Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-04-09
THE SMITH CASE.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF
THE WIFE OF THE DECEASED.

THE WIFE OF THE DECEASED.
The Charge Murder In the First Degree
Testimony Of the Coroner, DR..
Higgins, hud Others-A Bloody Ham.
mer In Evidence.
The preliminary examination of
Mrs. Margaret F. Smith, on a charge
of numbering her husband, J. l.. G..
Smith, proprietor OF the HALEY Hot
Springs, began at 10 o'clock this
morning, in the District Courtroom,
before Probate Judge Lennon.
The defendant appeared in court
accompanied by Willie, her eldest
son, and by Messrs. N. NJ. Ruick,
Texas Angel, and l. N. Sullivan, her
attorneys.
District Attorney Roberts appear.
ed for the prosecution.
DR.. Higgins was the first witness
called. John West was also called.
Mr.. Ruick asked il these were all
the witnesses to be called by the pros.
ecution If so, the rule in relation
to the absence of witnesses would not
be enforced.
The District Attorney said he
wanted DR.. Brown and William
Smith called.
"What is your full name, Mrs.
Smith," Asked Judge Lennon.
"Margaret Francis" the prisone,
replied in treunlous tones.
DR.. Higgins took the stand.
l. N. Sullivan, of counsel for the
defense, asked if any further wit
nesses were to be called?
&c. V. Haupt," ans wered Judge
Lennon.
DR.. Higgins, Dr.. Brown, and Jchr
West were then sworn.
DR.. Higgins (the witness) made the
post mortem on the body Of J. l.. G
Smith, deceased, at Schwamb's un
dertaking rooms April 3rd; deceased
died of gunshot wound in the heae
in the left lobe, the ball penetrat
ing the frontal bone about two inche.
above the lef. eye, passing direc.l,
through the entire left lobe Of tn,
brain, passing out about the line 0
the occipital and parietal bones, a
near as 1 could make out from tn,
shattered condition Of said bones: il
my professional opinion death wa
instantly caused by the wound des
cribed; from marks of lead I fount
on some pieces of bone, I judge tn
wound was caused by a rifle ball.
| L. wERTHEIMER SWORN:
The End of April was in hi
store; Mrs. Smith was there sevcra
times-about 3 o'clock in the after
noon and again about half-past 4 o
5. When she first came there wa
nobody there. Mr.. Ruick came il
while Mrs. Smith was taking to him
She asked if DR.. Higgins was VI
stairs. l said l don't think he vas
She went out, and shortly after came
back-she probably went up stairs il
the meantime. When she returned
she told me she wanted me to go t
the Sheriff's Office. asked what for
She answered that she had killed he
husband-had killed Smith.
BY Mr.. Ruick.-You did not &C
company Mrs. Smith to the Sheriff
office?
Ans.-No, sir.
| Q.-Who did?
A.-Dr. Mckay.
Q.-Dld she, or dld she not start
the direction Of the Sheriff's of1ic
when she left your store?
Al dom. know; l didn't motto
which way.
DIR. BROWN SWORN.
1 Am physician and surgeon, an
Coroner Of Alturas county. About
o'clock p. m, April I'd, went to tn
Smith dwelling, having heard, throug
messenger, that there had bee
shooting at the house and that M
Smith was seriously injured. N
John West. Mr.. Tatro, and sewers
others we're present when l arrive
there. Mr.. Smith was dead, and lyin
, fiat on his back in tho northeast roo
of the house, his head ina northeas
erly direction. His head was abo'