Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-08

When Clifford approached BigelOw he
had the hoe up in position to strike.
Clifford walked slowly and said words
very slow and determined. Didn't
hear Bigelow say anything, heard blow
Clifford struck Bigelow. When blow
was struck witness walked to Harmon's
house. Didn't go to where blow was
strnck. At the time he saw it, he
had been saving wood, and was going
into the house to see if his wife had
dinner ready. When he saw the blow
struck, he was standing 2 or feet
off from the porch ON the sidewalk GO
ing to the barn. He could see plainly
to the COW shed, (2S5 feet away, as
shown by measurement.
J. g. BEARD.
Had speaking acquaintance with
Clifford, had known Bigelow nearly all
his life. Knew where defendant lived
on Washington street, and had seen
him going back and forth to his work
on the lots during the summer On
Nov. 9th he came home little before
noon, unhitched his horse and went
into he house. Was soon called out
by Mr.. James and went to the Bigelow
property, where he saw Bigelow lying
on the ground, with blood running
out of his head, Clifford standing fac
ing him. Judged the body lay east of
a line running south from the corner
of the barn. but not far from the
corner. Asked Clifford what was the
matter with Bigelow He said he had
struck him with hoe, and he was
afraid he had hurt him pretty bad.
Told him he had better come and help
carry him into the house. He said he
wouldn't help, that Bigelow had for
hidden him going on his ground.
Witness then said "there amt much
man about you or you would help
carry him into the house," or some
thing like that Blood was running
out of the back of the head He was
lying on the ground apparently uncon-
scious. Witness spoke to him (Bige-
low but did not get any answer or re-
cognition. James and the witness
carried the body to the house. When
they got to the porch, they laid him
down and he asked James to go and
tell Mrs. Bigelow that Bigelow was
hurt, then he ran across the yard to
his house and told his wife to call a.
doctor. Went back and helped James
carry BigelOw into the house, and laid
him on lounge in sitting room. About
Is minutes afterwards he (Bigelow)
put his hands to his head. While there
DIR. Jewell and his son, DR.. Stevens
and DR.. Conover came. Witness saw
Clifford again that day. He came to
the door of his house about 80 and
asked witness how Mr.. Bigelow was.
Witness told him he was pretty bad,
and he asked if he was conscious.
Witness told him no, he wasn't when
he left. Then Clifford turned and
started away when witness asked if he
wasn't going over to see Mr.. Bigelow.
He said "NO, not until he is con-
scious; he forbid me going on his
ground" About two or three hours
afterward witness made some observa-
tions as to blood spots in the yard. The
first was about 5H feet east of the
line, 10 or 10 feet south of the barn.
The other was west and little north,
about lS feet away. Saw marks be-
tween, which looked as though there
had been something dragged ON the
ground. Saw hat and cane in after
noon, lying there.
SHERIFF GEORGE MIZENER.
Testified that he had not known de-
fendant to speak to him until Nov.
9th. That he then was given a warrant
for his arrest, and found him ON Ver-
non street, going west near the tennis
court. He arrested him and they
went back to his house at his request
to change his clothes. Then went to
the lot, where Clifford showed him the
foundation, etc. Defendant wanted
him to walk around that way with
him, speaking about Bigelow having
cane and being on his land, and
wanted witness to that effect. Sher-
iff told him that it would have been
better if he had taken the old gentle
man by the arm and led him off. He
said he had cane in his hand and
he didn't know what he might do
with it. He pointed out where Bige-
low was standing, the implement he
struck him with, his cane, hat, etc.
Defendant said Bigelow didn't want
him on his property and he didn't
want Bigelow on his. Said he was
very sorry it happened. Soon after
one O'Clock he said he felt justified in
what he had done, and when every
body found out the truth they would
think the same. 1t wasn't the first
trouble he had had with Bigelow.