Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1. Direct examination by Mr. Furthmann. Testified on behalf of the Prosecution, People of the State of Illinois. People's Exhibits 69 (vol.K 702), 70 (vol.K 702), 71 (vol.K 703), 72 (vol.K 703), 73 (vol.K 704), 74 (vol.K 704), 75 (vol.K 706), 76 (vol.K 707), 77 (vol.K 707), 78 (vol.K 707), 79 (vol.K 708), 80 (vol.K 708), 81 (vol.K 709), 82 (vol.K 709), 83 (vol.K 709), 84 (vol.K 710), 85 (vol.K 710), 86 (vol.K 711), 87 (vol.K 713), 88 (vol.K 713), 89 (vol.K 715), 90 (vol.K 715), 91 (vol.K 716), 92 (vol.K 717), 93 (vol.K 718), 94 (vol.K 719), 95 (vol.K 719), 96 (vol.K 719), 97 (vol.K 720) introduced into evidence. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): the Arbeiter-Zeitung (vol.K 702), discussion of legal procedure (vol.K 711).
Testimony of Eugene Seeger (fifth appearance) and Introduction of Evidence, 1886 July 31.
Volume K, 701-720, 20 p.
Seeger, Eugene.
Translator.
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[Image, Volume K, Page 701]
EUGENE SEEGER,
recalled by the People was examined by Mr. Furthmann and
testified as follows:
Q What paper is that?
A That is the Arbeiter Zeitung of April 28.
Q I will call your attention to an editorial on the second page and I will ask you whether you have translated any part of that article?
A I have.
Q Look at that manuscript I have handed you. Have you compared the manuscript with the article?
A I have.
Q Do you find any similarity?
A I do.
Q Is the part that is contained in the manuscript the identical words, and do they follow just exactly as they do on the manuscript in this article?
A They do.
MR. FURTHMANN: The exhibit shows Mr. Schwab's handwriting. This is marked "2" and has been identified by Mr. Fricke.
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 69 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q What paper is that?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of April 29, 1886.
Q Look at the manuscript. Do you find the article for that?
A I find the article for that, yes sir.
Q Have you translated that?
A I have.
MR. FURTHMANN: This exhibit is marked "Q" and has been identified to be Mr. Schwab's handwriting by the witness Fricke.
(Translation referred to marked People's Exhibit 70 contained in Volume of Exhibits & hereto attached.)
Q Find the article for that manuscript. (Hands witness manuscript)
Have you found it?
A I have.
Q Have you translated that article?
A I have.
Q Do you find an article for that transcript in the paper?
A I do.
Q What are the first words of the article?
A The first words are: "What will the first of May bring?"
Q Have you translated that?
A I have, dated April 30th, 1886
(Translation referred to marked People's Exhibit 71, contained in Volume of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What paper is that?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of May 3rd, 1886.
Q Do you find an article in that paper of that manuscript?
A I do.
Q Have you translated the article?
A I have. It is captioned "A hot conflict" 4th page.
MR. FURTHMANN: The exhibit shows this to be Mr. Spies' handwriting as identified by Mr. Fricke.
(See People's Ex. 68)
Q What is that paper?
A This is a paper called Die Fackel.
Q What is the English translation of Die Fackel?
A "Fagot" would be a good translation.
Q "Die Fackel"--does not that mean in the English language the torch?
A It is also translated--there are several words--fire-brand is a translation.
Q Is "the torch" a good translation?
A A good translation I would call it, yes sir.
Q Look at this manuscript and see if you can find the
article of that?
A May 2d, yes sir.
Q Have you translated that article?
A I have.
Q What is the translation of the first few lines?
A "Now or never" is the first caption.
MR. FURTHMANN: The exhibit shows it to be Mr. Spies' handwriting.
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 72, contained in volume of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q What paper is that?
A That is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 4th of May.
Q Find this article please?
A I find the article on the second page.
Q Have you translated it?
A I have translated it.
Q Translate the first few lines?
A It is headed "Editorial", and the first sentence is "Blood has flown"
MR. FURTHMAN: This Exhibit shows this to be Mr. Schwab's handwriting.
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 73, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q Look at the same paper and try to find this article (Shows witness manuscript)
A I have it here. That is the 4th of May.
Q Have you translated that article?
A I have.
Q Translated the first few lines?
