La Junta tribune., 1911-08-12
in Harms Case

ueciATatiOn In the sincere and firm
conviction that I will not recover,
but will die.
4 do declare that about ten o'clock
on the evening Of July 4, A. d. 1911.
Marshal J. b. Craig and myself were
notified that there was disturbance
1t the house OF one Joseph Harris. at
Dol South Thirteenth street. In the
city OF Rocky Ford. Otero county,
Colorado. That Marshal Craig and
myself went to the residence OF the
Aforesaid Harris and that Marshal
Craig Knocked: that We opened the
door and went into the front room
OF the said residence. where were
present Joseph Harris and his wife.
Clara. Robert Harris and his wife.
Anna. The said Robert Harris
being the son Of the said Joseph Har-
fis. That Marshal Craig called upon
Robert Harris to throw up his
hands; that Robert Harris replied
that he would be damned II he
would" That Marshal Craig and
myself at once made for the said
Robert Harris for the purpose OF put.
ting him under arrest. and that we
were attacked by the said Robert
Harris. Joseph Harris and Clara Har-
ris. That | caught hold OF Robert
Harris ana was holding him and
called upon Marshal Craig to bring
the handouts. Craig replied that
he could not get TO me. he being at
that time In combat with Joseph Har.
ris and Clara Harris; that while !
vas holding Robert Harris. Joseph
Harris. who had chair In his
nhnds, struck me and knocked me
0bwn upon lounge or davenport
~ ~ns tMere In the room. that
was dazed from the blow and help.
less. That Robert Harris then went
into the bedroom for gun and also
took from Marshal Craig his tCraig's)
gun and shot Marshal Craig either
with Craig's gun or his own: that
| heard Marshal Craig say. my God,
| am shot" and saw him put his
hand to his breast That Immediately
afterwards Robert Harris shot me
and became unconscious: that |
know now that | was shot twice but
didn't recall or realize the second
shot That as soon AZ | recovered
consciousness got up and went out
In the street and was assisted by
some one to the residence OF DIR.
barbour. where my wounds were
treated. That | recoiiect that Mar.
shal Craig was forcing Robert Har.
ris when Harris shot Craig. that the
folks were quarreling In the house
when we went there. and the indica.
tions were that they had been drink.
ing. That ! recall but the firing
OF two shots. the one that struck
Marshal Craig In the breast and the
one following which hit me. and that
after that I became unconscious. l
also remember OF Robert Harris rush
Ing out Into the west room and re-.
turning with a gun In his hand.
1 make this statement on this 18th
day of July. A. d. 1911. at the 81.
Joseph Hospital In the city Of Den
yer. state Of Colorado. with the
wlcdge and fear Of impending
death.
J. A. KIPPER.
The dying declaration WAS witnes.
sed BY Clarence ". Hall. l.. p. Bar.
bour. n. D.. Tim O'Leary. and II.
". Potter
Harris went on the stand Ia his
own defense and told OF the quarrel
between himself ana wife that pre-.
ceded the tragedy. He said that
his father and mother had Just sue.
cecicd In Quicting her when Officers
Craig and Harris entered the room
WIN teNoIN'Ts III Au'H h"Hurt IN
soon ~ they entered the officers
began clubbing him. Harris swore.
His father and mother were both
dubbed. In u struggle between him.
self and Craig two shots were fired.
one Of which wounded the patrolman
In the left leg.
Craig left the room. Harris said
when he turned around kippcr WAS
pointing = revolver NJ him. The
defendant said ne WAS In fear of
his life and fired the shots which
killed the marshal.
Robert Harris made . good wltnesu
In his own behalf. lie told. from
Bis own viswpoInt. almost exactly the
ssos story bic father hsA told. and
vas ~ shakss ~ cfoss-s1aoiaatieo.
Dsaoa11e u tAs s9tfe0s was ~
sesAs Vhse. With Csstss fsvelvse~