The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-09-19

The prisCsacr aUds taken back to the Tonabs
Mrs. Alice Raven, called later in the
trial by the defense in rebuttal, testified
that Harry Trent had confdentially in
formed her that it was his design to win
the hand of his ward, Olympia Raven,
daughter of the witness, but that at his
request witness had kept her daughter
in ignorance of this plan. Cross-eXam-
ined, she said that Mr.. Trent had for
several years past been paying her an an
nual sum of eight thousand dollars, and
that he had told her that when his new
house was finished he would propose to
Olympia, and in case she accepted him
would take them both there to live with
him. In e-direct examination witness
said that Mr.. Trent had not stated what
disposition of his property or hospitality
he would make in case Olympia refused
him. Olympia herself, called by the
prosecution, testified that she had never
received any intimation that her guard
ian intended to marry her, and that in
any case she would never have married
him, though she loved him in another
way very dearly. The latter part of this
testimony WA, objected to.
Randall Morris, head clerk of Mr..
Trent, testified that he dined at the club
with Mr.. Trent on the evening of the
murder. Ti.ey had discussed an i'm
portant matt er of business, relating to
a valuable consignment of jewels that
was expected from a foreign correspond
ent. He added that no news of this con-
signment had since then been heard of;
but that, as the foreign correspondent
was in Paris, it was thought that the
hostilities now existing between France
and Germany had caused the plan Of
sending the jewels to be abandoned.
Mr.. Trent, after dinner, had left the
club, saying that he thought of going
up town. He was then looking well and
cheerful.
John Simpson, an ex-soldier, testified
Mr.. Trent, and had latterly been serving,
in conjunction with his wife, as care
taker of the new house. Mr.. Trent had
frequently come to the house alone, but
never to spend the night until February
twenty-five. He had come in that night
about nine o'clock, and gone up to the
library. He was alone, and seemed not
to expect callers.
We will for a moment interrupt Mr..
Simpsons testimony at this point to give
that of Peter Ferguson, porter of the
Federal club, to the effect that, at about
ten O'Clock on the night of February
twenty-five, a gentleman giving his
name as Keppel Darke had called at the
club to ask for Mr.. Harry Trent. Fer
guson had told him that he was not in,
but, being further questioned by Mr..
Darke, had said that, for all he knew,
Mr.. Trent might have gone up town to
look at his new house. Mr.. Darke had
thereupon taken his departure. Fergu-
son had noticed that he carried some
thing wrapped up in paper in his hand.
To return to Mr.. Simpson. He said
that at about half-past ten o'clock he
had heard ring at the door of the new |
house, and on opening the door had seen
the prisoner, Keppel Darke, who asked
to see Mr.. Trent ON important business.
He had in his hand long paper bundle.
Witness admitted him, and he went up
stairs. How long he remained witness
did not know, as he had not heard him
60 out. Witness then described how he
had found Mr.. Trent dead On the floor
of his study the next morning with a
dagger in his back. Witness had admit
ted no one but Darke into the house that
night.
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