Kate’s notes: The document from which I was working was not in the best condition, so any portions in doubt have been indicated within brackets.
    At this time I don’t know the outcome of this trial.

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
14 December, 1895

WITH A REVOLVER
___________

THAT IS WHAT KNOCKED OUT JACK
GILLILAN
___________

Central City Feud Aired in a Local Court
Marshal Keiser Knocks a Man Down
With a Revolver – Evidence That is De-
cidedly Contradictory.

    The case against Marshal A. A. Keiser of Central City was called before Justice Whittam yesterday afternoon when a change of venue was taken to Justice [Ralls]. Milo J. Smith appeared for the prosecution and John Redmond for the defendant. About thirty citizens of Central City and vicinity were present, some as witnesses and other as spectators.
    The first witness called was J. L. Gillilan. He testified concerning the events of Saturday evening when the trouble between himself and the marshal occurred. He said that about 6 o’clock he was going home eastward on Main street in company with Fred Williams whom he invited home to supper. When they reached the east side of Fifth street the marshal was in the act of lighting the lamp and was standing on a ladder which was leaning against the post. Just before reaching the sidewalk and while on the crossing, which consists of two planks laid side by side, he accidentally struck his foot against something which he knocked off the crossing. From the sound he inferred that it was an oil can. He apologized to the marshal saying that he did not do it intentionally. He said that Keiser immediately came down from the step ladder and without saying a word struck the witness over the head, knocking him down and that this was followed by a struggle which lasted for several minutes. At first Keiser was on top of him but later he succeeded in releasing himself and getting onto his feet. He tried to get away from Keiser but was held until they were out several feet in the street. Finally he succeeded in getting loose and running away. The witness also testified that while they were lying on the ground and Keiser on top of him the officer had a revolver in his hand which the witness succeeded in knocking out of his hand.
    On cross examination the witness was questioned in regard to having seen Keiser pass while they were standing on the opposite corner. He admitted this but denied having made any remarks concerning the officer except to say to Williams,“There goes the marshal of the town.” He said that nothing was done by Keiser to indicate that he was attempting to arrest the witness. He displayed a gash about an inch long cut through the skin on the left side of the head which he said was inflicted by Keiser’s blow, which he thought was done with the revolver.
    The next witness called was Fred Williams, who said he was present when the trouble occurred. He said he had been visiting up in Spring Grove township and had been brought to Central City that afternoon by a friend in order to take the train to his home in Marion. He had never met Gillilan until that afternoon when he was introduced to him at about three o’clock. They had drank together several times but he could not remember how often. He said they were not intoxicated so but they knew exactly what they were doing. He related the details of the disturbance which agreed with the evidence of Gillilan in all essential points. He said Gillilan called upon him to strike Keiser and asked him where were the other boys.
    The witness was put through a severe cross-examination. He said that he had talked with one of the Gillilan boys in regard to the case and what his testimony would be. He denied that Gillilan used any harsh language toward Keiser. He said Keiser called upon him to assist in arresting Gillilan but he did not do so but asked the officer to let him take Gillilan to his home. He said that after Gillilan had broken away from the marshal that officer turned around and arrested the witness. He was taken first to a hardware store and afterwards to the lock-up where he was left two hours in the room without any fire. On re-direct examination an attempt was made to have the witness testify that Mayor Porter had made remarks derogatory to Keiser but he was not permitted to answer the question.
    At this point Redmond asked the witness is he had not made an affidavit while in the lock-up. The witness admitted that he had signed some kind of a paper, but he did not recollect just what it was. Mr. Redmond then read to him the following:
    “My name is F. D. Williams; reside in Marion, Iowa; was not previously acquainted with J. Gillilan; introduced to him about two hours before.  He was in an intoxicated condition about 6 o’clock Dec. 7. Was in his company going east on Main street. When near the Union block J. Gillilan used obscene and abusive language. Mr. Keiser made no reply and went about his business lighting the lamps on the opposite corner. When Gillilan came to the corner, he went up to and maliciously kicked the basket over, that Mr. Keiser used to carry oil. On Mr. Keiser attempting to arrest Gillilan, he called on me to strike Keiser and to call the rest of the boys. I saw Gillilan strike Keiser, who called on me to help arrest him. I did not assist him, only tried to persuade Keiser to let me take care of him. My occupation is lineman on telegraph line.
                                                                                                             FRED WILLIAMS
                                                Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of December, 1895.
                                                                                                             H. G. PORTER, Mayor.
