St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-26
PROVING A MOTIVE
Ominous Clouds Gather Abou
the Devoted Head Of w. F.
Horton.
Suspicious Evidence Adducet
at the Continuance Of the
Inquest.
County Attorney Egan Make,
an Astounding Speech to
the Jury,
Declaring Horton, With a Liv.
ing Wife, Was Betrothed
to a Lady.

The clouds of suspicion are darkenine
around Walter F. Horton, who is under
arrest accused OF causing the death OF
his wife and little daughter. Last night
Coroner Quinn resumed the adjourned
inquest on the body of Mrs. Horton at
O'Halloran q Murphy's undertaking
establishment. Judge Egan appeared
on behalf of the state. and w. w. Err
win represented the interests of the ac-
cused husband. The first witness
called was Jack s. Callan, who testified
that he met Horton on the river
bank on the night of the drowning.
He was barefooted, but had on dry
coat, which he said some one had given
him. He asked Horton why he had his
shoes off. and he answered that he had
a bunion on one foot, and he took his
shoes off. Callan testified as to the
story that Horton told as to the acci-
dent, which has been published in th(
GLOBE.
August Radi, "Six-fngered Jack"
was then put upon the stand, and At
torney Erwin attempted to show that
the witness had not stated the truth as
to the depth of the water at the scene
of the drowning. Judge Egan objected
that the line pursued by Erwin was not
cross-examination, but that Radi could
be called as a witness for Horton later
on. The objection was allowed.
Patrick Moriarity, of 800 South Robert
street, testified that he was at his
fathers slaughter house OH the night OF
the drowning. 1t is situated one block
fI0m the spot on the river where the
tragedy occurred. He said that ha
heard some one halloing. He answered,
but got no rep y. He went up to the
top OF the hog schute and called out If
ceived no answer. He then went. back
to the house. Soon after he
heard the calling again, and then
some one asked if he had boat aud
lantern. He called out, What do you
want it for" but received no answer. Hs
then,Saw two men rowing rapidly down
the river, whom he since recognized az
Horton and Radi. He and another man
then carried their boat down to the
river and roWed after the other boat,
but they could not overtake them, as
the water was low and they had to pole
the boat along.
Miss Louise Kees, of 344 East Thir-
teenth street, was the next witness
called. She said that Horton boarded
at her house. She had known him since
June 10, when he rented room. He
lived there until the Monday before the
drowning, when he left. telling them
he was going to the lake for week,
but wished to retain his room, and paid
the rent for the week. He
went away, taking a hand satchel
with him. He came back on
Wednesday for a change of clothing.
On the Friday morning at 6 he turned
up at the house and said he had had bad
luck, as his wife and daughter had been
drowned on the previous night. Miss
Kees said she did not know Horton was
married, and that he could have had
rooms at her house for his wife and
child if he had so desired.
George A. Kees. brother of the last
witness, said that he saw Horton on the
Friday morning after the drowning. He
came into the house at 6 o'clock and
went up stairs and changed his clothes,
and then told him the story of the
drowning of his wife and child. He
asked his sister if she knew that Horton
was married, aud she said no. IBID
you know that Horton had another room
on the same street," asked Judge
Egan.
mo" answered the witness.
George Fling, a fur-dealer, gave evil
dence that he found the boat used by
Horton-at 6:45 OH the Friday morning
when he was going to work He found
it about 200 feet from the dixie, near the
ferry landing. on a sandbar. 1t was
bottom up and he turned it over. The
bow was pointed down stream. He
found the oars in the boat fast in the
rowIocks, with the blades toward the
stern. They were not under the seat.
Otto Fling acted as interpreter for the
last witness.
A most dramatic scene then took
place, which had a visible effect upon
all present. Judge Egan got up from
his chair. and in most impressive tones
addressed the coroner and jury. He
said: I'VE have strong evidence to
prove that Horton was engaged to be
married to a most estimable young lady,
and occupied room in the same house
in which she lived. This was not at the
house of Mrs. KEGS. We propose
to show motive for this crime
for which Horton is under arrest,
and we have letters showing a strong
between the. parties. We
have sent to Duluth for witnesses, and
are trying to find the young lady, and
we will produce her before this jury.
~ Al. \ n 81 r.. 4