The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-05-24
IN nour before the taking of testi.


mony began. The deputy marshals
the congestion became too bad a dep
doors and refused the late comers.
in the corridor awaiting turns to take
Dozens of women were in the court
were in theater.
Inside the railing three persons sat
together. They were the widow of A.
o. Dalbow. a patrolman, and son
and daughter Of A. j. Selsor, re-
tired farmer, who was the victim of
a stray bullet in the street fight. The
widow of Michael Mullane, for whose
death Adam God is being tried, also
was in the courtroom. Her son, 8
years old, accompanied her. She car
ried baby that was months old
when its father was killed. John p
Mullane, a brother of the slain police
man, sat behind Virgil Conkling, pros
ecuting attorney. He assisted Mr..
Conkling in making the states fifteen
challenges of jurors. Patrick Clark,
sergeant who was afterwards pro-
NOTED to captaincy for his bravery,
is to be a witness. He was not in
the courtroom this morning. When
the shooting began, Clark ran, coat
less from police headquarters. AL
though not armed, he fought with
Adam God. Sharp stabbed him with
big knife, destroying an eye. An
other of the fanatics shot him in the
back. Clark recovered from his
wounds in St. Joseph's hospital.
While Mr.. Conkling was telling
about the tragedy the widow Of Off
Ger Dalbow tainted. A deputy mar
shal assisted her to an ante room
where she was revived. She did not
return to the courtroom.
A Plea From the WOman's Relatives.
A letter was received this morning
by Judge Latshaw from Mrs. Melissa
Sharp's brother, 8. z. Roper of 743
Towne avenue, Los Angeles. He
pleads fer clemency for his sister.
The letter follows:
"Your Honor: l write you this in
behalf of my sister, Mrs. Melissa
Sharp, asking you, as l suppose you
are the judge before whom she is to
be tried for killing Policeman Null
lane on December 8. think, as all of
her relatives and friends think the
same, that she should not be punished
as her husband should be, even If they
can prove that 1t was the bullet from
her pistol that killed the policeman.
There were several others shooting
at the same time and at the same
man. What she has done I think in
the last few years she has done un-
der his influence. ] hear she was
afraid of him and If 1t had not been
for him she would have not done what
she has. James Sharp stole her from
home when he wanted to marry her.
And hear from some others that he
abused her; shaved her eyebrows off
and cut her hair when he got mad at
her. Now, judge, your honor. II you
could acquit her or put her on proba-
tion or let her off with slight sem
tence I think she would do differently
after this. I have not known much
Of her since she was married. Before
that she was q harmless, innocent
girl. We are all poor people and
cannot fight the case, but hope you
will give her your best consideration.
She Is not altogether to blame for her
trouble"
In his opening statement to the
jury, Virgil Conkling. prosecuting at
torney, said:
"The state expects to prove that
James Sharp was the leader Of band
of religious fanatics; that he was a
religious CRATER who took advantage
of the public charity to make an easy
living for himself. We will prove that
he taught children, the women and
In, h js ho tn
and that If anyone sought to interfere
nal to fire and that they did fire and
that three citizens and member of
his own band are now dead as a re-
suit Of it. We will prove to you that
Sharp was a shrewd, dangerous, re-
sourceful CRATER who used religion
to hide his infamy. We will prove
that he was sane by showing you how
he fled and tried to confuse his pur-
suers."
Then Adam God Started to Leave.
Adam God took decided interest
in the statement. He leaped from
his chair and defied Mr.. Conkling to
prove that he had collected money
while preaching in the street. He
started to leave the courtroom, but
was restrained by a deputy marshal.
Judge Latshaw commanded Sharp
to sit down. He cautioned him not to
interrupt, but to tell his lawyers any
objection that he had and permit them
to state it to the court.
THE CONDITIONS