Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Salomon. Cross-examination by Mr. Walker. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Testified as to Harry Gilmer's general reputation for truth and veracity. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): Gilmer, Harry (vol.M 213).
Testimony of Phineas H. Adams, 1886 Aug. 6.
Volume M, 213-217, 5 p.
Adams, Phineas H.
Machinist.
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[Image, Volume M, Page 213]
PHINEAS H. ADAMS,
a witness called and sworn on behalf of the defendants, was duly sworn and testified as follows:
Direct Examination
By Mr. Salomon.
Q What is your name?
A Phineas H. Adams.
Q Where do you live, Mr. Adams?
A I live in Montrose.
Q Have you ever lived in the city of Chicago?
A Yes, sir.
Q Where?
A I have lived in several places, the last time I lived in Chicago, I lived--
Q How long have you lived in Cook County?
A About 15 or 16 years.
Q What is your business?
A Machinist.
Q Are you now engaged in that business?
A Yes sir.
Q With whom?
A Myself and brother.
Q Where is your place of business?
A 31 So. Canal street.
Q Are you acquainted with one Harry L. Gilmer?
A Yes, sir.
Q How long have you known him?
A Well, it is something like five years--five or five and a half, I should say.
Q Do you know his general reputation for truth and veracity amongst the neighbors where he has resided, yes or no?
A Yes sir.
Q Is that reputation good or bad?
A Bad.
Q Very bad?
A Well, yes sir, I should say it was very bad.
Q Would you believe him under oath?
A No sir, I would not.
Cross Examination
By Mr. Walker.
Q You say your place of business, Mr. Adams, is 31 So. Canal street?
A Yes sir.
Q Where do you reside now?
A In Montrose.
Q In this county, is it?
A Yes sir.
Q And you have known Mr. Gilmer for five years?
A About that.
Q How long have you resided in Montrose consecutively?
A About two years.
Q Mr. Gilmer did not reside in Montrose?
A No, sir.
Q Or did not reside in your neighborhood?
A Not since I have been out there.
Q Not in the last two years?
A No sir.
Q Is the last two years, two years out of the five that you mentioned?
A Yes, sir.
Q Where did you reside during those three years prior to the last two?
A Well, most of the time I resided at 247 Carroll avenue.
Q Is that where Gilmer resided?
A Not at that number.
Q In that block?
A Yes sir.
Q You lived in the same block with Mr. Hayes?
A Yes sir. I believe there was a man by that name.
Q Mr. Keith also?
A I believe there was.
Q Did the reputation come from that block, this general reputation that you speak of?
A Some of it.
Q From that block?
A A good deal of it.
Q Do you know his associates outside of that block?
A Some of them.
Q Where outside of that block, on Carroll avenue?
A Well, I knew some of the boys in the battery, Battery D.
Q Do you know Mr. Tuthill?
A I don't remember any of their names.
Q Who are they?
A I don't remember their names.
Q Were you a member of the battery?
A No sir, I was a member of the First Regiment at that time.
Q Were you a member of the battery?
A No sir, I was a member of the First Regiment.
Q Do you know Major Tobey--what did you say about the First Regiment?
A I say I was a member of the First Regiment at that time.
Mr. WALKER: I ask that be stricken out.
THE COURT: It is immaterial.
Mr. WALKER: Q Do you know Major Tobey?
A No sir.
Q Do you know Lieut. Allen?
A No, sir.
Q Do you know United States District Attorney Tuthill?
A No, sir.
Q Did you know Gilmer's associates at the time you lived on Carroll avenue, outside of that block?
A Well, I don't know as I did.
Q Did you associate amongst the same people he associated with?
A Where, there?
Q Any other place besides Carroll avenue, at your place?
A No sir, I don't know as I did, I don't think I did.
Q How long did you live on Carroll avenue?
A Well, I lived at that number something like two years. I don't remember exactly.
Q How long did Gilmer reside there where you did?
A I believe he was there all the time I was.
Q Did you meet him frequently?
A Yes, sir.
Q Did you meet with him socially?
A No sir, I had nothing to do with him.
Q Did you meet him in company with the rest of the people in that block?
A Very seldom.
Q Did that reputation come from that block?
THE COURT: The reputation that you have had already.
A I don't know any of the member's names of Battery D.
Mr. WALKER: Anybody else besides the block on Carroll avenue and the members of Battery D that you don't know--anybody else besides the members of the Battery whom you say you don't know by name, and the people on Carroll avenue?
Mr. BLACK: The question is unintelligible.
Mr. WALKER: I ask you if there is anybody else besides those from which you make up the general reputation of the man for truth and veracity?
A Yes sir.
Q Who are they?
A Well, there is some parties that used to live on Ogden avenue, Allen, their name was.
Q Whereabouts on Ogden avenue?
A I don't remember what the number was.
Q What is the first name of Mr. Allen and Mrs. Allen?
A Really, I don't know.
Q Did they live in the block on Carroll avenue, too?
A No sir, they lived on Ogden avenue.
Q Any one else besides those?
A No, I don't think I remember any one.
Mr. SALOMON: Q Did you ever see--
THE COURT: There is no re-direct.