The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-04-21


that he wanted to settle up, also made
inquiries as to who was coming on the
train. He walked along once and
looked at Higgins. The clothing of
Higg MS was introduced by the State
and offered for Identification and Mr..
Pattangall objected on the grounds
that it was to display the facl that
Higgins was a soldier, the garments
shown being of khaki goods. Mr..
Thorne wanted them identified as the
clothing Higgins had on when he was
killed. Judge Deasy ordered that any
thing further as to clothing would be
deferred for the present. Under cross
examination Cover said that there
were about 20 men in the crew and
that it was perhaps fifteen or twenty
minutes after he warned the carrier
men to slow up on letting the pulp
wood down that the tragedy occurred.
He stated that the rubbing of Hig-
gins limb above the knee was through
the union suit. he believed. Witness
testified that Drieskis, who was fire.
quently referred TO as John. a name
by which he was commonly called
said Higgins was struck by falling
pulp wood in the car Witness said
that Drieskis was somewhat quarrel
some and that he said last summer I'm
a good mind to kill YOU" to man
named McGinnis.
Mike 0'CQnnor was the next witness.
He had worked at Bald Mountain with
Higgins on top of the carrier, with
Higgins in command and told what
was done in hauling wood off of the
endless chain of the carrier Murdoch
McCloud worked in the next car to
what proved to be the death car and
saw Higgins go down from the carrier,
having previously seen him put his
pickeroon in the carrier apron. He tes
titled that he saw Drieskis take his
glasses off and strike Higgins just as
he was coming down. He testified
that he saw the blow struck and Hig-
gins stepped across to the next car.
He saw the pulp wood coming down
into the Duncan car, but it was not
near Higgins so far as he could see.
Witness said Higgins d 'dnt go by any
falling pulp wood. Under cross eX-
animation McCloud said he was too far
away to be positive that a stick of the
pulp wood did not str Ike him. This
completed the testimony for Thursday
night.
PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGH-I
TER
Friday morning court sessions were
delayed by interviews between the
counsel and Judge Deasy, also inter
nd f.
torneys with Abram Stearn OF Rum
ford as Interpreter. The result was
that when the sessions were finally
begun attorneys for the State, mol
pressed the case as to malice afore-
thought and Drieskis withdrew his
plea of not guilty or murder and plead
ed guilty to manslaughter Evidence
then taken out relative to sentence
for the respondent. Drieskis stated
that he had no intentions of killing
Higgins. that he was never under ar
rest before and that he never was in a
court room before, in answer to ques-
lions put to him by Attorney Pattan-
gall. Under cross exam nation by
County Attorney Thorne as to why he
didn't try to get away from higgins
Drieskis replied that he couldn't get
away on one side because OF the WOOD.
He said he didn't know what Hig-
gins intentions were or what he was
going to do. He stated that he pulled
away about four feet from Higgins
and that he didn't know he was COM
ing down until he heard the trap door
overhead and heard Higgins swear.
Witness said he saw Higgins hands up
and that his glasses were steamed up
and he couldn't see so he took them
off. This testimony was given through
Interpreter Stearn. Stephen Drieskis,
the % year old brother OF Sylvester,
next took the stand, He was working
with Sylvester when the tragedy oc-
CURED and told what happened. lie
heard Higgins curse and use vile IAN
guage. he said and then Higgins start
ed to come down; Higgins asked
Sylvester what he said and Sylvester
took his glasses off and struck Hig-
gins; Sylvester thought that Higgins
was going to throw block OF WOOD.
He said that Sylvester struck Higgins
once. Under cross examination wit
ness said that Higgins had his fist
clenched. He thought Higgins hands
were down and not over his head when
Sylvester struck HIM. Fred Sulson,
clerk and timekeeper told of the peace
full nature of Dreskis and A. B. La
Rrack said that when he had worked
with Sylvester he had never known
him to have any trouble, but that Hig-
gis had been troublesome; also that
he had had trouble with Higg MS about
loading the car.
Attorney Pattangall addressed the
court and stated that he had believed
that Drieskis had some sort OF a pro
vocation to do what he did do and 1t
was apparent that he did not intend
to inlet any substantial injury upon
Higgins. He believed that Drieskis
Anticipated an assault and struck has
tily and viciously He felt that the
case deserved much lienency. Attor-
ney General Shaw said, THE remarks
of Brother Pattangall are very prop
err and seem to cover the case from
his STANDPOINT. I think it Is
equally my duty to call attention to
the gravity of the case" He then said
that all over the country there was a
feeling that sentences should not be
lightened and that Drieskis had no
.;rht IN tolya tho law into his own