A "There was an outbreak expected this morning on the south side"
MR. FURTHMANN: The exhibit shows this to be Mr. Spies' handwriting
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 74 conainted in Vol.
of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What paper is that Mr. Seeger?
A This is a paper Arbeiter Zeitung October 5th, 1885.
Q I refer you to the editorial on the second page of that paper.
A Yes sir, I have got it here.
Q Have you translated it?
A I have.
Q Look at this, and see whether that is your translation down below.
A It is.
Q Mark it (Witness does so).
Q Have you translated the article contained in the paper of October 8th, 1885, the editorial?
A I have, yes sir.
Q Look at this article and see whether that is your translation.
A Yes, that is my translation.
Q What is the date of that paper?
A That is Nov. 17th.
Q What article have you translated in that paper?
A I have translated the report of a meeting which took place with the Southwest Group on the Southwest Side and also of the North Side Group of the International Workingmen's Association.
Q Is that it?
A That is it, yes sir.
Q Mark it. (Witness does so).
Q What date is that?
A This the 27th of Movember.
Q Just look at your articles there and see if you translated it.
A I translated from there first a note under the head of Letter-Box, and then a report of a meeting in which Mr. Spies and others
were speakers. It was the meeting on Thanksgiving day.
Q Look at those translations and see whether those are the translations.
A They are (Witness marked them)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 28th of December, 1885.
Q I refer you to the editorial on the second page there.
A I have it here.
Q Have you made the translation of that article?
A I have.
Q Look at your translation and see if that is the one.
A It is.
Q Look at the 29th of December?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 29th of December. I have translated two items there. One is a standing notice which appears there the first time: "Exercise in Arms".
Q Mark your translations.
A And those resolutions in regard to the eight hour movement. (Witness marks translation)
MR. FURTHMANN: I offer to read these articles that have been identifed by Mr. Seeger and to have been translated by him of which I hold the translations.
MR. INGHAM: Q Are the translations correct?
A The translations are correct. I compared them.
MR. FURTHMANN: here read in evidence translation of editorial in Arbeiter Zeitung of Oct. 8th, 1885 beginning with the words "All organized workingmen of this country, no matter what their views
might have been, should be united on one point." etc.
Objected to; overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Same translation marked People's Ex. 75 contained in Vol. of Exhits hereto attached.)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for People read in evidence editorial on second page of Arbeiter Zeitung of Oct. 5th, 1885 beginning with the words, "We have seen that even in England with exceptional laws--"etc.
Objected topeverruled and exception.
(here Insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 76, contained in Volume of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for People read in evidence on fourth page of Arbeiter Zeitung of Nov.17th, 1885, report of meeting of the north side group of Clybourne Ave.
Objected to;overuled and exception.
(Here insert)
(translation referred to marked People's Ex. 77 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for people read in evidence on the fourth page of the Arbeiter Zeitung Nov. 27th, 1885 as follows: "S" "Steel and iron are not on hand, but tin two or three inches in diameter--" etc.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 78 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for People read in evidence from the same paper fourth page report of meeting which was held on Market Square on Thanksgiving day at three o'clock.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to, marked People's Ex. 79, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for People read in evidence translation from second page of Arbeiter Zeitung of Dec. 28th, 1885, editorial beginning as follows: "At last Chicago has its dynamite sensation. Last Saturday morning before the door of a palace whose proprietor is Lambert Tree---"etc.
Objected to; overruled and exception:
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 80 contained in Vol. Of Exhibits hereto attached)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for people read in evidence translation of report of the meeting of the north side group at 58 Clybourne Ave. from the fourth page of the Arbeiter Zeitung of
Dec. 29th, 1885, beginning as follows: "The following resolutions were adopted" etc.
Objected to; overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 81 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Mr. Furthmann counsel for People read in evidence translation from first column fourth page article headed "Exercise in arms" from the Arbeiter Zeitung of Dec. 29th, 1885.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 82, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
MR. FURTHMANN: Q Mr. Seeger, what paper is this?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 31st of December, 1885.
Q Look at the article fourth page. Have you made any translation of that article?
A I have. It is a report of the eight hour movement.
Q Is that a translation?
A It is.
Mr. Furthmann read in evidence the report of meeting in Luth's hall 519 Larrabee street, meeting of north side group, Arbeiter Zeitung of Dec. 31st, 1885.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 83, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Mr. FURTHMANN: Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is January 6th, 1886.
Q Have you translated that?
A I have.