    The witness denied that he made any such statements as appear in the affidavit. He said that he had been in the room for two hours; was nearly frozen; that he told part of the story and Keiser threw in a good many remarks, and it was represented to him that it was necessary for him to sign this paper in order to be released from the lock-up. The various allegations were read to him by Mr. Smith and the witness declared positively that they were untrue and that he never made any such statements to Mayor Porter.
    [A. I.] Hoffman was placed on the stand and testified that he heard the trouble on the street and on going over was ordered by Marshal Keiser to assist in arresting Gillilan. He had a lame shoulder and informed the officer that he could not do much; however, he took hold of Gillilan, who broke away and ran. He said that the marshal called after Gillilan, calling him a low, contemptible name, with the remark that he would catch him later. He also told the witness that he would attend to his case on the following day for not assisting in arresting Gillilan. Hoffman also said Keiser warned him not to testify against him in the case, as he had a cinch on him.
    Mrs. Woodruff, a sister of the complaining witness, who resides with her father, N. C. Gillilan, said that soon after supper the same evening of the trouble, Marshal Keiser called at their house and asked for Jake. Mrs. Woodruff told him she did not know where he was. The marshal remarked that he was sorry to have to dispute her word and would have to search the house. He came in, looked about the rooms and several times remarked that he had to doubt her word when she declared that Jake was not at home and that she did not know where he was. She also testified that Keiser seized her 15-year-old son by the arm and shook him violently until she interfered and released him by force. She said Keiser said he had a score to settle with Jake.
    Mrs. Woodruff’s son was placed on the stand and testified in regard to the rough usage administered by the marshal, corroborating the testimony of his mother.
    Peter Haas testified in regard to a conversation he had had with Keiser in relation to ill feeling existing between the marshal and the Gillilan boys. He had related to Keiser that he had heard the Gillilan boys say that it would not cost much to lick Keiser.
    W. H. Beebe, constable in Jackson township, said that Saturday evening Jake Gillilan came to his house about half past seven. His head was cut and bleeding considerably. From the flow of blood it was evidently a fresh wound. He said that as constable he had had Keiser in custody. At that time Keiser made the remark that the Gillilans had had their turn and that his would come in time. On cross examination he said that Gillilan was partially intoxicated and that it was possible that Keiser’s remarks as to his time coming with the Gillilan boys related to his intention to arrest them if they became drunk.
    At this point the defense began taking testimony. A. A. Keiser, the defendant, was put upon the stand. He said that he was marshal of the town of Central City and had held the office since last March. Referring to the incidents of Saturday evening, he said that he had met Jake Gillilan, Williams and Al Hoffman on a narrow sidewalk near Barber’s store. He was carrying his ladder and lamp-lighting outfit. They did not give a full portion of the walk to him and he was obliged to step off and crowd up near the fence in order to pass them, which he did in order not to have any trouble with them. He said that later he passed Jake Gillilan and Williams standing at the out edge of the walk just across the street from where the trouble occurred. Gillilan was vomiting and as he passed he referred to the witness with vile epithets. He paid no attention to this but went across Fifth street and was in the act of changing and lighting and repairing the lamps. He came down off the ladder, took hold of Gillilan and asked him what he meant. Jake replied that he had made a mistake. He says he told Gillilan that he had made too many such mistakes and that he would have to go with him to the mayor. Then Gillilan resisted and a scuffle ensued. Gillilan kept calling upon Williams to strike the witness and also to call the other boys. He then struck Jake Gillilan on the head, knocking him down but he afterwards escaped. He referred to calling Hoffman to assist and he also asked Williams to assist him but neither rendered any help.
    The witness was asked in regard to Haas’ testimony but he said their conversation occurred so long ago that he had no distinct recollection concerning it. He said it might have occurred as Haas was a great fellow to come round and tell a person what he hears about them. The witness said he had no revolver in his hand when he came down off the steps, but later took it out of his hip pocket and struck the witness over the head with the butt end. The witness was shown the paper signed by Fred Williams. He said that it was written by Mayor Porter after being dictated by Williams and that before signing it, it was read over to him. He also said that the paper was drawn up after Williams had been released.
    The witness was cross-examined for about an hour by Mr. Smith. Witness said he had resided at Central City for fifteen years. For twelve years he had been a painter and paper hanger. Prior to that time for three years he ran a saloon. The cross-examination went over all the essential points of the witness’ testimony but nothing of importance was developed. His examination, however, created a good deal of amusement and indicated that the crowd present was made up principally by the friends of the prosecuting witness. At 6 o’clock the case was adjourned until 8:30 this morning.

-transcription by Kate Maynard, 2013