Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1908-03-17
N0RDAHL'S PRELIMINARY
Alleged Murderer Of the SCh|euter Family Bound
Over for Trial Before the District Court
--StrOng CtrCumStantial Evidence.

At the conclusion Of the prclim-
mary hearing of the case Of State
VS.. Ole Nordahl, charged with the
murder of Mrs. Fred Schleuter and
four children near Mosby on the
Musselshell river, the defendant was
bound over to the district court by
Justice Brassey before whom the pre-,
liminary was held Saturday after
noon.
Case Excites Interest.
The case excited great deal OF
general interest and Judge Brassey
found it necessary to hold the hear
ing in the district court room at the
court house. Even the court room
was comfortably filled with spectators
and witnesses.
Number of Witnesses Called.
After Judge Brassey had taken his
chair, County Attorney Ayers asked
that the complaint be amended so as
to include the names of the Schleutcr
children who were killed, the county
attorney not having before had an
opportunity to get their names. Mr..
Huntoon stated that the defense had
no objection to the amendment.
The following witnesses were then
sworn on behalf Of the state: John
Lugo, Mrs. Emma Lugo, w. c.
Niles. Sheriff Ed Martin, Coroner
DR.. Attix, w. H. Mosby, John O'Day,
Angelo Watterson and M. S. Fallon.
Nordahl Appears Uneasy.
Throughout the first portion of the
hearing the defendant, Nordahl, was
palpably uneasy and restless. He
made great effort to appear uncon-
cerned but was unable to carry off
the part very successfully.
Neighbor Tells Story.
John Lugo was the first witness
called for the state and was examined
at some length by County Attorney
Ayers and in cross examination by
Attorney Huntoon.
Lugo stated that he lives on the
Schleuter place, four miles above
Nordahls place. He was well
acquainted with Mrs. Fred Schleuter
and her four children, Martha, Ida
Elizabeth and Fred Also well
acquainted with Mr.. Schleuter who
died in December of last year.
Witness was at the Schleuter house
on Wednesday preceding the death oi
the Schleuter family. The next time
he was at the place was after the
cabin had been burned and the family
supposedly, killed. He said thai
Schleuters lived in a common two
roomed log house.
On the last time he was there be
fore tragedy, Mrs. Schleuter cam.
out Of the house crying, cole, Ole,
and appeared very greatly frightened
Witness then went into the hous,
and found the oldest girl sick Th'
mother was unable to speak Englisl
and the Oldest daughter acted as in
terpreter Said that Nordahl ha,
been bothering them The girl sal,
that Nordahl had been there the da,
before and had locked the mothe
up in one room after which h
grabbed the daughter, Martha, an
threw her on bed. When mothe
pushed open door and came in, Nor
dahl grabbed her and threw he
around the room
Wants Full Facts of Case.
Mr.. Huntoon here interrupted wit
an objection that the witness wa
irving lot of hearsay testimon
which was not properly admissible
Justice Brassey replied as follows:
"We all know that horribl
tragedy has been committed dow
there. We desire, if possible, to fin
a solution of the tragedy and to tina
end, desire the fullest possible ex
; animation at this time. For that rea
son. the objection of counsel is over
ruled"
Lugo continued that after his re