John William “Billy” Oswald (1860-1932) Part 7

Billy Oswald is on trial for the “murder” of Patrick McWeeney. Both the prosecution & defense have given their closing arguments. What will be the jury’s decision?

The Devils Lake Inter-Ocean newspaper continues this story on page 4, column 5. (All of page 1 covers the trial.)

CLOSING THE CASE.

       Col. Werner closed the case for the prosecution. Counsel was glad the case was near an end. The reputation and peace of the community are at stake in this case, and this is to be considered before the welfare of Bill Oswald. It was a duty to proceed with this case. Counsel did not propose to go into theory; he would give facts. The case had been tried upon facts. Council here hinted at some secrets in the case which counsel on the other side would dare not bring to light, and continuing said that when killing is proven the intent follows. Counsel then went into the history of the case. Oswald was in a peaceable community with a huge hunting knife and a murderous revolver.  His friends tried to take them away because they knew he had murder in his heart. Cowan had jerked him on the floor, and this had riled him. The revenge within him is seen in the shot fired within a foot of Davie’s head. His friends then tried to take away his gun; he then announced that he would “ turn himself loose.” Counsel would willingly try this case upon the testimony of the defendant alone. Was surprised that Mr. Erwin did not make a better witness of his client. The prisoner did not even swear he was in great bodily danger. When the body of McWeeney fell in the corner Oswald did not express a word of regret.  He asked for another gun, but Boeing knowing his disposition refused to give him one. He then asked Taylor for a gun. His next act was to fly to that den of iniquity south of the track where he rearmed himself. He expected the swift justice characteristic of a new country. If he is turned loose upon the community there will be many others die in his hands if his future life is to be judged by his past. On the question of premeditation counsel said there could be no doubt on that score. It is not self-defense for a man to thrash another in the face with a pistol and if the assaulted party resent the injury and insult with his fist he is shot down. Regarding the wound, counsel said if the jury didn’t believe that the ball passed through McWeeney’s heart it would be because they had made up their minds to believe otherwise and he would not attempt to change that opinion. It was no less a disgrace if a community of civilized people were to shield a man who had used an epithet for which he (counsel) or the jury would have shot him down.  Talk of me as you please, but keep your foul tongues off my wife or mother. Counsel then referred to the characteristic of the Irish to use their fists instead of weapons in resenting an insult. McWeeney was unarmed while Oswald was a “walking arsenal” ready to shoot down any man who declined to take his vile epitets. Nor was Oswald too drunk to be irresponsible. His remembrance of the affray was remarkably clear. Counsel stated that the body was taken up at the instance and by the permission of Mrs. McWeeney. It was done to clear up the mystery that the defense had attempted to throw about the case. First the defense had endeavored to show that the ball passed into the breast and out the back. This exhumation showed both balls were in the body, and that one has passed through the heart; death was instantaneous. Heart disease made no hold in the heart such as was found in McWeeney’s heart. It was impossible to theorize upon the course of pistol balls, and the introduction of medical testimony for the purpose of setting up a theory only showed the weakness of the defense and proved the heinous character of the crime. The best of physicians had long since decided that the course of a pistol ball was exceedingly uncertain. A bullet went whizzing and spinning through the air and its course depended entirely upon the angle at which it entered the target and the resistance of the target itself. Medical men had never solved the problem and they never would.  

THE CHARGE.

Col. Warner closed his argument at 11:30, whereupon Judge McConnell charged the jury, occupying just an hour. The charge was a very strong one, fully reciting and explaining the law relative to murder and manslaughter, the jury and audience listening with intense interest. At the close of the charge the jury bailiffs were sworn and the twelve men “freighted with so precious a thing as a human life” retired. The judge informed them that he would remain up during the night to receive any communication they might make.

MANSLAUGHTER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.

After being out for thirty hours the jury came into court at 6 o’clock yesterday morning with a verdict of manslaughter in the first degree. The jury was then discharged.

At 9 o’clock court reconvened. Mr. Erwin gave notice in arrest of judgment and motion for a new trial, and asked time to prepare the proposed case and for the territory to make its amendments. Counsel moved to make the day of the return July 12 at 5 p.m.

District Attorney Morgan replied that the request seemed reasonable and he would make no objection.

Judge McConnell spoke briefly of the amount of business that had been pressed into so short a space of time. He said there being nothing between possibly a life sentence and a possible error in the proceedings, it was right that the prisoner should have time to present his case to the supreme court. He said if the motion for a new trial was denied --which in all probability it would be--sentence would then (July 12 at 5 p.m.) be pronounced. The court then adjourned until that date.

REMOVED TO GRAND FORKS.

By consent of counsel, Oswald will be taken to Grand Forks this morning. The reason for this is that our jail facilities are limited, and the lock upon the cells is of such a character that in case of fire there might be danger to the prisoner before the bolts could be drawn. There are other sufficient reasons which influenced all parties concerned to make the change. The prisoner, his father and mother and Mr. Erwin go east this morning.

Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]), 08 May 1886. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88076514/1886-05-08/ed-1/seq-4/>

John William “Billy” Oswald (1860-1932) Part 6

Billy Oswald was on trial for the murder of Patrick McWeeney. The Devils Lake Inter-Ocean newspaper covered in detail the defense for Oswald with questioning the physicians involved with the case including Billy sitting on the stand for his own defense. 

TUESDAY’S PROCEEDINGS.

When court convened on Tuesday morning, Mr. Erwin made a motion that the body of McWeeney be exhumed and that a commission of doctors be appointed to examine the heart and lungs. Col. Warner said that perhaps in fairness to the other side they should state that the body had already been exhumed and that such an examination had already been made. Mr. Erwin after a brief silence, announced that the defense would resist with all its force this ex parte exhumation on the part of the prosecution, made without authority and under the cover of night.

