East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-09-30

George Horseman was on the stand
for his own defense this morning and
told a pitiful story of abuse at the
hands of Clarence McBroom nd his
friends; of threats against his life
and lastly, he maintained that he
shot McBroom in defense of his own
life.
II didn't want them 10 kill me and
shot TO keep them from it," said he.
~ had heard that they intended TO
kill me; McBroom had threatened me
himself at Nelson's and i had heard
what Cartwright had said at Hepp-
ner. 1 believed my time had come
and verify believe that now II 1
had not shot,"
The above statefent regarding
Horsemans motive for the killing
was made after an extended story Of
his troubles with McBroom and 9TH
ers, most prominent among whom
was Cartwright.
II was the most dramatic story told
in the circuit court here in recent
years and Horseman told 1t with
benefit to himself. In a voice that
shook with feeling, he gave his side
of the case and the story was one
that could not but excite sympathy
for the defendant.
Trouble Last December.
At the outset of his examination
Horseman told of the first trouble he
had had with Clarence McBroom. 1t
occurred last December at the Nell
son place, where Horseman was stay
ing. He was the road supervisor for
that district and said he had been
notified by County Judge Gillilond
to have McBroom make some chang
es or repairs in a fence.
Meeting McBroom he made the re-
quest and says he was then violently
upbraided by the latter. McBroom, he
said, called him a coyote and every
foul name known to man at the same
time daring him to get off his horse
and fight him. This Horseman re-
fused TO do and he says that Mr..
Broom then followed him for hun
dred yards, still cursing him and tell
ing him he would catch him and beat
him to death.
On the morning following the above
occurrence Horseman said McBroom
had found him at the Nelson place
and had tried to get over fence to
attack him. BY flourishing pocket
knife Horsement prevented him fIom
doing so and he said tina; on leaving
McBroom had said he would kill
him.
During the winter Horseman had
lived at the Nelson place where the
Gurdane post office was located. He
said McBroom came there to get his
he, Horseman, would always go to
the barn to avoid him, as he did not
wish to have trouble.
The Killing.
Coming down to the day of the
killing. May 16, Horseman said that
with two other men he had reached
the school house before anyone else.
He had then built a fire and was
whiting with his knife in front of
the place when McBroom and four
other men came around the corner.
AS they came around someone seid
"Hello' George" and he closed his
knife and put 1t in his left hand while
he shook hands with Mr.. Bucholtz.
While he was in that act he declared
McBroom Jumped upon him, striking
10
such force that he was badly stag
gered.
All the time he was calling to the
crowd to take him off, but no one
interfered. When he put his hands
in front Of him to protect himself
McBroom bit his thumb and later
when he had Horseman down, beat
him severely
On getting up Horseman went to |
the little branch to wash his face and |
said McBroom continued his abuse |
while he, Horseman, tried to keep |
out of his way. At the same time |
Cartwright kept a position behind |
Horseman and at one time said "You |
haint got half what you will get" In |
view Of the threats he had heard of |
Curtwright's making, Horseman said |
he was afraid of him also and tried |
to keep facing him.
According to Horseman both Me-
Broom and Cartwright were coming |
towards him when he drew his gun |
and both were heaping abuse upon |
him, McBroom saying that he would