The Washington times., 1913-08-31
FISHER SHAKEN BY
HIS STAY IN CELL
Prisoner Is Still Confident, How
ever, as He Faces Hear
ing Tomorrow.
Continued from First PAGE


Clined TO make public the nature OF
their conference before tomorrow. he
said he expected 10 have the prelimin-
airy hearing before Judge Mace in the
morning, probably after 10 O'Clock.
Just what witnesses he vii lCall for
the State he was not ready TO announce
this afternoon. Miss Reeves may be a
State witness, but her story is bound
TO be ore of defense for Fisher, for she
came out stoutly in his beDalf and de-
Ciared positively that Fisher acted only
in protecting her from insult and In
saving his own life after the drunken
Altdorfcr had seized him by the throat.
Fisher Still Optimistic.
Fisher today maintained his optimish
regarding the outcome OF the case.
Il thoroughly believe tnat l will go
free" he declared The case is solely
one of self-defense, and l am sure that
l will be acquitted
His nerve was shaken somewhat by
tho ordeal of a night in the stone
prison. He did not sleep overwell and.
consequently, today was not in as
cheerful a mood as yesterday. The
charge he faces appeared more serious
to him today, although not for a mo-
ment did he lose faith in the propriety
Of his course on Friday night in shield
ing the Reeves girl an dhimself.
Attorney Dawson. accompanied by At
torney Peters, of this city. paid him an
extended visit today and frightened up
his spirits.
Mr.. Peters is not decided yet about
going into the case as associate defense
counsel, but he is acting in an advisory
capacity today in preparing for the first
skirmish before Judge Mace.
To Rely on Self-Defense.
He declined to say what the nature Of
the defense would be. but Attorney
Dawson declared:
I think it entir. y proper to state
that the defense will rely on self-de-
fense to prove its case for acquittal.
cannot discuss the subject of due or
undue force. nor the matter of Turner's
part in the alterations. Nevertheless,
/ can say confidently that We expect to
win out"
No Habeas Corpus Action.
On the subject of habeas corpus pro-
ceedings, Dawson said that he had not
intended to institute such an action to-
morrow.
If the States attorney has a preIimi-
nary hearing in the morning that will
relieve US from such a course" said
Dawson today.
The judge may find probable cause
for holding Fisher for the November
grand jury, but we are hopeful that he
will Immediately release him upon hear
ing the preliminary evidence. OF coUse,
that would not prevent the grand jury
from taking independent action in No
vember."
Mrs. Altdorfer and Miss Reeves to-
day kept themselves in seclusion.
The body of Altdorfer is now in To-
cal undertaking establishment. Funeral
services probably will be held tomor-
row.
Seeks Fishers Release.
James G. Jester. chief disbursing Of
fcer of the Isthmian Canal Commission.
is taking a keen interest in the case Of
Fisher. who is an employe OF his de-
partment. Late yesterday he went TO
Rockville. hoping to be able to do
toward Fishers release He
conferred at length with the prisoner,
and then talked with Judge Peter, but
found the latter unwilling to accept
nail 1t that tine.
Jester is hopeful that the outcome
of tomorrow's proceedings will be the
release of Fisher. He and scores of
other friends of the accused man stand
ready to give every assistance possible.
and a number of bonding companies
have offered TO go on Fishers bond for
release at any time.