The Washington times., 1921-01-30
CO'P[OTN
.DEN|EDBY 'S|6
Didn't Want Mayor Slain So He
Could Wed Widow, Hat
field Asserts.

CONTINUED from First PaSe-b
adjourned at the end OF the fourth
day OF the Matewan gun battle trial.
The twenty -one prisoners charged
with the murder OF Albert Fsits to-
day were Longing about. In the
county Jail. across the way from the
court house. All seemed In good
spirits.
Two additional jurymen must be
selected before the reduction 10
twelve IL made. with the state elm
mating two and the defense six.
Then some OF the remaining dozen
face another rigid cross-exsmination
before final acceptance 10 decided
upon. All States witnesses have been
summoned for tomorrow, but the
actual opening OF the case 10 not
expected TIL Tuesday
A mild sensation OF the day was
the published application for a pistol
permit by Judge James Damron. pre-
decessor OF Judge Robert ID. Bailey.
who Is trying this case. It revived
rumors of threats received by the
prosecuting attorney and especially
| those who have been specially en-
gagged TO assist Prosecutor Wade H.
Bronson. Judge Damron Is one OF
these. The pistol. IL he gets II. viii
be for street use only. for the dis
armament order In this trial stands.
Everyone entering the court room u
"frisked" for weapons.
MRS. HATFIELD JOKES.
Mrs. Sid Hatfield had to undergo
this procedure when she came In to
attend yesterday afternoons session.
The beautiful young woman. who was
the widow of Mayor G. c. FISHERMAN.
OF Matewan. one OF the ten victims
of the gun bsttie-smiled and Soked
as husky deputy sherih, with as
much delicscy as he could master, ran
his huge hands down the sides of her
styiishiy brown tailor-made coat.
do you think I Nigh slip Sid
gum" she asked with coquettish
laugh.
Nom, but orders Ia ORDERS" re-
Joined the young guardian OF the law,
| picture of crimson embarrassment
Mrs. Hatfield expressed emphatic
faith in the acquittal OF her husband
as well as of his co-defendants.
I'm not worried a Bit" she said.
| s'They'll all come out all right.
Throughout the afternoon session
| the young woman was the cynosure
| of hundreds of eyes.
Counsel for the defense asked per-
mission yesterday to add to it's stan
Nell Birmingham, Washington,
d. c., lawyer, and industrial investi-
gator. He took the oath to qualify
| himself.
The wearisome process of examin-
| ing veniremen, with one after another
being excused for reasons of relation
| ship, avowed bias. or objection 10
capital punishment. has reduced the
court room crowd to one-half of what
/ 10
| One venireman was excused yester-
day because he had violated the
courts order not to be present at the
! examination of other prospective
! Jurors. Many miners were stood
| aside" because of membership In the
! United Mine Workers of America. The
/ bar applies equally to coal operators.
The day was devoid of legal tits.
CROWD DwINDLEs.
The courtroom crowd has been
steadily dwindling during the past
few days The tiresome process OF
examining veniremen, the trial fans
discovered. was not particularly
thrilling, and many have decided to
stay away until the taking of testi-
mony begins, it appears.
Occasionally, however. a flash Of com
edy will break through the routine OF
questioning.
! How long have you been opposed
to capital punishment" Judge Bailey
asked one venireman yesterday.
For a right smart WHILE" was the
reply. 81 reckon ever since I've been
able to think"
Sid Hatfield looked at his wife and
smiled She whispered something to
him.
Lack of a gavel in the court has
made it necessary for a deputy sherii
to tap for order with a cartridge OF
a long .3S caliber.