Year: 1879




FoRr MEADE, Dakota, Dec. 4.-The Reno
court convened at 10 O'Clock.


Mrs. Fanshaw testified: ''Reno and others
were at my house at supper Aug. 8, In my
opinion, Reno was disgustingly drunk while at
the supper table. When he first came in did
not notice his being under the influence of
liquor. He rode out with me that evening, and
was sober at that time."


The prosecution here rested.


Mrs. Fanshaw, for the defense, testified:
"On the day of the fire, the burning of Fan
shaw's store, Reno was very kind to me; did
not insult by speech or action. We sat on
the porch till after 10 o'clock. 1t was quite
cold night.''


Maj. DR.. Irwin testified that going from q
cold place to warm room and eating heart.
lily might produce the effect manifested by
Reno on the night of tho supper at Fan
shaw's.


Maj. Reno sworn: Was playing pool with
Nicholson and others Oct. 25, in the club
room. Had wager on the game, which 1
won. Previous to this I gave Nicholson
checks in settlement of our difference. He
said he considered the pool matter settled;
that night he disputed it. He said: 81
will settle with you in any way you want -
COUGHING the remark in grossly insulting
manner, and said he could knock the stuff
ting out of me. He repeated it several times.
His remark drove me beyond the limits of
patience, and in q fit of passion I struck
him with cue. We came together. He,
being the stronger, threw me on the floor.
Bystanders separated us. I was perfectly
sober; put on my coat, and left the club
room with DR.. Bell, whom I told was very
sorry for what had done. Reno submitted
copy of letter to Mrs. Sturgis, apologize
ing for his conduct on the night of Nov. 10.
AS he was under close arrest he could not
send the letter to her until Nov. ~. The
substance of Reno's letter was:


I write this that you may appreciate the mo-
tive that actuated me to look through your
window. 1t has been my habit since arrest to
walk out at night in the path in front Of the
officers quarters, in favorable weather. for ex-
ercise. On the night in question l saw your
daughter in complete toilet, through the win.
dow. It was such a picture I thought there
could be no harm in looking upon it, and in
my loneliness and thoughts of the past felt
impotent to resist temptation. When you
started in alarm, without reflection, went
to my quarters, instead of coming to
your house, as I should have done. Wren the
adjutant came to my quarters that evening
could not tell him all that have told you.
'Twould be matter of deepest regret to my
dying day should Ella and you think me capa-
ble OF being spy, or doing anything with a
mean motive. This is the truth as expect to
answer for it before God. sincerely ask your
pardon for all that does not seem to you as in
nocent. 1 assure you that, if not guiltless, my
fault was in judgment, not heart.


Reno said the relation between Sturgis'
family and himself had been friendly in
times past, and he had the greatest respect
and admiration for Ella. Seeing her, as
Lieut.. Spillman and others did, he turned
from the path and stopped in front of the
side window to look at her. He did
not approach the window stealthily
or suspicously; walked there as he
would in this court room. In the glare of
the window, if his face expressed any senti-
ment but admiration, it greatly belied his
feelings. Had no intention of alarming
her; would suffer the amputation of his
right hand from the arm before he would
harm hair of her head. 4s+ssy-,