Haymarket Affair Digital Collection

Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1
Testimony of Jacob Sherman, 1886 Aug. 7.

Volume M, 376-379, 4 p.
Sherman, Jacob.
Carpenter; German immigrant.

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).


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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.


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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?


[Image, Volume M, Page 378]

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


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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.


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