The daily morning Alaskan., 1901-01-05
SECRET COURT SESSION
Was Tried Yesterday Behind Closed Doors But the Testimony Was Heard-Mrs. Hull Admits Allow ing Kennedy to Kiss and Hug Her and Sat on His Lap-Defendant Refuses to Go on the Stand.

John Kennedy was given a preliminary hearing before Judge Sehlbrede yesterday afternoon at a secret session in Attorney R. D. Weldon's office, in the Wilson block, on the charge of committing rape on Mrs. T. N. Hull. one week ago Wednesday morning, at her home on 18th avenue. He was bound over to appear before the grand jury and his bonds placed at S2, 5oo..
 AS announced in yesterday mornings DAILY ALASKAN the trial was to have taken place at ? o'clock yesterday after noon in Judge Sehlbrede's court room on Main street, and two hours before that time the hall was filled to over-crowdng with body composed principally of rep resentative business men, while on the sidewalk, trying to peer through the win dows was another large crowd, among which were several women.
 Judge Sehlbrede was in his chair. pre- smably waiting for the marshal to arrive with his prisoners. He, however, had planned a coup d'etat that was not discov- cred until late hour in the afternoon, He suddenly appeared to be called away on business and left the crowd waiting. Meanwhile he proceeded to Attorney Wel- don's office, where the prisoner and witt nesses were waiting, and commenced the case.
 The door was securely fastened and en- trance denied to all, representatives of the press included, on the ground that the court has the power to eXcltde the press and public from a court room. But the representatives of the DAILY ALASKAN were not so easily toied and the story is for the public.
 Attorney Weldon appeared as private prosecutor and J. F. Dillon represented the defendant. T. N. Hull, the prosecuting witness, his wife, Marshal Shook and the defendant were the only ones present.
 Mrs. Hull was placed on the stand and appeared very unnclined to testify. She hung her head and there appeared au un- certainty about all her statements, al- tn ough at no stage of the proceedings did she appear the least abashed, but the ac- cused gave every evideuce that he felt the trying ordeal through which he was was going.
 The witness was closely questioned by Attorney Dillon and admitted that she had previously been on 'almost" intimate terms with the defendant, having invited him to the house and allowed him to fon- dIe and kiss her and take other liberties.
 She said Kennedy called at her house at II o'clock one weeE, ago Wednesd " morn- ing and she invited him into the house She admitted that she permitted Kennedy to kiss and fondle her while she sat on his lap.
 However, she also stated on the witness stand that Kennedy outraged her. although she offered stubborn resistance. She ad mtted that she did not make an outcry and gave as reason that the nearest house was one hundred feet away and she was afraid her cries would not be heard. Notwithstanding this, however, Kenne dv called at the house that afternoon ant she admitted having received him. | She also admitted that she had called at Behrends' store several times last Weel and would allow nobody but Kennedy t