Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

fed that he met Mr.. Cunningham in
Gray March 7, and he asked for team
to drive out in the country. They had
no child with them.
Jimmy Alice, age about II, then testi-
fed as to the finding of the childs body
on Blue Grass creek above the fair
grounds week ago Saturday. They
were trapping muskrats. Body was
nearly covered with weeds. He first saw
its feet.
Clarence Alice, age 10, testified to
practically the same as his brother. The
body was about six feet from the water.
E. Baxter, of the coroner's jury, de.
scribed the position of the child when
found by the jury. Was nearly covered
with weeds. He described the fracture
in the skull and the blood clot found
on the brain.
DR.. Childs testified as to the examina-
tion of the child's body in his Office. 1t
was made externally and internally. The
skulls fracture was about one inch long
and triangular. Blood was clotted above
and under the skull. The body was
found lying on it's right side head toward
the creek. He described the child, light
hair, hair lip, portion of left side of face
mutilated, tongue partly gone, a bruise
on left side of ribs. Identified the photos
taken. Heart contained some fluid blood.
Appeared to have been circumcised or
else mutilated. Stomach contained only
gas, bowels but little material. Tongue
apparently cut out. On cross examina-
ton said child was perhaps a month old
Could not give much opinion as to how
long it had been dead. Tongue had clean
cut like it was done with instrument
Mr., Frazier identified the photos as
those he took of the child
Mr.. Larson, Dane, who worked at
the livery barn at the Farmers Home,
said Cunningham hired team and bug
gy of him to drive out mile or two one
day few weeks ago. A lady got in with
Cunningham at the depot while witness
held horses. They had something wrap
ped in blanket that he supposed was q
baby. Cunningham returned alone with
team quite warm soon after. Thought
he had a dark valise. A few days after
he found baby's dress in the manger.
Identified dress shown him by the coun-
ty attorney as the one he found.
AT this time court adjourned till to-
morrow at o'clock
Thus it will be seen that the state has
attempted to show that these parties
went to the Atlantic hotel as man and
wife on February 10, that the woman
gave birth to child on February 81,
that they misrepresented their identity,
that they left there with their child |
March 5, that on reaching Audubon |
they drove out short time returning |
without the child, that they then went to
Gray without it, that the child born |
at the Atlantic hotel, and the one found |
on Blue Grass creek March 10 are one
and the same. We have endeavored to
simply give the substance of the testi-
mony without coloring or prejudice
Our readers can Judge as well as we of
guilt or innocence. Judgment should
be suspended until the evidence is in.
1t will be an ably conducted case if it
goes on into court. The officers who
are pushing the prosecution simply de-
sire that the terrible wrong shall be fer
reted out and the proper persons pun
ished, Sheriff Jones and his deputy
and County Attorney Brainard deserve
great credit for their work in the case.
For long time after the body was
found no lead could be discovered here
and it was only by working away from
home that Sheriff Jones got on track of
these parties at Atlantic.
Miss Ida Hepp, of Gray, the lady pris-
oner, is about 10 years old. She and
her sister left motherless early kept house
for their father and brothers, their
father dying two years ago. The family
including the girls have always borne
good name. James Cunningham is
the son of Barney Cunningham who
lives a few miles west of Audubon. The
father, mother and family are highly
respected, except James who has been
wild. A few years ago he was in trouble
concerning forgery and was cleared by |
his fathers kindness and sacrifices.
The public here is intensely dcsirious
that the truth may be ascertained and
that punishment may fall where it de-
serves.
I will give Instruction on Piano and
Organ at the homes of those who cannot
conveniently come to me. Will teach