The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-12
STORY OF RIVERS
IN HIS DEFENSE
KILLING OF CoNNoRs WAS RE.
suit OF LONG FEUD.
But the Defendant Will Declare That
It Was Accidental Origin
a1ed at Swell Entertainment in
New York-Trial Begun To-day
Four Jurors Secured.

In the trial of "Ike' Rivers for the
murder Of Richard Connors, which be-
gan today before Judge D. F. Simpson,
it will be claimed by the defense that
the shooting of Connors was an acct
dent occurring in scuffe between the
two men. The scuffe is alleged to
have been result of feud that
started months before in New York be-
cause Of professional jealousy and in
which Connors was always the aggres-
sor.
James Rivers was a new and popular
member of the William & Walker
troupe of colored MINISTRIES. Richard
Connors was an old member, and it
will be claimed that he was the com
pany "bully." While in New York
Connors is said to have become jealous
of Rivers popularity and to have set
out to make it unpleasant for him.
One night quartet Of which both
at an entertainment given by mem
Der of New York's "4OO" Rivers
was paid for the quartet and was then
given SIS extra for himself. He di-
vided the money except the S.. Con-
nors claimed that he should divide that,
but Rivers refused and an argument re-
suited. Finally Connors struck Rivers
and jumping at him bit him in the
cheek. This was reported to the man
agement Connors was fined and this
added fuel to his hatred Of his fellow,
actor and, it is said, from that time
on he was continually nagging and
making life unpleasant for the new
man. -..- 5..
The defense's story of the trouble
on the night of Feb. II, at the Bijou
theater in Minneapolis, will be that q
group of performers were playing
cards on Rivers trunk when Connors
came up and tried to get up game Of
craps. The cardplayers demurred, but
finally Rivers got up, took off his coat
asked Gibbs, another of the party, TO,
quarter he owed him. Turning
around he saw quarter on the trunk
and thinking it was in payment Of the
debt. he picked it up.
"Drop that quarter you black -
exclaimed Connors, who had put. thu
money down to "shoot for' River:
dropped the money, but trouble started
He told Connors that he was going tx
report him and picking up his revolver
started out of the door to go to thu
manager IS office. Connors stood in thu
| hall.
! cOuuSOuC huOChCu UnC Suu llOu1 ltlF
| er's hand. It was discharged and ~fel
| between Connors and Rivers. No on,
was hit. Both men saw the revolver ant
jumped for it. They scuffled. River
| got the gun and Connors was shot il
the back.
Rivers went On up to the office an
Connors when asked what was the mat
ter, said it was only an accident, but i
he had got the gun first he would hav
fixed Rivers. The defense is hampere
by lack Of money, but it is said it vii
| get all Of the witnesses possible t
! prove this state of facts.
The state will claim that Rivers 20
the gun, went out into the hall and dc
! liberately fred the fatal shot. go, 80
/ Several 'ven.iremen were excused thi
morning because they did not believ
in capital punishment, but jurors do nc
seem hard to get and the introductio
Of evidence will probably be begun tt
morrow. The four jurors secured thi
morning were Charles Gemlo, machi1
list; David A. Kyle, railroad suppl
dealer; Richard A. Engen, lumberma
and Michael s. Garrigan,, manufacture
A. H. Hall is counsel Wor the defend
ant. County Attorney AL J. Smith
prosecuting the case. T. "A. Garrit,
Harry S. Mead and E. Thompson are til
triers. ->at-r =