The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-07
WAS POWERFUL
Woman Prefers the Peniten-
tiary to Separation.
TESTIMONY GETS MIXED
Sam Amidon Springs a Poser
on PreCociouS Maternity.

| case OF more than ordinary interest
occupied the attention o. The district court
yesterday. IN which love affair Of more
than usual dimensions figured prominent
! ~. Josie Langfere and George Morgan
were up for morse stealing. the deed nav
ing been committed upon the night Of
March 81.
The woman in the case was arrested
at the same time that the young man
was, and has been IN the county Jail ever
since. At the last term OF court Morgan
plead guilty, and laid a fair share of the
blame upon the woman. At that time he
made application TO nave mis- time go on,
which was granted. The woman has. in
a falf-hearted manner, maintained her in
nocence of the crime ever since. At the
trial yesterday she sat behind her attor-
ney, G. w c. Jones, without changing
countenance while the young man, who
was her lover. attributed to her an ample
share of the guilt IN stealing the horse
The young man is rather a nice looking
fellow, and told his story apparently in
straightforward manner, withholding
nothing, to all APPEARANCES. The woman,
however. assumed the usual wounded air,
but under the fire of questioning, some
what lost her composure and assumed an
air Of bravado which, however, she did
not allow to run away with her.
The audience consisted of almost enough
to fill the first row of orchestra chairs.
The jury were Of the usual degree of
comeliness, but Sam Amidon had a frac-
ton more of fire in his manner of pro-
cedure than usual.
Morgan admitted having taken the
horse and testified that when ne found
himself financially embarrassed, he had
declared his intention to go TO gambling
in order to rectify the trouble. He was
told by the woman that she could make
ten dollars to his five.
Sheriff Simmons testified that the
woman had sent for him upon one occa-
sion and had asked if George had given
1t all away. Upon being told that he had,
she had said that he was a fool for CIV
ing it away, and that she wouldn't have
done II.
Harry Sutton stated that the woman
had told him that If George went over
the road she wanted to go with him. This
was very interesting bit of testimony.
Mr.. Sutton said that he inferred that she
was pretty badly struck on the young
fellow.
NJ R. Diver testified to having pur-
chased the stolen horse and having been
given all the money which he had paid
for the animal by young Morgan, save
about forty cents, which Morgan had
spent.
The defendant was then sworn and
called to the stand. She did not seem in
the least perturbed when the testimony
began, but toward the last lost little of
her Composure.
She stated that she had known young
Morgan about three months previous to
their arrest, and that she had worked as
domestic at the Santa Fe house, To-
peka Avenue mouse, and other places,
working wherever she had the opportu-
nifty She stated that upon the night of
the theft Morgan had appeared with a
horse and buggy and asked her to go
driving with him. They had left town
about o'clock in the evening and at $50
she was again in her room, having been
some twelve miles out and back. She
knew nothing Of Morgan stealing the
horse, but had held the horse alta ched to
the buggy while Morgan went for the
animal which was stolen, she leading it
behind the buggy as they drove into town,
also driving some of the way as Morgan
was a little too intoxicated to do this
successfully. They drove to Divers barn,
where the stolen horse was left, she being
then taken to her room, where Morgan
Joined her later She steadily disclaimed
having any knowledge Of the theft all this
time.
She was asked If she had said that the
young fellow was a fool for giving it
away, and that she would not have done
it. This she denied. The question was
pushed upon her by Mr.. Amidon, but she
steadily denied it.
did you tell Harry Sutton that you
were just as guilty of stealing that horse
as the boy was?'
mo. don't remember having said any
thing of the kind"
Refresh your memory; didn't you tell |
him you were?"
After REPEATED denlals. she finally ad-
mitted It.
What did you tell him that forT'
Il wanted to protect him"
"In what way did you expect to protect
him?"
II don't know"
Many questions OF similar import were !
asked. The witness looked straight at /
Attorney Amidon and answered. some /
times readily. sometimes not. Her head
came over little and her voice fell until /
scarcely audible.
How old are your" questioned the at /
torney. with the least bit Of hesitation.
Il am twenty-six."
You are twenty-six, eh?"
Yes. sir"
The witness was clearly much older.
Are You married."
Il have been"
is i not true that you nave a little
girl thirteen years old?'
Yes. I tave q little girl thirteen years
Did"
And how old 90 you say you are?'
A dash Of Indignation came into her
eyes. Il am twenty-five" she sad
sam Am.don looked sghsst You say
you are twenty-five years o.d2"
Yes. SIT"
And you have a little gil shtrtee1?'
Yes. sir; ! have" said she. 6efan;ly
"Umphr' grunted the attorney. as
though taking medicine outside a capsule
Then the testimony was resumed for
short time. becoming q listle more mixed