Q Is this your translation?
A It is.
MR. INGHAM: Q The translation is correct, is it?
A It is correct, yes sir.
Mr. Furthmann read, in evidence from Arbeiter Zeitung of January 6th, 1886, editorial deaded "A new militia law".
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 84 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
(Here insert)
Mr. FURTHMANN: Q What is the date of that paper?
A The date is January 22d, 1886.
Q Look at the fourth page and see if you have made any translations of any article there?
A I have.
Q Is this the translation?
A It is.
Q Is it a correct and full one?
A It is a correct and full translation.
MR FURTHMANN: (Reads) "Chicago, January 21, 1886. Dear Mr. Editor: Taking advantage of your permission to publish the views of the eight hour movement, I take leave to give the following as my
views:"--etc.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(here insert)
`Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 85, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is January 23d, 1886.
Q Have you translated the article signed August Kiesling?
A I have.
Q Is this the translation of it?
A It is.
Q Is it a correct and full one?
A It is a correct and full translaton.
MR. BLACK: In reference to the last article read, it is an obvious communication. We think it is hardly fair that the State should put in the article itself and omit a prefatory note which immediately precedes the article in the same column, which distinctly states that the paper is not responsible for the views of correspondents.
MR. GRINNELL: You are entitled to that if it is there.
MR. BLACK: I think fairness requires that it should be put in. Our view has been that these parties would not be concluded or effected by communications. Your Honor has taken a different view and allowed these communications to come in simply on the ground that they were published in the paper.
THE COURT: The whole of it should be translated. Let the interpreter read the note, those five lines in small type should be
read.
THE WITNESS: It is not the beginning of the article.
It says---I translate it in English. "Voice of the People" is the caption. Then 1st says: "For views expressed in this place, the editors are in no manner responsible. ALL communications which contain facts about the eight hour question find acceptance in this column, even if they do not correspond with the tendency of this paper."
MR. FURTHMANN: The following correspondence is headed with the same paragraph.
THE Court: Has anybody looked over the papers to see whether that is the standing heading to that department?
MR. ZEISLER: It is.
THat is the standing heading to that department?
MR. FURTHMANN: It has appeared so far twice. Whenever it appears, we will translate it.
MR. ZEISLER: I have seen it in other papers.
MR. FURTHMANN: (Reads) "January 23d, 1886. Rottenness of our social institutions can be covered up no longer"---
Objected to; overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
THE WITNESS: (Reads) "Therefore comrades, armed to the teeth, we want to demand our right on the first day of May."
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 86 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q Look at that paper. What is the date of that?
A It is the 15th of February, 1886.
Q Did you translate any part of that paper?
A I translated the report of a meeting that was held on account of the London riots, here at the 12th street Turner hall.
Q Is this your translation?
A It is, yes sir.
Q Is it full and correct?
A It is.
MR. FURTHMANN: "Report of the mass meeting held in the 12th street Turner hall in regard to the riot in London. Neebe presided. Fielden said.
Objected to; objection overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 87, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What paper is that, Mr. Seeger?
A That is a copy of the Arbeiter Zeitung of February 17th, 1886.
Q Have you translated that part of it?
A I have.
Q Is this your translation?
A It is.
Q Is it full and complete as far as it goes?
A As far as it goes, yes sir.
MR. FURTHMANN: (reads) "February 17th. In France during strikes and lockouts a new method has been adopted lately which as a rule is accompanied by very good results---"
Objected to; objection over ruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 88 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What paper is that?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 26th of March 1886.
Q Have you translated this small item?
A I have.
Q What is this?
A An editorial notice on the first page.
MR. FURTHMANN: March 26th, 1886, editorial notice on first page which reads as follows:
Objected to, overruled and exception.
"How about ammunition".
Q What paper is that?
A This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of April 10th, 1886.
Q Have you translated any of the editorials on the first page?
A I have one.
Q Is this the translation?
A Yes sir, that is it.
Q Full and complete?
A Full and complete.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 10th, editorial.
Objected to; overruled and exception.
"What happened yesterday and today in East St. Louis may by repeated in a few weeks in Chicago. It is high time to complete the ammunition and to make other preprations."
Q What paper is that?
A That is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 20th of April, 1886.
Q Have you translated part of it?
A I have translated part of the editorial on the second page.
Q I that the translation?
A That is the translation, yes.
Q Full and complete?
