The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-10-04

said to kellison at my home that
he was of unsound mind; do not
think | said to you (Stevens) at my
home that he was of unsound mind /;
did not say to you that Kellison tried
to argue me into the belief that he
was of sound mind.
William Shearer calle1. "Are you
acquainted with Fred Rettinger!'
"Been acquainted with him since
moved down there Were you pres
ent when the trouble occurred at the
threshing?" mo, | was at home with
the measles" In my opinion the rep
utation of VIM Bates was good.
Philip Danner called Have known
Fred Rettinger four years; exchanged
work with him; visited with him; in
my opinion he was person of sound
mind; did not understand the repu4
tation of VIM. Bates was bad.
Richard Ladd called Have known
Fred Rettinger somewhat; had ordi-
nary talks with him; think that on
May 12 he was of sound mind. Cross
examined-Did not try to hire NJ.
Hershberger away from Rettinger.
David H. Burns: Have known Fred
Rettinger for ~ years; in my opin-
ion, on the 18th day of May last he
was a person of sound mind Cross
examined: Worked at Rettinger's IL
years ago.
| Memo Sarber had been acquainted
with Fred Rettinger about 16 years;
saw him on the 18th day of May last;
in my opinion he was, on May 18th
last. a person of sound mind. Cross
examined: think I am competent
to give testimony regarding his con-
dition
Charles w. Fribley: Am acquaint
ed with Fred Rettinger; believe that
on the 18th of May last he was a
person of sound mind; do not know
that the reputation of William Bates
was bad
Robert Head testified he saw Fred
Rettinger when he was brought to
the Jail May 12; he made his own
toilet; saw him nearly every day
since; believe that on the 18th day
of May last Rettinger was person
of sound mind Cross-examined: Am
not aware that it is an unussl thint
for a deputy sheriff to- testify as to
his own prisoner; Q-"Did you
watch him that night for fear he
might commit suicide?" Il say ! did
not" isn't it true that you staid up
with him after that; and others be-
sides, to watch him that he did not
try to hang himself?" Witness ad-
mitted precautions had been taken
to that end"
Mrs William F. Bates was the first
witness on the stand Thursday after
noon. Mrs. Bates was deaf and the
questions were written, which she
Tread: Mrs. Bates lived with William
Bates up to the time of his death.
lher husband had not carried revol-
yer, but had one Witness said he
had one revolver, which had been
given him as a present; kept revolt
yer in bureau drawer; did not see or
know of her husband carrying this
revolver away from the house; did
not have any other one; that is the
only revolver that ! ever knew of.
Jury examined the revolver.
George A. Compton on the stand
Had known Fred Rettinger; helped
thresh at Rettinger's; had converse
tons with him; saw him frequently;
believed that on the 18th of May and
prior thereto Fred Rettinger was OF
sound mnid. Said the reputation of
William Bates was good. On cross
examination he was asked by the at
Itorneys for defense the list of ques-
tons which they propounded to al
most all witnesses who testified to
the good reputation of Bates, as fol-
lows: eff you had heard that he at
Hacked Mr.. Ames with knife, that
he knocked a man down with hoe,
that he broken the back OF widow
woman's cow with an axe, that he
had fight with J. w. Parks, that he
had shot a neighbours hogs, would
you still regard him as peaceable
man." The witness answered prob
ably not.
The object in asking these ques-
tons is to impress the jury.
Melvin Kyle called. Have known
Fred Rettinger for five years; he had
transacted business with me fire.
quently; came to me if he wanted
something made for the farm.
would make it for him and it was
satisfactory; made the first model of
Ibis washing machine. From my
business relations with him, and from
what saw of him generally, | should
saw he was of sound mind
Samuel Baker testified that he had
known both Rettinger and Bates
many years. He believed that Ret
FINGERS mind was sound and thought
Bates was not reputed dangerous
man.
Several other witnesses testified
but all the rebuttal evidence was sub
stantially the same, and the evidence
Twas all in Thursday afternoon.
Three hours more than a one week
was spent in hearing The eviden e,
and the jury will now listen to the
Ispeeches of the attorneys.
| Martindale makes the opening
speech for the prosecution, COM
mencing this afternoon He will be
followed by Stevens for the defense;
then Kellison will speak for tn. state
Parker will make the closing speech