         Dr. W. T. O’Donnell was re-called for examination by the defense. He described the pericardium and tricuspid valve; the weight varies from eight to fourteen pounds. Fatty degeneration has frequently been found the cause of a sudden death, especially in old age.

Col. Warner stated that he did not wish to make any captious objections; but he thought this testimony had gone far enough. He did not think such testimony would enlighten the jury. It only tended to befog their minds.

The witness continuing said he had studied this case very thoroughly since the post mortem. Has tried upon every supposition and in every way in his power to get that bullet into the heart, but could not; he don’t believe it ever went in there at all. Would not swear it made that opening in the heart or not; that could only be determined by submitting the heart to a microscope.

        Mr. Erwin.-- Could the physical exertion of McWeeney striking that blow have been the exciting or approximate cause of his death? 

Witness-- It could. 

Mr. Erwin. --What was the approximate cause of his death?

Witness-- He died from hemorrhage of the heart. It was caused by the opening or rent. 

Mr. Erwin.-- It could have been made by the physical exertion of McWeeney striking the blow? 

Witness-- It could have been brought about by the exciting and physical exertion of striking a blow. 

Mr. Erwin.-- Dr., a man shot in the heart, as a rule, falls on his face, does he not? Witness-- Yes. 

Col. Warner on cross-examination produced a druggist’s glass for measuring liquids, a foot rule and a bullet. The object of this cross-examination was for the purpose of impeaching the testimony of witnesses as to the bullet having passed into the ventricle and not having passed out. The witness said he had been at this opinion for about a month. At the time of the autopsy we were of the opinion that the immediate cause of death was hemorrhage; that that hemorrhage was caused by a gun shot wound and that the ball entered the chest. He had a changed his opinion about a month ago, but did not state it to other doctors, although they live here; except to Dr. Ellis.  If the angles were accounted for a witness would think it probable that the ball entered the heart. The postmortem examination was held on the evening of January 1, 1886, about dusk. Dr. Ruger and Dr. Ellis performed the operation and witness made the observation and minutes. Was partly governed by the remarks of all made at that time. Did not feel the heart or lungs when they were examined. As soon as we came to a conclusion as to the cause of death we stopped. Since then I have change my opinion.

         Wm. M. Swanson-- Is a physician and surgeon. The usual medical examination was gone through with, and one or two lengthy hypothetical questions have been put. The hypothetical questions have been answered by the witness independent of any personal case he knows; and directly upon the supposition therein stated.

        Wm. J. McIntire was now called by the defense and sworn. Is a farmer; was here in town on the night of December 31, 1885; Saw McWeeney in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon about 10 minutes before the shooting; as witness stepped into the saloon Oswald was there; witness took a cigar and walked into the back room; went back into front room to light a cigar, and saw McWeeney come in; saw McWeeney strike Oswald a blow and knock him down; he followed up the blow; it was all done very quick; Oswald fired at McWeenie; witness said to Oswald, “Billy, you ought not to have done that if you could have helped it”; he said, “McWeeney had no business to strike me”; Oswald appeared to be drunk and appeared to be having a jolly good time. Several questions were asked by Mr. Erwin which were ruled out by the court. The witness was not cross-examined by the prosecution. 

       John Taylor called by the defense. Was in the saloon a number of times during the evening; was there about 10 minutes before the shooting. Defense offered to show that witness was thrown over the bar about 15 minutes before the shooting. Not allowed by court. The witness saw Cowan jerk Oswald down by the collar and then take him up to the bar to drink; they were laughing and carrying on and having a good time; went hunting with Oswald a short time ago, and took a hunting knife along.

       Cross-examination by Col. Warner.-- Have been acquainted with defendant for more than a year; we were in partnership; witness was playing faro in the back room.

       Ed Hackett, Jr., called by the defense.  Defense offered to prove that at Johnson’s saloon in this city ten days before the homicide, McWeeney asked this  witness if Oswald had got home, and upon being informed that he had not, that McWeeney told witness that he was going to “do him up.“

        At this point the defense offered to show that McWeeney and another killed a man at Grand Harbor two years ago. Objected to and objection sustained.

       William Doll called and sworn by defense. Was taking in the sights of town on New Year’s Eve. Defense offers to show the entire town was celebrating New Year’s Eve. Objected to and sustained. Saw Oswald and McWeeney in Johnson’s saloon before the shooting; they seem to be friendly; there were several there; and we all drank together. 

       Cross-examination by Mr. McGee-- Were Frank Haney and Chas. Walsh there?

       Answer-- They might have been.  

       Richard Fanning called by the defense. Saw defendant and Oswald in Johnson’s saloon; Doll, Dignan, Johnson and myself were there; saw Oswald and McWeeney there; should judge it was between eight and nine o’clock.

       John F. McGee called and sworn by the defense. The heart and lungs remained in the body till the body was exhumed; never told Dick Maybe the heart and lungs were preserved. 

