The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-08-01
CHATTER XII
THE CoRoNEll's COUNT

Fifteen good men and true were duly
sworn at the Vestry hall in Clayfelds ON
Saturday. the eth Of October, TO inquire
into the manner in which Martha Da-
worn came by her death
The coroner's court was crowded, ow-
ing 20 the unusual interest taken in the
case by the dwellcrs in Clayfclds-a
local murder and robbery being "a cir
cumstance which brought terror home TO
every nervous householder in the sub
urbs Besides there We're the usual hying
rumors that the coroner's inquiry would
elicit some strange and exciting evi-
dence.
The list Of those subpUnaod to give
evidence in the case included Miss Rod
ney, DIR. Leclerc, Dr. Pcrcival the two
lGdgers at 13 Felspar road (Steinworth
and Vickery), Inspector Briggs and Con-
stables Metcalf and Young.
When the jury had been sworn, and
after they had viewed the body of Mrs
Davorn, the coroner Ga handsome man
ON the sunny side Of 40 with a pallid
face and dark hair plastered TO his head
with pomatum) informed the jury in
the intervals between quick succession
of yawns--hc seemed To suffer from on
nui almost unsupportable-tha DIR. Per
ciyal, who had, with the assistance Of
the house surgeon ut the Clayflelds hos
pital, made the post mortem examina-
tion Of the deceased lady, had just writ
ten to say he was unavoidably detained,
but would bc present in the course Of an
hour on two to give his evidence.
''As the evidence" continued the
coroner, with tremendous yawn which
swallowed up portion Of the sentence,
promises to be Of a somewhat lengthy
character, no doubt, DR.. Percival"-
here he dug the lmuckles Of his forefin-
gers into his tired eyes-"will be ready
60 give his evidence long before we ex-
haust the other witnesses. But witness
es, he added, "even professional gen
tlemen, should endcayor not 10 have
business which detains them unayoida-
bly, in case Of this kind
Yawning again vigorously the coroner
turned TO his notes and Constable Met
calf was called and sworn.
The jealous policeman detailed his
experiences with mcidity and with com
mehdable brevity.
As he was about 10 retire a white
headed old gentleman arose and declared
he represented one Of the witnesses in
the inquiry and wished to ask Constable
Metcalf some questions
The coroner nodded and yaWned at
the white haired solicitor.
The questions related chiefly to the
bedroom doors Would il be feasible for
a person in either Of the two apartments
ON tho first floor 10 lock himself into
his room: The constable was emphatic
ally Of opnion-hc had already offered
that opinion 10 the court--that It would
be impossible for Steinworth on Vickery
20 have locked himself in.
The foreman Of the jury expressed a
desire 20 examine a door and lock
which could not possibly ha locked from
the inside, and the coroner, with
mighty yawn, informed the foreman that
he had taken "a note Of the point and
would decide later on if it would be
well that the jury should examine the
door i'm question for themselves
Constable Young was then called. As
he took the oath the handsome coroner
seemed fascinated by the head Of tho
witness. He even forgot 20 yawn or 10
rub his eyes as he gazed az the witness
Ymmg's evidence was principally a
corrol,lration Of certain portions Of Met
calf's evidence. He also gave il as his
opinion that the doors on the first floor
could not be unlocked from the inside.
lie was about 20 offer some other opin-
ions concerning the manner in which
Viekery, with the aid Of an accomphee,
might effect his fell purpose, when he
was promptly roared at by the white
headed solicitor, and thecoroner ordered
Yorng 70 stand aside.
TO be ContinueG.)