The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-28
DEFENSE BEGINS.
Jesse James Works Hard to Es-
tabIish an Alibf.
A Cloud of Witnesses to Prove
His Whereabouts
THAT HATEFUL NIGHT
Mother, Sister and GrandmOth-
er Swear Positively
That Defendant Was Home
When Explosion Occurred.
Others Testify to Seeing Him
Far From Leeds.
THAT HATEFUL NIGHT


stand by the defense first yesterday
afternoon in the case of Jesse James.
please state to the court, your name,
age and residence" said Attorney Yea
ger. who conducted the examination.
My name is Zerilda Samuels. I am
IA years of age, and I live in Clay
county"
DO you know the defendant" point
ing to Jesse James.
Yes; he is my grandson"
The examination of Mrs Samuels
ELECTED the fact that she had arrived at
the James home the day before the
train robbery from Clay county, and
that she had reached the house about
noon. She said that upon her arrival
Mrs. Allen Palmer, a married daughter,
together with her two children, were
there, but that they left that night. She
testified that Jesse left with his mother,
his aunt and the children to place them
on the cable car that night about 8
o'clock. She did not remember when
Jesse had got back to the house, but
it was some little time. 1t was moon
light, warm, and they were sitting on
the porch. She said that Jesse had come
in the back way, around the house, and
Joined herself and Mary James on the
porch. Some little time afterward Mrs.
James returned, and they were all
seated together when she heard the ex-
plosion. She asked Jesse what it was.
She didn't remember exactly, but she
thought he said it was a blast in the
coal mines They went to bed about IL
o'clock
Was there any man there that even
No. sir. There was no man there at
all but jesse"
Are you sure?''
Yes, sir: 1 am
why did not Jesse go to the depot
with his aunt and mother?'
Because I asked him to stay with
me. And I didn't think there was any
for both of them to co.
Mrs. Samuels did not remember see
ing Miss Edgecomb that night. She
stated most positively that Jesse did
not leave his home after he returned
from the cable car that night.
Mrs. Samuels became confused over
questions as to whether Jesse had gone
to get shaved before or after he re-
turned to the house and stayed, after
taking his aunt to the car.
After an hour on-the stand Mrs. Sam
uels was excused, but will be recalled
today by the state.
MRS. JAMES TESTIFIES.
Mrs. James, the mother of the defend
ant, was next called She gave her age
as So. She told of going to the depot
with Mrs. Palmer and her children, who
took the 9;O5 katy for Texas She
left them before the train pulled out
and went straight home. When she ar
rived there she found Mrs. Samuels
Mary and Jesse seated upon the front
porch. They remained there until about
IL o'clock and then retired. She did not
hear the explosion. She is somewhat
deaf She was positive Jesse did not
1CaNS tue nOuSG dAlSI sic 1l1o 1GluIuS0
that evening
MISS MARY JAMES EVIDENCE.
L have lived in Kansas City for six
teen years." said Miss Mary James, in
response to a question. Il have attend
ed the Woodland. Morse, Linwood and
Central high schools"
You are a graduate of the last?''
Yes, SIR
She corroborated the evidence of her
mother and grandmother. She said that
her mother returned from the depot on
Of rnhborxy hot o. IN
and 10 o'clock. They were seated on the
porch when she came and Jesse had not
been home long.
I'VE heard the explosion shortly af-
forwards she said, land grandma
asked Jesse what it was. No. don
remember what he answered"
Did any man come up and ask where
Jesse was that night?''
why, no." supposedly.
WAS any man there at all that
night?"
None other than Jesse"
JESSE JAMES ON THE STAND.
Jesse, I guess you'd better take the
stand" said Mr.. Walsh.
The boyish defendant arose and walk
ed quickly to the witness chair.
MY name is Jesse Edward James, /
am % years of age, and 1 have lived
in this city for sixteen years." he said
in a clear voice, upon Interrogation. He
threw his right leg over his left, crossed
his hands in front of him and looked
his counsel straight in the face.
He had attended the Woodland.
Morse, Lnwood, Webster and Central
high schools. He lived at 916 Woodland
Rvenue for some years.
Where did you first work2'
AT the Bee Hive"
How old were your"
Eleven"
And the next place."
FOR Crittenden & Phister.'
How long did you work for them?"
Ten months"
"And the next place."
ct worked three months for the
Germania Life Insurance company and
on June IL, 1891, went to the Armour
Packing company"
81 worked there six and one-ha1f
years, leaving on January IS 1898, to
take charge of the cigar stand in the
county court house. 1 am still there -
Are you acquainted with w. w
Lowe?"
Yes, SIR
How long have you known him?"
'Since last May. I met him first ir
Justice Krueger's court room, where
both of US testified IN John Kennedy's
preliminary hearing After that he
came to the court house several times
and bought tobacco from me-
DO you know Andy Ryan?'
Yes, SIR
HAS he visited you at the court
house?"
Yes, sir A number of times"
Did you ever plan with him to roll
a train?"
at did not
Where and when did you get shaved
on the night Of September % last?'
In the barber shop on Thirty-tIirC
left about 1902
'tWhere did you go them"