The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-10
JESTER CASE IS ON
Selection of Jury for Famous
Criminal Case Begun.
PRISONER IN GOOD HEALTH
Witnesses for Prosecution Of
fered inducements to Attend.

Ts Jester trial is now on in New Lon
don. Missouri. This famous case, now
known the country over, was first made
known, exclusively in the Eagle a year
ago, when for the first time the Eagle
published the letter from Mrs. Cornelia
Street, asking the authorities to sieze her
brother in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Since then
the case has been more talked about than
any criminal case in the country. Mr..
Gates, who is prosecuting Jester, is one of
the richest men in the country. He has
spared no expense in hunting evidence.
Every few weeks, since the case was first
mentioned, detectives have been in Wi
chita hunting up evidence, and if reports
are true, finding none
Jester formerly lived in this county. His
first arrest nearly thirty years ago, took
place here BY Sheriff Simmons of this
city he was arrested the second time
year ago. This is Wichita's connection
with the case
The interest in 1t is more Of the nation
now than Of Wichita and centers on. Mil
honaire Gates part in it. Gates is in
Paris and it was recently reported that
ne had decided to drop the prosecution.
He has not He has retained one of the
finest criminal lawyers in the territory to
assist in prosecuting Jester, Forrest Of
ST. Louis
The Jester jury is to be made up out of
a special venire of 50 men. The work of
selection began yesterday.
Jester is reported to be bearing, his age
and Imprisonment well. not differing ma
terially in appearance from what he was
LAST year. He said Sunday last: 4 am
anxious for the trial and glad the day is
here. L have stood under this false ac-
cusation for thirty years. Upon the trial
my innocence will be fully established.
have entire, confidence that a Rails county
jury will give me a fair and impartial
tr1aL l am pleased with the. people here
and have received kind treatment while
here The officials have done their duty
and been strict with me, as the law re-
qaires but have done it in kindness"
There are twelve counts in the indict
ment The witnesses and spectators are
arriving rapidly.
Inc trial viii take place in a town Of
i'2j0 inhabitants, which will be thronged
by witnesses from ten states. who will he
present throughout the hearing. The case
VIII be heard by District Judge David II
Ely Air. William S. Forrest viii have
charse Of the prosecution. TO which he has
devoted the past year He will be assist
Gu by 1. l. Rhodes, prosecuting attorney
81 Monroe county; his brother, James H. /
RAodes and Charles p. Johnson, the cela-
GRATED criminal attorney from St. Louis
aeSteT, who has a wealthy brother in Tex
as. known as Green" Hill. viii be de-
Tended by Attorneys Cullen and AfcIntvre .
of Mexico, Mo.
since the arrest Of Jester AIr. Forrest
mas mad detectives on the track of scores
Oh witnesses who were required by the
These officers went over the
ran pursued by Jester from Valley Cen
-er' Kan, to Dalton, Ind. Particular at
-eHuon was paid to the route in which
Jester IS said to have been accompaniad
oy Gates. After the names of the Wit
nesses had been secured it was necessary +
TO locate them, and this was no easv
task The attorney who drew the 6rsr
Indictment in 1872 was found after months
IF unceasing labor in New York eitv Tho
sheriff who arrested Jester at Valley c4n-
-er' Kan, IN the same year, was located
N South Dakota. Other witnesses wara
found in Texas, California, Indiana, Iowa
Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas
These will be supplemented by the
parents of the murdered youth, Mr.. and
Mrs. a. a. Gates of St. Charles. III.
The case is one that win require all
he ingenuity and acumen ATTORNEYS can
summon 10 their support to secure con-
'iction,' says Mr. Forrest. FThe evidence
IF course. is purely circumstantial The
lead body Of the young man never has
oeen found. We must show that he IS
lead, that he died in Monroe col1ntv
that he was seen last with Al
7Xander Jester, and that Jester murdered
aim. We believe We viii be able to do
his, Notwithstanding the time that has
elapsed since the tragedy"
The following personal letter has been
sent to each witness for the state in the
lester case, by the prosecuting attorney,
'f Monroe county, after which they were
luiy subDoenaed. and neceSsary. exnansa
money sent them:
Paris. No, June %. 190O-Dear Sir.
The trial of Alexander Jester is set for
luis g. 1900: the trial viii take place at
New London, Rails county. Missouri
New London is thirteen miles from Han
ibal No. You VIII be needed as a Wit !
less. Prior to July you will be duly
ubpoenaed. Satisfactory arrangements
viii be made with you with reference to
our expenses. New London viii have an
abundance of pure spring water Ar
judgements have been made TO supply an
he witnesses with spring water. excel
ent food. Enclosed find stamped enve- I