The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-02
HALL IS HELD.
Policeman Who Killed George
Head Bound Over.
Judge McCabe Fixes His Bail at
$1,000.
DETAILS OF THE STORY
Two Witnesses Say Heads
Hands We're Up.
Doctors Tell How the Blow
Caused Death.

Policeman S. NJ. Hall was bound over
in the city court this morning on S.. OOo
bond to stand trial in the district court
on the charge of killing Geo. w. Head.
Hall expects to furnish bond.
Otis Hungate prosecuted the case for
the state and J. S. Ensminger appeared
for Hall. Chief Stah1 and Policeman
Hall sat close behind Ensminger. Hall
was neatly dressed in citizens clothes.
Mrs. Head. who swore to the COM
plant, was not present at the begin
ming of the trial. One witness had been
examined before the complaining wit
ness entered. It was about $3.50 when
Mrs. George w. Head, wife of the dead
nan, her two children. a boy and
girl, and Heads divorced wife took
their seats behind Prosecuting Attorney
Hungate. Both Mrs. Head and the
former Mrs. Head were dressed in
mourning. They said not a word and
did not even consult with their attor-
ney. The children were well behaved,
and played around the court room in
ignorance of what was going on.
Mrs Head showed no emotion until
the preliminary examination had been
concluded. Then her little girl went to
her to have her bonnet tied on. The
mother leaned over the child and tied
the strings. Policeman Hall was on the
opposite side of the table, ready to leave
the court room. The little girl saw him
and pointed to him. The mother looked
to see who the child saw. She saw Hall
standing not six feet from her. Her
eyes flashed She gave. the bonnet
strings little jerk There IS the
man., she said. with so much emotion
she could hardly speak He was the
man who killed your father" she con-
tinued, looking intently at the child.
There were fourteen policen en- in the
court room besides Hall and Chief
Stahl. When the trial was over they
crowded around Hall and accompanied
him to the county Jail. where he will
remain until he furnishes bond.
The divorced wife of George Head
was as deeply interested in the pro-
ceedirgs as the widow She told At
torney Hungate that if any money was
necessary to be used in the prosecution
she would see that it was furnished.
Dr. c.. E. Judd was the first witness
called He explained the fracture of
Heads skull. and was asked by Attor-
ney Hungate what caused the death OF
Head.
Death resulted from the fracture of
the SKULL replied DR.. Judd.
On cross examination Attorney Ems
minger asked, Was it a sevc-e blow or
a light blow?"
Not as hard as it might have been
replied DIR. Judd.
WAS the skull crushed?"
There was no apparent crush"
Dr. Judd testified that the organs of
the dead man showed the effects of the
use of alcohol.
IF he had been in proper physical
condition would death have resulted?"
1T probably would"
do not the conditions Of the bones
have a good deal to do with a case oe
this kind?"
Yes
"Was not this mans skull brittle?"
ftNO
IF this man had been in a. healthy
condition would he have died so soon?''
7 don't know
would not the use of alcoholic liquor
render the skull brittle?''
"Not to any noticeable degree
"A man of his age would have bones
more brittle than younger man?''
would not alcohol superinduce brit
tleness?''
mo. think not
prom the fact that this man did not
stagger it must not have been a heavy
blow?''
mot necessarily
Would not an ordinary blow have
staggered hin2''
Il don't know"
H. l. Herring, proprietor of the Adams
House. was the next witness called. Mr..
Herring testified to seeing the trouble
when Policeman Hall struck Head
Il saw Head come across the street
and take position near the people
holding a religious meeting said Her
ring.
'.What did you see?" asked Attorney
Hungate.
Nothing unusual at that time. The
first knew some one said George Head
was there having a good time"
What was Head doing2"
Nothing that 1 noticed"
What was the next thing you saw2'
Il noticed the crowd moving back and
saw Hall leading Head out of the
crowd"
How did he have hold of him2''
with his left hand
What happened then2"
THE next 1 knew was when Hail
struck him.
what happened then2"
s'I thought Head had his hands up"
What did Head say?"
II thought ne said Wait three times
what happened then2"
Hall struck him"
did you hear the blow?'
Il did
Head sided OF and got hold Of a lamp
ibid you see Mr.. Head making any re-
sistence before the blow was struck?''
mo more resistance than any man
would make who was being led
Did you see Head strike Hall?"
on cross-examination Attorney Ensmir-
'Didn't Head turn around and strike
iaapl :aNo.
Head might have struck Hall and you
He might"
When Hail struck him did Head stag
What kind of blow was it Hall
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