The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-05
MRS. GEORGE ON TRIAL
Seven Jurors Secured in the
First Days Sitting.
GEORGE SAXTON'S LETTERS
To be Produced in Court
Mrs. Georges Appearance.

Canton, O., April 4-The first day Of the
trial of Mrs. Anna George for the murder
| of George D. Saxton, brother of Mrs. Nc
Kinley, closed with seven men occupying
seats in the jury box. In securing this
number only ten of the special yenire Of
forty had been called, three of whom were
excused. However, the examinations to-
day were only on qualifications, and Jurors
could only be excused for cause. "A jury
may be secured in the next few hours, or
several days may yet be consumed in this
process. Aside from the work OF getting
the jury, the day was occupied in dispos-
ing of formalities and a technical point
was raised which occasioned some argu-
ment by counsel.
A majority of the attorneys of the city
are attending the trial. Judge Isaac NJ.
Taylor is presiding, and the crowd is SO
large that he appointed three extra bailifs
to serve in the court room during the trial,
which is likely to occupy three or four
weeks. Except the several woman friends
and women relatives of Mrs. George,
whose older son accompanied her today,
there were not many women in the court
room, although there were quite num-
Der in the corridors.
Three desired witnesses are still absent,
but an agreement was reached TO proceed
without them. About Us witnesses have
been already subpoenaed anu she list is
being constantly incrr:->( Counsel for
Mrs. George have ordered summOnses
issued and served upon Mrs. Mary E. Bar
nd
Bachtel, cashier of the George II. Harterer
bank, to appear as witnesses for the de-
Tense. Mrs. Barber is ordered to bring
into court all letters in her possession re-
ceived by Saxton from Mrs. George from
1883 to 1889; also all checks. books of ac-
counts and files kept by Saxton during
these years. Bachtel is ordered TO bring
into court all drafts paid by Saxton, and
the books of the bank showing Saxton's
bank account.
Although set for S:45 o'clock, it was after
10 o'clock when the court opened. Soon
after the opening Mrs. George was
brought into court, accompanied by her
17-year-old son, Newton, and Mrs. Sid
dinger of Alliance, her friend. She was
stylishly gowned in a bright blue storm
serge with lighter blue silk trimmings.
stylish hat of black plumes and wing trim
mings, and small bunch Of white flowers.
She wore a black feather boa and brown
kid gloves Although a little pale. she was
looking well. and gave undivided atten-
ton to the proceedings.
The next hour was given over to techni-
cal formaIities. J. ]. Grant was formally
appointed assistant prosecuting attorney,
and objected to proceeding without the at
tendance of Russell Hogan, 12-year-old
boy witness, whom the sheriff could not
find, and who is wanted by both sides. Il
is admitted that if present he would testi-
fy as before the coroner, and as set forth
in his affidavit Prosecutor Pomerene said
he was embarrassed by the absence of this
witness as well as by that Of Mrs. Alt
house and Peter Quinn, but would not ask
continuance on that ground. He did not
believe that Hogan. properly questioned,
would testify as at first. 4 suspension
was granted TO admit the testimony be-
fore the coroner if the witness could not
be produced in person, and Che defense re-
served the same right.
At the coroner's inquest young Hogan
testified that he saw a person In black
come from the Althouse property Just af-
ter the shooting, and pass on the opposite
side of the street. He did not know
whether it was man or a woman. He
said he could not tell whether it was Mrs.
Althouse or Mrs. George.
The forty names in the special venire
were called and all answered. The defense
then challenged the array OF Jurors. add
ing long technical motions, formally at
lacking the jury commissions work, ale
cations of irregular service by the sheriff
on jurors. The latter were argued. Argu-
ments on the challenge to array were car
ried into the afternoon, when the courts
decision was announced, the challenge was
set aside and the venire was sustained.
Then the examination of Jurors, one at a
time began. The court was crowded 20
its capacity. A number OF out-of-towu
relatives OF Mrs. George were present.