       John William Oswald, the defendant called on his own behalf. Is about 25 years old and has lived at Devils Lake about four years; knew McWeeney about three years; was at the Benham House for supper; went to Lynch and Gorman’s after supper and drank, and was in Johnson’s saloon after that; and then went to Boeing and Doyle’s; we stayed there and drank;  remembers Cowan  pulled him down to the floor; saw McWeeney come in, and went up to him and said to him “You big Irish s-- of a b---- come and have a drink with me;” had hold of his arm and went up to the bar; he said “don’t call me that; call me anything, but don’t call me that;” waived the pistol before his face (witness indicated the waiving motion) but did not strike; witness was not angry at McWeeney at that time; don’t remember whether he had his revolver in his hand or not memory is indistinct as to all that occurred: when I waived my revolver in McWeeney’s face, he stepped back and hauled off and hit me and knocked me down;  could not tell what it was that struck me; he knocked me quite aways; the blow was a surprise to me; it stunned me; as soon as he knocked me down he came right for me: I thought I was in danger; that is the way it looked to me. In the first place I did not expect any blow from him;  we had been friends; had no distinct idea of what took place from that time; was not angry at Pat before or after he knocked me down; thought I was struck with something else; was wild after the shooting, and did not know from what side I was going to get it; did not know who would give it to me, and I endeavored to get a gun to defend myself; I never formed a determination, in hot blood, or cool blood, to take McWeeney’s life or to kill him; weighed about 180 pounds when I went into prison; McWeeney was a muscular man; once in a while I use the term that I am going to “turn myself loose; “ by which I mean I am going to get drunk; it had no reference to harming anyone: had not drank anything for 17 or 18 days before that; recollect having out a hunting knife which I borrowed from McTaggart; he asked me to return it; I put it in my pocket that morning, but did not seen him during the day; did not expect to have a collision with McWeeney or anyone else; if the pistol came in contact with McWeeney’s face was by accident; if I had intended to strike him I would have done differently.

       Cross-examination by Col. Warner. Was acquainted with the use of firearms and knew the fact of firing them at a person.

       Question-Did you ever shoot anyone else? Objected to, objection sustained. 

This closed all the testimony except 

that of the physicians.

            Dr. H. M. Wheeler was called and sworn on the part of the defense. Is a physician and surgeon and lives in Grand Forks; was called to attend Patrick McWeeney in the county jail at Grand Forks; treated him for intermittent fever; he was fleshy then, but was considerable emaciated when he left the jail. Witness then described and explained various causes of heart trouble. When men left a heavyweight it dams back the blood and causes a pressure on the walls of the heart; if the lungs were distended with air a ball would enter the right ventricle nearer the right margin than the left, a little below the nipple. It is impossible for a ball to enter the chest wall as indicated, perpendicular to the surface, and enter the heart.

        Cross-examination by Mr. McGee. Witness views are based entirely upon the correctness of the statements going to make up the hypothetical question.

         Dr. A. J. Smith called by prosecution. Graduated at college of physicians and surgeons at Baltimore Md.; knew McWeeney by sight; was present last night and the postmortem examination held on the remains. This testimony objected to by the defense on the ground that it is immaterial and irrelevant and ex parte and made by stealth and fraud perpetrated under cover of the night; that the remains were taken up without the presence of an officer. Objection overruled. Witness stated they found a wound in the gluteal region of the back; it was a wound of entrance; we traced it and found a leaden ball; traced it with a catheter; found a wound on the left hip; found wound on the breast; the heart has been cut open and we found a gunshot wound in the heart; we traced the ball which passed into the chest; traced it and found it in the back at the right of the spinal column, a little above the point of entrance in front.

       Cross-examination by Mr. Erwin. Dr. Krueger, Dr. Ellis and Dr. Camp were present at the last postmortem examination; also Messrs, Morgan, Hearst and BeU witness did not disinter the body; the coffin was open, but the body was in it; body was not much decomposed but in a pretty good state of preservation; it did not smell very bad;  the body was sewed up; the heart and lungs were in the thoracic cavity; they were not in the normal position, but were there; felt the ball in the back by feeling for it, and then cut down to it; we traced it from the thoracic cavity.

Adjourned to Wednesday morning.

MORE EXPERT TESTIMONY.

         Court met at 8:30 a. m., on Wednesday morning, and the cross-examination of Dr. A. J. Smith was continued by Mr. Erwin. The heart and lungs were removed from the thoracic cavity; we examined the inner portion carefully; found nothing and then turned the body over; we inserted the probe in the wound from behind, followed the course of the wound and found a ball in the back about two and a half inches to the right of the spinal column. Witness was requested by District Attorney Morgan to meet about 10 o’clock; The request was made about an hour before hand. The heart and lungs were not put back into the body; I have seen them in the possession of Dr. Ellis.

       M. C. Camp was called by the prosecution and sworn. Is a physician and surgeon; has been practicing about thirteen years; saw McWeeney’s remains at his former residence the night before last. Drs. Ruger, Ellis and Smith and Messrs. Bill, Hearst and one or two others were present. The thoracic cavity was opened by Dr. Ellis and witness. We found a wound on the back in the gluteal region; followed it up and found a leaden bullet; we found a superficial wound on the left itium; found a wound in the anterior wall of the thorax; traced it and found a ball in the back about four to six inches higher than the opening of the wound in the front; found a rib fractured; a rib at the back was fractured; this wound was a mortal wound. 

       Mr. Erwin here offered a propound the same questions to the witness in regard to the secrecy and stealth of the last postmortem examination. Overruled. 

       W. J. Hurst re-called by the prosecution. Is the undertaker who took charge of the remains of McWeeney he assisted in their disinterment; found the outside box, the coffin and remains as he had buried them in January; was requested to exhume the body by John J. Bell.

