Trial of A. M. HUNTER

HUNTER, HOLLAND, BOWMAN, SPENCE, FULLER, SMITH, HENRY, MILES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/6/2009 at 15:05:41

Des Moines News Leader
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
February 12, 1902, page 1

TRIAL OF A. M. HUNTER

Mt. Ayr, Feb. 11 (Special) - The trial of A. M. HUNTER, charged with the murder of Homer HOLLAND in this town [Mount Ayr] on November 9, 1901, will begin in the district court today. On request of County Attorney F. S. FULLER a special venire of twenty-four men have been drawn in addition to the regular jury panel. These jurors have been drawn with great care with a view to securing men whose participation will insure a fair trial in the most important murder case which ever came up in this county.

HUNTER will be prosecuted and defended by attorneys who are the most eminent in southern Iowa. County Attorney FULLER will be assisted in the prosecution by R. H. SPENCE of the firm of SPENCE & SMITH. Mr. SPENCE is chairman of the republican state central committee.

It may be of interest to know that a few days after the shooting of HOLLAND and prior to the employing of other counsel the defendant sought to secure the services of Mr. SPENCE. After an investigation into the circumstances of the death of young HOLLAND, Mr. SPENCE, who is an intimate friend of ex-sheriff HOLLAND, the father of the dead boy, refused to accept a retainer and dismissed Mr. HUNTER with the statement that he did not feel he could afford to become connected with the defense.

HUNTER is not, however, without able counsel. The law firm of HENRY & MILES, the senior partner of which was for several years on the bench in this diestrict, have been retained, and they will put up a stubborn opposition to the efforts to convict. Messrs. HENRY & MILES have associated with them in the defense Lewis MILES of Corydon, brother of the junior member of the firm and at present United States district attorney for the southern district of Iowa. Lewis MILES did not wish to be known as connected with the case until it came to trial, and the announcement that he would take part was not made until today. This afternoon he told a representative of The Leader that he had been retained and would assist in the defense of HUNTER.

The community is taking a judicial attitude which assures a fair and impartial trial for HUNTER. There is an almost total absence of prejudice. The testimony brought out may change public sentiment as the trial progresses, but at present there seems to be no sentiment one way or the other, the public being content to leave the determination of HUNTER's guilt or innocence to the court and jury.

S. H. HUNTER, father of the accused, was until about thirteen years ago a resident of Mt. Ayr. At that time he separated from his wife here and removed to Emmetsburg, where he has since lived. He arrived today and was in consultation with the attorneys for the defense duing the afternoon. Later he was closeted with Lewis MILES for several hours going over the case and examining the testimony taken at the cornoner's inquest. At the close of the conference Mr. MILES stated that he did not believe a jury could be gotten together in less than two days. The list of the petit jury panel was in the hands of the attorneys and they went over it with a view of weeding out those who appeared objectionable.

Homer HOLLAND was shot and killed on a street in Mt. Ayr on the afternoon of November 9 by A.M. HUNTER, popularly known as "Matt" HUNTER. The tragedy attracted state wide attention, because of HOLLAND's athletic prowess and the trouble which waged for two years in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association over the charge of professionalism brought against him. He was born and raised here. In his early youth he was famous as a foot racer, ball player and all-around athlete. He entered Drake University at Des Moines and his athletic ability brought that school to the fore-front in Iowa athletics. then charges of professionalism were brought against him and finally sustained by the state games committee. He left Drake university and returned to Mt. Ayr to live. Soon after returning he began gambling and up to the time of his death was more or less associated with gamblers. HUNTER is a gambler and he and HOLLAND were much together. Just before the tragedy they had quarreled over $20, which HOLLAND claimed HUNTER owed him.

On the day of the tragedy, after some discussion of the alleged debt, HUNTER laid down $20, which HOLLAND seized and went out on the street. HUNTER followed him and shot hom. No one saw the shooting at close range. The theory of the state is that it was deliberate murder. It is understood HUNTER's attorney's will plead self-defense. When HOLLAND was raised after falling to the sidewalk an unloaded revolver was found under him. His friends think it fell from his pocket. HUNTER's friends think HOLLAND started to draw the gun for a bluff and HUNTER, not knowing it was not loaded, shot in self defense.

After the shooting it developed that both men were paying attention to Miss Josie BOWMAN, central telephone operator at Leon, and that they were jealous of each other. It is thought this phase may figure in the trial of the case.

See News article about the HOLLAND murder.

Transcription by Sharyl Ferrall, February of 2007 Iowa Old Press