The Dickinson press., 1917-06-09
~CHUMICK NEAR BREAKDOWN.

Condition of Mike Chumick, Cald-
well slayer, is causing grave con-
Germ, medical attention for the man
having been necessary Thursday.
Worry and superstitions fear ap-
pear to be undermining health of
the slayer, and aggravating his
weakened condition, caused by the
self-inflicted gunshot wound. Chu-
mick was somewhat improved this
morning, and it is not thought that
it will be necessary to remove him
to the hospital, for the present at
least.
Obstinacy of Ella Croy, star witness
in the Mike Chumick case, was the
outstanding feature at the prelimi-
nary hearing of the Caldwells' slayer,
held before Justice Folsom Tuesday
morning and afternoon. Chumick
was bound over to answer to two
charges of murder in the first degree
and one of criminal assault in the
first degree. Hearing was on the
charge Of killing Mrs. James H. Cald-
well. Defense waived examination in
the matter of Mr.. Caldwell's Staying
and the criminal assault. Chumlck
will be arraigned on June 18, the same
day that Adolph Lehman is booked
to appear. .,. ,.,
The 14-year-old girl, sitting stolid
and unmoved, refused on several occa-
sions to answer questions propounded
by Attorney Simpson, until ordered
to do so by the judge. She sat silent
for nearly ten minutes after Mr..
Simpson interrogated her as to the
scene when she left Chumick, just be-
fore he fired the shot with intent to
end his own life. Asked whether she
had not kissed him good-by, she flash
ed back the retort that it was no
,body's business and then Cor some
time refused to answer further. Ad-
mission was finally reluctantly given
that she had kissed him when she left.
Appears Reluctant.
Miss Croy retold the story Of the
day of terror spent at the ranch, on
April 80, and her tale was practically
the same as related previously. She
told her tale haltingly and only after
repeated questions had been launched
at her for more than an hours time,
her testimony taking up the greater
portion Of the hearing. To the ob-
Server, it appeared as though she
gave much Of her testimony with re,
luctance, and was endeavoring to hold
back certain facts in the case.
Testimony of the girl failed to es-
tablish any definite evidence OF serl-
GUS trouble between employer and en-
ploye prior to the tragedy, though
She admitted that Caldwell had liquor
in large quantities at the ranch home
nearly all the time, and that he was
a steady drinker. She also admitted
that Caldwell AMI his wife often
cursed each other, and that MIR. Cald--
well spoke i'll of his neighbors and
his employe when they were not pres
,ent, though having little trouble with
them otherwise.
On direct examination by States
Attorney Burgeson, she repeated her
story of the inquest, and declared that.
she had been misused several times
by Chumick during the day. She ad-
mitted that Mike had said, when she
offered to go to the lower ranch with
Mrs. Caldwell, that she was not need
ed there, and that she should remain
at home. But it was also brought
out that neither Mr.. Caldwell nor his
wife had been asked directly by Chu-
mick to- go to the lower place to look
after sick animal, it having been
opinion of many that he had asked
them to go there, with intention OF
killing them.
Witness Coached?
Attorney Simpson, apparently sus-
picious that the witness had been
coached, asked her on several occa-
sions whether she had been instruct
ed to answer certain questions pro-
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