The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-01

The developments of the Edison trial
yesterday were startling and sensa-
tionaL The one defense which when
mentioned by rumor was most secuted
at and looked on as most improbable
was pleaded in Edson's behalf. The
defendant assailed the character OF
Miss OFT. In his testimony he sought
to establish that he and the young lady
were united by a quasi or common
law marriage. Just how that fact.
even if true. would exonerate him, was
not made clear, and it must be said
that only his testimony supported it.
The theory doubtless is that if Edison
was in a position to consider himself
the husband of the young lady he
would in all probability be more likely
to so insane when seeing her in con-
slant company with McCabe.
The prosecution was evidently look
ing for such a defense, though many
wondered why the introduction OF tes-
timony such as the defense put in
testimony touching the relations of the
couple years before the shooting-was
not objected to.
AS the case developed it became ap-
parent that the prosecution was simply
defiant. Instead of barring out such
testimony and leaving cloud on the
reputation of a pure girl the proSecu-
ton allowed the defense to put in all
such evidence without interpOSing a
single objection. The prosecution evil
IDENTIFY felt sure that even if it came to
a question of veracity between Miss
OFT and her aSsailant, the former
would be believed. There was a no.
ticeable difference in the manner in
i
day and that of Miss OFT the previous
day The latter told her story from
beginning to end with hardly a sug
gestion from her attorneys. Edison told
his story simply in answer to questions
from one of his attorneys, w. L. P
PeytOn.
He seldom hesitated over anything.
but as seldom volunteered.
A SENSATIONAL SCENE.
The sensational scene in court when
Miss OFT rose and denounced him as
a traducer and character assassin, an
til removed from the room by order
of Judge Rolapp, though startling,
made the young lady quite a heroine
with many.
The usual great crowd blocked all
entrances and fairly chOked up every
bit of available room inside and out
side the courtroom. One rumOr of
rather startling nature, though prob
ably not true, still gained considerable
credence. The incidents on which it
was based were two. Early in the
Byron OFT, brother of Miss
Lille Off, was said TO have dropped q
pistol from his pocket accidentally
while seated near his sister. About
II o'clock. while Edison was on the
stand, and when he had suggested but
not alleged his charge involving Miss
0+f'c oh Tr Ma crinriS hold
whispered consultation with the judge,
who promptly adjourned court.
Rumor seized upon these few Incl
7ents and soon had a story in every
Oody's mouth to the effect that Edison
feared the immediate vengeance of
some of the young ladys relatives or
IF her many friends in case the thing
he was to say should be said at that
lime The rumor showed the high
pitch to which popular interest was
'aised.
EVIDENCE RESUMED.
In the morning the defense continued
he same line of testimony. terding to
show that Edison had previously borne
good character, and that ~ was
norOse, preOccupied and moody for
several weeks prior TO the shooting:
llso that he and Miss OFT had been af-
ectionate. Witnesses testifying along
hese lines were E. D. Burt. E. E. Bar
on, A. A. Duncan, William Purdy,
Frank Browning, Z. G.. Burdick, J. NJ.
Boyle and William Drysdale.
Mr. DrySdale testified to being with
Idson on the evening of the shooting
Witness spoke to him and arranged to
Walk on with him. Edison said he
Wished to speak to Miss OFT. who was
cross the street going into Kellers
neat market. They went across the
treet and Edison said, Lille, l want
o speak to you.
She had told him to come ulo to the
nd of the street car line.
Cross-examined Mr.. Drysdale admit
ed he was a great friend of Edison;
hat after Edison broke Jail he might
ave said TO Newt Farr that he had
ot a letter from the ESCAPED prisoner
nd that the officers would never get
i'm. He said it in joking way. Off
ers had been w to his home to get
that he knew but he would not give
way his friend for any sum of money
lie did not, in fact, know where Edison
Tas at the time.
Mr.. Weber-You simply lied to Mr..
arr, then?
Yes. sir. in casing way" the wit
eSS answered.
THE DEFENDANT.
William Samuel Edison. the defend
ut, was next called He stated ne
ras % years of age, was born in Ne
ada but came to Ogden with his par
nts. Had been away several times
Or work Became acquainted with
Iiss OFT before Christmas. 1898. The
blowing spring they began to keep
ompany He kept up his attentions
nd she apparently reciprocated. He
TT in April, 1895. for New Mexico,
here he worked a few days for the
tlantic & Pacific railroad.
A few days before he left they spent
le day in Westfall canyon and be-
ame engaged to be married. She had
ritten to him always affectionately.
e returned the letters TO her in July
I her request. One letter was signed
Your loving wife. Others had af-
terms of address and sigma