The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-07
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.

THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
Starr Dare Tells OF the Finding of
the Clothes In the Belfry
| Rafters.
| Witness Smith was still in contempt OF
court when the afternoon session con-
vened, which was not exactly on the hour,
because of the absence of two jurors.
They made their appearance in a few min
utes, however, and then Policeman e. j.
| Coleman was called to the stand.
In company with Sergeant Reynolds he
was on duty at Emmanuel Baptist Church
| on April 16. His testimony was devoted
to the finding of the knobs of the door
! leading to the belfry and the condition of
the door when the examination was made.
The knobs were offered in evidence, and
| together with the paper in which they had
been wrapped were marked Peoples Ex-
| hibit G..
Barnes-Where did you find these knobs
Coleman-In an opening under the floor to
| the left OF the door as you enter by and near
| the southeast corner of the north belfry
| found one doorknob Then / looked further
about four feet and found the other one.
Barnes-Where did you stand while making
the search
Coleman-Behind the door on the inside of
the belfry
General Dickinson objected to the adj
mission of the knobs in evidence on the
identification given of them by the wit
ness, and proceeded to interrogate the
witness in support of his objection.
Dickinson-What did you do with the knobs?
Coleman-I turned them over to Sergeant
Reynolds a few minutes after l discovered
them.
Dickinson-Prior to turning them over did
you make any mark on the paper in which
you wrapped them.
Coleman-Not then.
Dickinson-Did you put any marks on the
locks
Coleman-No, sir.
Dickinson-The knobs were not exposed to
Sergeant Reynolds view when they were
turned over to him?
Coleman-Yes, in the way picked them up.
He was right by my side. wrapped them up
myself.
Dickinson-How did you know they were
the same knobs that belonged to the door.
Coleman-Because was particular and tried
them on where they were broken off.
Dickinson-Was there anything peculiar
about those knobs7
Coleman-No, except that they seemed to fit
this door, and that they were broken off.
Dickinson-Was there anything peculiar in
the breaking of those knobs that attracted
your attention?
Communicating, more than say that
they are broken apart.
General Dickinson renewed his objection
to the admission of the knobs in evidence
and the court overruled him. Mr.. Barnes
resumed the direct examination of the wit
| ness. The knobs and the paper and the
hand writing on the paper and the string
that was picked up on the floor of Emman-
uel Baptist Church and used to secure the
packages were identified satisfactorily by
the witness.
Mr. Barnes proceeded to question Cole
man as to his action in fitting the broken
off knobs to the door that led to the belfry.
The knobs were specifically designated.
The one retaining the shank which passes
through the lock was marked I'll, the
other GO.
Barnes-What did you do with reference to
the door and knobs.
Coeman-I put this one (G1) through the
lock and saw that it fitted.
Barnes-Look at the broken part OF that knob
(G2) and tell me if that is a new break or an
old one.
Dickinson-We object.
The court-He hasn't shown that he Is DOS
| sessed of q knowledge of that branch of it.
Barnes-The defense may cross-examine.
In the cross-examination two photo
graphs of the belfry door, and which had
been previously submitted as defendants
exhibits II and II, were used for the pur-
pose of showing that the witness observa-
ton of the door did not agree in every de-
the photographer had represented it.
Dickinson-l present you with two photo
graphs-one showing the door closed and the
other showing the door open. Which one of
these knobs was on the outside of the door
when it was closed and which one was on the
inside?
Coleman-The way put them in-I put
Dickinson-Wait moment. That is not an
swering my question.
The court-Do you claim that these photo
graphs show the knobs?
Dickinson-No; they show the place for the
knobs.
The COURT should think he should testify
as to how he did fit them. do not see any other
intelligent answer he can give The question it
seems tends to confuse the witness. He should
have an opportunity to show how he fitted
them in, ana you may show how they might
be fitted, but you should not ask him how they
belonged in the door.
of the court that the question tends to confuse
the witness.
The court-You can have your exception. If
the witness can answer the question be may.
Coleman-I cannot.
Dickinson-Ihat is all.
Barnes-Whch of these knobs did you fit on
the inside?
Colemen-The long one C y. put the other
on the outside, but they did not meet on ac-
count OF the lock being sprurg and kept the
shank of the knob tG u from coming through.
General Dickinson further cross-exam-
ined the witness and wanted to know if he
was q IOCKSInlun OF IldQ Ddu any experience
in building locks. Coleman diSclaimed
any such experience and stated that the
lock was considerably sprung and be did
not make an effort to force the shank
through the lock. He then proceeded.
Dickinson-Did you observe while making
this examination anything with regard to the
jamb of the door, the right hand jamb or cas-
ing, near or about or immediately below where
the lock had been or was?
Coleman-Yes, sir; there was mark on it.
Dickinson-Was it visible when the door was
shut2
Coleman-Yes.
Dickinson-Did you make an examination as
to those marks, their nature, how they had
been placed there?
Coleman-Yes; they looked as though they
had been done with chisel or jimmy.
Dickinson-Did you observe number of in
donations or marks on that casing?
Coleman-No; | did not.
Dickinson-Can you tell from an examine
ton OF that photograph, aided by your recol-
lection, the number of marks on that easement,
showing that they had been made by any in
strument?
Coleman-Yes; there are two as shown by
fha nh fopraDh Int do not recOllect at that