The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-15
DOCTORS TESTIFY.
They Describe the Body Brought to Law
rence-The Contested Letters.

They Describe the Body Brought to Law
rence-The Contested Letters.
Judge Thomas at the morning session
in the HilImon trial decided to admit the
letters spoken of yesterday and about
which there was d contention among the
attorneys.
The letters were brought out during
the examination of E. A. Bittle, who now
lives in Kansas City. They were as fol-
lows:
LAWRENCE, Kan, Dec. 10th, 1894
E. A. Bittle, Esq, MarysvIle, Kansas:
DEAR SIR:-My friend and former
student, Mr.. James B. VanVliet, of
Frankfort, informs me that you were
well acquainted with one John w.
Hillmon, who is reported to have been
killed near Medicine Lodge in the spring
of 1879, and which fact is being contest
ed by the insurance companies with
which he carried a large insurance
am one of the attorneys for the compan-
les. l am thoroughly convinced that a
fraud, based on murder is being attempt
ed on the companies.
Will you kindly inform me what you
know IN regard to Hillmon while at
Wichita Aud further will you give me
description of Hillmon. Any marks of
Identification, such as defective teeth,
scars, etc. He is said to have had de-
fective teeth, and to have had a scar on
the right hand, beginning on the ball of
the thumb, extending around between
the thumb and the forefinger on to the
back of his hand, towards wrist, caused
by the explosion of a cartridge.
Did you notice such scar, or did you
hear him speak in regard to it. The
body which was brought here as the
body of Hillmon had perfect set of
teeth, and had no scars or identifying
marks.
By answering fully, you will greatly
oblige, Very truly yours,
(Signed) j. W. GREEN
The answer was as follows:
KANSAS CITY, Mo, Dec. IS, 1894.
j. W. Green, Lawrence, KaS.:
DEAR SIR-Yours of the 10th forward
ed to me here, where l can be found at
any time you wish to see me. Knew
John w. Hillmon mot Hilmon) and his
partner Brown. Met them during the
winter of 1878 and 70 at Globe house
Wichita, Kas., which was my home at
that time.
Would know him now among thou
sand; have always thought the circum-
stances attending their stay here in
Wichita ought to convince any intelli-
gent jury that it was put up job to get
the insurance money. Hillmon was a
man l could never forget and can see
him in my minds eye today. Yours re-
spectfully,
[Signedl E. A. BITTEI-
The deposition of DR.. Miller was ais o
admitted. His testimony was that in
1878 and 1879 he resided and practiced
medicine in Lawrence: that he first met
Hillmon in the early part OF December
1878, when the latter came to be exam
iued for $4,000 life insurance in the
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance COM
pany of New York city. HillmOn then
stated to him that his height was feet
II inches, which has been inserted in
the medical blank and subsequently, on
the 18th day of December of the same
year Hillmon came to witness office and
stated that he had made a mistake in his
height; that he found on measuring that
he was but . feet inches, and not feet
II inches, and asked the doctor
to make the necessary change
or correction and that he
witness, made the following memoran-
dunn in his ledger, which ledger was ex-
hibited to the jury over the obj ections OF
counsel for plaintiff, and by the jury
read: Dec. II, 1878.-John W. Hillmon
colled on me and reported a slight mis-
take in his height. Hill mon is 5 feet
| inches. instead of 5 feet II inches as
stated in his application in the Mutual
| Lie ms. 70 Oh IN. L.
The witness testified that he assisted
! in the pOSt-mortem examination of the
| body brought to Lawrence. The vaccine
sores were not over fifteen days old, the
body was five feet eleven inches in
/ length and the clothes were too small
He made a microscopic examination Of
the hands of the body and failed to fad
any scars.
DR.. Morse of Lawrence. was the mex
witness. He was present with Drs. Stuar
and Miller and Fuller in the office of DR.
! Stuart when an examination was made
of the vaccine sores taken from the arm
of the body, and which were then in the
| office of DR.. Stuart He said the vaccine
sores were not over fifteen days old.
DR.. Mortam of Lawrence, testified
along the same line and in substance
what was testified to by the other physi
Clans