St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-09
EVIDENCE OPENED.
The Awful Cries Heard by Wit
ness Turner

ness Turner.
When the court assembled at o'clock
Attorney Erwin was not on hand, and
a delay of several minutes ensued. The
attendance of spectators was larger, for
the people in the gallery were now
packed like sardines IN a box. The
bar was not so fully represented as in
the morning, and in their absence the
vacant chairs were occupied by prIvi-
legged few outsiders. Horton, engaged
in conversation with MIR. Martin. then
leaned back in his chair and followed
the proceedings with marked interest.
lie would occasionally make note of
the evidence. Mr.. Mum requested all
the state witnesses to retire. As they
did so Horizons eyes closely noted each
one. Mr.. Erwin requested the wit
nesses for the defense, if they were
present, also to retire. There were
only two, he Said-Messrs. GadDois and
Bowden. The witnesses having disap-
peared. move was made to take
evidence. and G. j. Burgess was
first called to the stand. Mr..
Burgess is civil engineer, and he pro-
duced chart of the Mississippi show
ing the locality where the drowning of
Mrs. Horton occurred. SOundlngS were
also taken of the river. He confessed,
in cross-eyamination. that he had no
knowledge as to the shoals and reefs of
the Mississippi at the point surveyed.
The soundings he gave were the average
of the number taken, not the actual
SoundingS.
Lewis Hanson, brother of Mrs. Hor-
ton. was next called upon TO testify. He
is young man, a mechanic. living at
Trempaleau, Wis. He saw his sister
alive at the station Aug, II, and next
saw her dead body in st. Paul. Aug. Is
or i6.
James Miller. of &C Fairfield street.
middle-aged man, described himself as
a fisherman, saw Horton Oh Aug. II.
when he came to rent boat. He hired
the boat and went away saying: II
will be back in lit5le while with nv
folks" He returned. the wife taking
the seat in the stern of the boat. the lit
tie girl on the next seat, and himself on
the first seat. There was no converSa-
ton prior to starting. 1t was about
o'clock.
Mr.. Num- How many people have you
taken out III this boat?
Mr.. Erwin-I object to that question as
being entirely irrelevant
Mr.. Mum said the question was, perhaps,
not quite in order just lhen, but considered
that it was proper question to be put
Mr.. Erwir-lf boat has crossed the At
lantic 100 times. because on the IOIst trip il
was found unseaworthy, that has nothing to
do with the previous trips. Because this
boat may have carried SO many people before
has nothing to do with this case.
Judge Kelly said the question was out of
order, so Mr.. Mum decided to await develop
ments.
Miller. proceeding, said he did not see
Horton until next morning. when he
said: "Good morning." and l asked
him: Where is my boat?' He replied:
IL don't know; we've had an accident
down the river; my wife and little girl
are drowned: the boat upset" Miller
offered to assist in finding the bodies,
but defendant said it was unnecessary,
as the railroad men at South Park were
going to help him. If he did not fiud
the boat he would pay for it.
Mr.. Erwin crOsS-eXamined at length,
when Miller acknowledged there was
nothing unusual in the appearance of
the husband. wife or child. He placed
them in the boat. Hortun did not tell
him row the accident happened-in
fact witness did not make any inquiry
or express any surprise at the drowning
of the woman and child. The boat, he
thought. weighed about 400 pounds.
Catching of the Breath.
Frank NJ. Turner. of 499 Belvidere
street, was an excellent witness. His
evidence was given intelligently. and
his limitations of the cries heard dra-
matte in the extreme. The night of
Aug. IA he went down the river to
fish. accompanied by his son. The
point of the river where the drowning
occurred is very lonely place. 1t was
reasonably clear night. His son and
he built two fires on the wing dam be-
low Concord street station.
Mr.. Munn-Did yo1 hear any noise while
you were on the wing dam?
Il think We had been there bali an hour
perhaps a little more. Iheard the rowing of
q boat
How long did you hear that?
Probably SIX or eight, perhaps ten min
utes''
'sWas that down streamT'
''Down stream
Ibid you hear any thing elseg'
"a mans voice IN conversation. It was
heavy bass voice.
what next took placer
There was space of silence for Eve min
utes,''
what next did you hearf'
"a noise which seemed to be con7ulsiTe
catching of the preath.''
Initiate it
ho-wh-who- who Wh-wh- who"
"How longf'
"a minute and half
"How did il terminateF'
'IL terminated in a gurgle"
did you hear any cry for helpF'
mo. sir"
"AfEer the guTgling Seeased. What next did
Enu hearFi