The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-02-15
TELLS JURY HE
DID NOT VISIT
ROOM OF GIRL
Young Hotel Clerk Asserts Last
He Saw of Marie Wick Was
At II p. m.
FOLLOWS PAL ON STAND
GUNNER Backs up Browns Dec
laratiOn He Didn't Create
Fictitious Hotel Guest

William GUNNER took the stand
in his own defense today.
GUNNER sketched briefly his
life, saying he was % years old
and that he had been employed
in the Prescott hotel on one oc-
casion prior to the time Of his
employment when Miss Marie
Wick was murdered.
'"That was the last l saw of
her until she was found dead the
next morning." GUNNER said,
when asked by his counsel con-
|cerning Miss Wick's retirement
to her room about II p. m. Oh
June g..
GUNNER asserted that a guest reg
istered into the hotel about 2 a. m.
under the name Of James Farrell
and that he, GUNNER, did mot place
that name on the register nor Andy
Brown, his roommate. The state has
contended that there was not in fact
a guest by the name Of Farrell in the
hotel the night of the murder but that
such guest was created to divert su-
spicion from GUNNER.
Is Self Possessed
GUNNER appeared thoroughly self
possessed while on the stand. He was
somewhat paler than usual but an
swered questions asked Of him by his
counsel very deliberately and in a
low voice.
GUNNER made no direct denial OF
the various statements he has been
quoted as making to officials, except
70 indicate that some of the state
ments credited to him were, in fact,
statements that officials had made to
him and that he had only agreed with
them, particularly as relates to what
he said the officials told him Brown
had stated.
During the conversations with
Brown in the, hotel lobby the night Of
the murder GUNNER said Miss Wick
was not discussed except that he
0Gummer) told him a good looking
girl" had registered in, this state
ment being made while he was Civ.
ing Brown a list of all the guests
who had checked in.
Officials have testified concerning a
lengthy conversation with Brown con-
cerning the murdered girl.
Denies Advances
GUNNER also denied that he made
any improper advances to Miss Wick
when he talked to her over the tele-
phone about 11:15 after she had gone
to- her room in which she was found
murdered the next morning.
The defendant still was on the wit
ness stand the hour Of the noon re-
cess.
Browns Testimony
Andy Brown, Gummer's roommate,
when he returned to the witness stand
at the afternoon session yesterday de.
MED that he and GUNNER had ex
changed admonitions to each other
to stand pat" when they met in the
corridor pf the Cass county Jail
shortly before Christmas.
Brown said he shook hands with
GUNNER as they parted, Brown say
ing, "Well, so long, old man, till I
see you again."
Brown, by denying that he was in
the Prescott hotel after 1880, denied
having signed the name James Far
rell, Willmar," on the hotel register
as the name was placed on the regis
ter between 2 and 3 a. m.
Brown said GUNNER was back Of
the desk when he entered the Pres
colt lobby at 1925 and that GUNNER
was not visible to him, when he open
ed the door to enter the lobby. He
and GUNNER, Brown said, sat on the
settee in the middle Of the lobby and
talked for while.
Brown testified that he and Gum
mer had no conversation concerning
Marie Wick, except that GUNNER had
told him who had registered in the
hotel, enumerating the guests, includ-
ing "a good looking girl" There was
no other conversation.
Denies Writing Name
Did you write any name on the ho-
tel register?" Brown was asked. 81
did mot" he replied.
did you write the name, James
Farrell, Willmar," on the hotel reg.
lster that night or any other time:'
Judge Barnett asked him.
I Brown said no.
Brown said also that he was not on
the second floor pf the hotel the night
Of June and 7, and also he said he
was not in room 40, the room assign.
| ed to- Farrell, the night Of the murder.
Brown said also that during the
time he was in the hotel that night
he was in no part of the hotel except
in the lobby.
Neither did GUNNER leave between
the hour of 1925 and 1850 a. M
said Brown.
Brown was called at about Ills a
m.
Important points in his early testi
mony include these:
First, that he was in the Presco.,
hotel from 1925 a. m. to 1850 a. M.
Second, that he walked from the
Prescott hotel to the Grand billiard
hall, on First Ave, and remained
There about 10 or Is minutes. while
drinking a matted milk.