Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1. Direct and re-direct examination by Mr. Grinnell. Cross-examination by Mr. Foster. Testified on behalf of the Prosecution, People of the State of Illinois. Printed The Arbeiter-Zeitung, Die Fackel and The Alarm for August Spies. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): "Revenge" circular (vol.J 288), the Alarm (vol.J 286), Spies, August (vol.J 286).
Testimony of William Burgess, 1886 July 23.
Volume J, 286-289, 4 p.
Burgess, William.
Printer for the Arbeiter-Zeitung.
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[Image, Volume J, Page 286]
WILLIAM BURGESS,
called as a witness on behalf of the People, was duly sworn, and testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
By Mr. GRINNELL.
Q What is your name?
A William Burgess.
Q What is your business?
A Printer.
Q Where is your establishment?
A In the Times Building, 88 Fifth Avenue.
Q How long have you been in business in Chicago?
A 30 years.
Q You have been printing for August Spies?
A Yes.
Q What paper?
A The Arbeiter Zeitung, Die Fackel and the Verbote and the Alarm.
Q Prior to the 4th of May were you printing those papers?
A Yes.
Q Did you set up the type, or simply do the printing?
A I did the printing.
Q The type was delivered to you in form from that office?
A Yes.
Q How long have you been doing business in that way for them?
A Five or six years.
Q Are you doing it for them now?
A No, sir.
Q Do you know the circulation of the Arbeiter Zeitung?
How many copies did you print for the daily Arbeiter Zeitung?
A 4500 to 5000.
Q How many of the Die Fackel, which is the Sunday paper?
A Between 3000 and 4000.
Q And the Vorbote?
A That is a weekly paper.
Q And the Alarm?
A That is printed every two weeks.
Q How many copies of that?
A I believe there was 3000.
Q Who paid for the printing of those papers?
A Mr. A. Spies.
Q That is August Spies?
A Yes.
Q Look at the file of papers which I show you from beginning to end?
A They look like papers which were printed in my place.
Q That is The Alarm, is it?
A Yes.
Q When did you commence the printing of The Alarm?
A I think about a year ago.
Q You began about a year ago and have been printing it since until it ceased?
A Yes.
Q You think these are copies of the ones you have printed?
A Yes.
Q Did you do any printing upon an order from the Arbeiter Zeitung office on the 3rd of May?
A I received no order except for their dailies.
Q You may look at that (the Revenge circular) and say whether you printed a circular of that character?
A I could not say whether it was printed in my house or not; it was so reported by my night foreman.
Motion to strike out last sentence of answer allowed.
Q Were all of these papers -- the Arbeiter Zeitung, Die Fackel, Die Vorbote and The Alarm paid for by August Spies?
A Yes.
CROSS EXAMINATION
By Mr. Foster.
Q How did you make out the bills -- to the Social Publishing Society?
A The Arbeiter Zeitung.
Q You made out all of the bills to the Arbeiter Zeitung?
A Yes.
Q You didn't make them out to August Spies?
A No, sir.
Q But he paid you for them and you gave him a receipt, a receipt to the Arbeiter Zeitung?
A Yes.
RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION
By Mr. Grinnell.
Q Were bills made out for the printing that you did for these separate things -- the Arbeiter Zeitung, Die Fackel; Die Vorbote and The Alarm?
A Yes.
Q Against whom did the bills run?
A August Spies
Q Checks were received in that way for all these papers signed how?
A Most of the time it was brought in in currency, but when a note came in it was signed
A. Spies.
THE COURT: When the bill was made out, who was charged What was the name on the bill that you charged the bill to?
A The Arbeiter Zeitung.
Mr. GRINNELL: For all of this work?
A Yes.
Q And then the receipts were signed how?
A Now and then I received a check; mostly it was sent in currency.
Q Occasionally I understood you to say a check came in
A Yes.
Q Was that signed the "Socialistic Publishing Society, by A. Spies"?
A No, sir -- "A. Spies".