The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-13

a confession that he killed Harry
Rugs at lie Sueur on the night OF
July 20 last. Hall Green, the negro
boy, was acquitted of the crime by
a jury at lie Sueur Center shortly
before four o'clock yesterday after
noon.
The case was given to the twelve
men at 1880 in the forenoon, but
no ballot was taken until after the
noon day meal. The first ballot was
eight to four in favor of acquittal.
The second one was nine to three
in favor of acquittal. Late the bal
loting was nine to two. and finally
nine to one. Eventually the one
man who was holding out for con-
viction came over 20 the majority
and the defendant was freed.
Crowd Was Favorable.
When the verdict was read by
Clerk of Court Wrabek number Of
those in the crowded court room ,ex-
pressed their approval by applaud
ing, but the demonstration was
quickly suppressed by Judge Morri-
son. ~&aaxW"
Members of the jury who stood
for acquittal from the beginning
stated that they reached that con-
clusion from the testimony given by
Coroner Burnett. The coroner testl-
fed that when he examined Hall
Green's garments he could find no
hn
that there were marks of shoes
along the railroad track where the
body of Rugs was dragged, and the
fact that Green was barefooted was
evidence that someone besides Green
had a hand in the murder.
The clothing that was worn by
Hall Green on the night of the MUIR
der was not introduced in the trial.
Several of the jurors did not re-
ceive with favor the evidence that
was given by Detective J. c. Field
ing.
Judges Remark to Boy.
Following his acquittal, Hall
Green stepped foreward and shook
hands with Judge Morrison and at
the same time made some remark
about the jury's verdict. Judge
Morrison is reported to have replied:
"Boy, l am of different opinion
of the case than the jury" The
Judge then gave the boy some pref
ty sound advice as to how he
should conduct himself in the fu-
ture.
County Attorney F. j. Hanzel has
made the statement that no further
investigation of the Rugs murder
will be made.
Testimony Given Yesterday.
The following is the testimony
that was given by the witnesses for
the defense:
John Green of lie Sueur-l was
born in Alabama and then my master
moved to Mississippi. Dennis Murphy
took me into camp and a preacher
brought me north August 1, 1855.
was a slave. My wife has been dead
eight years. I have nine children,
eight boys and one girl. l know
Fielding. He brought me out here
August 9. He said he believed the
little boy was not guilty, but that
he knew who was. l came over and
tried to talk to the boy, but a young
man there told me that the county
attorney left orders that no one was
to talk to him concerning the case.
Hattie Green|I live at the con-
vent at LIE Sueur l have been there
eight years. l was here when my
brother was in Jail. Mr.. Burnett
was there at the Jail and some one
was around all the time.
Hall Green's Testimony.
Hall Green-I am sixteen years
old. l had nothing to do with the
man that was killed down there. l
have known Fred Felber ever since
/ can remember. / had a blue cap,
blue overalls and blue coat.
Sheriff Keogh took those clothes
away from me. / went to school
three or four years. Detective Field
ing told me that he saw boy who
had seen me light matches down at
the shed. He said, Il don't want
YOU to say that anyone else did It,;
I want you to say that you did 1t.
People will say, Col darn that mig
ger, take him and hang him.
was afraid and cried. He was with
me in the cell about half an hour.
/ had nothing to do with the killing
of that man. Before | was indicted
/ had no chance to talk with my
father.
BY the Court, Mr.. Hessian, II
you want those clothes you can
have them
Mr.. Hessian: j don't want them.
Cross examination Hall Green
said: My father and brother were
talking to me the day the indict
ment was read to me. My brother
got me in the corn field. was there
Just half an hour. started to tell
the detective and he didn't give
me a chance to tell what ] wanted
to tell at that time. The detective
said: IL am your friend" | was
weighed quite while after came
here to Jail. | said that ! weighed
100 pounds already, and | told him