Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Ingham. Cross-examination by Mr. Foster. Testified on behalf of the Prosecution, People of the State of Illinois. Searched Oscar Neebe's house on May 7, 1886 and confiscated a pistol, a sword and a red flag. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): items confiscated from the Arbeiter-Zeitung office or the defendants' homes (vol.K 698).
Testimony of John Stift, 1886 July 30.
Volume K, 697-698, 2 p.
Stift, John.
Officer, Chicago Police Department.
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[Image, Volume K, Page 697]
JOHN STIFT,
a witness called and sworn on behalf of the People was examined in chief by Mr. Ingham and testified as follows:
Q You are a police officer?
A Yes, sir.
Q Connected with what station?
A East Chicago Avenue station.
Q Did you go to the house of Neebe the defendant shortly after the 4th of May?
A I did.
Q On what day?
A It was on Friday morning, the 7th day of May.
Q What did you find there?
A I found there a 38 calibre Colt's pistol. I found a sword there, and I found a breech loading gun and a red flag.
Q What condition was the revolver in?
A There were five chambers fired out. One was loaded with a cartridge and one with a shell in it.
Counsel for defendants objected to the testimony on behalf of all the defendants and particularly those other than Mr. Neebe.
Cross Examination by
Mr. Black%
Q What kind of gun was it you found?
A Breechloading gun with a large bore in it.
Q A smooth bore-- it was a sporting gun?
A It may be. It had a large bore in it.
Q Don't you know it was?
A I could not tell.
Q Are you familiar with weapons sufficiently to know?
A It was a gun. I have not seen very many of that kind.
Q It was not a rifle?
A No, I don't think it was a rifle.
Q Smooth bore gun?
A Yes, sir.
Q Double or single barrel.
A Single barrel.
Court adjourned to ten o'clock A. M. July 31st, 1886.