The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-25


present and no unusual interest manifested
in the proceedings.
The first witness introduced was DR.. II.
L. Williford, who had formerly testified
for the prosecution, recalled by the de-
Tense. Dr. Williiord was questioned con-
ceining the effect OF ergot on the human
system, and testified as to its nature and
virtues. On cross-examination DR.. Wilt
ford reiterated his statement made when
first examined, that the deceased died
from premature delivery, and that the
child had not reached the period Of full
maturity.
Acknowledgement Peters then said 10
the court that Mr.. Nathan Picard, q State
witness was present, and the State desired
to introduce him. The defense objected,
but the court overrulcd the objection and
Mr.. Picard took the stand and testified MS
follows:
My namo is Nathan Picard and my
business is that OF newspaper man.
am at present connected with TnE MEM
PHIs APPEAL, and was occupying that
position on the 9th of last September.
remember very distinctly when il il said,
Willie Tsdell died at the house OF Rhoda
Turner, at No. 2i9 Madison street. first
heard of her death when the evening
Ledger came out with n short paragraph
concerning II, which have, and can now
read ii desired. This raised n suspicion in
my mind rs TO the manner OF her death
/ first went out 10 see .Rhoda Turner at
her house.
Question-Di you see DIR. Nixon. or
have any conversation with him that day.
Answer-lcs. ! Immediately went from
Rhoda Turner's home over TO NiXon's
drug store on Charleston avenue. Was
told by his clerk lac was not In. | then
went back between q and O'Clock p. m.
When | returned he was standing In a
store door some few feet below his drug
store, and his clerk called him. When he
came up | said 10 him "Dr. Nixon,
have come here TO find out thg facts re-
garding the death Of the grln the house
ui Rhoda Turner. | understand YOU nt-
tended her rs the physician. 81 don't think
was at all abrupt toward the Doctor.
Being in hurry ] may have spoken
brusqucly, but am sure | intended him no
discourtcsy. lie said, "What grl2'
said, "Willie Jorlon, who died ut Rhoaa
Turner's" lie SAID. 81 called 10 see her
once; was sent for in a great hurry this
morning and went over and found her in
comatose condition When | saw her
nothing could he done; she was nearly
dead"
Gen. Turner here stated TO the court
that lac objected 90 witness attempting Ia
detail the nannorisms OF DR.. Nixon, his
gesticulation or his tone Oi voice while
speaking
Judge Dullosc remarked that this was
important and that the witness had the
night and that II was highly proper iorhim
10 do ~.
Mr.. picard--I understand a precedent
for that sort Of thing was established IN
this court last Saturday by the defendant
himself. laughicrl
Continuing, witness said. WIS much
surprised ut what Dr. Nixon replied IN my
intcrrugnioHcs. rs lho1l had just told mo
he was the physician IN the case. lie
said he did not prescribe Tor her Our
conversation was short aud Ia the point. |
asked him II the girl showed any symp.
toms of pregnancy. and hc said no. mo-.
none Whatcycr nothing like that. llcdid
tell Inc most positively he only saw her
once. lie was not excited aud talked
coolly and deliberately aud showed NO
concern.
Quoton-pid you see Rhoda Turner
about br. Nixun's3
Eyes | returned In about thirty min.
utcs, and la passing NiXuns stnc | saN
RhOda In there. llUr house, ! suppose, 81
about one block from NiNon's drug store
When | fint nw Rhoda she vas at 40
2in Madison street, on the porch Of hc
house said Ia her ~ your nam,
Rhoda Turner and she said. 'Ncs.'
taid: i want to see the Girl that die.
here this morning. and she said. 'Shc /
done buried | said 'Why did yuI
bury her OIL 80 quickg' She said. 'lur
did not expect me 10 keep her ALWAYS
did your snid How did the gIl
come "a die at your huuscT She said
found her 1t my DOOR she had noihin
and ! took her in, and she huI never pai
me cent And she WIS very PEI
sis'cnt ia repeating that the r
had nothing, aud she never got
cent ior her trouble. Her statements nn
the way In which she made thcm ar0us
my suspicious and ca used me touafncstI
louk ihio the matter asked for the girl
effects aud khoda showed mc trunk an
yalsp. Ia tho yaIisc ! found about nu
envelopes addressed ~ her. | aitcrWafI
found the letters they enclosed nj tlI
Ention-house whore they had been carrie
by the police. ! asked khuln II the g
was pregnant; she said yes. seven munfl
gone, aud that b. the r.a.nn We had
bury her sp quick. We wis afraid III
would buri Open She flii tho 40
wanted her t0 take aud care iur the chi
ut its birth, but she did not want nf
chillrvu. ] am clear ON oil ! state in =
gard o. this conversation. khudn said,
thp expressed IA, "thp gil diud with u col
grstihlp rhiil," and That Dr. Nixon tfrlit
her. saw Rhoda about thrrc hour lnt
at her home. ! went back 90 see II cou
reconcile her and NiXon's statement
When I went back said Odd You b.
10 me DE- Nixon praciiccd upon thc grill
She said, Yes sir ] said. "llbw ultg
did he scc hof2' She s1id, "toa
umcA" llw l,bola at thr C1oncf's 10
quest, but DID not g1 close enough ~ hr
her statements ! mover raw Nixon nit
our conversation % liis drug store. IN
,ourt ruled out what KhUdn Turner IN
10 witness Afterwards az thc station hon,
The defendants objected because Rho.
Wa alleged 10 have been seated hy ii
police whilo there and under c0ofci.
made The last siaicmcgtH Rhoda Turn
told me Bertha buchanan helped 10 vi
on Willie Tisdcll. also saw NJ the staff
house a bottle Of medicine which can
from l,h0da Turner'S house aud d
directions Ia ted ink.
On cross.examInaiion witness aid
had been In journalism, morc or lcss.
fifteen ycan, and continuously for 10
years past
Qucstion--You have iclt n great deal
interest, have you not, la working up h