Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Foster. Cross-examination by Mr. Grinnell. Testified on behalf of the Defense, Spies, August et al. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): Gilmer, Harry (vol.N 152), identification of the bomb-thrower (vol.N 152). W. A. S. GRAHAM, re-called by the defendants, and testified as follows: MR. FOSTER: Q. Is the gentleman who was just on the stand the Mr. Gilmer that you referred to? A. Yes sir. Q And that you had the conversation with at the time and the place that you referred to? A Yes sir. Q Now, I will ask you in that conversation what he said about seeing the fuse lighted and the bomb thrown?
Testimony of W. A. S. Graham (second appearance), 1886 Aug. 10.
Volume N, 152-154, 3 p.
Graham, W. A. S.
Reporter, Chicago Times.
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Objected to.
Q Did he say that he saw the man who threw the bomb light it?
A Yes sir.
Q Now, did he say that the back of that man was towards him, and he was not sure that he could describe him, but he believed that he had whiskers?
A Yes sir.
Q Did he say that he was a man of medium size?
A Yes sir.
Q Did he say that he was dressed in dark clothes?
A. To the best of my recollection he did.
Q Did he say that he saw the man light the bomb and throw it, but that his back was to him?
A. He did not say light the bomb, but he said light the fuse and throw the bomb.
Q What were his words, give his words?
A He was talking to another man in the corridor of the City Hall I speak of. I was attracted to him by his personal appearance more than anything else, and I believe Inspector Bonfield passed along
at the time, and I went up and stood alongside of him, and heard him talking about standing in Crane's Alley.
Mr. GRINNELL: We don't want to go into all that.
THE COURT: What did he say about throwing the bomb, repeat those words.
MR. FOSTER: Q. Just give his words.
A Well, I don't know as I could give his exact words just at this date -- I can give you the substance.
Q Give us the substance, and the exact words as near as you can.
A He said that he saw the man light the fuse and throw the bomb, and "I think I could identify him, if I saw him".
Q What more?
A I asked him what kind of man, to describe him. I did not say describe him, I said, "What kind of looking man was he?" And he said "He was a man of medium height, and I think he had whiskers, and wore a soft slouch hat, black, but his back was turned to me."
Q That was the substance of the conversation?
A Yes sir.
Q He said nothing about anybody else in that connection?
A No sir.
Q And dark clothes?
A To the best of my recollection he said dark clothes.
CROSS EXAMINATION
By Mr. Grinnell.
Q When was it you had this conversation?
A About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 5th of May.
Q Did Gilmer go right in to the central station then, and did you go with him?
A No sir, I was standing in the corridor, and I got all that I wanted out of him and left.
Q How long were you talking with him?
A Three or four minutes.
Q Did he say anything about there being more than one man at that location, a knot of men, or anything of that kind?
A No sir, he said just the one man.
Q You got the impression from what he said that one man lighted the fuse and threw the bomb?
A That is what he said.
Q Did he say anything about how it was lighted -- whether lighted with a match or a cigar?
A No sir.
Q You did not ask him that?
A No sir.
Q Did he say anything about where he was standing when it was done?
A In Crane's Alley.