The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-02-19
MINERS DEATH H..
CONVICTS -FOUR

Waddell-Mahon detective agency
guards and q deputy sheriff yesterday
were found guilty OF m~anslaughter for
the killing of Steve Putrich. a strik-
ing copper mine worker at Seeberville,
on August IA last.
Judge Flanagan sentenced James
Cooper, Arthur Davis, William Croft
and Edwin P~olkinghorne, convicted
yesterday Of manslaughter, to Mar
quette prison, recommending a maxi
mum OF Is years for the first three and
IL for the last because of the jury's
recommendation for clemency in his
case.
Harry James, the other deputy.
sheriff, was acquitted, under in
structions from the. court. The men
convicted were James Cooper, Arthur
Davis. William Croft and Edwin Pol
kinghorne. all but the latter from New
York.
Clemency was recommended to the
court. in the case of PolkinghOrne, the
deputy sheriff. Judge Flanagan will
morrow. 1t has not been decided
whether an appeal will be taken.
The jury took the case at 6 o'clock
last night and reached a verdict at
1880 o'clock this morning after 10
ballots. The court had instructed the
jurors that that they could find the
men guilty of either second degree
murder or manslaughter.
When the verdict and announced,
Charles Watson, attorney for the men,
demanded a poll of the jury, and each
of the IL said that ii was his verdict.
The four convicted men, who have been
at liberty under $4,000 bonds, were
turned over to the custody Of the
sheriff.
James was released, bu was ordered
to report tomorrow in connection with
the killing Of Aloise Than, with which
Nrima tho fiITn nan nlon - a nhn-onl re
is regarded as doubtful whether the
men will ever be tried for this offense.
Thomas Raleigh, another Waddell-
Mahon guard who also was involved in
the Seebervilie shooting disappeared ON
the eve of the trial and has not been
caught.
The case attracted widespread inter-
est throughout the copper county, ow-
ing to its connection with the strike.
The Waddel-Mahon men were brought
here at the beginning Of the strike to
help protect property of the mining
companies and nonunion men employed
to fill h STRIKERS places. The strik-
ers have referred to them as "gunmen."
COMMITTEE TO LEARN
CONDITION OF MINES
Hancock. Mich, Feb. 17.-The an
nouncement was made by counse for
the miners at the opening of the CON
gressional inquiry today that they ex-
pect to conclude the presentation of
witnesses on mine conditions during
the day unless the committee indicated
that it desires to heal more.
w feel that we have covered all
the properties in this district" de-
clared Angus w. Kerr, one of the at
troneys for h Western Federation,
we have several hundred more wit
nesses along the same line, but we
think we have presented enough
testimony n we will pass along to
another subject If the committee de-
sires."
After a short conference Chairman
Taylor announced that it was the
sentiment of the committee that. with
out passing on the merits of the testi-
mony, offered by the SO witnesses al
ready heard, that these witnesses,
seem about as good as rs or SO men
/ along the same lines"
Mr.. Taylor said that one of the COM
mfttee had suggested that when the
committee visited a mine he hoped it
would be before the operators began
the presentation of their side and that
they should he accompanied by one or
TWO of the striking miners.
we want to see the things they
want us to see" added MIR. Taylor.
I'VE don't want to make an exparte
Inspection"
Mr.. Kerr said the operators should
NV " . pSA LlilLGu 10 select the NINE IN
spected. A. f. Ptermann, counsel for
the companies retorted that, Mr.. Kerr
could pick out the parts OF the mine
that he thought were the worst.
"And | have no hard feelings against
the committee" he added with a
smile.
Counsel added that the operators
were not willing to permit a miner
selected by the federation to ac-
company the committee into their
mines w~hereupon Chairman Taylor
said he hoped the two sides would bc
able to agree on the men.