Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-01-17

The defendant, Paul Santlnl, was
called to the witness chair Wednes-
day afternoon. His attorneys asked
for an interpreter and after some
delay Emanuel DeMeio was secured
to act in that capacity.
After few preliminary questions
during which the defendant said he
was married, has two children, lives
on Maple street in Hurley and has a
place of business at as Silver street,
he gave his story of the affair.
Santini said he left his home about
q o'clock on the evening of Dec. 26,
1928, and went to-S. Lerza's place of
business to get some interest money
=due him. There he met Oscar
Nordby who asked him if he wanted
to kill blacksmith" Santini de-
clared he said mo, don't want to
kill nobody"
1t was 6roughtzout that Nordby
haG been in Hurley some months be-
fore and is alleged to have accosted
Santini and tried to start trouble.
Santini is said to have been warned
to look out for Nordby as he is al
legged to have said that he was going
to "make him (Santini) in two
pieces"
On the witness stand Santini ad-
mitted that on the evening in ques-
ton both he and Nordby had been
drinking and that they both were
feeling good" Santini said that
Lerza attempted to act as peace
maker and finally persuaded him to
leave Lerza's place of business. He
then went to Joe Francis place to
"see one Robo to return to him a
garage key"
The. key was produced in court as
Exhibit l.
Struck Nordby with Door Key
Santini said Robo was not in and
that he then went back to Lerza's
place and stayed in the front room
about five minutes talking to Lerza.
Then he started for home, he said.
but before going home decided to go
to his garage on First avenue and get
his car and take it to the Iron County
Garage for winter storage.
after leaving Lerza's place Santini
said he turned the corner at the
Francis building and walked north
on First avenue. He said he had
his head down and overcoat collar
turned up on account of the wind and
that Nordby accosted him, grabbed
him by the collar and hit him twice
on the head, whereupon Santini with
the large garage door key in his hand
swung at Nordby, struck him once,
broke away and ran. He said he
didn't know how or where he struck
him, declaring that he was scared
and that there was nobody home"
(pointing to his head.)
Stayed at Iron Belt
He then went to his own place and
talked with the bartender a few
minutes, Santini declared. but didn't
remember what they talked about.
: Then he went home. In a few
minutes the BARTENDER phoned him
that federal prohibition officers were
raiding his place. He said he left
home, went to the Chicago & North
western depot, hailed passing eauto
and got q ride to Pence. From
there he walked to Iron Belt He
stayed with his friend Gentle for Is
or 19 days. In the meantime he
phoned to his friends in Hurley and
learned that Nordby was dead and
that there was a warrant out for his
arrest. Later Robt. Fontecchio
phoned him, he said, that his bail
would be fixed up and that he then
came in and gave himself up to Judge
Thomas.
Fay Corliss. of Duluth, witness for
the defense vas called. He said that
he had known Nordby for two years
in Duluth and that he occupied an
adjoining carpenter shop to Nordby'
blacksmith shop, declaring that he
tented from Nordby. . When asked
as to 9Nordby's character. whether
good or bad, counsel for the state
objected and the judge sustained the
objection.
I'D Mcdaniel Testifies
Nick Mcdaniel. an important
witness who is said to have seen the
affair, took the stand Wednesday
afternoon. His story was to the
effect that he left his home on Maple
street ab"ut o'clock on the evening
OF Dee. IS, 1928. and went to his
brothers place Of business. WheI
pc reached the Board of Trade corner
he saw Santini and Nordby come to