Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-30

defense is that Hartman was abusive
| and threatening. and also intoxicated,
when he came to the Downs place, and
that after repeated warnings for him to
des!st and go away Mr.. Downs shot him
in self defense.
Hardman was wounded with shot
gun, the charge entering his knee, Mr.
Downs having aimed low in order to
avoid INJECTING a fatal injury on Hard
man, of whose identity he was not aware
| at the time of the shooting Hardman
lay on the ground where he fell after
being wounded until an officer came and
conveyed him TO Brooklyn Jail in an au-
tomobile. On the following day, while in
a ward of the Jail hospital he was
charged with breach of the peace and
using abusive language. On the witness
stand Wednesday Hardman testified thar
he had no clear recollection of the pro-
ceedings against him at the jail and did
not recall that he had pleaded guilty to
the charges against him. He remained
in the jail hospital for about three weeks
and a half, he said, before he was we'll
enough even to get about on crutches,
and did not recover. practical use of his
legs until about nid-June, when he went
to work. He said that about 20 shot
r were removed from his right knee by
DR.. Warren Tanner and a fewer number
from the left Knee. His right Knee con-
tinues to bother him and at times swells
when he walks too much, he said.
Under direct examination by his coun-
sci, Attorney John H. Barnes of Nor
wich. with whom Attorney Samuel B.
Harvey of Willimantic is associated in
the case, Hardman told of being en-
ployed at Moosup at the time the shoot
ing occurred. On the Saturday in uues-
ton he had gone, just after the noon
hour, to Wauregan and there met a man
named William Waite. who invited him
to go to Brooklyn for some cider. He
accepted and while walking over they
were Joined by a man named Lavene
Cider was procured by members of the
party and the three sat on some boards
in a country lane to drink it and smoke
I and talk. The half-gallon jug was twice
5 refilled during the afternoon. Other men
Joined the party. After dusk it was sug-
gested that it was time to go home, but
: one member of the party said he wanted
} another jug of cider and Hartman went
along with him to- get it. Hardman says
S he is not familiar with the territory SO
: does not know at what place the cider
was obtained, but the man who was go
l | ing to do the buying told him to wait
outside until he returned.
Hardman testified that he waited a
| long time, but the man did not return
SO he attempted to find his way back tc
| WduTeSdn. lie was lost, ne declares
when he arrived at the Downs place an6
inquired the route to Wauregan of two
men who were standing in the yard. He
declared his request for the information
was command to stand right whert
you are; if you take another step II
drop you"'
Thereupon one of the men immediatei,
fired, Hartman testified and that h,
(Hardman) fell to the ground, wounGe
/ hot -
get up. but raised himself on his elboy
and inquired if a man could not stop t,
ask civil question without being shot
The men did not answer, but talked be
tween themselves. Hardman said.
Hartman testified that he cannot tel
how long he lay on the ground, blu
finally another man came along and in
CURED who have you got here, Oliver?
and Hartman quoted the reply as bein
Il think I got the creamery man" The
light was procured and held SO the
could look into my face to see who
was. Finally an officer came and too
him in an automobile to Brooklyn iai
where he remained until May T. Pre-
scented in the superior court on, charge
filed against him following the shootins
the case was thrown out at Willimanti,
he said
Attorney Harry E. Back. representa-
MI. -OOWHS, WIFI Attorney CASrIeS /
Searls as associate counsel, subjecte
Hardman to a searching cross examine
ton, during which it developed this
Hartman has worked, for short period
or long ones, at many places in the Ne
England states, and as far away a
Michigan during the past few year
Hardman is a cotton mill worker, 4
years of age, married and has tw
grown-up children. He does not live wit
his wife, who lives in New Bedford. an
has not for 10 or IL years. but is O
friendly terms with her and sends he
money, he testified.
Hardman denied that he was intoxica
ed from drinking cider when he appea
ed at the Downs place after dark L
also denied that he was seen hiding b.
hind a tree there for considerable tin
before the shooting occurred. denied tn;
he had cursed and used other vile lal
guage and threatened to kill Mr.. Dow
before the latter shot him. He also d
MED all recollection of Mr. Downs,
will be claimed by the defense. firing
shot into the ground ahead Of him as !
approached, as a warning to him not
come nearer.
The case was not completed WHIT
court adjourned for the day and will
resumed this Thursday morning.
Plans and specifications for the fl
addition that is to be built to st. Mary
parochial school are expected to be r
ceived this week by Rev. Charles
Bedard. 1t is believed that these plal
Twill be submitted to contractors for bi