Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1885 — SUBSTANCE OF THE TESTIMONY. [ARTICLE]

SUBSTANCE OF THE TESTIMONY.

R W Marshall, of K oner township* was the first witliess. He testified as to how the body was found, its condition, wounds aud bruises thereon etc., Wartner’s testimony at the coroner’s inquest, when the prisoner stated that lie knew Dreger, but did not think the body was that of Dreger, and bis further statement that be had given liregcr a check for S4OO and be bail gone to Chicago to get it cashed, etc. Ur Feldmen, ®f Keener township, (interpreter; testified as to \\ arner’s statements made in confession, and that he was not aware of any threats or promises made to induce the prisoner to confess. The defendant’s wife testified to the length of time they had lived in this country, and when they became residents of Jasper county. She stared that Ihev were in great destitution, that at the time her husband and I)teger stalled on their journey to the river they had only a few potatoes in the house The crossexamination, however, biought out Ibo statement that they did have, on that day, 50 pounds of flour, besides fpork, fish and coffee. Wartner’s testimony did not agree with the statements in his confession. He endeavored to screen his act .vijh a plea that it was committed in self defense. Two of the Fairchild brothers testfied that they had paid the defendant three or four dollars, for wood and firli, on the morning of the day of the murder. The store keeper at DeMotte, Mr G O Spencer, testified that he sold titty lbs. of flour, and other provisions, to Wartner in the morning of the day of the murer.