The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-30
A SAD THANKSGIVING.
Morrison Trial Incidents Pre-
ceding Taking of Testimony.

Ell Dorado, Nov. 30.-Jessie Morrison,
for whose life the proceedings of an
august court will open today, sat in her
cell in the Jail in Ell Dorado all Of
Thanksgiving. Not a ray of the beau
tiful sunshine touched or gladdened her
weeping heart. Not a breath of the
fresh air greeted her-nostrils as she
arose from her cot and prepared to meet
day of thanksgiving. 1t is a sad
Thanksgiving, indeed, for this frail wo-
man. But relatives were with, her and
tried to cheer her up.
Fresh flowers filed the little glass
vases on her single table, and several
sympathetic letters which she had read
lay opened beside them. She did not
show more of concern because of the
waiting suspense of day, but. was
quleter than usual, having little to say.
Occasionally she gave expression to
some little pleasantly in the rather con-
tinuous conversation of those about her
Her father joked once in a while as
usual, but appeared to be in a nervous
strain of suspense.
The Jurors who were selected to try
Miss Morrison were out for a Thanks
giving walk. Past the court house they
went, within whose gray walls the lit
tie woman, whose fate will rest in their
hands few days hence, sits and thinks
Bailin in front of them, bailif behind
them, they walked and walked, the OBJ
ject of interest of more than a thou
sand pairs of eyes.
More than eighty. witnesses have been
subpoenaed for the Morrison trial. Per
haps fifty Of these will be used. 1--WE
don't expect to use more than twenty
Witnesses said Attorney Kramer. I'VE
have more SubpOenaed, but, of course,
some of them will not be put on the
stand. The state has fifty-two wit
neSSeS Subpoenaed but don't think
they will utilize more than thirty"
Prominent among the first witnesses
whom the state will call are Mrs. A J.
Spangler and Mrs. E. D. Moberly, neigh
borS of Mrs. Castle, who were first upon
the scene after the cutting. Both had
heard the screams of Mrs. Castle when
the keen edge of the razor cut into her
soft flesh.
The costs of the trial of Miss Morri-
son will not fall entirely on the state.
The defense win have some attorneys
fees to pay. Mr.. Kramer, Judge Red
den, Mr.. Schumacher and Mr.. Mooney
will cost a pretty penny. The father of
Jessie Morrison is not rich.
Her brother, who teaches school, had
laid by several hundred dollars with
which to visit Europe and the Paris ex-
position this summer. He has turned
over every cent to the work of defend
ing his sister An uncle of the defend
ant who lives in West Virginia, is
wealthy and has stood for some of the
expenses of her trial. He is now in Ell
Dorado with his brother, Judge Morri-
son.
Beside Prosecuting Attorney Brurn-
of Ell Dorado and Capt. J. G. Waters
of Topeka. II. 0. Castle, father-in-law
of the murdered woman, has probably
supplied the money for this talent. He
is a prosperous undertaken in FL Dora
do. Roland Wiley, father of Mrs. Olin
Castle, is a clerk in a hardware store.
1t is runored that the defense is espe-
cially pleased with the selection of one
juror. He is known to be a fast and
long-Hved friend of Judge Morrison One
of the attorneys who is assisting the
state said this about the jury:
IT like its looks thoroughly and believe
it will give an honest verdict We
viewed our right to peremptory chal-
lenge in every instance save one, be-
cause we believed the jury was suitable
from the first. We are glad the prelim-
mary work is over and that we can get
down to business"
MR.. WILEY IS BITTER
Roland Wiley, father of the murdered
woman, said to a reporter:
MY daughter was entirely innocent,
and I believe justice should be done
Christianity is a doctrine of love and
forgiveness, but the guilty person has
shown no desire for forgiveness My
daughter forgave her, but I should not
feel that I was doing right if I did not
wish justice done. Ny daughter showed