Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Direct examination by Mr. Grinnell. Cross-examination by Mr. Foster. Testified on behalf of the Prosecution, People of the State of Illinois. Testified as to Harry Gilmer's general reputation for truth and veracity. Testified on various topics (page numbers provide a partial guide): Gilmer, Harry (vol.N 237).
Testimony of W. P. Hardy, 1886 Aug. 10.
Volume N, 237-241, 5 p.
Hardy, W. P.
House painter.
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[Image, Volume N, Page 237]
W. P. HARDY,
a witness called and sworn on behalf of the people, was examined in chief by Mr. Grinnell, and testified as follows:
Q What is your name?
A W. P. Hardy.
Q Where do you reside?
A DesMoines, Iowa.
Q How long have you lived in DesMoines?
A About sixteen years.
Q What is your business?
A House painter.
Q Did you know Harry L. Gilmer while you lived in Iowa?
A I did.
Q Did you know his reputation for truth and veracity among his associates and acquaintances while he was living
there----did you know it?
A To a certain extent I did.
Q Was it good or bad?
A It was good.
Q Would you believe him under oath?
A I would.
Q
CROSS EXAMINATION BY
Mr. Foster.
Q You say you are a painter?
A Yes sir.
Q Did you ever work for Gilmer?
A No sir.
Q Did he ever work for you?
A Yes sir.
Q For how long a time did he work for you?
A Probably three or four weeks, I don't recollect exactly.
Q How long did your acquaintance with Mr. Gilmer last?
Q Well, I should judge from five to six years.
Q During the time he was policeman part of the time, was not he?
A I understood he was.
Q A collector of the dog tax?
A I don't know about that part of it. I know he was on the force awhile.
Q Was he uniformed?
A I don't think the DesMoines force was uniformed at that time, if I recollect.
Q He did not wear a uniform?
A I think not.
Q Did his duties require him to serve at night or day time?
A Oh, I couldn't say.
Q Wasn't your acquaintance intimate enough to know whether he was the night watch or day watch?
A No sir.
Q Did you live near him?
A No sir, not at that time.
Q Did you ever live near him?
A No sir.
Q Whereabouts in DesMojnes did you live?
A I lived at that time, I boarded as a hotel known as the DesMoines House.
Q Where is that on the east or west side?
A On the west side.
Q It is near the river isn't it?
A Yes.
Q If he lived over on Tenth beyond Judge Coles, it must have been a mile or so?
A Yes, some distance.
Q Did you ever visit him socially?
A Not any more than to meet him the same as I would any other person.
Q I mean to go to his house with your family?
A No sir.
Q Did you ever take your family?
A No sir.
Q Did he ever take his to your house?
A No sir.
Q Did you ever mingle with him in society?
A Not exactly.
Q Now, did you know the persons, and can you give me the names of the persons that he associated with from day to day, and his family associated with that went to his house, and to whose house he went?
A I cannot.
Q Then did you at that time know his reputation for truth and veracity among his associates in the neighborhood where he lived?
A Well, yes to a certain extent; he was in my employ for a while, and if I didn't think that he was a State man I would not have employed him.
Q of course you would not employ a man that was not a
straight man, and my question is,----did you at that time know his general reputation for truth and veracity among his associates, the people that met him, and met him socially, and went with him socially?
A No more than in a general way, and the same as any other citizen.
Q You were not intimately acquainted with him were you--- you didn't see him except the time he worked for you----you were not watching him?
A No sir.
Q He worked for you a short time?
A That is all.
Q In the five or six years, he worked five weeks?
A Yes sir.
Q When was it with reference to your first acquaintance that he worked?
A I would not be positive but I think it was 1873.
Q Since the time he worked for you have you seen very much of him?
A Not a great deal.
Q And that would be about thirteen years ago?
A A long while ago.
Q You never inquired as to what people who associated with him in that neighborhood in which he lived said?
A No, I never inquired.
Q Never inquired and never heard what they said about his reputation?
A Nothing more than in a general way.
Q Have you ever heard any of them in a general way say anything about it, those that were his neighbors and associated
with him prior to the time you heard of him testifying in this case?
A No, I have not.
Q What he has done since he came to Chicago you know nothing about?
A Know nothing.
Q You are speaking of about thirteen years ago?
A Speaking about what I know.
Q You were a boss painter?
A Yes.
Q Took the contracts?
A Yes.
Q You hired Harry Gilmer and he worked for you about three weeks.
A Yes sir.
Q Didn't see anything wrong about him?
A No sir.
Q He performed his business and you paid him?
A Yes sir.
Q He went his way and you went yours?
A Yes sir.
Q That is about all you know about Harry Gilmer?
A That is about all.