Omaha daily bee., 1896-04-28

Sensational Case Finally Opened nt
pcs NOincs.


DES MONIES, April 27.-(Special Tele.
gram.)-The trial of Samuel r. Dawson, fol
| the murder o: Walter Scott, his s1n-. .n-law
was begun in the district court this after.
noon, and before adjournment in the evening
a jury had been secured. The chief difficulty
was in getting people who had not formed
opinions from reading the newspapers and
| who we're willing to accept insanity as de-
fense. The state admitted that t would
make a defense on the ground of insanity
and examined all the jurors closely on this
p2int.
About fcrty were examined during the day
Daw"on appeared in court looking well and
strong. He is about 60 years old and for
weeks pretended ho was very sick He
seemed cheerful and willing to talk con-
versing in the court room w.th various &C
quaintances during the day. Across the table
from him sat his 19-year-cld daughter Clara
Dawscn-Scott, for the murder of whose hus-
band an hour after she had married him
last Christmas eve Dawson is being tried.
She sat with her mother-in-aw and father
in-law; the ladies were deeply veled and
the girl watched her father and mother, who
sat together all through the proceedings.
The jury is as follows:
John Frederick, F. Moffitt, Norman Gra-
ham, Nicholas McClenahan, Davis d. Boots
CALVIN Harrah, A. w. Davis, G. A. Pease,
Wesly Spain, Isaac w. Eaton, Mark r. How
ard and Otto Il. Brcwnlee. Most of them
are farmers. Taking of testimony will begin
tomorrow, and it is expected the case will
last about a week Dawson claims to have
no remembrance Of events from a date sew
eral days before the murder, till three weeks
after il.
Iowa Odd Fellows Celebrate Today.
WEBSTER CITY, Ia, April 81.
Especial Telegram)-An arrangements
are completed in this city for
the celebration Of the seventy
seventh anniversary of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, which occurs here
tomorrow. Visiting delegations will be
present from d ws, Mason City, Williams,
Fort Dodge Humboldt, Belmond, Gait Eagle
Grove, Story City, Jewell Junction end other
points, The forenoon will be taken up with
the reception Of the visiting Odd Fellows and
at l o'clock all the city, visiting cantons en-
campments, subordinate lodges and Re
bekahs, led by the Webster City cornet band,
and followed by visiting bands, will form
in procession and march to the court house.
where an interesting program will be carried
out. The address of welcome will be de-
livered by ID. C. Chase Of Webster City. ID.
F. Coyle of Humboldt responding. The prin-
cipal speaker of the day will be j. S. Funk
Of Iowa Falls.
Jail Delivery Narrowly Avoided.
JEFFERSON, Ia, April 27,-(Special)-
FRANK hlnB. notorious tnlet ana burglar,
held at Rockwell CITY for robbing a store
at Jolley came very nearly getting away, and
only the timely arrival of the sherif pre-
vented his regaining his liberty. 1t appears
that King is quite familiar with the use OF
a file and of making keys In some way he
came into possession OF small file and
piece OF clock spring, King had made the
key, but II did not exactly fit and had
stuck in the lock. While he was endeavor-
ing to get il out the jailer arrived on the
scene and the Jig was up. The following day
the fellow was sentenced to two years in
the penitentiary, and there will be put out
Of reach ot his favorite tools.
state Librarian Appoints Assistants.
DES MONIES, Ia. April 27.-(Special
Telegram.)-Mrs. S. J. Cope, the new state
librarian, today announced her appointments
OF assistants. II had been announced some
time ago that there would be no changes,
except in the librarian. and the reorsaniza-
tion Of the force caused great surprise.
The appointments are: First assistant
Joseph Orwig, TO succeed Miss Mary II.
Whitcomb of Grnnell second assistant,
Jennie Hutchins, and third assistant. Jennie
Laird, are retired; librarian Of law depart
ment, A. ]. Small, succeeding C. c. Webb;
custodian, August Becker, TO succeed f. S.
Lindleyi assistant in law. new position, Mrs.
L. Russell.