       Dr. O. C. Ellis was re-called by the prosecution. Was present at the first and last postmortem examination on the body of McWeeney; the remains were apparently in the same condition the night before last as when the first postmortem was held; found a wound in the right gluteal region; followed  it up with the probe and found a bullet near the inside of the hip; found a superficial wound on the left hip; examined the wound on the anterior wall of the thorax; followed it up and found a bullet in the back, imbedded in a muscle; in passing into the posterior wall of the thorax It fractured or splintered a rib: the ball from the chest wound went through the tissue, the heart, the right ventricle the pulmonary artery and into the back between the seventh and eighth dorsal vertebra;  that the ball entered in front just below the sixth rib, as testified to in the direct examination, as a mistake; Dr. Ruger and myself did the cutting and made the examination, and Dr. O’Donnell made the notes; from the examination first name we could not on account of darkness and poor facilities see a rupture in the pulmonary artery; dipped out two or three pints of blood at the first examination; went the first time at the invitation of Dr. O’Donnell who used the witness’ instruments; in witness’ opinion the wound in the chest was fatal.

       Cross-examination by Mr. Erwin--The heart and lungs were not put back in the body the night before last.

       Re-direct examination--Cannot tell how the mistake occurred as to the location of entrance of wound and chest; McWeeney’s heart was healthy.

       Dr. H. H. Ruger was called by prosecution. Assisted at the postmortem on McWeeney the night before last; Dr. Ellis and witness sewed up the remains after the first examination; there was no indication of the remains having been tampered with; witness shown a bullet and asked if it is the bullet found in the gluteal region, and says it is; this was a wound of entrance; when the examination was commenced we cut the stitches and checked out the heart and lungs; we cleared out the cavity and searched for the ball; it was found in the back; the remains were turned over and an examination made from the exterior of the back; the ball entered in front between the fifth and sixth ribs, entered the heart and went out through the pulmonary artery into the back; after the pericardium was opened, at the first examination, the blood flowed out; the heart was healthy and without disease; It was red; there was a rib in the back fractured; the wound where the bullet passed in front was necessarily fatal.

        Cross-examination by Mr. Irwin--The wound in the back was about three inches higher than in front where the ball entered. The evidence heretofore given as to entrance of the ball and the chest was based on the correctness of the notes taken at the examination.

The prosecution then announced that it rested their case.

       W. W. Wishart, the justice before whom the preliminary examination took place, was called and testified that the printed copy of the evidence taken at that examination was compared with the original shorthand notes. The printed copy was then accepted as correct by both sides.

       Mr. Erwin here read from the preliminary testimony of various witnesses and compared it with the evidence of the same witnesses at the trial, counsel on both sides going through and making the points of inconsistency. Mr. Erwin’s object was to build up a basis upon which his theory of self-defense should rest. 

       Dr. Wheeler recalled by the defense. Mr. Erwin here stripped himself to the belt for the purpose of showing marks previously made upon his body by the witness to illustrate the course of the ball. According to the diagram upon Mr. Erwin’s breast the witness stated that a ball fired at an angle of 40° upward and backward would miss the heart.

       Dr. Swanson recalled by the defense, and testified that a ball fired at a very short range upward and passing just below the fifth rib would hit the heart.

       Dr. O’Donnell recalled. He testified that a ball entering as described would simply graze the heart. No such wound could be made as indicated by the testimony if fired as described. Witness stated that he was stronger in the belief than ever that the ball never entered McWeeey’s heart.

Both sides then rested their case.

        At the close of the case the prosecution moved the court to take the case from the jury except as to the grade of crime, whether it be murder or manslaughter in the first degree. Some discussion arose as to the time at which this motion should be taken up, and it was finally decided that the jury withdraw and that the attorneys enter immediately upon the discussion of it. The attorneys brought in their law books and Mr. McGee commenced the argument of the motion. The position taken by the prosecution is that the evidence tends to show that there is nothing in it to justify the shooting. It was the defendant’s own unlawful at which brought on the attack from McWeeney. The first assault was made by Oswald. Attention was then called to the definition of the word “assault” and the definition of the word “willfully.”

        The prosecution then referred to a case (Stoffer vs. The State, 15, Ohio Stat., 47) which holds that while the party who first commences the malicious assault continues in the combat and does not put into exercise the duty of withdrawing from the place, although he may be so fiercely pressed that he cannot retreat or is thrown upon the ground, or driven to the wall, he cannot justify taking the life of his adversary, however necessary it way be to save his own, and must be deemed to have brought upon himself the necessity of killing his fellowman. Reference was then made to the Gay case reported in the Dakota reports in which it was held that it is proper to instruct the jury that evidence which only tends to reduce the grade of the offense is not to be considered by them as tending to excuse or justify the killing; and that there being no evidence tending to excuse or justify the killing, it is not error to instruct the jury that “if you regard the oaths you have taken, your verdict must be murder or manslaughter.”

         Mr. Erwin then addressed the court and said that homicide in this territory was either justifiable or excusable. There is no excusable homicide in this case. In the Gay case cited by the prosecution justifiable homicide did not enter into it. Mr. Erwin contended that if there was a feather’s weight of evidence from a witness or from the defendant himself going to show that there was the least justification it should be left with the jury.

       The court here stated that he was satisfied that under the definition given by our statute that there was no excusable homicide in this case. The question is whether the committing of a misdemeanor takes from him the right to plead justifiable homicide. The defendant stated that if he hit McWeeney in the face, it was done by accident and in fun. Can the court take notice of such fun as that mentioned by the defendant when he says it was all done in fun? Suppose McWeeney had shot Oswald and killed him, would that be homicide?

       Mr. Erwin claimed that he was not bound to take the testimony alone of the defendant. It is the disputed facts, and not the persons who dispute them. In a criminal case where there is one scintilla of evidence tending to prove a fact, the defendant is entitled to a trial by jury of his peers. It would be a great error for the court to take this case from the jury. The facts in the Stoffer case were not the same as in this. In the Stoffer case the defendant met the deceased on the street and attacked him and then intended to kill him, but he changed his mind and retreated. He was pursued by the deceased and he then turned and killed him. The defendant pleaded justifiable homicide and the court sat down upon him as it should.

