Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-21
A CARD FROM A. A. HURD.
New Evidence Favorable to Frankie
Morris Obtained.

Topeka, Aug. Is
To the Editor OF the Commonwealth.
learned yesterday for the first
time that in 8 recent issue of the Com.
monwealth you published an article
mentioning my name in connection
with the recent trial of the case OF the
state VS.. frankie Norris, in Neosho
county, in such a manner as to con-
vey erroneous and unjust Impressions
to the minds Of those persons who
might read the same. and especially to
the minds of persons who have no &C
QIaintance with me. l wish, there
fore, in justice 10 me, that you would
publish the following facts:
The defendant, frankie Morris, was
my wife from February, 1873, until
September, 1885, at which time we
we're divorced. We had one child, a
boy now 6 years old. After the d.
vorce Mrs. NJ. went to Cherryvalc to
live with her mother, taking the boy
with her, in a month or six weeks
went down one Sunday 10 see the
child. / then learned that the board
ers were fast spelling the boy, and re-
quested Mrs. NJ. to rent a house and
live elsewhere, and would paw the
extra expenses, and she consented and
selected house in North Topeka and
moved there. One Sunday morning
went to North Topeka TO see the
child and Mrs. NJ. told me that her
mother desired TO take out some life
insurance for her benefit in
case Of death, and asked me
what was the best company. told
her that there were several equally
good aud that The New York Mutual
was as good as any. She requested
me to gst blank applications for her
and did SO, and they were sent to
Cherryvale aud filled out and returned
and given to me and ! handed them
TO the agent. Mr.. Clugstou, who for
warded them to the company, ard
they were returned SO as to have the
company's own physician make the
examination. Mr.. Clugston then cop
led the application on TO another
blank all but the physicians examina-
ton, and gave it to me with the name
and address of the company's doctor
and 1 sent ii to him. During this
time Mrs. Morris had gone to New
Mexico for her health, and afterwards
returned and settled in Newton, and
from Newton sent me the application
lass referred to and requested me to
give il to the agent and pay the first
premium out of money then due her
Is alimony, which did.
This is my entire connection with
the insurance of Nj 6. Poinsetter, as
never heard of the policy in the Equit-
able company until after the death of
Mrs. Poinsetter. When Mrs. Morris
was arrested Senator Hackney, of
Winfield, telegraphed me the fact and
believing her to be innocent, and
knowing tina: she had but little money
| considered myself under obligations
for the child's sake TO aid her, and
wrote TO senator Hackney to defend
her and l would see him paid.
In the trial of the case the insurance
company employed Fred Hutchins TO
prosecute, aud for the purpose of
the jury against the de-
PENDANT aud her witnesses he stated iii
opening the case he expected to prove
q conspiracy between the defendant
and others, naming every important
witness for the defense, myself among
the number, and then had his brother
or cousin, Frank ID. Hutchins, there to
report to the ST. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat, the Kansas City Times and the |
Kansas City Journal, and it is under
these circumstances that my name has
been mentioned in connection with |
the case, rs there was not one word Of |
offered excepting that of
Mr.. ClugstOn and myself, which gave
The facts as briefly set forth above.
l write this for the benefit of those
who have heard my name connected
with the matter, and are not
acquainted with me. rs those who
Know me need no explanation, conf
lent that everyone will say that 1
nave nearly done my duty to my
hid and bis mother. / should hate
o have any one think me SO devoid
# human sympathy aud dead to all
ense Of right and justice 40 to aban-
lon the mother of my boy when in
rOuble as long as believe her inno-
ent.
am confident of her innocence and
nal acquittai, aud her attorneys in
orm me that they have nowdiscovered
violence which will convince the
ainds of every one.
Yours respectfully,
A. A. HURD.