The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-05-21
Witness Admits Having Bet $40 at Be-
midi That Fourier Would
Be Convicted.
DEFENCE SAYS TESTIMONY
WILL ALL BE IMPEACHED
Attorney Scrutchin Expects to Close
Testimony of Defense For Judges
Charge Tonight.

Aitkin, May 21.-State practically
closed its case in the Paul Fourier
murder trial late yesterday after
afternoon, and Attorney McKusick
stated that he would probably
have no more witnesses to be
examined, but reserved the privilege
to call one or two unimportant per-
sons this morning, if he decided
during the night that he needed
additional testimony.
Yesterday was filled with sensa-
tional evidence, including alleged
confessions and other circumstantial
evidence against Fourier, which
was in large measure lessened in
effect on the jury through efforts of
Attorney Scrutchin in attempts to
impeach the testimony of witnesses.
Mr.. Scrutchin tonight expressed
confidence that he would tomorrow
successfully imDeach the testimony
given by every prominent witness for
the state, including Eugene Caldwell,
his wife, Mrs. Owen Fourier and
William Kruger.
The state succeeded in getting
to the jury about every piece of i'm
portant evidence it had presented
at the former trials of Fourier and
Wesley. Mrs. Owen Fourier stated
directly that Paul Fourier, while
in fit of anger, had stated he
had killed the Dahls and had five
others in the woods near During
whom he intended to kill. Her
evidence was substantially corrobor-
ated by her son, who also admitted
that Paul was mad" when he
made the assertion and the young
man did not take it as serious.
Charles Martindale told of talk of
Fourier and Wesley wherein they
stated they would like to marry
Aagot Dahl and make away with
her father, but Martindale admitted
that he had thought nothing of the
statement at that time, as it was
made in a testing manner.
William Kruger told of lending
his rifle to Fourier and Wesley and
when he went to get his rifle, April
8, 1904, the day after the Dahls are
alleged to have been killed, he found
long white hair lodged in back
site of the gun, inference being at
tempted to show that Fourier ard
Wesley had used the rifle to crush
skull of Miss Dahl, some of her hair
clinging to site on the gun. De-
Tense brought out that Kruger had,
while coming to Aitkin, bet $40 at
Bemidji that Fournier would be
convicted.
Eugene Caldwell told of finding
the body of N. O. Dahl and stuck to
his story that he did net know the
reward had been raised when he
found the body. He told of hearing
a shot and scream on the right of
April I, 1904. and believed it to be a
cry of a human being. Caldwell
denied that he had said after the
trial at Bralnerd that if Fourier
was set free he would take his gun
and 20 man-hunting. He also
denied saying that old man Dahl
ought not to be allowed to prove up
on claim, that he had money
enough already.
Mrs. Caldwell testified to. practi.
cally same evidence as her husband
except that she got dates mixed
somewhat and grew exceedingly
sharp and somewhat bitter in hel
replies to counsel for Fourier. Said
she knew her husband and Fourier
had a fight. didn't know whethe,
Caldwell had whipped him or no,
but hoped he had. =
John Anderson told of converse
ton he had with Fourier in which
Paul said he would like to MARI,
Miss Dahl. Anderson stated he
asked Paul what he would dc
with the old man and Fourier
had said get rid of him in some way
: