DEADLY REVOLVER.

Czolgosz's Weapon Identified by
the Artilleryman Who
Secured It.

     Francis P. O'Brien, a private in the 73d United States seacoast artillery, was next called. He was detailed to guard the President at the Temple of Music and was standing on the right of the President when the shooting occurred. His story follows:
     "I heard the report. I was looking at the President and saw the man. I jumped at this defendant. I saw the smoke coming from his hand. I knocked him over, against some one, I do not know whom.
     "I got the revolver and gave it up to my commanding officer, Capt. Wisser."
     "Did you mark it?" asked Mr. Penney.
     "I put my initials on it."
     Mr. Penney then produced the murderer's weapon.
     The revolver was shown to the witness by District Attorney Penney. O'Brien identified it by initials which he made before he surrendered it.
     "Were you on the side of the President from which the people were coming in?" asked Judge Titus, on cross-examination.
     "I was."
     "Were there any secret service men beside you?"
     "Not right beside me."
     "How near were you to the President?"
     "Three or four feet."
     "When you saw the second shot fired you jumped at him?"
     "I did."
     "Were you the first to get to him?"
     "I think I was."
     "Did anyone help you get the gun?"
     "I got it myself."
     "Was he on the floor then?"
     "No, he wasn't. A minute later I was bothered by men who wanted me to turn the revolver over to them."

Private Neff.

     Louis Neff, another private in the artillery, was called. He testified that he saw a man in the crowd with a revolver and that he tried to get it. He afterwards identified the defendant as the man who had the revolver.
     Judge Lewis cross-examined the private briefly, during which the witness testified that his work was merely to keep the crowds moving and to look out for men with weapons in their hands.

Corporal Bertschey's Story.

     Corporal Bertschey succeeded Private Neff. He is a corporal in the seacoast artillery and was in charge of the detail at the President's reception.
     "Where were you at the time of the shooting?" asked District Attorney Penney.
     "I was close to the President I heard two shots, looked and saw the man who did the shooting. He was standing with the smoking pistol in his hand. I grabbed him from behind, put my right knee on his throat and started to search him. I shouted to the crowd to get back. I saw some secret service men demanding the pistol from O'Brien. I told him not to give it up. He turned it over to me."
     "Would you know it if you saw it?"
     "I would; I put my initials on it."
     The weapon was produced and the witness identified it.
     On cross-examination by Judge Lewis, the witness said that he did not hear anyone speak.
     "You did not notice the detective passing along the line?"
     "No, sir."
     That finished the cross-examination.

Supt. Henshaw's Story.

     Harry F. Henshaw, superintendent of the Temple of Music, was the next witness. He said when the shooting occurred he was just to the right of the President. Mr. Penney questioned him.
     "As you stood there, were you looking toward the people who approached the President ?"
     "I was, very carefully."
     "I noticed this defendant in the line approaching the President, with his hand pressed against his abdomen and encased in something white. Then I noticed as he drew near the President he extended his left hand. The President put forward his right hand. Like a flash the assassin pushed the President's right hand out of the way. Then I heard two shots and saw the handkerchief smoking.
     "The crowd gathered around the defendant so quickly that he was lost to my view in an instant. I was by the President's side when the President was taken away in the ambulance."
     Just before Judge Lewis started his cross-examination he turned about to speak to the prisoner, but Czolgosz would pay no attention to him.
     Only a few questions were asked by Judge Lewis, and then Mr. Henshaw was excused.

John Branch's Evidence.

     John Branch, a colored porter in the Temple of Music, was called to the stand by Mr. Penney at five minutes to 12 o'clock. He testified as follows:
     "I saw this man here, this defendant with his right hand over his abdomen. He went to shake hands with the President. Then, how he did it, I don't know but I saw the report and the fire. Then I saw the second report and fire and saw the handkerchief about the man's hand afire.
     "I saw the artillerymen around the man and bear him down to the floor.
     "That's all I saw of the shooting."
     Judge Titus cross-examined the witness, and Branch swore that he heard some one say: "The President's shot," "The President's shot."
     "Did you hear the President say any thing?" asked Judge Titus.
     "'Be easy with him, boys,' was all heard him say."
     "Did you hear him say that?"
     "Yes; he put his hand to his abdomen and said that—'Be easy with him, boys.''