Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Zeisler. Cross-examination by Mr. Ingham. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Lived at Randolph and Desplaines, saw Michael Schwab in his neighborhood on May 4 around 8:00 p.m. taking a street car east. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): socialists and/or socialism (vol.M 212), Schwab, Michael (vol.M 209).
Testimony of Hermann Becker, 1886 Aug. 6.
Volume M, 209-212, 4 p.
Becker, Hermann.
Butcher.
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[Image, Volume M, Page 209]
HERMANN BECKER,
a witness called on behalf of the defendants, was duly sworn and testified as follows:
Direct Examination
By Mr. Zeisler.
Q What is your name?
A Hermann Becker.
Q Where do you reside?
A I live on Randolph street.
Q Where on Randolph street?
A 115.
Q How far is that from the corner of Desplaines?
A It is the fifth house.
Q East or west of Desplaines?
A It is on the north side.
Q I mean the fifth house east--
A No, it is east.
Q On what side of the street is it?
A It is on the north side.
Q On the north side of the street, south front?
A Yes, sir.
Q Do you remember whether you saw Mr. Schwab, the third gentleman with the eye glasses (indicating) at any time on the night of May 4th last, in that neighborhood?
A Yes sir, I seen him.
Q Where were you when you saw him?
A I was in the front room, looking out of the window.
Q Looking out from your window?
A Yes, sir.
Q On what floor of the building was that room?
A On the second floor.
Q About what time was it?
A I think it was a little after 8 o'clock.
Q Can't tell how many minutes after eight, can you?
A No sir.
Mr. INGHAM:Now, Mr. Zeisler, he didn't state until you told him to.
Mr. ZEISLER: I asked him: "Can you tell how many minutes after eight o'clock?"
A No, sir.
Q Can you say how many minutes after eight?
A No sir, I can't tell exactly.
Q What did you see Mr. Schwab do?
A I seen him coming up from Desplaines street.
Q And?
A He stopped in front of my house and he stopped there about one minute, I guess.
Q And?
A And went in the middle of the street and took a car and went down east.
Q What car, the car going east or coming west?
A The car going east.
Q Did you see what kind of a car it was, what was the sign?
A No sir, I didn't take notice.
Cross Examination
By Mr. Ingham.
Q How long have you known Schwab?
A Well, I have seen him about four or five times, I guess.
Q Where have you seen him?
A I seen him in the west side Turner Hall, and I seen him on Market Square a couple of times.
Q Where else?
A That is all I seen him I guess.
Q When he was making speeches?
A Yes, sir.
Q Where were you standing at the time you saw him?
A I was in the window.
Q In the window of what?
A Front in my room.
Q Were you living there at the time?
A Yes sir.
Q You were on the north side of the street?
A Yes, sir.
Q Which side of the street was he on?
A On the same side, on the sidewalk.
Q You were standing in the window--did you see him when he was on the sidewalk?
A Yes sir, I saw him coming up.
Q How far was he away when you saw him coming up?
A Oh, about three houses, I guess.
Q Were you standing out in the window or standing in the room?
A I was standing in the room, looking out of the window
Q With your head clear out?
A Yes, sir.
Q Looking west?
A Looking west, yes sir.
Q And you saw him coming down?
A Yes sir.
Q And you saw him get on the car?
A Yes sir.
Q Then what did he do?
A I seen him on the hind platform, going on the car.
Q What did you do when you saw him doing that?
A I was
looking out and I see the crowd up there.
Q You kept your position, did you?
A Yes, sir.
Q For how long a time?
A I guess about half an hour I was looking out of the window.
Mr. ZEISLER: Q Are you a socialist or anarchist?
A I belonged to some, last summer, two months.
Q To what did you belong?
A To the Groupe Freiheit, last year.
Q What is your business?
A Butcher.
Mr. INGHAM: Q When was it you belonged to the Groupe Freijeit?
A Last summer.
Q Is that one that is named after Herr Most's paper?
A I don't know.
Q But you did belong to the Groupe Freiheit?
A Yes, sir.
Q How long did you belong to it?
A Two months.
Q Was there any light in your room?
A No sir, not that time.
Q There was none?
A No sir.