Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-12
So He Says in a Statement Made
on February Tenth
HALyEBsON MADE THREATS
lie Asserts, In order 10 Compel Him
10 Confess 10 a Crime Which He
Never Committed,
[spEcIAL To THE oNEws.ol

Ogden, Utah, Feb. i2-The continued
inquest over the body Of Mamie Erd'
man was commenced this morning al
1880 o'clock before Justice Breeder, the
only witness examined was DR., Forbes
and only a few questions We're asked
him. Then Attorney Weber asked for
a continuance until tomorrow, as he de-
sired TO have Norman Hanson testify
again, and that he, Hanson, would now
testify that he made false statements
at his former examination, and to prove
this Mr.. Weber introduced the follow
ing statement:
Brigham, Feb. 10, 1900.
I'm Justice to c. NJ. Erdman and
Viola Erdman, parents Of Mamie Erd'
mad, deceased, |, Norman Hanson, feel
duly bound. in this moment OF calm
dellberation and freedom Of thought 10
make a full and truthful statement con-
corning my first meeting and subse-
quaintance with Mamie Erdman, and
also the facts as far as 1 know them
concerning the death. ] became ac-
quainted with Mamie Erdman about
four years ago, and we have kept COM
pany almost continually from then UNI
i'll the time OF her death. and during
that space OF time have had ample
opportunity TO study her nature and
her character
'Her disposition was gentle, loving
one, her character always above re-
proach, and her virtue TO the last be-
yond any question. A short time prior
10 my examination as a witness In the
case In Ogden ! had been closeted with
Attorney Halverson and others (their
names l am willing 10 mention at the
proper timc) and they In the most
threatening language possible forced
from me the confession of a crime that
was never committed one Of their
threats being that providing Dr. Powers
was not convicted OF the crime the
charge OF murder IN the second degree
would be made against myself and Mrs.
Viola Erdman mother Of the deceased,
and We would be made 10 suffer the
penalty OF the crime. guilty or not gull
~ Notwithstanding these threats
had made up my mind 10 state the
but being in this excited frame OF mind
while on the stand / made answers to
questions in the affirmative; such as IN
October last did you have an Illicit in
tercourse with Miss Mamie Erdman?'
and other questions couched In similar
language, which | did not fully UNDER
stand and which answers were con-
strued into a confession Of guilt | con-
TESS that ia october last | made linz
proper advances az one time 70 my be-
trothed, which were rejected by her
with scOrn and contempt for me, and
which came very nearly losing her for
me at that time, on account OF the level
20 which she believed | had debased
myself by making the proposition.
However, a reconciliation was ef-
fected and from that day 10 the day OF
her death my conduct towards here was
that OF gentleman, and was rewarded
by her love to the last Aud I now at
this moment not labOring under any
stress OF mind or any fear Of threats or
any excitement OF intimidation, do SOL
EMMY swear before God, my maker.
and cali Him TO witness. that at no
time In my he have had any inter-
course with Miss Mamie Erdman, and
that she died 50 far as know as inno-
cent as she was born.
NORMAN HANSON.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 10th day Of February, A.(D. 1900.
(sgned.) GEO. l.. GHAEHL,
CLERK.
Deputy.
."District COURT county of Boxelder,
State Vi ,au
After this statement was read Coun. |
~ Attorney Halverson said that he was
willing for a continuance, but that he /
wished to have Joseph Hanson, Nor /
man Hanson, FlygGre, Dr. Powers and |
some others subpoenaed. The jury OBJ |
Jected 10 long continuance and the |
coroner agreed with them. 80 suhpoenas |
were given into the hands OF the sheriff |
for the above mentioned witnesses and /
an adjournment was taken until |
o'clock this afternoon.