The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-08
READY FOR THE JURY.
The Evidence in the Novels Case is
Ended.
ARGUMENTS OF LAWYERS BEGIN

Once Before and Ono Time Tor
Burglary.
The defense in Frank Novels murder
trial has 'rested," and today has been
consumed by evidence in rebuttal by
both sides to disprove what the other has
said.
This morning at II o'clock, at the re-
quest of County Attorney Stafford, the
jury went in body to the Matson house,
in charge of Bailif John Coyne. They
were cautioned to ask no questions and
to talk to no one, or even among them
selves, about what they saw there
This afternoon, after the defense has
introduced what little rebuttal evidence
it hast will not be much-the lawyers
will make their arguments to the jury.
This will take until past the supper
hour. The jury will probably be locked
up over Sunday unless they can agree
tonight.
Novels on the Stand.
Frank Novels occupied the witness
stand all of yesterday afternoon IN his
own behalf. He began his testimony
shortly after 2 o'clock, and the court
room clock indicated 5:3S when the
lawyers were through with him.
From a court standpoint Novels made
a good witness He was positive IN his
manner of speaking and he skilfully
avoided most of the legal traps set for
him.
If Novels is guilty and is the scoun-
drel that he is painted to be, be is
smooth one. His fair education, good
command of language, and quick brain
were evidenced in many of his responses.
Novels on the stand acted much the
same as he has throughout the trial He
has been composed, and aside from
worried look sometimes, the expression
of his face has been sphinx-like and
stolid. At no time during the trial has
he smiled, nor has he display
ed the slightest emotion His
feelings, if he. has any, have
been concealed by control over his face
that is remarkable.
There was an immense crowd in at
tendance People swarmed IN every
corner of the court room. A few of the
holder ones even climbed up and leaned
against Judge Hazen's desk and stood on
! the steps to the desk, and threatened to
crowd Judge Hazen of the "bench."
BaiIiff John Coyne bristled with import
ance and had all he could do to keep
order when he wasn't serving ice-water
! just fresh from the court house hydrant
to the thirsty jurors and lawyers
Novels testimony was about what was
expected of him, in most respects. He
claims to have left Topeka for Winfield
on the night of December IL, day be-
fore the murder was committed. Re-
| garding his two confessions he admits
making them, or most of them, but says
he was prosecuted into it. He says now
that all he said in his confession was false
in toto. The state, however, proved sew
| fhi1na undesirable from his Ovz0
testimony. He admits that he has been
arrested and tried before on the charge
| of murder, but escaped conviction.
He also admits that he was arrested
for burglary, but escaped by turning
states evidence and convicting some one
else. He also admitted that when he left
Topeka on the night about the time the
murder was committed, not u soul in
Topeka, not even his wife, knew where
he had gone. He told them he was going
to Texas, when in reality he was going
to Winfield.
Frank Novels early testimony was
given in yesterdays issue. After de-
scribing his visit to Winfield. the interro-
cation continued:
Q-When you returned to Topeka
from Winfield, where did you first go?
A-To the house of Walter Hayden on
Quincy street.
|
Al went home.
Q-Before leaving Topeka did you
know anything of the murder of Mrs.
Matson?
A-No.
Odd you kill Mrs. Matson?
A-No.
Q-Did you help to kill herr
A-No.
Q-Were you in any conspiracy to kill
her?
A-No.
Q-Do you know anything about it
more than you have read in the papers
and have learned in this court room?
A-No.
Q-What did you do when you got
home?
Al was worn out, and I went to bed
and slept till past 10 o'clock.
Q-When you came home from Win
field did you pay your fare?
A-No; l haven't paid any fare on a
railroad for four years.
Witness then recounted the facts of
his arrest and incarceration in Jail. He
was four or five days in cell.
Q-Where did they put you next?
AIN what they call the sweat box.
GLOW long were you in the sweat
box?
A-From December 26 till January "a.
Q-1Ou were visited there were you
not by Sheriff Burdge and Mr.. Wuker-
son?
NA-Yes Often.
Q-How often?
A-Nearly every day or two.
Q-What was the object of their visits?
A-To get me to talk about the murder
Q-Did MIR. Burdge tell you not to
talk to the police; that they were Pops
and would soon be out. and couldn't Dc
you any good; and that he had influence
with the prosecuting attorney, while