        At the conclusion of the argument the court ordered the jury to be brought in; and stated that counsel should proceed with the arguments, and that if he decided to do so he would take the same from the jury at the proper time.

Mr. McGee then commenced the first of the closing arguments to the jury. He said he had come now to the last duty he had to perform in this case. He characterized  it as a most brutal murder; recited the story of it in a general way; and commented freely upon the testimony. Said the witness Dr. O’Donnell had been of the same opinion as Drs. Ellis and Ruger, who were his associates in the first autopsy, until about a month ago, when he suddenly changed his mind as to the primary cause of death, that is that the bullet did not penetrate the heart, but passed under it towards the back and down into the right gluteal region and passed out at the wound at the back. He charged that Dr. O’Donnell has been bought by the defense and is to receive $25 per day of the defendant’s money. He claimed that an example should be made of the defendant, not because it was Oswald, but because the law should be upheld and such a crime should be punished. 

        Mr. McGee was followed by Judge J. F. O’Brien who contend that the jury was not here for the purpose of making an example, but of deciding whether or not the defendant was guilty of the charge set forth in the indictment. The jury must consider only the evidence before them and decide whether or not the defendant was justified in his act. He claimed that the defendant was simply celebrating the day, which was the occasion of an old settlers’ reunion; and that it was not a very unusual thing for the citizens to celebrate in this way. He stated that his theory of the affair was that the first cause of the trouble arose from the response made by McWeeney; and that it was false pride on Patrick McWeeney’s part. You will have to decide whether death resulted from the pistol shot, or whether it was not from disease.

       Mr. Irwin then made the closing argument on the part of the defense. He commenced by thanking the court for the way in which courtesy had been extended. He invoked heaven to guide him in placing before the jury the facts and facilities for the purpose of doing justice to his client, and not for the purpose of the fogging the minds of the jurors. The law presumes a man to be innocent until he’s proven guilty; and it is a duty of the prosecution to prove exactly and in every particular each obligation mentioned in the indictment. It is the man well acquainted with the science of medicine we entrust our sick wives and children. I give you my word of honor as a gentleman that before I came into this case I did not know what the ascending and descending vena cava were. Tell me why the Almighty God could not have burst the wall of the heart of Patrick McWeeney. The prosecution told you that the ball which entered the chest went in perpendicularly; they have not changed that. With jingled, heeled-bound laughter and boyish enthusiasm described to you a pistol held in a hand at an angle of forty-five degrees. If that ball had penetrated the heart the blood would have spurted out of McWeeney’s mouth; but we dare not touch open it in the hearing of the prosecution, else Daniel Blue would have come in and sworn that it did. But Daniel Blue’s mouth is now closed. Mr. Erwin charged that at one time Daniel Blue would tell one story, and at another time another story; and then dig in the night time for new facts. The evidence shows that death was a result of hemorrhage, caused by a bursting of the walls which was not caused by a pistol shot. The other branch of this defense was willingly placed at the disposition of the jury’s manhood and reason. In some instances a man is justified in taking life, and I will give you an example of it. If I draw my pistol from my pocket and say “Elliot I am going to shoot you,” and I point the pistol at you and snap it, but before it goes off you apprehend that I am going to shoot you and you quickly take my life, what will be the result? If you believed you were in great bodily danger, as you must have been, you would have been justified in killing me. A saloon is no place for man to go with their characters buttoned up under their coats. It is where men meet men. It is where they go to exchange courtesy and drink and have a good time. If you knew Patsy McWeeney you know that he knew what a pistol was. He took advantage of the first offer to have a fight with a man with a pistol in his hand. Your community can gain nothing by stringing up a survivor of an affair of this kind. We have resorted to no means to delay an investigation of this matter, and gentlemen of the jury, we have no fear of being disappointed. The people of the community have no fear of disappointment. We want your manly consideration of this matter. I pray you defend the institutions of your country. Thanking the jury on behalf of the defendant for their attention to the entire presentation of the case by the prosecution and defense, and commending them to the learned counsel who would follow him. He closed.

Devils Lake Inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]), 8 May 1886. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. page 1. columns 4-6.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88076514/1886-05-08/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

John WIlliam "Billy" Oswald (1860-1932) - Part 5

Billy's trial continues for 2 more days the following week in Devils Lake, Dakota Territory, for the murder of Patrick McWeeney. The local newspaper covers the trial in detail.

Transcription of Devils Lake Inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]. 8 May 1886. Page 1. Columns 2 & 3.

MANSLAUGHTER. 

That is the Verdict in the Oswald Case.

A Motion Taken for a New Trial.

If denial an Appeal Will Follow.

Oswald Going to the Grand Forks County Jail.

Report of the Testimony and Arguments. 

        The INTER-OCEAN went to press last Friday evening at the close of that day’s session of the district court.  A careful resume of evidence and the proceedings taking place since then has been made and is herewith presented. 

       When the court opened Saturday morning the jurors appeared clean shaven; the judge wore a large wild rose plucked by his own hands from the virgin prairie; Col. Warner wore his usual happy smile; Attorney  McGee eyed the judges boutonnier and twisted the corner of his mustache; District Attorney Morgan looked sleepy, from the effects of sitting up with the grand jury, Dr. Erwin slapped the INTER_OCEAN on the back and said,” By gad, it’s awful.”

        James Doyle was called by the territory and sworn; was in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon on night of December 31, 1885: went in there with Dan Blue about 10 minutes before the shooting: saw defendant, Oswald, there during that time; saw no weapon in his hand; defendant stated that he was going to “turn himself loose.” 

        Cross-examination by Mr. Erwin. -- It was after the shot was fired into the wall that he made that statement; it was the next day that he told anybody about this statement: told his partner, Alex Campbell; did not know Oswald; know McWeeney by sight; did not think Oswald was out of the way as regards drunkenness.

        On re-direct examination witness testified that he saw a revolver in the defendant ’s hands when the shot was fired into the wall; it was about a minute after the shooting that  McWeeney entered; told Mr. Morgan about this yesterday evening.

         [John] A. McDougall called by the prosecution; reside[s] in Devils Lake at present; was in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon on the night of December 31, 1885, when McWeeney was shot; was in the back part of the saloon with McWeeney entered; saw weapons and Oswald’s hand before Mr. McWeeney entered;  saw a knife which he was stabbing into the counter; then saw Oswald with the revolver which he fired into the west wall;  when McWeeney entered Oswald went up and put his hand on McWeeney’s  shoulder and said, “ You Irish s-- of a b----, come up and have a drink with us.”  They walked up to the bar and leaned on it; McWeeney said, “Don’t call me that; you can call me an Irish rascal, but please don’t call me that”; Oswald said, “well that’s what you are,” and he hit him with his revolver in the face and then McWeeney knocked or pushed him down; Oswald fell on his right side; then rolled over on his left and  commenced to fire; he fired one or two shots; after the first shot McWeeney turned from Oswald and went southwest of the stove; he turned and just before he went down he raised his hand and said, “Billy, you are way off.” 

        Cross-examination by Mr. Erwin --Was sworn before the corner and swore that Pat followed him up and stood over him and Oswald fired; believes he swore before the coroner that McWeeney stood still; testimony was read over to me. Was sworn before the magistrate; sworn before corner as to Oswald’s drawing pistol while on the floor, (testimony shown him); it is not there, but I swear to it just the same; Oswald had been having a good time before McWeeney entered the saloon; testified here that Oswald struck McWeeney in the face with his revolver. 

        Mr. Erwin. -- What you asked this question before the magistrate by Mr. McGee: “Do you know whether or not that revolver struck McWeeney’s face?” and did you not answer: “I could not say”?

        Witness-- I could not say whether I answered that way or not.

        Mr. Erwin:.-- Why can’t you remember?

       Witness-- I can’t say; simply because I disremember. Can’t swear now positive that I did.

       Witness had not talked with anybody since he was examined before Justice Wishart; witness denied that he wanted to evade a promise to swear this way; witness said he would swear Oswald slapped McWeeney on the face; said he testified then (before the magistrate) to the truth, for the thing was fresh in his memory. McWeeney followed up after Oswald very close, but it was not very close when he was following him; it might have been a foot or two; Oswald was trying to put his revolver into his pocket when he went down on the floor; witness thought he had a perfect memory of what took place there; he made a statement before the corner; it was not by question and answer. Mr. McGee may have asked some questions.

        Wm. J. Hurst called and sworn by the prosecution.  Was in Boeing & Doyles saloon on the night of December 31, 1885; was there the last time between 10 and 11  Dr. Ruger did the probing did not know whether the probe pass easily into the heart to heart wound was necessarily fatal death resulted from hemorrhage of the heart there was a slight abrasion on the left cheek cross-examined by Mr. Erwin there was a deco Noces of the heart round she was an abrasion was not made by direct blowo’clock; went there at notice from McDougall; got there just as they were lifting him from the floor, as undertaker took charge of the body; there was a small three cornered abrasion of the skin on the face under the left eye; found one wound in the left breast, about 2 inches right of the left nipple; a wound on hip and one in the back. They were bullet wounds; they were fresh and the one in the back blood badly. (Clothes of McWeeney produced). Took them off McWeeney’s body and have had possession of them ever since. (Holes in the clothes shown; the stains on the shirt and underclothes offered to the prosecution in evidence,)  Can’t say how soon I got the body after the shooting; they were just raising it from the floor as I came in; found no weapons on McWeeney except a very small pen knife which I gave to Mrs. McWeeney; also found a watch and chain, a few small old-fashioned pieces of coin; bullet found inside the pants and drawers next his skin, (bullet produced) found half a pint of whiskey in his hip pocket.

        By the judge. Found pet knife in his pocket; knife we shut.

        H.C. Hansbrough called. Am editor and publisher of INTER-OCEAN. Was at the old settlers’ dance in the evening. Went to Boeing and Doyle’s saloon after the shooting of McWeeney; was close to McWeeney’s body saw a small wound on his left cheek; wound almost square one quarter inch wide, five-eighths inch long; it appeared to be fresh; was flowing a little blood. Saw McWeeney about 15 or 20 minutes before that time. Did not notice any such wound on his face at that time. 

        John F. Cowan was called and testified that he is principal of the public schools; identified copy of the evidence before the coroner which he took as clerk of the jury; questions were asked by Attorney McGee and the corner; took only the substance of the testimony.

        Thos. H Sheckler resides in Devils Lake; is pastor of the M. E. church in this place, saw the remains of McWeeney; there was a small wound, cut or bruise on the left cheek.

       Wm. T. O’Donnell called by the prosecution. Is a physician and surgeon; has practiced medicine about 27 years; made the postmortem examination on deceased; found three wounds, one on the hip was a flesh wound and was probed about 9 inches. At this point the witness refused to give expert testimony without pay. The judge directed him to proceed and the allowance would be made.  The wound was superficial. The second wound was an opening just beneath the sixth rib, four and a quarter inches from and to the right of the nipple. There was an opening in the right ventricle of the heart, a circular and ragged opening. Did not know what caused the wound in the heart. There was blood in the region of the heart; the heart sack was filled with clotted blood. Dr. Ruger did the probing; did not know whether the probe passed easily into the heart. The heart wound was necessarily fatal. Death resulted from hemorrhage of the heart. There was a slight abrasion on the left cheek. 

