The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-08

The crowd at the trial Wednesday af-
ternoon comprised a cOnglOmeration of
people, the like of which is seldom
seen Directly to the right of the jury
box, in chairs, were half dozen women
whose hair was gray. They also wore
spectacles, but looked more at Collins
than at the witnesses or attorneys. Near
them were middle-aged women sur
rounded by young women. Some of
them would watch the witness for
moment, then gaze at John Collins.
Whenever the defendant would turn
his head. all Of them would smile, and
stare at him, apparently seeking recog-
were disappointed. He did not notice
one of them. Near John Collins and
standing up was a crowd of young WO-
men who watched him closely. On the
left of the judges seat, a large group
of women. the majority of whom have
been at the trial every day, sat listen
ing to the evidence. The seats in the
court room, provided for spectators
were useless, so great was the crowd
which stood up in front of them. The
consequences were that nearly all of
those present were compelled to stand
up Many women stood up on the seats
while others scrambled to get a chance
to stand in the windows.
Women were crowded in every where.
When one would move, a dozen crowded
against her would sway back and forth.
In the gallery men and women sat
huddled together on the floor and peered
under the iron rail which extends
across that part of the court room. On
the right were a few white women and
many negro women. Men who had got
ten in were crowded out and only
few of the Sterner sex, who were on
the south side and could not get out,
were able to hear the proceedings.
There was a sprinkling of white people
in the gallery, but the majority were
cOlOred people, in whom Johnson JOr-
dan found sympathy and encourage
ment, each time he retorted to Mr..
Hayden's questions. His recOncentrado
cI- Il 41,o
bailiff would rap loudly for order. In
the midst of such scene women, tug
ging and pulling at each other in frantic
endeavors to get view of the defend
nesday was no exception. Each day is
the same, except in that the crowd
grows greater daily and increases the
unseemly scramble
No Quarrel With Ella Buckner.
Jordan was asked if he had a quarrel
with Ella Buckner, a cOlored woman in
this city, and had drawn a pistol on
her. He said no.
Jordan was asked If Ella Buckner
had said to him:
ling Collins. There are witnesses
here"
Jordan said mo, she didn't
Odd you say to Ella Buckner that
you had killed Collins the - - =, and
that you had more nerve than the rest
of the damn niggers who don't know
how to make money?
A-Me say that. Oh no. I didn't
say no such thing.
Q.-Do you know Bud Lewis?
A-No
Q.-Do you remember having a con-
trOVerSy with him on account of having
stolen his clothes?
A-NO.
Q.-were you in Kansas City in April?
A-No. not this year.
Odd you see Lewis in Kansas City?
Al haven't been in Kansas City.
Odd you tell Lewis in Kansas City
that a young white guy had given you
SIS to gamble with?
Al wasn't in Kansas City.
Odd you tell Lewis then, that
John Collins had given you the money?
A.-YOu don't seem to understand that
was not in Kansas City.
Q.-YOu can answer these questions?
A-No, 1 didn't tell Lewis that.
Q.-Were you in Kansas City on the
forenoon of May 10, 1898?
Did you see Lewis that day, at
the Union depot and at the place where
he lives?
Q.-Sure of that?
Q.-Do you know J. A. Matthews?
A.-No.
Odd you talk to him in front of
and 10, 1898?
A-No. oh wait, I do know that fell
low 10 Matthews.
Odd you see him then?
Ayes, but I don't remember the
date.
Odd you tell him to go and see the
Collins family and ask them to pay you
money to leave town?
A-NO.
Odd not you say to him that you
didn't care to testify and asked him to
get you $500 or $500?
A.-No.
Q.-You have had no such CONVERSE
ton?
A-No.
This ended the cross examination. 1t
was o'clock. Mr.. Stafford asked a few
questions on redirect examination.