The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-24
HE DID NOT KISS HER
So Says Warden Chase Speaking of
Miss Williams.
ALL THE STORIES ARE DENIED
The Warden Himself on the Witness
Stand-AIso Governor Morrill,.

The Warden Himself on the Witness
Stand-AIso Governor Morrill,
Governor Morrill, was the first witness
examined at the Chase investigation at
Representative hall last night on the
side of the defense.
Only those Immediately interested
were present The committee sat at
what was, during the session of the leg
islature, the press table and other tables
had been placed to form three sides of a
square with it. In the center was the
chair for the witness. The attor-
neys for the state, Messrs. Goddard and
Ben Henderson, occupied the table at the
left of the committee and ]. q. Waters,
attorney for Mr.. Chase, occupied an end
of the ia bic at the right
Senator Parker is the chairman of the
committee, and sat in the middle of the
room.
Mr. Chase was entirely passive, and sat
By Mr.. Waters taking notes during the
examination of Governor Morrill, and of
Senator McTaggart, who were heard be-
fore him.
The witness sat in the center of the
uncompIeted square.
Alr. MorriIPs testimony was largely
in regard to the bringing of the charges
which he said were handed to him soon
after his inauguration but which he re-
ferred to the house of representatives as
the legislature was in session at the time.
Did you ever have in your possession
any discriminating letters regarding
Warden chaser" asked Mr.. Waters.
81 do not remember that l ever had"
said Governor Morrill,.
Did you not tell me that you had
such letters given you by Miss Abbie
Mathews?"
Il do not remember that ever did,"
replied the governor.
ibid you ever have an interview with
Miss Mathews regarding the Chase
case?"
"If ever had did not know it?"
When Warden Chase was called he
waited a moment until he had finished
some notes he was making. He was per
fectly at ease and throughout his entire
testimony retained an unlighted cigar
between his lips. He had a general air
of business" about him and his manner
was entirely free from hesitation. His
story was told clearly and minutely and
he denied all that had ever been said
against him.
He admitted that he had been born
and raised in Indiana, and was 81 years
of age
Only once did he lose his temper. Mr..
Chase and Ben Henderson one of the at
torneys are not good friends. During
Mr. Waters examination once Mr.. Hen
derson saw fit to ask good many ques-
tons of Mr.. Chase.
Il would say to the committee" said
Mr. Chase, shat if the counsel for the
state desires to get anything out Of me
Mr. Goddard had better ask the ques-
tons l believe he is gentleman"
hor
it is not covered by whiskers
81 don't think anything that has been
said should call out such a remark as
that" said Mr. Goddard.
"Let him go ahead" said Mr.. Hender-
son, she can't rattle me by that kind of
talk"
Mr. Chase proceeded with his story
much in his own way:
Tell the committee" said Mr.. Waters,
sswhen and where you first met Miss Lou
Williams"
81 first met Miss Williams at the Dut-
ton house, where l have always stopped
when in Topeka She was a waitress
there My acquaintance with her was
Just the same as with all the other table
girls at the hotel"
Were you ever intimate with herr"
Il never was"
ssTen the mmittee how she came to
DS appointed a5SlSLduE A00LLOu-
'tAt the table one day soon after my
appointment she came to me and said
she wanted to leave the Dutton. and
asked if I would not appoint her assistant
matron. told her 1 could not give her an
answer. One day after that she came to
me again and asked me to meet her in
the parlor after dinner, and l did SO and
told her did not know about appointing
her as Mira Van Tilburg had said she
would hold the position till July. Mrs
Van Tilburg. however. left early in May.
told Miss Williams if she wanted the
place to present me a petition recon-
mending her appointment and if it was
good enough I would appoint her. She
did as told her and | wrote her to come
on to relieve Mrs. Van Tilburg- I think
the petition was sent from Meriden-"
"Were you ever on termsof intimacy
with Miss Williams7"
"No"