Haymarket Affair Digital Collection

Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1
Testimony of E. F. L. Gauss (second appearance) and Introduction of Evidence, 1886 July 31.

Volume K, 21-732, 12 p.
Gauss, E. F. L.
Translator.

Direct examination by Mr. Furthmann. Testified on behalf of the Prosecution, People of the State of Illinois. People's Exhibits 98 (vol.K 721), 99 (vol.K 721), 100 (vol.K 722), 101 (vol.K 722), 102 (vol.K 723), 103 (vol.K 724), 104 (vol.K 724), 105 (vol.K 725), 106 (vol.K 725), 107 (vol.K 725), 108 (vol.K 726), 109 (vol.K 726), 110 (vol.K 726), 111 (vol.K 726), 112 (vol.K 727), 113 (vol.K 727), 114 (vol.K 727), 115 (vol.K 729), 116 (vol.K 729), 117 (vol.K 729), 118 (vol.K 729), 119 (vol.K 729), 120 (vol.K 730), 121 (vol.K 730), 122 (vol.K 730), 123 (vol.K 730), 124 (vol.K 731), 125 (vol.K 731), 126 (vol.K 731), 127 (vol.K 732) introduced into evidence.


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[Image, Volume K, Page 721]

E. F. L. GAUSS,

recalled by the People, was examined by Mr. Furthmann and testified as follows:

Q This is the Arbeiter Zeitung of January 2d?

A January 2d.

Q Have you translated the editorial?

A I have, January 2d, 1885.

Q Will you please read the translation that you have made of that article?

A (Witness reads) "Behind us the past. Before us the new year"---

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 98, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.

Q What is the date of the next article?

A Issue January 4th on the eighth page. "Voice from the People." headed "Nitro-glycerine."

Q Translate this?

A Communications are to be written only on one side of the paper and the name of the communicators are to be added for the information of the editor.

Q Is that all?

A That is all.

Q Now, begin with your translation.

A "Nitro-glycerine. Editor Arbeiter Zeitung"---(reads)


[Image, Volume K, Page 722]

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation referred to marked People's Exhibit 99, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.

January 5th, 1885 under heading of socialistic meetings the witness here read the editorial as follows:

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Contained in next Exhibit)

Q Look at this paper and see whether this paper says anything about where Mr. Spies said that?

MR. ZEISLER: Let him translate the whole thing.

MR. FURTHMANN: He may translate the whole thing with regard to the location where Mr. Spies said it.

THE WTTNESS: (reads) "The meeting at the American Group held yesterday afternoon at 54 West Lake street was one of the best meetings which has been had at Chicago--that is the day before January 4th, comrade Spies answered "When we resort to murder, we only follow the law of necessaity"--etc.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Above translation in full, marked People's Ex. 100, contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)

The next article is January 18th, 1885, regarding arming. Witness


[Image, Volume K, Page 723]

reads:

MR. ZEISLER: I want the record to show that this is a notice of the meeting.

(Translation of above article, marked People's Exhibit 101, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

MR. FURTHMANN: What is the date of the next?

A January 19th, from the speceh of Michael Schwab delivered at Mueller's hall on Sunday, January 18th.

MR. ZEISLER: This is not evidence of the meeting that was held. This is only to show what the paper published.

THE COURT: Read what the paper said without any further words being added.

THE WITNESS: Mass meeting in Mueller's hall Sunday, Jan. 18th.

MR. FURTHMANN: Translate the first few lines.

A "To give the socialists an opportunity once more, the International Workingmen's Association had announced a mass meeting for yesterday afternoon at Mueller's hall, to be held at Mueller's hall to which about fifteen hundred persons had appeared.

MR. FURTHMANN: Q Now proceed with your translation?

A "M. Schwab was given the floow--"

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation of M. Schwab's speech marked People's Ex. 102 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

Q What is the next date?


[Image, Volume K, Page 724]

A January 24th. Under heading of editorial notice. "The police pretend to have discovered that Funk was a socialist."

(Translation marked People's Ex. 103, contained in Vol. of Exhibits, hereto attached.)

January 29th under heading "City of Chicago" "Group Jefferson No. 1" (reads)

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Translation marked People's Ex. 104, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

(Here insert)

Q Look at the copy of paper of February 29th. What is the heading of one of the articles there?

A "Bombs".

Q You may state whether you have compared that article with Most's book on the science of war?

A I have compared the two articles.

MR. ZEISLER: It says here it is taken from the Freiheit. That is Herr Most's organ in New York. It shows it is a reprint from that

MR. FURTHMANN: Q Have you compared this article with Most's book?

A I have.

Q Where did you find it, on what page?

A I found it on pages 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, and in the English translation on pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, Thursday Feb. 12.


[Image, Volume K, Page 725]

THE COURT: Q In the translations put in here it is from 12 to 16?

A Yes sir, from 12 to 16. The pages of the German the original I have given.

(See Ex. 15 on this matter)

Q The translations are pages 12 to 16?

A Yes sir, included. Editorial. (reads) "When a common phillister (it is a term used for an easy-going man) signed A. S."

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(translation marked People's Ex. 105 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)

The witness Gauss read in evidence editorial, trans ation from Arbeiter Zeitung of February 23d, 1885.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation marked People's Ex. 106, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

The witness Gauss read in evidence translation of editorial of March 2d, 1885.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation marked People's Ex. 107, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)


[Image, Volume K, Page 726]

The witness Gauss read in evidence from the Arbeiter Zeitung March 11th in an editorial notice the following: "The community will soon have to decide" etc.

(Translation marked People's Ex. 108, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

The witness Gauss read in evidence translation of editorial of Arbeiter Zeitung of March 16th, 1885.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation marked People's Ex. 109, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)

The witness Gauss read in evidence translation from Arbeiter Zeitung of March 20th, 1885 as follows: "Don't we need to shoot the rascals dead?"

Objected to; overruled and exception.

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 110 contained in Vol. of Ex. hereto attached)

The witness Gauss read in evidence translation of article from the Fackel of March 22d, 1885, as follows:

Objected to, overru ed and exception.

(Here insert)

(Trabslation referred to marked People's Ex. 111, contained in Vol. of Ex. hereto attached.)


[Image, Volume K, Page 727]

The witness Gauss read in evidence editorial from Arbeiter Zeitung of March 23d, 1885.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 112, contained in Vol. of Ex. hereto attached)

Recess to two o'clock.

2 o'clock P.M.Court reassembled.

E. F. L. GAUSS

Direct examination resumed by Mr. Grinnell.

Q Leaving off the first name that appears in that translation Monday, Feb. 22d, 1886, read.

Objected to, overruled and exception.

A "A local professional politician, friend of the workingman, a former silk hat socialist, who also has formerly been a member of the S.A.P. has felt himself constrained to break a lance with the nobleminded workingmen's friend--thus he calls him-- McCormick. The Chicago Times is in league with all other capitalistic papers.--" etc.

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 113, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)

Q March 2d, 1886?

A Editorial notice. "The order scoundrels beamed yesterday morning in their full glory. "In the sme another small notice:" The


[Image, Volume K, Page 728]

time up to the first of May is short. Look out"

Both objected to, overruled and exception.

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 114, contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached.)

There is an article in the issue of March 24th, 1885. It is a continuation of the volume. An article is found in the issue of March 24th, 1885, headed "gun cotton and nitro-gelatine" which I have not in translation. See Most's Revolutionary Warfare page 28. If I recollect right it is a reprint from the Freiheit.

MR. GRINNELL: Q Have you compared that translation in the Arbeiter Zeitung with that which appears in Herr Most's book?

A I have.

Q Is it the same?

A It is the same thing.

Q As to the page etc. how is that designated?

A It is found in the original on page 38 the German translation, and the English translation on page 25. (See Ex. 15)

MR. BLACK: There is not anything in the article as published in the paper which refers to Herr Most's book.

MR. FOSTER: It says it is copied from another paper.

THE COURT: He says it is the same matter which is on page 38 of the book introduced in evidence, and on page 25 of the translation.

MR. GRINNELL: They wish to add to that statement that the translation, the quotation, is in fact from the Freiheit, which is edited by Herr Most.

MR. ZEISLER: We want the record to show that the Arbeiter Zeitung quotes from the Freiheit. Say s so.


[Image, Volume K, Page 729]

THE WITNESS: The next article is found in the issue of March 26th, 1885.

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Translation referred to marked People's Ex. 115 continued in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)

(Here insert).

Wednesday April 8th, among the editorials frony page:

Q That is something worth hearing.

A number of strikers in " " " Peoples Ex. 116 " " " " fired upon their bosses."

Article objected to, obj. overruled and exception.

The next article taken from the Fackel of April 12th. McCormick capitulates---"

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert).

(" " " " People's Ex. 117 " " "

Q The word you translate "order" is that in quotation marks in the original?

A. Yes sir.

The next is an article, April 24th "The International Workingmen's Association"

Objected to, Obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert.)

(" " " Ex. 118 " " "

April 25th "The local commercial papers express the opinion that the opening of the new Board of Trade will be attended by at least ten thousand people---"

Objected to, objection overruled and exception.

(Here insert)

(" " " " Ex. 119 " " ")


[Image, Volume K, Page 730]

Tuesday April 28th, 1885 "Nobody should allow himself to be prevented from attending the Grand Board of Trade demonstration this evening which will form between eight and nine o'clock at Market-Square."--

Objected to, obj. overruled & Exception.

(Here insert.)

(" " " Ex. 120 " " ")

29th of April article headed "thieves in league"

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert).

(" " " Ex. 121 " " " ")

Tuesday May 5th, editorial notice, "When anywhere a small party of workingmen dare to speak of rights and privileges"--

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert).

(Translation referred to Marked People's Ex. 122 contained in Vol. of Exhibits hereto attached)

And a notice under the same heading: "Workingmen, arm yourselves. Let the butchery of Lemont be a lesson unto you" Ex. 122.

Issue of Thursday, May 7th, "Before you lies the blissful Eden"---etc.

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert).

(" " " " Ex. 123 " " " ")


[Image, Volume K, Page 731]

Mr. ZEISLER. Q: You may state whether the title to that article is, "Darwin's struggle for life considered in its true light---" is that the heading?

A. I don't now remember. "Darwin's struggle for existence considered in its true light" is the heading of that article.

Saturday May 9th editorial notice.

Objected to; obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert).

(" " " Ex. 124 " " ")

Friday June 19th article marked "Z".

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception.

(Here insert.)

(" " " Ex. 125 " " ")

Mr. GRINNELL: Q In that translation June 19th, 1885, is there any of the words of the translation of the original emphasized over the words?

A "As soon as possible" I think.

Q Is it italicized and capitalized, or all the same?

A It is spaced. Continuation of the same article June 20th, issue of June 20th, the author says finally: "Enough is now said about the importance of being armed. Another question presents itself now which must also be discussed. We are to go to work to supply ourselves as quickly as possible with those useful things."

(Translation of above in full marked People's Ex. 126 contained in Vol. of Exhibits here to attached.)


[Image, Volume K, Page 732]

An editorial headed "Delusive imaginations" of Wednesday, 24th of June, closes as follows:

Objected to, obj. overruled & exception

(Here insert)

(" " " " Ex. 127 " " ")


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