Deming graphic., 1921-11-08

~ pfOuuctu hnn-phs VI
proposing a drinking bout. The con-
tents of the bottle was entirely COZ
sumed, sad Mr.. Hobbs, and the broken
container smashed In trash box
While the drinking proceeded the two
men talked Of the proposed railroad
strike, Of fencing large pasture, boot
logging projects and numerous other
general topics, according to Mr.. Hohbs
who declared he went TO sleep npon
bed on the porch with Mr.. Risdon
still talking. Mr.. Hobbs averred that
he was conscious Of the gun shot, but
not certain whether ne rose immediate
ly or sometime after to investigate.
lie told us that when he did get u
he noticed Mr.. Risdons car had been
moved from It's former position in
front Of the house and that the deceas-
ed was lying In the posture In which
he was later examined by the cor
onrr's jury from Demlng Mr. Hobbs
told us he then shook the dead
man and called his name, but was not
long In finding out that Mr.. Risdon
was dead"
The witness spoke OF the coroner's
inquest and among other things told
OF the shoe and sock being removed
from the right foot OF Mr.. Risdon, the
inference being that an Intellectual at
tempt had first been made to pull the
trigger Of the gun with the toes. Mr..
White. and all later witnesses. told OF
the firmness Of the grip Of the dead
man upon the gun and limb II was
evident that the state would try :
show that the gun and limb could have
been placed In the dead mans hands
after the fatal shot, but the testimony
did not tend to bolster up this theory.
Nor was the state any more SUCCESS
fuI In showing that the body could
have been dragged to It's position from
inside the house, though numerous
blood stains well inside the porch
pointed to the apparent certainty that
the shot had been fired there.
George d. Robinson, the undertaken
who took charge OF the body following
the inquest and who later made notes
for the surgeons who performed the
autopsy. was next to be called to the
stand. He admitted that there were
no powder burns about the wound.
but gave 1t as his opinion that none
could have been expected, even grant.
Ing that the deceased had fired the
fatal shot himself. Mr.. Robinson
told Of the firm grip OF the dead mans
hands upon the gun and limb and main
tanned that, in his experience, such
a grip would not have been possible
had the instruments been placed In the
hands OF the dead man even immedl.
ately after death. He went on TO
explain that rigor mortis in the case
Of approximate instant death set
in Immediately and could easily cause
the grasp 10 tighten to such an OK.
tent that force 10 loosen the finger
would be necessary, and that such
force had been employed In the cas-,
under discussion.
Mr.. Robinson told of the taking OF
small amount Of loose silver, a pury
containing few silver pieces and
So bill. knife and other small articles
from n trouser pocket Of the dead man
upon arrival at the Mahoney mortuary.
Testimony Of the widow OF the de
ceased was introduced later to show
Mr.. Risdor had at least $155 with him
when he had left his HON, the NON.
ing Of the tragedy. The state dwet
m the apparent loss OF his money ~
a possible motive for the crime which
was charged.
The testimony Of the widow tended
to show that the deceased had not been
drinking. I'D not have intoxicating
liquor in his possession and was
anxious to get in Deming to meet
visiting friend and his sou. Nate, who
were due to arrive in Deming that
morning from Hachita. Mrs RIsdon
stated that her husband and son were
employed in the motor repair shops OF
The government at Hachltn and III
the rest OF the family were Intending
10 make their home there In order
hat the two younger children Nigh, |
attend school. She said her husband |
ves cheerful and had asked her sew
raj times to go with him. The visit
. the Hobbs ranch house had been