Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-28
CAN HE PROVE 1T?
M'CRILLIS SAYS HE CAN VERIFY HIS
STATEMENTS.
DEFENDANT ON STAND TO-DAY
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY IN CAR
THAGE MURDER CASE.
Great Excitement Yet Manifested and
People About Evenly Divided as
10 NcCriIIi>' JustificatiOn-
The Testimony Yes
terday.
DEFENDANT ON STAND TO-DAY

CARTHAGE MO. Dec. 21.-(SpeciiID
This was the third day OF the taking OF
testimony in the preliminary hearing of
John McCrillis, charged with the murder
Of William j. Gilfiilan. and. rs lar as re-
suits are concerned. the people are as much
in the dark as ever. Lulu Bowers. who had
teen a servant i'll the McCrillis home
while McCrilIis was in California, testified
that the deceased Gillian had visited Mrs
McCril!is as many as four times in Il single
day during this time. she also stated that
Mrs. Giltillau had been there few times.
She said that some visits made by the de-
ceased were in the evening, and he some
times stayed with Mrs. McCrillis until the
servants had retired for the night. Il WIS
impossible for her 10 tell all the dates. but
she knew it was four times Il day. She
first revealed these things TO Judge Brown
last Thursday. Other neishbors wives
were in the habit of calling.
DR.. Mathews told OF the Frustrated con-
diton OF Mrs. McCrillis. both mentally and
physically. Ii had a depressing effect, I'M
fitting her TO look after her affairs. She
was very emotional, suffered severe pains,
and frequently would weep, especially when
talking of her condition. The cross-eXami-
nation of this witness led TO legal tilt
of large proportions. The state put a
hypothetical question:
Would YOU think it would be trea ating
her properly 10 senG her TO California
alone, on all that long trip. without sleep
ing car berth, without attendants, and
only SO per month for expenses?
Judge Brown objected, Iullmating that
every one knew il 10 be false. The state
claimed the right 10 ask such question
and threatened to probe Tar into the family
affairs II the defense insisted on perfec:
sunlight resting there. TnlS question was
argued 10 completion. and then court td-
iourned till 1:3u reSerVing its decision. the
objection being sustained. the defense OBJ
tanned additional data as 10 attendance
and treatment.
Dr. King gave testimony as 10 family
sickness. and the effect it had upon Mrs.
MCCrillis. He advised that change OF
residence be taken TO improve her health.
She went to Springfield and finally to Col
orado. She went there in 1895, her sister
escort. When croSS-eXamlned, he said he
could not say that McCrillis visited his
wife while away. Mr.. McCrillis had d
family that needed attention and he cared
for them.
oscar Mallory testified he had seen Gil
f1llan get on an electric car last July with
a woman at Webb City. and they left at
Lakeside.
Milton Scantlfn. II years old said that
on October % he was at the McCrillis home
while waiting for one Of the girls to come
from the house. He was in the sitting room
with Mrs. McCrillis. a man came to the
door, which was opened by Mrs. McCril-
lis, and he entered The man was low and
heavy set, had on a stiff hat. and when
they went into the bedroom he could not
hear them talk. Mrs. McCrills came back.
There was not light in the bedroom. The
boy stood croSS-examination We'll and said
he knew the date because his Step-sister.
Lula Bowers. was sick. and they looked
it up. The boy was keen enough TO know
he was to be paid and claimed attendance
as he retired.
Franklin Greenwood gave but little testi-
| money of consequence. but was crosS-eX-
amined at length.
Miss Fannie Galetine. a re-toucher at
Stewards photograph gallery, testified to
seeing the deceased and Mrs. Giltillan at
the gallery where they sat side by side
in conversation. She also saw Mrs. McCril-
lis watch while Gilfillan posed for photo
graph They walked away together.
Tomorrow the defendant will testify. He
still adheres to his previous statement that
he killed Gilfillan because he had ruined
him home, and he claims that he will have
no difficulty in proving his statements. A
great many people are inclined to believe
his statement. but there are just as many
who think that the killing was unjustiti-
able. The testimoney Of the defendant to-
morrow promises 10 be of a very startling
nature.