Fergus County Democrat., 1908-06-23
N0RDAHL IS GIVEN life
CONTINUED from page ID
Huntoon's Statement.

Mr.. Huntoon stated to the jury
that the defense would show that
Nordahl is an old resident of Mon
tana, that his reputation was good,
that he was on the friendliest sort
OF terms with the Schleuters and that
Mrs. Schleuter even complained if
he came about the place without call
ing at the cabin. The scratches on
the face of the defendant would be
easily accounted for, Nordahl's horse
having run through the brush with
him. There would be no explanation
offered stated Mr.. Huntoon, as to
the oil which was found on the cloth
ing. AS for the blood, the defendant
had recently slaughtered a couple OF
hogs and beef and the blood was
gotten on his clothing on those oc-
caslons.
Witnesses for Defense.
Lon Turner-Had known the de-
fendant for six years and had been
employed about the Nordahl place
since last April. Witness identified
the silk lining of hat and several
handkerchiefs which he said had been
given to Nordahl last Christmas by
Mrs. Schleuter and daughter, Martha
Nordahl kept his warehouse locked
| but window i'll the rear could be
easily opened and an entrance made
by simply bending back nail which
| held a window in place.
w. Bart-N ordahl had two saddles
one of which had not been used TO.
about two years. Witness took
charge of place when Nordahl was
/ %,1. frn,,,
place by Jeff Sherlnan about the first
of February. Sheriff Martin identl-
fed jumper and other articles Sc
cured at the Nordahl place and Jeff
Sherman testified to having secured
the saddle from the Nordahl place
! Lon Turner was recalled and testi-
fed that he had seen a half pint oi
coal oil poured over an overshoe
and that in four hours there was
practically no evidence of the oil or
the shoe other than the odor.
Ole Nordahl-The defendant ther
too the stand and proved to be q
fairly good witness for himself. He
was somewhat nervous when he frs
went on the stand but this nervous
ness gradually wore away and
speaking slowly but dintinctly hi
answered all questions put to him OF
both direct and cross examination
with but slight hesitation. Witnes:
testified that he was "a years OF age
of Norwegian birth, came to Mime
sofa when he was years of age ane
upon attaining his manhood, came OF
out to Montana, settling up in tn,
Sun river country. Worked OF
rar ches and railroad grade in th'
northern part of the state until h
came to Meagher county where h,
was employed on various rancho
until 1900 when he moved to tn
Musselshell country. Lived ther
when the Schleuters arrived abou
four years ago. Assisted Schleute
i'll hauling his supplies and in fxin,
up his house. Put up stove, and pip
went directly through roof Wor
overshoes which he identified, Will
killing hog for Mrs. Schleuter
few weeks before the fire. Contrib
ted SIS to the Schleuter family afte
the death of the husband and father
Pastured his stock on Schleuter plac
and was at the house quite frequent
ly. His horse, Mig, would not stan
without being hitched. Witness wa
at the Schleuter place for Thanks
giving and Christmas dinners. Sa,
that the stove was in bad conditio
and had once attempted to fix it. Re
ceived scratches on his face and hand
when his horse ran through brus
with him. Could not account fo
the burning of eye brows an
mustache unless by fire while he wa
burning some old fencing, a few day
prior to the date of the fire at tn
Schleuter place. Witness, in answe
to questions by Mr.. Huntoon, state
that he did not set fire to Schleute
place, that he did not murder Berth
Schleuter, that he had never com
mitted violence on Bertha Schleute
that he was not nervous at the tim
of the inquest though naturally al
fected by horror which surrounde
the entire affair; that he was neve
arrested before and that he had nc