A Full and complete as far as it goes.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 20th, editorial: "As long as the People in the kitchen of life are satisfied with a sample of roast---" etc.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 89 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.
Q What is the date of that paper?
A The date of that paper is April 21st.
Q Have you made a translation of part of it?
A I have, yes sir.
Q Is that your translation?
A It is.
Q Full?
A Full as far as it goes.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 21st. "Love for law on the part of workingmen is not so well established."
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex 90 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A April 22d, 1886.
Q Have you translated an article there?
A I have, on the first page.
Q Is that the translation?
A That is the translation in full.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 22d. Editorial notice on first page. "All street car employees of the cities of Brooklyn and New York are on a strike---"
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 91 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is April 26th, 1886.
Q Have you translated an article there?
A Yes.
Q Is that a complete translation as far as it goes?
A Yes, April 26th report of mass meeting in the lake shore. Speakers were present, Schwab, Fielden and A. Spies.
MR. ZEISLER: That is not the translation.
THE COURT: You have the date of the paper?
MR. FURTHMANN: April 26th.
THE COURT: Read what it says without stating before hand what. When you have the date of the paper, then the words are the means of identifying it. Read simply the translation.
MR. FURTHMANN: Q Please translate the heading of that article?
A (Reads) "Prometheus is stretching himself. Fifteen thousand
wage workers held an eight hour demonstration. About twenty to twenty-five thousand people are listening to the speeches on the lake front. An argument which cannot be contradicted." That is the caption.
(translation of article of which above is caption, introduced in evidence marked People's Ex. 92, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q I again call your attention to the paper of the 22d of April, 1886. See if there is not another article that you have translated in that paper?
A Yew, I have translated a small editorial notice on the first page.
Q Is this the translation of it?
A It is, yes.
Q Is that complete?
A It is complete and full.
MR. FURTHMANN: Reads--objected to, overruled and exception. "Workingmen buy ammunition and arms. The first of May is close at hand."
Q What paper is that?
A The Arbeiter Zeitung of April 28th.
Q Look at the editorial on the second page.
A Yes sir.
Q You made a translation of the article?
A I have.
Q Is this the translation?
A It is, yes.
Q Is it complete?
A It is.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 28th, editorial, 2d page headed "Editorial". "What anarchists have predicted months ago is now realized"--
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(See People's Ex 69, Ante.)
Q Have you made any translations from that paper?
A I have. It is the Arbeiter Zeitung of the 29th of April, 1886.
Q Is that the translation of it?
A It is, yes sir.
Q Complete?
A Complete.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 29th, editorial notice on the first page.
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(See People's Ex. 70 Ante.)
(Here insert)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is the 30th of April, 1886.
Q Have you translated the editorial that is marked there?
A I have.
Q Is this the translation of it?
A Yes sir, that is the translation, of it.
Q In full?
A In full, yes sir.
MR. FURTHMANN: April 30th, editorial notice. "As we are informed by reliable friends, the police have received secret orders to keep themselves prepared in their stations--"
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 93 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is May 1st, 1886.
Q Have you translated an editorial there?
A I translated two, I think.
Q State whether those are the translations of those two in full?
A Yes sir, I translated the two in full.
MR. FURTHMANN: May 1st, editorial. (Reads)
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(The two translations referred to marked People's Ex. 94 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.
Q What is the date of that paper?
A This is dated March 15th, 1886, Arbeiter Zeitung.
Q Have you translated that?
A I see a note in the letterbox.
Q Is that a complete translation?
A That is a complete translation, yes.
MR. FURTHMANN: March 15th, 1886, letterbox. (Reads)
Objected to,, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation above referred to marked People's Ex. 95 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)
Q What is the date of that?
A The date of this is March 19th, 1886.
Q Please translate the first part of it there?
A "Note. Voice of the People." And under this caption it says
Q "The editors are in no wise responsible for articles published in this column. The communications in regard to the eight hour question which treat of facts find publication in this column, even if they are not in harmony with the tendency of this paper."
MR. FURTHMANN: The correspondent writes: (Reads)
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 96 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached)
Q What is the date of that paper?
A Arbeiter Zeitung of March 24th, 1886.
Q Have you translated the editorial contained in it?
A I have translated one.
Q Is this a full translation?
A It is.
MR. FURTHMANN: March 24th, editorial (reads)
Objected to, overruled and exception.
(Here insert)
(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 97, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to, attached)