The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-18
Il DON'T KNOW"
Seems to Be the StereOtyped
Answer of the Doctors
In the Grave Robbery Cases On
Trial at Alma.
APPALLING DIZZINESS
Of Memory ia Regard to Every
thing That Took Place
During the Eventful Early Part
of December, 1895.
VAN FLEET TESTIFIES.
The Man Whose Wife's Nose,
Ears, Hair and Eyes
Was -GOuged Out Tells His
Story Amid SObs.
OF Memory jn Regard to Every
thing That Took Place
During the Eventful Early Part
of December, 1895.
VAN FLEET TESTIFIES.
The Man Whose Wife's Nose,
Ears, Hair and Eyes
Was -GOuged Gut Tells His
Story Amid SObs.

=
Alma, Kan, Feb 1.-THE second day
of the court proceedings in the grave
robbery cases was more interesting to
the spectators than the first days pro-
ceedings. The court room was crowded,
many ladies being present. There is
great interest in Alma in the cases.
The court convened promptly a $50
and in two minutes the hearing of testi-
mony was begun again
Mrs. Raymond was recalled and ask
ed:
Did you consent to your daughters
remains being removed from the grave
for dissection or otherwise?"
No, sir not in the least"
Clarence Scott the superintendent
and sexton of Rochester cemetery was
called next After telling where the
cemetery was located and about the flu
neral of Mrs Van Fleet and the way in
Whlch he left the grave that night, and
gong back the next morning and going
to Mrs. Van Fleets grave, he was ask
Q-What did you discover?
Al discovered that it had been mo-
Q-What called your attention to it?
At looked as if the dirt had been
The witness then went into details as
TO now he came to the conclusion that
robbery had been committeed
Q-Where did you go?
Al went to North Topeka.
Q-D1d you go back to the cemetery?
A-Yes; got Mr. Van Fleet and we
went back to the cemetery
Wv hat did you do then?
Ave started to dig in the grave ana
struck the lid, or part of the lid. of the
casket. then took Mr. Van Fleet baclz
70 North Topeka: l filed the grave up
AGAIN before left. I then came back to
the cemetery. In about half an hour
MT an Fleets brother came ont and
we took all the dirt out of the grave.
Q-W hat did you find?
A-Well, the coffin was emDtv The
pody was gone, there was some dirt and
the clothes thrown in the coffin
Q-What did you do?
Ave covered the grave over With
boards and Put some dirt on it. Mr. Van
Fleets brother went back to town
The defense did not cross-examine
NIafence Willis, the undertaken, was
He testified that he was the undertake
er al Mrs. Van Fleets funeral ana that
ne saw her buried on Sunday afternoon.
Odd you ever see this BODY . cain
Al could not swear positi, DIV tloat
I ever saw it, ina
Q-Was there lady's body brought
10 your establishment on Monday?
Al went and got one.
Q-Where did you go?
A-Io the medical college
Q-Who called you there?
A-Mr. Van Fleet
Q-Where did YOU find tho bod,,o
Ain little room on the tom floor
GLOW was it situated?
- was lying on the floor wrapped
Q-What did you do with ito
shop II ~ my
Hal Williams was then called. He told
OF going to the college and of SERVING
the warrant on johnson and of tbee
search of the lower floors of the huiId-
ing. When DR.. Minney and DR. Tindso,-
g. "a NE ne ana SAID: Hello, boys, what's up?
sald we want to go to your dissectjne
room. He said. all right if Won vii
keep your mouths shut. WIN
Q-Did he say anything about bodieso
two bodies up there ----U
CIV hat did you discover2
81 found two cadavers there.
ee-What did you do?
Al examined these two and found
that neither of them were the hodv +bat
/ was after. 'nae
Q-What was then done2
the north rooms. He said he did not
KNOW, that one was the skeleton room
and> that the last time he was in +ba
pther room there was a couple of rab-
rooms for day or so.
t-DId you arrest johnson?
- q cont remember whether I did
II or whether Tim Donovan did.
Cross-eXamined by Mr.. D0ran.
Odd Mr.. Johnson saw he hod ~,
the keys? iiau an
Ale said he had the KEYS. DOVE
know whether he had all the KEYS
Q-Did johnson go into the class roo,,,
after you went to the building? -i'
Ayes.
Odd you go down stairs?
Ayes.
Q--Do you know who opened the
door to the dissecting room?
A.-Dr. Minney
A.-Where did he get the key?
Al don't know.
Odd he get it from johnson?
Al don't know.
Q--Do you know that Johnson was
IN the dissecting room that day?
Al can't say positively that he
Q-Do you know whether DR.. Minney
lett the dissecting room to get the key
found?
Al do not
Johnson?
A.-Somewhere in the building.
Q.-Do you know that there is but
one key to the front door?
A.-No.
Q.-Do you know whether or not
there are more keys than one to any
of the doors?
A.-No. sir.