Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Salomon. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Was at the Desplaines Street Station three weeks after May 4 with some persons were examined in reference to the Haymarket difficulty. This testimony attempts to impeach Officer's Wessler's testimony where he said that Fielden shot at him. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): time and place origination of the gunfire (vol.M 187).
Testimony of William F. Weimers, 1886 Aug. 6.
Volume M, 185-189, 5 p.
Weimers, William F.
Attorney.
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[Image, Volume M, Page 185]
WILLIAM F. WEIMERS,
a witness called and sworn on behalf of the defendants, was examined in chief by Mr. Salomon and testified as follows:
Q State your name?
A William F. Weimers.
Q Where do you live?
A On the west side, corner of Laflin and Monroe.
Q What is your business?
A Attorney.
Q Practicing?
A Yes sir.
Q I will ask you if you were at the Desplaines street station, about three weeks after the 4th of May when a number of persons were examined there with reference to the Haymarket
difficulty?
A I don't exactly as to the time, but it was some time after the Haymarket difficulty that I was there.
Q Do you remember of a young man whose name is Frank Stenner, black dark complexion, black eyes, being under examination?
A I remember the name, yes sir.
Q Do you remember Officer Wessler and Foley testifying in that case in which that young man was on trial?
A I do not
Q You don't remember the names of the officers, but do you remember the few officers testifying there?
A I remember a number of officers testifying in the case, yes sir.
Q Do you remember as to what they said that young man done--do you know what they said, whether that young man did or did not do anything on the night of May 4th at the Haymarket with reference to the vicinity of the wagon?
Objected to.
THE COURT: Which officer did you examine?
Mr. SALOMON: Officer Wessler.
THE COURT: Unless this witness can identify--he said a number of officers testified--as he don't know the name of Wessler, he can't say what Wessler said.
Mr. FOSTER: Is Wessler here?
Mr. GRINNELL: I don't know.
THE COURT: Is Wessler in court? (Mr. Wessler here stood up)
Mr. SALOMON: Is that Officer Wessler. Look at that man now standing before you?
A I know him well.
Q Is he one of the officers that testified?
A I would not be certain, but my impression is he was one of them.
Q Did he there say that that young man then on trial was the one who stood on the wagon and fired shots at the police, jumping up and down and shooting at the police?
A I don't know.
Q Do you know what he said there?
A No sir.
Q Did he there say that that young man stood beside the wagon?
Mr. INGHAM: He told you he didn't know what he said.
Q Do you remember that he said that that young man stood beside the wagon?
A I just told you that I don't remember that he said anything of the kind. In the first place, I am not distinct as to whether Officer Wessler testified in the case at all.
Q You are not distinct as to that?
A No sir, I am not.
Q Have you any recollection as to whether any one testified there?
A Not any particular one.
Q Do you know what was said there by the officer?
Objected to unless he can identify the officer.
THE COURT: As to Wessler, if he remembers anything that he said about that young man, you have a foundation for it, otherwise not.
Mr. SALOMON: Give us your best recollection as to what was said at that time by Officer Wessler?
A I have no remembrance as to what he did say.
Q Haven't you any remembrance as to his testifying that he was a man that stood beside the wagon and saw him jumping up and down?
A I remember--
Q Whether you remember what Wessler said?
A I have no remembrance as to what Officer Wessler did say.
Q Do you remember any officer saying anything there?
Objected to; objection sustained.
Q Did anybody there say that, any officer that was testifying?
THE COURT: That is not admissible.
Mr. SALOMON: It may be that this witness cannot remember the exact officer there. He testified that he cannot place Officer Wessler as being the person.
THE COURT: On impeaching testimony you have got to identify the man that you are going to impeach.
Mr. GRINNELL: Stenner's lawyer was Ryan. Bring him here and he will testify, and bring Justice Scully here and he will testify.
Mr. SALOMON: Q Do you remember whether any one there identified that young man or said that that young man was the one who fired shots from beside the wagon?
Objected to.
Q You say now you have no recollection as to what Officer Wessler said?
A I have no remembrance as to what any particular officer said. I remember what one of the officers said.
Q I will ask you what that one officer said?
Objected to; objection sustained. Defendants' counsel then and there excepted to the ruling of the court.
Mr. SALOMON: We offer to show by this witness that one of the officers on the trial of that young man, said that he was the one, that he stood beside the wagon and shot at the officers, jumping up and jumping down while in the act of shooting, that Stenner was the person who fired shots at the police officers.
THE COURT: Save your point on the question.
Defendants' counsel then and there excepted to the ruling of the court.