The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-16
OSBON TESTIFIES.
The Accused in the Murder Trial
on the Stand.
He Proves to be a Quick and
Ready Witness.
HEDOESN'T REMEM Der
Says the Time Of the Shooting
is a Blank.
HEDOESN'T REMEM Der
Defense Attempts to Prove
Temporary Derangement.

appearances he is perfectly sane, but he
is very nervous, excitable man. His
attorneys do not claim that he is now in
sane, but that at the time of the murder
he was temporarily deranged. This is
the whole body of the defense. It is
admitted that the defendant murdered
Chas Handle, and also the evidence as
produced to prove that Chas. Handle had
ruined her, but the defense simply says:
"He was insane"
The trial has very peculiar signih-
canoe say the lawyers. and will probably
set precedent for future cases of a
similar character. Clinton G. Osbon
the defendant, was put upon the
stand yesterday afternoon and told
his version of the events
leading up to the killing and following it.
There was a general stretching of necks
to see the murderer and 500 eyes were
staring at him. That was enough to
make a man nervous under ordinary cir
cumstances. Considering the tremendous
strain under which he has been laboring,
he acted very we'll.
His answers were like a we'll informed
man with a great secret to tell. Often
the attorneys had to ask him to speak
louder, but when he was being cross
examined. he talked loudly for he be-
came very much excited.
He said in brief that he was harness
maker and was 48 years of age. That
at one time he had talked with
Charles Handle. in regard to securing
for his daughter the position of official
stenographer of jackson county. Wit
ness then took a large chew of tobacco
and proceeded. He and his wife had
conversed with DR.. German about their
daughters delicate condition.
In speaking of a conversation he
heard between his wife and John Ken
oyer, he said: "John Kenoyer knows a
whole lot about this murder. t'Kenoyer
said he thought they (Hambles) had
treated her mean," said the defendant.
CAT that time did your daughter have
any improper relations with Chas. Ha m
ble?" asked the counsel.
81 feared it., but l hoped it was not
So" replied Osbon, his face jerking into
many coutortions.
He seemed to lose control of himself
for the time being but soon recovered
his usual composure.
He had heard Estelle and Kenoyer
talking together. Estelle said: "You
Kenoyer said. "Yes, know they
haven't"
Then Osbon proceeded with his state
ment as follows.
"On Thursday morning (the day of the
murder) my wife came out to the wood
pile where l was working and told me
that she had learned the worst She said:
Clint, Charlie Handle has betrayed
Estelle and they lived almost as man and
wife for long time When l met Chas.
Handle in the road that morning he
turned pale and then I knew that Estelle
had told the truth"
Tho vuitn0aa said this at the ton 0f hia
voice and waived his arms in the air.
In speaking of his actions on the after
noon of the murder, he said: after
killed the dog l went over to the grave
yard intending to water some shrubbery
that my wife had planted on my sons
grave l couldn't get the pump to work
so l got up and sat on a fence. | have
no recollection of leaving the fence. The
next [ remember was when I saw Charlie
Handle standing in the road in front of
me-"
What were your thoughts when you
saw Charles Hamble?" asked Mr. Waters.
The witness again became excited and
replied in a strained, high pitched voice:
"When I saw Charlie Handle in the
road, I thought, there's the
- that ruined my daughter"
When he said this Estelle and her
mother broke down and wept 1t was
the first time Mrs. Osbon gave up to her
emotions. Both she and her daughter
took some tonic.
ME- Waters asked: "Did you shoot
Charles Ham ble?"
81 don't know from my own personal
knowledge" replied the murderer.
"When l started down town 1 realized
that had killed Charlie. l went down
town and gave myself up"
"You believed implicitly in what your
| daughter had told you" asked Mr.. Bur-
| ton.
II did, and I do yet" said the witness
with force.
When Mr.. Waters asked witness if he
had ever been arrested for perjury in
Missouri, he admitted that such was the
case The case was dismissed, however.
"Did you ever bootleg liquor there in
Holton?" asked Mr.. Waters.
81 have sold liquor in the town of
Holton," replied Osbon. Hold on
thereI" cried Mr. Burton, but it was too
| late.
s'Did you carry on this traffic for the
accommodation of your friends, or for a
| LIVELIHOOD"
ssBoth"
Osbon had asked friend at the har-
ness shop to accompany him to meet
a man and see that he got fair play. In
answer to a question as to whom he
wanted to see, he said: 81 was going to
see Charlie Handle that night and set
| tie up that trouble"
ibid you ever shoot a man, or at a
man in HoIton?"
81 did, but it didn't hit him"
s'Was it your brother-in Iaw?"
"No, sir; it was man by the name OF
Hubbell." The shooting occurred %
years ago.
"Did you ever have any dealings with
| John Hamble?"
Witness turned and pointing his finger
at John HANDLE, said in a serious man
ner: 'That man sitting there back Of
you has told me my daughter was G