The evening times., 1899-10-04
ACTRESS moan1son's STORY.
In killing Actor Eeiden She Pleads
SeIf-Defence.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Oct. fl have
not told my story to- slpublic. They will
hear it at the trial They will learn that
my heart and feelings had been trampled
upon that / had been abused. cursed. and
reviled simply because / would not de-
scend to he level to which 1t was sought
to drag me. When. after all this. Mr..
Leiden attempted to strike me with a cane,
at the same time applying the yilest epi-
thets, I-I-deferded myself"
So Julia Morrison last night outlined her
defence for the killing Of Frank Leiden
on the Opera House stage on September
90.
Judge Floyd Estell, CT the circuit court
will decide today whether upon the evil
dence yesterday submitted, Miss Morrison
shall, pending trial at the next term of
court, be confined in the county Jail or be
released under bail bond OF $4,000.
The case was called yesterday afternoon,
and the defence was ready for trial. The
State however, declared that they could
net proceed without those witnesses who,
as members Of the Mr.. Plaster OF Paris
| Company, knew of the trouble between
Miss Morrison and Mr.. Leiden and who
( left the city several days ago for New
+ York. These witnesses have written the
/ States attorney that they will give bonds
! for Miss Morrison Till the January tenn
CT court
| Judge Estell granted a continuance and
| then began to hear evidence to decide
! whether or not the prisoner might be lib
| Grated on bail.
| The principal witnesses OF each side of
| the case were heard, and several new points
| were brought out. ]. W. Patterson, sta se
manager OF the local opera house. aDpeare
to be strongly prejudiced against Mis-
| Morrison. He testified that he had sum
moned her to the stage; that size precel-
| ed him up the stairway; that he saw two
| shots fired, and heard another.
| Attorney General baltimore, of the ce-
fence, brought out the point that had Leid-
en-. who was standing at the head OF the
| stairway, applied any bad language TO OF
| attempted to strike Miss Morrison, the
witness could not have heard or seen it.
Following Patterson on the vi ness stall
came Joe Breeding. of the local opera
house, who not only saw the shooting. but
saw and heard the quarrels between tde
/ principals during the day. 1t has been al
legged that young Breeding provided Miss
/ Morrison with the pistol used in the XII lag
of Leiden, but Breeding denies this
| He testified that twice during the day ol
which he was killed Leiden called Miss
( Morrison the vilest names, and uzei the
most profane and abusive language; tn I
| he had kicked her down the stairs, struck
| her with his fist and attempted to use sliil
| further violence, when Breeding threaten
| ed TO thrash him il ne did not deSist.
/ Frank Shipp testified that as soon as
| Miss Morrison appeared at the head OF tie
stairs Leiden raised his cane to strike her.
and while his right arm still held a-oft the
heavy cane, Miss Morrison drew revolver
and fired.
| DR.. Kerr testified that Miss Morri on is.
and has been for some time, in very ner-
vous condition, mentally and physically.
( In his opinion should Miss Morrison be
confined in Jail until the next term OF
court the most serious results are to be
| feared.
! When removed again 10 jail she was in
| very nervous condition. Should Judge
/ Estell admit Miss Morrison TO bail it will
| be furnished without difficulty.