The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-04
.SWEARS ODEK|RK
ADMITS Staying
Police Sergeant Roberts Gives
Testimony at Inquest Into
Death of Barnes.
OTHER WITNESSES EXAMINED
KNOW LITTLE OF TRAGEDY
Accused Man Is Released on
Bond, With Charge Against
Him Still Open.

Direct testimony that j. NJ. Odcdirk
had admitted firing the shot which on
New Years morn killed Edward Barnes
In front OF the Wilson hotel was given
Tuesday by Sergeant John. Roberts of the
Salt Lake police force at the inquest be-
gun before Acting Coroner II. 5. Harper.
Only three other witnesses had testified
when n recess was taken until Wednes-
day afternoon. but half dozen or more
for whom subpoenaes are Issued are yet
to he heard.
Previous to the opening Of the inquest
Odekirk who had remained In Jail since
his arrest early Sunday morning, was
taken before Judge Whitaker and win.
out any definite charge being placed
against him was liberated under bond
of $500. his sureties being L. S. Carter.
his father in law, and John Condron
proprietor OF the Cullen hotel
Coroner Jury Sworn.
A coroner's jury composed of w, r.
Graham, r y. Herringcr and L. o.
White was sworn TO listen to the evil
Gence that may fasten upon Odekirk a
charge OF involuntary manslaughter.
William Black. chauffeur for the Salt
Lake TaXtcab company was the hrst
witness sworn; Black said tha, at the
time the fatal shot was fired he was.
with his car. in front of the Rathskeller:
Second South and Main streets, half a
block from the Wilson. AS the crowd
was gathering In front OF the uOtel "IleT'
young Barnes fell he was driving to Sec
ond South and State streets. He did not
know Barnes, hut knew some Of the boys
who were with him and had seen them
earlier In the evening in front OF the VIII
son. The remainder OF his evidence was
imma tcrial.
c. K. Wilcox. a chauffeur in the EN-
ploy of the Wilson. said he was standing
in front Of the hotel at the time OF the
shooting. He fixed the time as shortly
after midnight Just before the shoot
ing he was talking 10 Odckirk, who said
"Did YOU hear us shooting?" Witness
replied NO" and asked, Why don't you
shoot some more"
Il looked to see il he was going to
shoot, but he did not do so at once, and
started into the hotel Just as ! entered
heard a shot and looking out saw
Barnes lying by the outer front wheel
OF my cab. saw no smoke and saw no
gun fired. There were many people there,
but there was no quarrelins and no one
was drunk. Continuing Wilcox said that
he talked with Odekirk afterwards. but
denied that they discussed the shoot
ing.
Tells of Admission.
Sergean, John Roberts. in response TO
questions by Assistant County Attorney
Moses Davis, who examined all the wit
nesses. said: II did not see Bernes alive,
but saw the body in the hospital at the
Jail shortly after nc died L talked 20
Odekrk at the police station, little
after o'clock, after he had been brought
there by two of my men. Officers Betz
and Egbert. At first Odekirk denied the
shooting. but finally IN Sc many words
admitted TO me that lie fired the shot
which killed Barnes. was told that
some one had said. Let her go, Jack.
just before he fred the shot This gave
me the clue To work on and the patrol
men had been hunting for Odekirk from
a few minutes after the shooting until
he was located in room at the Rex
hotel"
Patrolmen Henry Betz and J. A. Egg
bert. who arrested Odellirk in room at
the Rex hotel South State street. said
that when they found him he was seated
on chair or the bed they could not re-
member which. When Betz said. Jack,
want YOU" Odekrk stood up and said.
"All right" Offering no resistance.
Searching him they found no gun, Both
testified that Odekirk denied having any
gun or knowing anything about the
shooting After the prisoner was taken
TO the station Sergeant Roberts did the
questioning.
After these witnesses had been heard
the jury was instructed to view the re-
mains of Barnes at the undertaking par
lors OF S. M. Taylor & Co. where the
body was taken shortly after death. Ode
kirk was not present at the inquest, but
was represented by his attorney. E, A.
Wedgwood. who took notes but asked no
questions. The inquest will be resumed
at o'clock this afternoon.