The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-27
BUCHAN ON THE STAND.
He Testifes for the Defense in the Hill
mon Trial.

He Testifies for the Defense in the Hill
mon Trial.
Ex-State Senator w. J. Buehan took
the stand in the Hillmon trial yesterday
for the defense. There was a great deal
of contention among the attorneys as to
what he should be allowed to testify. and
the whole day was taken up without the
witness completing his testimony.
Mr.. Buchan testified that he was well
acquainted with John IL Brown, Reuben
Brown. and their father. Robert Brown
The latter lived on a farm about a mile
and half from Kansas City, Kan, and
lived there since 1861. Subsequently
Reuben Brown moved to Parkville, Mo,
John H Brown, however, living with his
father until 1878 part of which time he
was away from home. Mr.. Buchan testi-
fed that he was acquainted with Mrs
Hillmon and that he first met her when
she came to his Office in Wyandotts in
June, 1879. She came alone on this &C.
casion, and the object of her visit was to
find out the whereabouts of John a. Brown
saying that she had been to his father,
who told her that he (witness) might be
able to tell, but that witness told her that
he did not know, but would wire to
Reuben Brown, his brother, and ascer-
tain. which was accordingly done.
MIR. Buchan testified that he went to
Lexington, Mo, with Reuben Brown
about May, 1879, and that they there met
John II. Brown. and that he remained
from 1880 a. N. until $3.50 o N. the same
day, and that witness and Reuben Brown
then returned to Wyandotte A day or
two afterwards Robert Brown, Johns
father, came TO witnesses office at Wyan-
dotte. and they both went to Lawrence,
where they stayed for six hours, and
then returned to Wyandotte The next
time witness saw John Ii. Brown was in
the latter part of July or August, 1879.
at ParkvilIe, Mo. There was some one
with him at that time, and witness next
saw John Il. Brown in September, 1879,
about two miles from Parkville, at his
brother Reuben's; that Reuben and his
wife were present The witness, with
man named Ward, returned to Parkviile,
and from there they returned to Wyan-
dotte. Mr.. Buchan further stated that
the next time he saw John II. Brown
was at his Office in Wyandotte, on or
about the 10th or 18th of September,
1879. Brown came on horseback.
Mr.. Buchan saw Mrs Hillmon at
Leavenworth, Kan, at the Planters
hotel, on the 18th of September, 1879.
Witness was next examined in regard to
his being retained as attorney for John
II. Brown, and stated that in the latter
part of April Robert Brown. John Ell.
Browns father, came to witness office
at Wyandotte and told witness that John
II. Brown had gotten into lot of trouble
at Lawrence and retained witness to pro-
tect his son, John H. from being ar
rested for being concerned with the kill
ing of a man and for conspiracy against
the insurance companies.
Witness further testified that he was
present at the trial of this case in 1882;
that he heard John H. Brown testify for
the plaintiff there, and that he testified
regarding everything touching upon his
| relations with witness as his attorney;
that he especially referred to the trans
actions which took place at Parkville
and Lexington, Mo-, and at Leavenworth
| and Wyandotte, Kas.; that Brown came
from Arkansas to testify at such trial.
Witness further testified that an agree
ment was entered into between him and
John II. Brown, for the witness to get
| his fees from the insurance companies,
instead of from John Fl. Brown, and
that he (witness) was paid by the insur-
| ance companies some 5000, which Gov
cred his fees and travelling expenses and
that no other sum was pnid him,
and that none of the Browns paid
him any fee whatever, for his services in
protecting John II. Brown from being
arrested.
Mr.. Buchan then left the stand for the
time being, and the court excused the
| jury until this morning at 10 a. M, and
arguments were commenced between
the attorneys as to the admissibility OF
Mr. Buchan's testimony, which was not
| completed when court adjourned