The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-05-12
FAMILY OF DEAD MAN CLAIM
GREGGERsoN KICKED HIM.
DOCTOR SAYS 1T WOULD KILL
TESTIMONY AT NEIGH TELLS OF
FIGHT BEFORE DEATH.
BUT THE DOCTORS DISAGREE
Coroner Convict Declares He Found
the Body With Cord Around Neck
and That Air Escaped From Lungs,
Showing Death by Straneulation.


and That Air Escaped From Lungs,
Showing Death by straneuIation.
Neigh, Neb., May 11.-Special to
The News: The testimony of Hans
Peterson was concluded yesterday
morning at 800 He was followed by
his younger sister, Elsie, and the
mother. In each instance the evil
dence given by the members of the
family was practically the same, that
Leu Greggerson pulled the husband
and father from his bed by the feet
on the morning of August 12; both
went to the table for breakfast; dis
pute arose over the uttering of words
by Mr.. Peterson in regard to his
family, which Greggerson resented, at
which time Peterson struck Gregger-
son twice with his fist on the side of
the head and then jabbed him with
stove poker that caused blood to flow
from the chin. Greggerson struck
Peterson with a chair on the right
side Of the body
At this time the mother and chill.
the house, the father was pushed out
by Greggerson shortly after and hit
over the head with a beer bottle;
when on the ground the accused kick
ed him on the left temple. All of the
above was testified to by the members
of the family.
DR.. Collier of Elgn was recalled af-
ter the noon hour yesterday and testi-
fed to the nature of the wounds de-
scribed and to the probable result.
Says Kick Caused Death.
The next important witness for the
state called to give expert testimony,
was DR.. j. c. Sward of Lincoln, who
stated that he was a practicing physi-
clan and surgeon. The state read at
length a summary of the findings, in
Guiding the many bruises on the head,
describing in detail of their locations.
and in conclusion was asked in his
opinion which of the wounds and
blood clots described caused the death
of person thus having these wounds
and bruises. The doctor stated that
the blow over the left temple was the
one that caused death.
During the cross examination of DR..
Sward by Attorney Rice, he stated in
answer to the question that he was
called to Neigh by the county attor-
ney; that he had been here since Mon
day evening, and that he expected to
receive $50 per day and expenses for
his services. .- ~
Several questions in regard to the
condition of a person after strangula-
ton were asked by the defense
These were in part answered satisfac-
tory.
DR.. d. w. Beattie of this city was
the next physician and surgeon to
give testimony. The same questions
were asked him as were DR.. Sward
Dr. Beattie stated that a person so
bruised as described would die from
the head injuries At the conclusion
of this witness the state rested their
case.
Found Rope Around Neck.
The first witness for the defense
was DR.. w. F. Conwell of this city,
who stated that he has been a physi-
clan and surgeon in Antelope county
for over thirty-one years. He testi-
fled that he found the body of Nels
Peterson at his home on the morning
of August -, lying dead at the edge
of the bed, with a cord over the bed
post and around his neck. Being
county coroner jury was impeneled.
Upon the removal of the cord from
the neck of Peterson, the doctor stat
ed that air was heard escaping by all
persons in the house from the lungs
of the dead man. This proving that
the cord was tight enough to cause
strangulation. The witness also testi-
fed that the only wound on the head
or face was a slight bruise on the
left cheek bone He stated emphati-
cally that there were no other bruises
on the head whatsoever.
On Monday forenoon, August Is, an
autopsy was performed upon the body
of Mr.. Peterson by DR.. w. f. Conwell,
assisted by DR.. Peterson and DR.. Paul
Conwell of Elgin. From the autopsy
held, the conclusion reached by these
men was that Nels Peterson came to
his death by strangulation. DR.. Con-
we'll was on the witness stand when
court adjourned until $3.50 this morn
ing.