITH
KILLING OF ZOOK
The Murdered Man Was Enroute From
Missouri to the Harvest Fields OF
North Dakota When He Was Killed
In q Box Car.

Aberdeen, S. D., Dec. S-The work
OF securing jury i'll the case of w. w.
Barker, charged with murder in the
first degree for the alleged killing OF
Lee Zook OF Harrisonville, Mo, as
Barker and a companion were engaged
in holding up hall dozen harvest
hands i'll box car, was completed at
4 O'Clock Thursday afternoon. The
first witness put on the stand was Will
ey Williams. Williams was an old
friend OF Lee Zook, the murdered boy,
for he was barely Fl. He told OF rid
ing from Aberdeen to Hecla with Zook
and his companions, each OF the men
paying small sum to brakeman on
the freight train to secure an unmolest-
ed ride to the wheat fields Of North
Dakota, where he expected to find
work. He stated that he had seen
Barker on the train before it reached
Hecla. although the prisoner was not
an occupant OF the car where the other
men were riding Just as the train
pulled out OF Hecla, two men, both
Of whom wore small black masks over
their faces. and carrie drevolvers, came
into the car and ordered the men TO
hold tip their hands. Several Of the
half dozen men obeyed the instructions,
while some OF them jumped from the
car. Zook resisted. and one of the
robbers, the taller of the two, fired and
ZCok fell. Williams stated that the
tall man, seen by the light given from
lighted match. answered perfectly in
appearance, and dress, and the color OF
part OF his mustachc which showed. be-
low the mask, to the man whom he saw
earlier in the day riding on the freight
train on which the murder occurred,
and whom he identified as Barker. AL
though Attorney T.. T. Taubman for
the defense cross questioned him close
y, he was unable to shake Williams
testimony. ~ w..
1t is stated that other witnesses will
be placed OH the stand to testify that
hey saw Barker fire the shot which
killed Zook. Other strong testimony
against the prisoner is said TO be lin
possession of the prisoner Barker,
however, appears cool and unconccrn-
ed, and is apparently confident Of ac-
quittal The only reason that spectila-
tors over his case can arrive at for his
putting up at hotel at Hecla after the
robbery occurred, is that he did not
know that he had killed Zook.
The short man, the companion OF the
tall man, has never been found, and
seems to have vanished. ~ $& SsE
Barker appears to be cool and self
possessed, as he has been ever since
his arrest. The only time he has man
ifested any emotion out of the ordinary
was today at. O'clock when a photo
grapher attempted to take picture
of the prisoner as he ncared the court
house from the jail. As soon as Bark
er saw the camera he sprang to one
side, and clapped his hands to his face.
Pulling his hat over his eyes, he kept
hand before his face until he entered
the courtroom. out of the way OF the
camera MY God, Hazle," he exclaim-
ed to Deputy Sheriff Hazie, who had
him in charge. II can't have my pic-
ture taken" He appeared nervous and
distraught the. remainder Of the day.
States Attorney Canipbell is assisted
in the prosecution by A. wv. Campbell.
for thirteen years circuit Judge iii
South Dakota, who is candidate for
the republican nomination for congress
anb b E. W.Taylor, Judge campbcli's
partner. Barker is defended By the
firm OF Taubman, Williamson & Her
reid. Of which former Governor Her
reid is the junior member. The trial
promises TO be vigorously fought from
the beginning, and has awakened much
interest in the northern part of the
state E 8 s.8i sss W S.s {8E s4s