        Cross-examined by Mr. Erwin-- There was echynosis of the heart wound. The cheek wound was an abrasion; was not made by a direct blow; there was no contusion;

couldn’t give an opinion as to the cause of the rent in the heart.

        Mr. Erwin requested an interview with the witness’ and remarked that the defense would probably call them as their own witness in the afternoon. 

        Dr. C. C. Ellis was called by the prosecution. Had studied medicine 4 years, assisted at the postmortem examination; saw the heart of McWeeney. Mr. Erwin asked to examine the witness on his qualification as a surgeon, and the court granted his request.  Witness studied medicine from 1876 to 1880; had been in the hospital as an under graduate.

       Direct --Had assisted at three or four postmortems; saw four wounds on the body; wound on breast was a gunshot wound; Pericardium was filled with blood; wound in the heart was a continuation of the wound in the breast. Death was the result of hemorrhage or smothering of the heart.

        Cross-examination by Mr. Erwin--Dr. O’Donnell made the minutes of the postmortem. The wound had a ragged appearance, the same as a gunshot wound; opening in the skin was round; there was not much force used in entering the probe. A rigid examination here followed as to the organs about the heart, witness and counsel drawing diagrams and dissecting the same. 

       On redirect examination it was developed that the heart drops or falls a little after death, and that if a shot was fired by a man lying on the floor at a man standing two or three feet from him, the wound in the heart would be about on a level with the superficial wound after death; or if a catheter were inserted into the superficial wound at right angles with the body it would likely enter the wound in the heart.

        H. H. Ruger called by the prosecution and sworn. Is a physician and surgeon; graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1864; served during a year of the war as a medical cadet; have served since as a physician and surgeon in the army; has examined fully a thousand cases of gunshot wounds; was present at the autopsy of the body of Patrick McWeeney; there were three wounds-- one on the face, one on the buttocks, and one over the region of the heart; in witnesses’ opinion the wound in the heart was a  continuation of the superficial wound. In his opinion death resulted from a gunshot wound; after continuing the search for a reasonable time witness came to the conclusion that the bullet could not be found without cutting the remains to pieces; a bullet might enter the body, go all around inside it, and return and  pass out where it entered; did not examine the lungs carefully;  am still of the opinion that the ball passed through the pulmonary artery; this has always been in my opinion; I have always thought that the wound in the gluteal region was a wound of exit; I do not think that the ball passed from the heart down through the vena cava and out through the gluteal region; I do not think such a course within the range of possibility; there is not the least doubt in my mind about the ball entering the ventricle; it is possible that a ball could pass through the chest wall around the chest and out at a place of entrance

       At this point the court adjourned until Monday morning. Three bailiffs were sworn to take charge of the jury. The jury and bailiffs were admonished by the court to have no communication with anybody in regard to the case, and not to talk among themselves about the case till it was submitted to them.

MONDAY’S PROCEEDINGS.

      Court opened promptly at 9 o’clock. They jurymen took their places and the defendant was soon brought in. Both counsel and jury were looking bright and chipper, having had two solid night’s rest, and the court having partaken of a Sunday dinner at the residence of Clerk Saunders, together with Mr. Erwin and Justice Wishart.

Dr. H.H. Ruger was re-called by the prosecution. The sack or pericardium was full of blood; death resulted from hemorrhage, which was caused by the gunshot wound; there is no doubt of this in my mind.

Robt. Boeing called by the prosecution; one shot fired by Oswald while on the floor went into the ceiling; McWeeney lived only a few seconds after having been shot.

At this point the prosecution announced that they rested their case.

THE DEFENSE.

       The case was opened on the part of the defense by Judge O’Brien, who claimed that the homicide was justifiable. An offer was made to read to the jury a part of the code, which was refused by the court. The evidence to be produced by the defense will show that the defendant and the McWeeney were friends; the defendant had been drinking; that on the day of the tragedy McWeeney also had been drinking and after the shooting an empty flask was found in his pocket. The term s-- of a b---- is generally a fighting expression; in this case it had no such meaning. We admit finding Oswald drunk and stumbling about and firing a pistol. When McWeeney came in Oswald went up and sent in a drunken way,” Pat, you old Irish s-- of a b----,  come and have a drink.” Oswald meant nothing by this; it was simply a way men have of accosting each other under such circumstances. Oswald happened to strike him in the face with his revolver. We claim that when McWeeney knocked Oswald down he advanced to him, and that the defendant had the right to defend himself.

The prosecution objected to the council arguing the case at this time to the jury. The objection was sustained by the court.

After some discussion between counsel the prosecution withdrew the objection and the statement of the case was proceeded with.

        At the close of Judge O’Brien’s remarks the prosecution said that it was the duty of the defense to outline their case so that the prosecution might be prepared with rebuttal. The defense neglected to state what the medical part of their defense would be. 

Judge O’Brien said that he had not stated it fully because he had not given that portion of the statement sufficient thought to enable him to state it clearly; it had appeared during the progress of the case; that Mr. Erwin was familiar with it and would state it. Council for the prosecution objected to two of the council opening the case; objection overruled by the court.

Whereupon Mr. Erwin outlined the defense they would place before the jury from their medical view of the case. Defense proposes to show by the best medical testimony that McWeeney’s death was not from the bullet penetrating the heart; that McWeeney had been a strong, stout man weighing about 220 pounds not more than three years ago;  that he had been acquitted of a serious charge on what he had been confined for several months; that that confinement worked upon his mind and weakend and softened his muscles. That at the time of his death the walls of the heart were in a diseased condition. That the bullet did not pass into the heart; that it passed towards the back, down the diaphragm into the gluteal region and out at the place of the everted wound in the back; that the exertion on McWeeney’s part when he hit Oswald bore heavily upon the weekend muscles about the heart, and a hemorrhage was caused resulting in his instantaneous death. Defense then called their first witness.

