Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-09
(HASTEEk ADMITS |
ALV|NE's WEAPON |
NOT DISCHARGED.
psiendant In Murder Trial Testities
He Alone Fired In ARRAY
at Silyis.
,p,SS EXAMINATION Is SEVERE
s,ovded Court Room Hears Indicted
Switchman Tell His Version
of killing.
,poss EXAMINATION Is SEVERE

Mere character Witnesses for
nan Chasteen were placed on the
stand this afternoon by the de-
tense. Whether following this.
attack on AIVine's mental capac-
ity. for which II Is understood
elaborate preparation has been
made. will be taken up remains
10 he seen. In the opening state
ment Of counsel for the defendant
claim was made that il would be
shawn that the detectives brain
had been injured through the beat
Inc he received in the escape from
county Jail of Louis hleinau, who
was one Of the prisoners to make
dash for liberty, which had been
engineered by Clyde Stratton. no.
torious yeggman. Alyine at the
time WAS turnkey at the county
jail.
Should this feature not be fol-
lowed up. it is understood the de-
Tense will soon rest and that the
state will probably introduce wit
upsses to refute statements rela-
tive to the reputation Of Mr.. Chas-
teen, which will probably con-
elude all Of the evidence.
1--WE got the drop on you. Drop
hat gun or III xii! you?'
This is what Dan Chasteen, on trial
in circuit court for the murder Of Hugo
Alvine, Dec 3, declared yesterday aft
srnoon on the witness stand the de-
tsctiye had shouted at him as he was
crossing the sand pit near the Barstow
Tiaduct.
I'll not drop the gun. What do you
want TO kill me for?" the switchman
declared he answered in response.
Come here, | want to frisk you" AL
vine is said to have replied.
Come here and frisk me and get all
| have and you won't get anything .
Chasteen testified he said ''Alvine
then ordered me TO come toward him.
He had me covered with his gun. |
carried my revolver in my hand, point
ing toward the ground. / thought AL
vine acted as though he was angry
about something. His eyes We're kind
Of CLASSY. and | thought if | had a
chance 10 talk to him / might pacify
aim. He ordered me TO go through the
fence. | started to obey and was fac
ing south al the time with AlVine be-
lind me. Suddenly l felt the cold steel
Of his revolver on my ear. l ducked
ny head and swung almost completely
around and fired one shot
did YOU know where Alvine was
sanding" H. NJ McCaskrin, his coun-
sci, asked.
a knew he was behind me, and that
would get him if | could"
Crowd Hears Chasteen.
This is Dan Chasteen's own state
nent Of the Staying of Aivine, as he
gave it yesterday afternoon in an at
tempt to explain to the jury his side
Of what happened in the sand pit where
the railroad detectives lifeless body
was found.
Chasteen alleges that he shot in self
defense. When il was rumored yester-
day afternoon that he would probably
go on the stand as the star witness for
the defense, the word evidently had
been mysteriously communicated tC
of curious who crowded and
damned into the court room in an eff
iortt get glimpse of the East Moline
sWltchman, for whose crime he state
is demanding the death penalty.
For 40 minutes Mr. Chasteen was
Kept on the stand giving his version
OF the Staying 1t was 5: So when he
vas called and he was undergoing a
severe cross examination by States At
torney F. E. Thompson when court
closed for the day.
In his direct examination he stated
mat he was 30 years of age Feb. % last
and that he worked on a farm as a
Young man, and since 1900 had been
employed as railroader, working al
various times as fireman, engineer and
SEitchman, first in East St. Louis, then
bennington, Ill, and later at Mon
mouth, where he lived from December
wi, to Nov %, 1912. when he came tC
East Moline. He had lived at his pres.
ent nome since April l last.
de first identified the panoramic
view which had been taken by Robert
hunter, and which was offered in evi-