The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-01-25

q Verdict Probable Before Morning
Immense Crowd STAY in the Court Room
An Day and Great Interest Manifested
Oratory was Not of a High Order-De
Tense Submit No Material Evidence
Only Peaceable Disposition Proven
Dale Gives Clear and Able Instructions.
At midnight the jury in the Irena
Leonard case was still out, unable TO
agree, and no one could ascertain how
they stood. A verdict is not looked
for until this morning
Mrs. Leonard waited, up in the jail,
all night and it was reported that she
felt very uneasy about the result OF the
deliberations of the men who have her
fate in their hands
Yesterday was the big day of the
I,rena Leonard murder trial.
From morning til night, except dur
ing the noon hour of recess, the court
room was so crowded that the tenn
perature of the room was raised five
degrees according TO the statement of
Engineer James Potts.
AS usuel, during this famous trial. the
ladies predominated in the court room.
Some people attribute their interest
in This case to morbid curiosity but
that is not the fact. The case was re-
ally interesting and it did no harm to
anybody, OF the interests of the case,
for 50 many ladies to be present The
fact of the matter is the presence Of so
many Of the fair sex not only served to
maintain better order in he court but
st inspired the jurors with the import-
ance of the case.
The judge certainly had no objection
TO their presence for he gave instruct
ions to the sheriff yesterday morning
10 extend all the courtesies possible TO
them and make them comfortable. The
result was that every available chair
in khe entire building was set within
the railing Of the court room and given
up, exclusively, for their benefit. Judge
Dale brought out the chairs in his pri-
waite office with his own hands and ten
dered them to ladies who came in late
The court officers are entitled to a
great deal Of credit for the excellent
order maintained, for certainly it could
not have been better. The trial was
a model one all the way through 1t was
dignffed in every respect and business
was dispa tched in the most credita BILE
manner. John Davis is a square honest
prosecutor who deals fairly with the
defendants in the cases under his
charge, and If he had less Of the spirit
Of justice he might be more famous as
proseoutor-alt least with the spectators
The fact is there IS remarkable strength
in his fairness; for every juror knows
he seeks only justice and not profess
fonal popularity. He is candid in all
his admissions and sometimes fails TO
take advantage of a technicality that
would apparently aid him. On the
whole his liberal and just policy
strengthens his efforts. He scOlds no
body and the man he prosecutes to a
finish leaves the court house, and SO
do his friends, without a single wound
on their feelings, inflicted by him.
Judge Dale watches every point in
the case, hears every word. and has
mild, yet firm, faculty of regulating a
trial, that impresses all
Amidon & Comfy handled the case for
the defense as well as any attorneys
could, considering the very uncertain,
loose and slippery ground their defense
was based on.
The jurors gave the evidence close
attention and on the whole seemed to
be a good jury.
At o'clock yesterday morning Mr..
Comfy stated the case for the defense
and was very guarded in stating what
he expected to prove. From his re-
marks the policy of the defense was to
show that Mrs LeOnard's life had al
ways been peaceable and that while
she knew of the murder she took no
part in it and hence was not an abet-
tor in the crime. His remarks also
indicated that her physical condition
was such That it would be an impossi-
numbering her husband and taking the
body away.
Z. NJ. Barnes was t71e first witness for
the defense. He said he had known
the defendant since 1860; that she was
r. sister to his wife He had known
Leonard for some time as a business
man. Could not tell how She and
Leonard got along because he was not
at home much of late. The reputation
Of the defendant was always good.
She came here about two years ago.
Her father. Thomas Tul. lives out
southeast 10y the I. O. W. school house
Mrs. Mary Barnes said she was a sis
ter of the defendant. The defendant
had been to her house. l talked TO Leo
nard just the Saturday before he was
killed. Prosecution objected TO her tell
ing what Leonard said as to how they
were getting along. She said that Mrs.
Leonard was a neat housekeeper. Her
reputation in the community for peace
fulness was good. Her Reputation for
truth and veracity is good. I know
how Marion Williamson treated his
wife.
The county attorney objected to the
answer and the witness answering rhis
quest tiun The jury was sent out and
Mr.. Amidon stated that they expected
70 prove that Williamson had abused
his wife and that she was afraid Of him
and was OVerpOweTed by him.
The jury was recalled and Mrs. Barnes
answered that Mrs. Leonard was afraid
Of Williamson. In the croSs-examina-
Tion Mrs. Barnes said that she knew
from what her sister told her that she
was afraid of Williamson. Ny sister
got a divorce from Williamson last
summer. At that time Williamson was
in the Soldiers Home. 1 do not know
how many years my sister and William
son lived together-a good many years
bur do not know how many. He would
frequently 80 off and leave her and
when he would return they would so
10 housekeeping again.
f. NJ. Barnes was recalled and said he
knew mat Mrs. Leonard was afraid Of
Williamson because she had told him
So Heard her say so when she was
getlng her divorce. Williamson was at
that tune IN the soldiers home at
Leavenworth.
Fritz Schnttzler was the next witness
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