The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-01
MR.. SELIG TESTIFIES.

Ex-Mayor A. L. Selig, of Lawrence, Testi-
fies In the HiIlmon Case.
Another long tedious day in the Hill
mon trial was closed last evening with
out any startling revelations.
Maj. Wiseman concluded his testimony
shortly after noon. He said that at for
mer trials his examination had only las
ted from an hour to an hour and half,
but that he had answered every question
put to him. He had never been in pos
session of the body claimed to be Hill
mons, and gave no orders concerning it
His only desire was TO have it taken to
Lawrence for Identification by Hillmon's
friends. He was not present when the
photographs of the body were taken. He
Identified the photographs of the body
which he had sent to Mr.. Walters at Fit
Madison, to find whether the body re-
sem bled his missing son. He testified
about letter received from Fit Madison,
lnquiring about a lost son, who had, the
letter said, gone west from Wichita with
man named Hillmon.
Maj. Wiseman said that when the BODY
was taken up at Medicine Lodge, he and
Aiva Baldwin were standing near the
foot of the coffin, and when the face was
uncovered, Alva Baldwin made startled
exclamation. saying: "That han't Hill
mon" The witness said, "What?" and
Alva Baldwin answered, THAT is not the
body of John w. Hillmon."
Elk Mayor A l. Selig, of Lawrence,
was the next witness called He was in
the life insurance business in 1878 and
1879 and Hillmon came to his Office
October 81, 1878, and applied for life in
surance He made an application for
$4,000 in the New York Life and 5000
in the Travellers Accident of Hartford.
The latter policy was given to Hiilmon.
and he objected to several clauses, and
asked leave to consult his attorney, when
he returned the policy.
Hillmon afterward applied for $4,000
more in the New York Life, and $4,000
in the Connecticut Mutual and the wit
ness asked him if he intended to carry
$4,000 life insurance. and he replied
that he did He did not measure Hill
mon. When Hillmon applied for the
additional insurance he was accompanied
by Levi Baldwin. In all the policies
taken out by Hillmon, Mrs. Sallie E.
Hillmon was made the beneficiary.
After the reported death of Hilimon,
| Mr.. Selig had talked with Mrs HIlmon,
and she told him that she preferred not
to see the body but to remember her
husband as she last saw him. He did
not tell her she ought not to look at the
body, neither did he advise her not to
bring the body back TO Lawrence. but
advised her that it should be done.
Levi Baldwin had asked the witness
if he thought he had better take legal
advice about the identity of the body,
and he had told him he did and referred
him to Mr.. Borglethans. Witness SAID
he knew c. w. Smith the undertaken,
and that on April 2, 1879, Mr.. Smith
showed him the following dispatch:
HUTCHINSON. April 2, 1879.
Reed 900 p. NJ. April 2, 1918.
BAILEY & SMITH, Lawrence. Kas.:
See Mrs. SalIie w. Hillmon. Have lot
secured and grave dug Immediately. Be
in six a. N, A. 7. s. s. F.
LEVI BALDWIN.
Mr.. Selig said he as in Mr.. Grifith's
| Office when Mrs HiIlmon came there and
was asked to give a description of her
husband, but in reply to ali the ques-
tions said she did not know. He saw the
body photographed and identified the
| photographs taken at the time. He said
he did not recognize the body brought to
| T,awranca ga that Of Hillm0u