Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-12-28
DISTRICT COURT.
Barn-burning Case. Some Sensa-
lions developed.


tons developed.
The case of the state against
L. j. Stafford for burning the Weigh
ton barn is occupying the courts atten-
ton. Thursday afternoon the jury
was selected and the opening state
ments made by the attorneys. Friday
the state introduced evidence and Fri
day night the jury was dismissed until
Wednesday on account of Christmas.
Yesterday the case proceeded, and by
noon the state rested, and since then
the defense has been Introducing their
testimony. 1t is thought the case can
be finished this week.
Friday Ed Ruff testified as to the
safe condition of the barn previous to
the fire. John Weighton testified as
to what the barn contained and that
there was no insurance on the build.
ing, also as to having received anony-
nous and threatening letters about
the barn.
Miss Eva Decamp, a stenographer
of Sioux City, testified as to having
received the following letters: /
Audubon Iowa Aug IL, 80.
Miss Eva DeCamp Sioux City, Iowa
Dear Friend you will find enclosed a
peice which we wish you to copy on
the typewriter this is only a Scare to
Mr.. Weighton to turn off the Negro
who is in his employ and he is running
some young girls of this town. this
will Explain to you what we want you
to do with this peice. AMI send all
back together. Don't leave any marks
on paper so it can be identified. Date
the type written peice the 20, tn Of this
month Mrs. WEBER.
Con the Back Appears the following)
1t would be better and she get it quick
er to address to Mr.. Il j Stafford Au-
dubon Iowa We got your Name from
Lady friend
Audubon, Iowa, Aug. 20, 1899.
Mr.. John Weighton, City.
Dear sir as we are a band of inter-
ested ladies much interested in the
welfare of the girls of our town want
through the columns of this paper and
pencil to warn you of what will take
place if you do not get rid of that ne
gro Ed Ruff Immediately: he is running
the young girls of this town, and not
only young ones but some old
maids have been seen taking their de-
parture from that barn at late hour
at night.
Mr.. John Weighton
Sir do you Kno that thare is Poaker
gain running at your Barn and Drink
in and fighting and reglar tut place
it is nucinc to the streat-in fact evry
one of the tufts gather evry evening
and Sunday
She identified these letters which
were introduced as evidence.
Mrs. Decamp, of Sioux City, mother
of the stenographer, testified she knew
Mrs Webber's hand writing and that
the letters sent were not her writing
and that when her daughter
type wrote the letter that it was mailed
W MI. oIuHOru.
Mrs. lola Weber was called but
testified to but little as her attorney,
Mr. Funk, objected to her being re-
quired to answer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Booth testified about
the location of fire in barn when first
seen, that they smelled kerosene at the
fire, and that their dog dug up a pair
of woman's drawers out OF the rubbish |
saturated with kerosene. John Roth |
and Mrs. Nick Roth also similarly tes-
titled.
Mrs. Maggie Poulson was called,
but declined to testify, her attorneys,
Myers & Blume, Directing. The state
introduced the following letter which
they claimed she wrote. 1t was writ
ten on paper which had her name on |
and appeared to have come from her
office:
June the 10Th 80
mr. stat and mrs stafford ar you
aware that Ed Ruff is dating with your
Dauter Edith and she is flirting with
him and she passes the Barn to get to
talk with him think you ought
to kno it do it fir her sake
r. n Carper said he saw Stafford
and Mrs. Weber talking in front of
the Stonebrook and Mccall store.
Sophia Rallman said she worked at
Mrs Poulson's last fall and that Mrs.
p. said that she thought more of Ed.
Ruff than any one else and that Mrs. P
offered her money if she would burn
the barn and suggested to her how to
do it.
Wednesday J. F. Clifton said Mrs.
Stafford staid with his wife night of
fire. Got supper there. Knew no
reason why she was there. Never
there before.
Sheriff j ones sard he was at fire.
Found oil can there. saw Stafford and
he appeared excited. Said Stafford
had told him the barn was bad place
and that Ruff ought to get out of town.
Pat Carolau testified to about the
same. In June or July said that Stat
ford was threatening Ruff.
Mrs. Weber was recalled. Said
she had met and talked with Stafford.
Identified following letters as having
received from Stafford: