Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Zeisler. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Saw Michael Schwab in Schilling's Saloon at the corner of Clybourn and Ashland after ten p.m. on May 4, 1886. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): Schwab, Michael (vol.L 549).
Testimony of Diedrich Behrens, 1886 Aug. 4.
Volume L, 549-550, 2 p.
Behrens, Diedrich.
Shoemaker.
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[Image, Volume L, Page 549]
DIEDRICH BEHRENS,
A WITNESS CALLED AND SWORN IN BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANTS, BEING FIRST DULY SWORN, WAS EXAMINED IN CHIEF MY MR. ZEISLER, AND TESTIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
Q WJAT IS YOUR NAME?
A DIEDRICH BEHRENS.
Q WHERE DO YOU RESIDE?
A 138 FULLERTON AVENUE.
Q IS THAT LAKEVIEW?
A YES SIR.
Q DO YOU REMEMBER THE NIGHT OF MAY 4TH?
A I DO.
Q DO YOU REMEMBER OF NOT WHETHER YOU SAW MR. SCHWAB ON THAT NIGHT?
A I REMEMBER; YES, I SAW HIM ON THE CORNER OF CLYBOURNE AVENUE AND ASHLAND AVENUE IN SCHILLINGS' SALOON.
Q WHEN DID YOU SEE HIM THERE?
A I COULDN'T TELL THE TIME,--IT MUST BE BETWEEN QUARTER PAST TEN AND HALF PAST TEN,---ABOUT THAT TIME.
Q DID YOU SEE WHERE HE CAME FROM?
A I DIDN'T SEE THAT.
Q DID YOU SEE WHEN HE LEFT THE PLACE?
A YES, I SAW HIM LEAVE THAT SALOON.
Q COULD YOU SEE WHERE HE WENT?
A NO, I DIDN'T SEE THAT.
Q IT WAS BETWEEN QUARTER PAST TEN AND HALF PAST TEN THAT YOU SAW HIM?
A IT MUST BE ABOUT THAT TIME, YES SIR.
Q WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS?
A A SHOEMAKER.
Q HAVE YOU A STORE OUT THERE?
A YES SIR, 178 FULLERTON AVENUE.
Q HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED THERE?
A I LIVED THERE OVER 5 YEARS--NOT IN THE SAME PLACE, BUT IN THE NEXT BLOCK TO IT.
Q HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN COOK COUNTY?
A ABOUT 9 YEARS THE LAST TIME.
Q HOW LONG IN AMERICA?
A 14 YEARS.
Q WERE YOU AT THE MEETING OF THE EIGHT HOUR WORKINGMEN?
A NO SIR, I WAS NOT.
Q HOW FAR FROM THE PLACE WHERE YOU SAW MR. SCHAWB IS THE PRAIRIE WHERE THAT MEETING WAS?
A I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY-- IT SEEMS TO ME BETWEEN ONE AND TWO BLOCKS,---IT GOES TO THE PRARIE. I NEVER WAS THERE MYSELF BUT I SAW THE CROWD AT THE SALOON AT WHERE I WAS STANDING.
A ARE YOU A NATURALIZED CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES?
A YES SIR.
Q ARE YOU A SOCIALIST?
A I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE SOCIALIST.
Q ARE YOU AN ANARCHIST?
A NO SIR.
Q DID YOU BELONG TO ANY GROUP OF THE INTERNATIONAL?
A I DID BELONG TO IT FOR A WHILE--ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
Q YOU DON'T BELONG TO IT NOW?
A NO SIR.
Q HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF ANY ARMED SECTION?
A NO SIR.
Q WHAT GROUP DID YOU BELONG TO?
A I BELONGED TO THE BRUDER-LICHKEITT.
MR. GRINNELL: WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT IN ENGLISH?
MR. ZEISLER: THE BROTHERHOOD.
MR. GRINNELL: THAT IS ALL.