Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-28
SAW The SHOOTING
Joachim La Barge's Testimony in
Murder Trial.
Unable 10 identify williams ms the
Man Who Fired the ShOts-Thir.
teen Witnesses Tell Their
Stories.

Good progress was made Saturday in
the trial of Benjamin Williams. who Is
charged with the murder OF Policeman
James McGrath The only witness thus
far examined. who actually saw the shoot
ing. is not able to identity Williams as
the man who fired the shots but other
witnesses have testified to his being seen
with McGrath only few minutes before
the shooting occurred and of his walking
toward Main street with McGrath. where
the latter was shot. In all IL witnesses
were examined, all the attorneys in the
case taking IA hand in the questioning.
Williams was in better mood Saturday
than he has been before and took an ac
tive interest in what was going on in the
court room. alternately looking from the
tury to the court and then to the crowd,
which occupied seats in rear of him. He
was asked by Judge Hasclton if he had
any request to make before the trial he
gan but made no reply. lie was called
from his chair to the bench and again
asked the same question but still refused
30 speak. The taking of evidence then
began.
JOHN CROWLEY.
John Crowley. a burlington youth. Is
shooting he and Frank McKenna were in
the lumber yards. At about I:15 they were
Ngoing from King street to College streets
mud saw McGrath at the King street
.crossing. Later they met Williams. who
was back Of n car They stopped and
sNNilliams asked them If they we're going
ydown on the freight train which was
Ietanding there. They said they were not
land he then told them he was going on 1t.
ale saw McGrath standing below and
,esked them who ne was. They told him
kNicCsrath was policeman and Wiliains
eeaid he thought he was conductor.
tCrowley said he and McEcnna got on
'the train and rode as far Maple street
lWhen they got off. They heard that soma
Zone had been shot and went to Main street
sWhere McGrath was lying Crowley said
ANicCrath was alive when he arrived but
~.hat he never spoke aloud.
FRANK M'KENNA.
Frank McKenna of Rutland. formerly a
Resident of burlington, said he went to
tie lumber yards on the night OF tho
Ahooting lie saw McGrath at the cross
tna. coming up from the dock Whle
.talking with McGrath. McKenna said ne
saw Williams in the railroad yards neal
n freight car. McKenna said McGratf
woge "A police officers uniform and car
and that he carried a watchman's clock
After leaving McGrath McKenna SAID M
mot Williams who asked who McGrati
was Upon being informed that he wa!
q cop. Williams said
.Oh, thought he was conductor
NcKenna said he told Williams he hac
better get out of the lumber yards or ne
would be arrested. The remainder OF ms
testimony was repetition OF the s'or!
Gold by Crowley.
WILLIAMS SEEN WITH M'GRATH.
Frank I.avally, a Waterman employed
nv the Shepard & Morse Lumber com
saw said no went on duty at six O'CLOCK
m tho evening of the murder. He SAID n
~,u. NcC;rath and Williams together. IN
Sormer leaning against a freight car VIII
A,s hands resting on the latter's shoulder
rrbe witness heard McGrath say TO WI
eiams:
81 advise you to go BACK.
Williams replied:
mo. my feet are too sore.
I.nyallv said McCrath took MS h'""
rr,m Williams shoulders as ne cam
along The witness said McHratn a"
1\il1iaO1s started toward MAIN Sti''' W
r,,her McCrath allowing Williams L
|vulk freely, the two going along "p
,,a,cnt,y as two friends. I.avolly said n
.rort on towards the office on Co!l"g
,stteet but that in about two minutes II
berrd three shots in quick 'uccess'or
nf,.r which he said he saw Williams ri
noyoss tic electric car TRACKS ana diSap
rcar among the lumber piles. I-aVa!l
said he did not stop but continued on I
ahe office ana did not know about Tn
in,,lrf,er until 20 minutes later. When h
learned Of tho murder. I.avally said h
xent TO see McHrath but that. altnoug
ahe latter was alive he said nothing
Iavally was positive that " Villains va
abe man with McGrath
SAW M'GRATH SHOT.
Joachim I.aBarge was an eye witness
Che shooting. lie said he lived IN the las
house on the right hand sid. of Mai
etrcct, just below Richards boathous'
3le said he was looking out of the VIII
How or the evening of May u and TN:
he saw McGrath and a stranger comm
put Of the lumber yards. A moment late
BE- looked out of south window and sa'
ohe two coming across the street, stOI
tlng about 10D feet from him and facin
each other. While in this p' sition h
heard the report of n revolver. After