On Trial for Murder

New York, 1895

Alt Sent for His Pistol Just Before the Shooting.

Farmer John Alt of Bayside, who shot Warren Frost, a colored man, at the Bumble Bee's Nest, near Creedmoor, on the night of July 29th last, is making a fight for his life in the Court of Oyer and Terminer at Long Island City. The taking of testimony began Wednesday morning.

According to witnesses, Alt was sitting on the piazza when some one informed him that Frost, who was at the other end of the piazza, had threatened to cut him with a razor. Alt made some careless remark and then walked over to where Frost was standing. An altercation ensued and Alt was knocked down. On regaining his feet the fight was continued, and then there was a pistol shot and Frost fell to the ground mortally wounded.

The most damaging evidence was given by Charles West, 18 years old, who testified that previous to the fight Alt sent him after his pistol and that when he returned with the weapon Alt sought out the negro and the shooting followed.

Alt has put in a plea of self-defence. He has always borne a good reputation, while Frost was considered a local terror when filled with drink. Counselor Monfort is defending Alt.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1895, p. 1.