Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-10
.MONGER RELATES STORY
OF HENsLEY SHOOTING
Witness, Telling Of Events Which
eliminated in Tragedy.
ILLICIT DIsTlLLING BLAMED
Monger's Refusal to Take Part In
"Runs" Cause OF CoOlncsS-Rear-
ranging of Fence Lines Directly
Leads to Murder.
Especial to The Times-pispatch.l


HARRIsONBURG VA. October 8
Robert MonEer. on trial III the Circuit
Court here for the murder of J. Milton
Hensley. yesterday took the witness
stand in his own behalf and narrated
the story upon which his attorneys have
relied TO establish his plea of self-de-
tense. The prosecution concluded its
case about the middle OF the afternoon
and MonGcr was the first witness called
by the defense. He went on the stand
again this morning 10 complete his
story of the tragedy, and then was sub
jected 10 n vigorous cross examination.
Seventeen witnesses. called by the
prosecution. were examined yesterday,
their testimony being adduccd in an
attemp; to show that MonEcr had borne
enmity toward Henslcy for several
years. and in confederation OF other
evidence already introduced.
Beginning with a time two or three
years ago when he declares he was
asked by Milton Hensley to help make
run At an Illicit still on the HensIcy
place, and considering that the begin
ming OF the trouble. Nonscr told OF
his relations with the Hensleys down
to the day Of the shooting. giving in
detail his version Of the manner in
which the tragedy occurred. and de-
scribinE the circumstances which led
to II.
WIFE PERSUADED HIM
NOT TO MAKE THE, "RCN-
He said he promised TO help make the
run" at the still. but was persuaded
by his wife not TO do SO. Later. when
the report was circulated in the COM
munity shat the Hensleys were en-
gagged in Illicit dis;illinr, MonGer said
2 a GOODNESS arose between Milton Hens
: ley and himself. He was told by two
men that Hensley had threatened him,
and that he had better watch Hensley.
Last Spring when an attempt was
made to survey the line between the
Aonger and Hensley farms. he said
most OF the men engaged in making the
survey were interested with the Hens
legs and he did not want them on his
side of the fence. When Arthur Hens
ley attempted to climb over on the
Monger side and drive stake, he saw
a revolver in his coat pocket. and then
drew his own gun to stop him. He
turned and saw Milton Hensley with
"a mattock appraised as if 10 strike him,
and drew his own gun on Milton Hens
ley TO prevent the threatened attack.
The surveying was adjourned for that
day. and no further trouble occurred
then. Claude Hensley afterward made
no objection to the line as established
then. even inviting Claude Hensley
20 take supper with him.
On the day of the tragedy. Monger
said he sent his sons out into the field
adjoining The HersIey farm TO do some
work while ne went 10 Elkton 10 buy
"A harrow and a quantity OF grass seed
Upon his return, ne Went out to the
field 10 see how they were getting
along. He intended also TO go into
still another field, where several OF his
sheep had been attacked BY dogs and
took his revolver along TO kill the dogs
IL NJ found them. When he reached the
field, he put his revolver in the drill
box until he could get the drill in oper-
alton. and then started in TO help the
bows