The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-21

Beem Took the Witness Stand in Her
sion by Her Straight Forward Answers
she Helped Her Cause Materially
Vigorous Cross Examination.
The Eva BEEN case continues to draw
large crowds, the ladies being in the ma
jority. Yesterday morning nothing new
was developed in the case and the fore
noon session was rather tedious. IN the
afternoon Miss BEEN took the stand in
her own behalf and she made a splendid
witness and materially strengthened
her own innocense. At first she seemed
to be slightly nervous caused by being
made the cynosure for all eyes. she
soon regaiued her composure and ans
wered all the questions asked in a
straightforward and very satisfactory
manner. The district attorney Gid not
LEI the government suffer in his cross
examina ton, which was quite severe.
Miss BEEN mas clear voice and her ev-
cry answer could be distinctly heard all
over the room. She was on the stand
for two hours and had just finished her
testimony az o'clock. 4 request had
been made TO Judge Williams to hold a
night session, but ne declined to grant
t1e request, as every one was tired out
and he did not think that they could get
through even with night session.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock court was de-
clared ready for business, and Post0ffice
Inspector George M. Sutton was called
10 the stand. He took charge Of the office
after Inspector Cochran left for ST.
Louis. He testified 70 having gone over
the accounts and also as 10 the iden-
t;ty Of quantity Of paid and unpaid ad-
vices dating from January 10 August l,
in 1896.
Miss BEEN reported s1,140.20 on this
account October TO- 1896; 81, 246. 80 on Oc-
toDer II; S997.50 on October "a and s11419
on October 81. Inspector Sutton testi-
fed that the orders themselves showed
that but sS21S should have been credited
u the account October 10, S157.60; Octo-
Der Il, $152.76 October Il, and $167.S5 Oc-
;ober 81.
After Mr.. Sutton had been dismissed
from the stand Mr.. Cochran was re-
called and questioned briefly as to some
OF the ''advices" and accounts. Post
master Sinnot Of Arkansas City, and
Postmaster Fitch Of this city, testified
that the keeping Of accounts as done by
Miss BEEN was not customary. This re-
lated 20 the dating back Of orders which
has been SO thoroughly gone over. Mr..
Sutton asked Miss BEEN If Mr.. Coch-
ran's figures were correct, and she re-
Piled that they were. He also asked her
about certain money orders. She had
told him that they ought to be in the
office. If ne couldn't find them they had
been misplaced.
Mr.. Cochran showed that Miss BEEN
in the weekly and quarterly statements
had carried number of unpaid advices
claimed 10 be on hand but there was
about 20 per cent difference. The two
morning hours did not elicit anything
new. and al noon court adjourned until
2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
]. B. Vincent. the present postmaster
OF Hutchinson, was the first witness 20
take the stand at the afternoon session.
Mr.. Lambert said:
LAS postmaster of Hutchinson, are
you The custodian Of the records?"
Yes sir"
Mr.. Lambert then produced a receipt
for the weekly statement OF December
i9, and asked him 10 identify ii. which
he did. Mr. Lambert stated in his re-
marks that the weekly statement did
not leave the Hutchinson office until
December 26. though ii was under date
Of December 10. The defense did not
h.
was dismissed from the stand.
The defense called for Mr. VIII Mead,
but he was not present. The bailiff was
instructed to find him. He shortly re-
turned with Mr.. Mead, but they then de-
cided not 10 put him on the stand. Mr..
Cochran was then Intercepted by Mr..
Prfgg.
Did you not have the warrant sworn
out against Miss Beem?'
Yes sir
Did you not have conversation
With VIII Mead in which he stated that
he had counted the cash in the presence
Of Miss Beem?"
Yes sir"
How much was there?"
Between $500 and $500 This was the
night before Christmas"
Postmaster Sinnot Of Arkansas City
wds questioned by Mr.. Lambert.
You receive more money a your Of
flee than you pay out. don't you?"
Yes sir. Day in AMI day out during
the year, I think il will average that
way. / never took the 'advices' in con-
sideration."
Wilson McCan1less.
How long were you postmaster Of
Hutchinson"
-Four years and two months"
When did your term eXpire?"
August 81"
Did Miss BEEN have a position IN
der your"
Yes sir
WAS the Irrespective reserve changed
during your administration?
Yes sir. The reserve was changed
from $500 10 $3.50 during my first year"
What position did Miss BEEN occupy
while you we're postmaster"
Money order Clerk
WAS the dating back from Monday
and Tuesday until Saturday in vogue
during your term %
Yes SIR
DO you know II Mss BEEN had any
individual money!"