        Thomas S. Potts was put upon the stand. Will be 23 years old next month; was in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon on the night of the homicide, about an hour before. Evidence as to what took place prior to the time heretofore limited by the court not allowed except as to drunkenness of defendant. The witness stated that the defendant was having a jolly good time as it was New Year’s Eve; defendant was walking to and fro; saw defendant with a hunting knife; defendant was looking at it, put it in a case and put it in his pocket; he had a pocket pistol in his hand and shot it into the west wall; McWheeney came in while he had it in his hand; Oswald stood at the bar; he called him up to the bar and said to him. “Come up and have a drink with me, you Irish s-- of a b----”; Oswald had a revolver in his hand and he kind of tapped him on the cheek, and said, “who are you, we are as good as you are”; Oswald kind of stumbled towards McWeeney, who struck out from his shoulder and knocked him clean to the floor; McWeeney followed him up; Oswald repulsed him with his revolver; Oswald fell on his right side, rolled over on his left and commenced firing; after the first shot McWeeney turned right round and went towards the southeast corner and put his arm on some boxes; Oswald went over towards the wall; and all this time he had the revolver in his hand and was throwing it up and down over his shoulder snapping it; Oswald said, "I've been a good friend to you, Pat; been a good friend to you.” McWeeney said something to him, but witness could not hear what it was.

       Cross-examined by Mr. McGee, -- Witness was closely questioned as to what he testified before the magistrate at the preliminary examination and he reaffirmed it, with one or two slight exceptions; has been in town since January and has spent most of his time about Boeing & Doyle’s saloon, but has not been fed or kept by them; has borrowed some money from them, but has paid them back.

Geo. W. Potts, called and sworn by the defense. Was in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon on the night of the affray, for about an hour before the shooting.

        Any evidence as to the drunkenness of defendant was allowed by the court, but as to what else occurred was ruled out.  There was no trouble or row before McWeeney entered. Noticed that defendant fired a shot into the wall. Oswald and Cowan were standing at the bar when McWeeney entered; Oswald turned and saw him and went up to him and took him by the arm and said, “Pat, you s-- of a b---- come and have a drink with me;” Pat said, “All right, Will; but don’t call me that; anything but that goes;” Oswald said to him, “Perhaps you think you are too good for us.” Pat said, “Oh no Will,” then Oswald repeated the same words and raised, his hand, and kind of tapped Pat over the face and said, “No, no, Pat; we aint too good for you;” McWeeney then squared off and knocked Oswald down to the floor; he then advanced towards Oswald who commenced firing; McWeeney backed off and turned round and went toward some boxes in the corner; McWeeney said to him, “You are away off;” Oswald said, “Pat, I have been too good a friend to you to strike me like that.”

E. R. Davie called by the defense. Saw Oswald drink three or four times. Oswald called witness a s-- of a b---- put his arm on his shoulder and asked him to take a drink with him; think Oswald said he was going to run himself loose, but do not know when it was made, or whether he intended to get drunk. Witness not allowed to state his opinion. If it had been said in anger or earnest witness would probably not have noticed it; he said he was going to turn himself loose, but don’t know who he said it to, or whether it was said.

Robt. Boeing was called by the defense; Oswald was in the saloon about 4 o’clock in the afternoon and was drinking; he was there again in the evening; he was treating a good deal and was being treated by the boys; saw him at the time he had the knife out. (Evidence as to McWeeney’s character as a pugulist and fighting man ruled out by court.)

       William Cowan called and sworn on the part of the defense. Oswald was drinking in Boeing & Doyle’s saloon; he was moving and scuffling around the room; was in the room when Oswald was pulled over on the floor in a friendly way; were fooling around and witness pulled him over; witness also pulled Kops off the piano stool; did it for fun; witness was pretty well filled up himself; he was feeling good.

        Chancey McTaggart called and sworn by defense. Witness had a hunting knife and loaned it to Oswald about five weeks before the shooting; knife was loaned to him to go hunting; witness asked defendant for the knife two or three times, because he wanted it; the last time before the shooting that witness  spoke to Oswald about bringing a knife back to him was the day before; it had a delay between six and 7 inches long.

Wm. T. O’Donnell called and sworn by the defense. Studied medicine and graduated at Dartmouth, N. H.;  assisted in making a postmortem examination; had the minutes that were made then and accepted by us; McWeeney would measure about 6 feet 3 inches; was not a muscular man as witness expected; weighed about 180 

pounds; wound on hip was ragged having the appearance of being a wound of exit; the ragged edges of the wound were out; the wound was probed to the depth of about six or eight inches; after examining that wound we concluded it was a point of exit; another ball went in against the bone and bounded out; it was a superficial wound; the wound in the breast had the appearance of being a wound of entrance; it was round, which indicates that the ball went in at right angles; the catheter was held lightly in the hand and allowed to enter the wound; thinks the probe was left standing in the pericardium; the thickness of the pericardium is about that of heavy writing paper; the heart was surrounded by a heavy coagulation of blood; the lungs were cut in strips to facilitate the examination by inserting the fingers; no bullet was found and there was no evidence of it having been there; my opinion is that the bullet did not go into the heart at all.

Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]), 08 May 1886. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. 

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88076514/1886-05-08/ed-1/seq-1/ 

Tuesday's proceedings will continue in Part 6 of John William "Billy" Oswald's post.