The New York herald., 1921-02-24
SPRACKLIN IN TEARS
DESCRIBES KILLING
Pastor Inspector Undergoes
Two Hour Cross Eyamina-
ton as Witness.
TIL THREATENED. HE ASSERTS
Defendants Sister Testifies
Trrmble Had Menaced Her
Brothers Life.
THREATENED. HE ASSERTS

SANDWICH Ont. Feb. 2G.--rhe Rev,
J. o. L. spracllln, i.quor license inspec-
tor, on trial for manslaughter in connec-
tion with the death of Beverly Trumbie,
hotel kSeper. took tire witness stand to-
night in his own defence and for two
hours Withstood the ordeal OF searching
cross-examinStion. The pastor -inspec-
tor recited a vivid narrative of the In
cidents which preceded the killing.
bursting into tears when he described
how he had fired the fataI SHOT
Sprackl!r recounted ll.s original
charges against conditions in the town
OF Sandwich in which he LAD declared
in6ecency. intoxicatlon and other viola
lions OF the law were tolerated by police
officials. He told OF watching the road
house from a vantage point and had
seen intoxicated men and women leav-
ing II.
He described his attempt on q pre-
vious occasion to search Trumble's car
delivered at the roadhouse and was sub
jected 10 abuse by the man and his
wife. both of whom threatened him.
Spracklin then related how he had
driren to the Chappell House the night
of the tragedy and had seen two men
one apparently intoxicated, sitting on
lie lawn. Accompanied by two OF lis
assistants. SpraciIlin said, le recognized
',,runole as one OF the men, saying 10
hin: Hello. Bev," 10 which nc replied
"Heuo. Les
What's the trouble? asked. "
Spracklin testified.
I'VE have had r little trouble to-
night" he said Trumble answered.
The witness then told how his men
tried to enter the roadhouse. but were
stopped 4. the door by several men. and
after gaining an entrance he saw Trur7
Bile covering two Of his Officers with a
revolver ard demanding that they show
their badges
SHOW me youg' badges. SpracNlin tes-
titled Trumble said Get out OF here
or I'll shoot every one Of YOU.
II ran back 10 the dining roonn,' he
continued. went hrough the pantry to
the kitchen and took UP a position at the
kitchen door. ] could see Trumble COW
ering the two officers but l didn't see
Heaton until he jumped in and grabbed
Trumbes gun. Hcaton stumbled back
into the hallway from which he had ap-
peare6 and Trumble swung his gun tc
cover him.
II drew my gun from rs holster ard
tinued He was still backing my men
toward the door He had backed them
to the door when called Back squad.
We don't want any trouble like this
Trumble was in the doorway when
called He looked around and saw ma.
He swung his gun around on me ana
said, You. Spracklin I'll shoot YOU
His gun was three or four inches
from my stomach. at least. looked
into his eyes and what l saw there
made me believe he intended 20 do what
he said dropped my gun to my hip
and
Here the parson falteged. Tears filled
his eyes. his head dropped. and he stood
motionless for several seconds.
You fred" inquired the attorney.
Yes" was the almost inaudibe re-
ply.
Testimony that the life OF her brother
had been threatened by Trumble was
given late to-day by Mrs Evelyn Bell.
Spra cklins sister.
Mrs. Bell testified she met Trumble
in the park at Bois Blanc, where she
had gone on AN excursion, ard he nd
vised here TO tell her brother TO get out
OF the license inspection business. Gle
will be shot If he doesn't get off the
Job" Mrs Bell testified Trumble told
her. They will shoot a mar quicker
for whiskey than they will for money.
He wants to get off the job before he
gets killed"
Mrs. Bell testified she warned Sprack-
lin Immediately on her return TO Wind
sor. and that she considered Trumble's =
language a threat against her brother s
life