The herald., 1897-02-25
THE TESTIMONY FINISHED
Ia the Case Against Hastings,
the AbOrtiOniSt
WORK OF THE DETECTIVES
Has Gathered q Nasty Net Around the
Electrician
The Family Physician Supplies Some Import-
ant Evidence-Tiits Between Lave
yers Of Frequent Occurrence
Yesterday was the third day Of the pro-


Yesterday was the third day Of the pre-
liminary examination of Calvin 5
Hastings and his assistant, Mrs. N. G
Weaver, for the murder of Lillian Hat
terry by means of an abortion performed
upon the unfortunate girl by them
While the public may be inclined tc
think the examination is occupying
more time than a regular trial, they
would understand the matter more per-
fectly had they been present in court
and noticed the hard fight made by
counsel for defense and the numerous
objections interposed by them to ques-
tions propounded to witnesses for the
people by the prosecuting attorney Mr..
Gage took advantage of every possible
point or technicality, and Deputy Dis
trict Attorney McComas pressed every
question There were many legal ar
guments and "spats" on the side, all or
which consumed much time. Somewhat
better progress was made yesterday,
however and it was expected the ex-
animation would have been finished but
counsel for defense discovered during
the afternoon that they wished another
witness, and asked that the case be ad-
journed over. 1t is understood that the
defense will not occupy more than half
an hour tomorrow morning, not attempt
ing the introduction of much evidence.
reserving that for the trial, for which all
seem convinced the defendants will be
held.
At the hour of 10 o'clock yesterday
morning all parties were in court. The
doctor" and his female assistant, who
occupied the dock, appeared weary and
anxious, although attempting to look
unconcerned. Some variations in the
facia; expressions of the doctor were
observed during the day, but it is doubt
full if Mrs. Weaver changed countenance
at all.
DIR. THOMPSON'S TESTIMONY.
The first witness to take the stand was
DR.. Wesley Thompson of San Bernar-
dino, whose examination in behalf of the
people was unfinished Tuesday evening.
The doctor stated that uterine cleo
trodes might cause poisonous effect if
used promiscuously and not kept clean.
Upon cross examination, the doctor in
formed Mr. Gage that the post mortem
examination held upon the body of the
late Lillian Hattery was held from fif-
teen to sixteen hours after death. He
had been nominally the family physician
of the Hatterys in San Bernardion, and
was we'll acquainted with Miss Hattery.
He had once treated her for slight abra-
sons of the skin on the upper chest. Re-
garding the possibility of producing
abortion by use of the electric battery
witness said positively that such treat
ment would result in miscarriage.
The result would be the same if the
foetus were not alive. Electric shocks
induce contraction in the parts indicated
and produce the result mentioned. By
request of Mr.. Gage the doctor gave
the names of several authorities on
electro medical matters and their works.
AS for himself DR.. Thompson did not
care to be classed as an electric" ply
sican. From the autopsy on the dead
girl he thought that she had been preg
nant about three months. AS Mr.. Gage
seemed anxious to know the cause for
the vomiting of a substance resembling
thin coffee grounds by the poor girl
just previous TO her death, the doctor
informed him that it was due to serious
disturbance in the peritoneal cavity.
During the autopsy he had noted the
condition referred to.
Counsel for the defense then wanted to
know if a certain clot of blood found
in the heart was not the cause of death
DR.. Thompson told him that such clots
of blood often appear in the heart, The
body of Miss Hattery was much emacia
ted, weighing probably 115 to 100 pounds
When he saw her few months before
in San Bernardino she weighed proba
bly, $50 pounds.
MI Gage next attempted to nail the
doctor to reported statement at the
inquest that the foetns must have been
dead eight or ten days before delivery,
But the doctor denied the statement,
aging that he had not been correctly re-
i tS ka +, 80,
pin that will be used to hold the fabric
of defense together at the trial. Upon
redirect examination by Mr.. McComas
the doctor stated positively that in his
opinion the clot of blood in the heart
previously referred to did not form until
after death had ensued. Witness also
said there might be no internal or ex-
ternal evidence if the electrodes had
been used to procure an abortion.
DIR. DORA KING
Mrs. Dora King was next sworn and
examined for the people. The doctor
had lost her voice in some way and
could only speak in a hoarse whisper
This caused the judge, attorneys and re-
porters to gather closely around the wit
ness in order to hear her testimony. She
stated that her occupation was that of
professional nurse. She was married
and resided at 313 West Seventh street
believes was Lillian Hattery came TO
her house on Friday, January 30, 1897,
between 1890 and II a. m. She rec
ognized a picture of Miss Hattery shown
her by the girls father as the
person who had called at her house, but
could not recognize the corpse at the
morgue on account Of the autopsy hav-
ing been performed. When Miss Hat
terry came to her house she had a small
slip of paper in her hand on which were
written several names and addresses,
including that of Dr. Hastings and ner
own. When witness was asked by the
prosecuting attorney if Lillian asked
her to do anything for her, she an
sWered in the affirmative and to the
second question, whether she did any
thing or not, replied in the mega tive. Wit
ness testified that upon her refusal to
do what the poor girl desired she said
as she went away: II will have it done
somewhere She was at witness house
only few moments
The counsel for defense endeavored to
break her testimony IS to Identification
OF the girl by means of the photograph
There was some ingenious cross-exam-
ination, but nothing important gained
for the defense.
Upon redirect examination by the dis
trict attorney Mrs. DIT" King said
she recognized that the girl had dark.
curly hair. 1t was a rainy day and she
remained only few moments A seal
skin cloak OF cape and a black hat Were
shown witness, who identified them as
worn by the girl who called at her
house. The dress worn by Lillian on
that day was shown, but witness could
not identify that. She recognized a