Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-10-24
DUKES EXPLAINS.
The Coroner's Investigation at LSn-
coin, Illinois.
JGhn Dukes, the Murdered Girl's
Sw etilc4rt, on the Stansl---Nlr.
Carpenters Esearins---The
Bloody Harness.

LINCOLN, H., Oct. 23-The coroner's jury
sat with open doors hearing the tes-
timony i'll the Zra Burns case. The girls
lover, Thomas d. Dukes, was put on the
stand, and related the history of his ac
quaintance with the murdered girl. He said
he had lot been out of Indiana since last JAN
uary. The last time he saw her was January T.
He accounted for his whereabouts at the time
the murder was committed by say
ing that he was at home Saturday, week
ago, with the members of his family. On
Sunday he was in Kewanna, Ind. He sat up
with Miss Freel Sunday night in Kewanna
until : O'clock. During Sunday afternoon he
saw Mr.. Carter, the postmaster of Kewahna,
and his wife, Mr.. Hilficker and DR.. Howard.
He hurt his hand two weeks ago Tuesday,
loading big hog into wagon on his farm.
s William III. II. Burns the father of Zura,
testified that his daughter received two let
ters from Lincoln during the six weeks she
was at home before she came to Lincoln, and
that she told him one was from o. A. Carpen
ter. She said Carpenter owedsher $40, and
she read part Of letter from him, saying
that he had sent two letters previously
to her, each containing s.. Zura claimed
she never received them and was angry at
Carpenter in consequence. Zura asked per-
mission to go to Lincoln to get the money,
and upon his refusal started for Ramsey,
to visit schoolmates, with her fathers per-
mission. That was the last time he saw his
daughter alive.
Henry N. Behrens, one of the jurors,
testified that he was in Peoria on the 14Gh
and 18th of August last, and that O. A.
Carpenter went to Peoria on the same train.
Witness lent Carpenter $40 on the train, and
saw him on the street that evening with a
lady whom he remembers as the murdered
girl. Witness, Carpenter and the girl came
back to Lincoln on the next day-the 18th
on the same train.
Mrs, Burns-Zura's tepmother-corrobor-
ated the testimony Of her husband, and said
she mailed letter from Zura to Carpenter,
and received the reply. She read Carpenters
letter to Zura. 1t was in a very familiar
tone, and inquired why she did not come
back right away.
Mr. j. NJ. Hubert, pastor Of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian church here, of which
Carpenter is member, called upon Mr.
Carpenter in Jail, to express sympathy and
assured the man suspected of a terrible muir
der that many believed him guiltleSs. II am
glad, said the prisoner, that my friends be-
lieve me innocent, as [ am" The sheriff and
Mr.. Esten, Carpenters partner, say that he
exhibits no fear of the consequences, and
views his predicament as the result of un-
fortunate circumstances
''The burden of proof" said Col. Lynch. of
Carpenters counsel, sis on the state. Mr..
Carpenter is to be considered an innocent
man until he is proved to be guilty" The
Times correspondent questioned Col Lynch
sonleW hat closely. ''Yes," said the lawyer,
Il have spoken to him upon the casen
''Did he admit to you that he wrote letters
to Zura Burns!"
II can't say that he did"
did he deny that he wrote the lettersr
II can't answer that question"
''Col. Lynch. if Mr.. Carpenter werean inno-
cent man and could easily explain this CORE
spondence, would he not do so Immediately
in preference to remaining in jail under such
terrible suspicion?n
II don't know. do not propose to speak
on this subject until the time comes, and then
we will be ready"
Are you not ready nowr'
"We will be ready when the prosecution is"
They will not be ready for several days."
suggested the correspondent. eff your man
is innocent, what is the reason you consent to
delay and do not demand preliminary ex-
aminationg'
The attorney turned aside, declining to ex-
plain these puzzles.
At the Jail Carpenter is provided with all
the comforts and conveniences, his family
having sent him articles which would indicate
that he expects to make stay of some time
behind the stone walls.