Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Captain Black. Cross-examination by Mr. Grinnell. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Attended a meeting of the Carpenters' Union on May 3 at Zepf's Hall. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): Zepf's Hall (vol.M 376), Carpenters' Union (vol.M 376), Lingg, Louis (vol.M 376).
Testimony of Jacob Sherman, 1886 Aug. 7.
Volume M, 376-379, 4 p.
Sherman, Jacob.
Carpenter; German immigrant.
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[Image, Volume M, Page 376]
JACOB SHERMAN,
a witness called and sworn on behalf of the defendants, was examined in chief by Mr. Black and testified as follows:-
Q- What is your full name?
A- Jacob Sherman.
Q- What is your business?
A- Carpenter.
Q- How long have you lived in Cook County?
A- About six years.
Q- Where do you live now?
A- On Bissell street 335, Chicago.
Q- Are you a member of the carpenters union?
A- Yes sir.
Q- What is the number and full designation of the union of which you are a member?
A- The International Carpenters' Union of Chicago, No. 1.
Q- When did you become a member of that union?
A- A little before Christmas--- I don't know exactly.
Q- A little before Christmas of last year?
A- Yes.
Q- Did you attend a meeting of that union on Monday night, May 3d. 1886 at Zeph's Hall?
A- Yes sir.
Q- What time did the meeting convene or take in?
A- Eight o'clock.
Q- How long did it last?
A- About eleven o'clock.
Q- Were you there during the entire meeting?
A- Yes sir.
Q- Do you know Lingg, one of the defendants?
A- Yes sir.
Q- How long have you known him?
A- Since the time I am a member of the union.
Q- You became acquainted with him then when you joined the union?
A- When I joined the union.
Q- Lingg was a member of the union when you joined it?
A- Yes.
Q- Did you se Lingg at that meeting that night?
A- Yes.
Q- State whether or not Lingg and yourself were together that night, any considerable portion of the time?
A- I and Lingg were together most of the time in that meeting, stayed together and talked together a good deal.
Q- Did you see Lingg before the meeting was called to order?
A- Yes, he was there before eight o'clock.
Q- Did you see him there up to the close of the meeting?
A- Yes sir.
Q- What did Lingg do there that night, if you remember?
A- He gave reports to the meeting, because he was a working delegate, and he reported from different shops what business was done for the last week.
Q- Business of what kind?
A- Of organized carpenters that did not belong to any union yet.
Q- Getting carpenters to join the union?
A- To join the union.
Q- About what hour did he make that report?
A- Some after nine.
Q- About how long did the making of the report occupy by Lingg, if you remember?
A- About from 15 to 20 minutes-- I don't know exactly--- something like that.
Q- After that during the course of the evening, do you remember if Lingg took any part in the meeting?
A- I know he was speaking three or four times--- it might have been more yet.
Q- Did Lingg leave the meeting anytime to your knowledge?
A-No sir
Q- He was there then during the entire meeting?
A- Yes.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. GRINNELL.
Q- What time did you get to the meeting?
A- Eight o'clock.
Q- Where were you born?
A- Germany.
Q- When?
A- 1860.
Q- How long have you been in America?
A- Eight years.
Q- How long have you been in Chicago?
A- Six years.
Q- You came directly to Chicago?
A- No sir, I went up to Michigan first.
Q- Two years there?
A- I was two years there, yes sir.
Q- You belong to the International Carpenters Union of Chicago No. 1?
A- Yes.
Q- That was the one that Lingg was at at Zeph's Hall?
A- Yes sir.
Q- How many people were in that hall?
A- From six hundred to eight hundred-- I don't know exactly but it was crowded pretty well.
Q- How long did you say you had known Lingg?
A- So long as I am a member of the union.
Q- Ever at his house where he boarded?
A- No sir never
there.
Q- Only met him at unions?
A- Only met him at meetings.
Q- How often have you met him at meetings?
A- Mostly every week.
Mr. FOSTER: These clothes here we don't propose to have around here. We Dont need them.
Mr. GRINNELL: They are in evidence. I may want them.