The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-25
Handwriting Experts Testify at
Preliminary.
PRISONER DENIES ALI
VIII Have Experts to Examine
the Letters.
Trial viii Be Completed on
Thursday.

ed with writing threatening letters to
Charles Wolff, the Topeka packer, came
up in the city court this morning, but
was adjourned to O'Clock Thursday af-
ternoon. This ADJOURNMENT was at
the request of Attorney Joseph Reed
for the defense who asked time for ex-
perts to pass upon the handwriting Of
the several letters introduced as evil
dence for the defense.
Tom Maclxie was the first witness for
the prosecution. He examined all the
letters introduced as evidence, and said
that all the letters were. in his opinion,
by the same hand.
Dan Perkey. a brother-in-1aw of
Laird's, was next put on the stand.
He testified that on many occasions he
had taken private letters from Laird
to his wife, out Of her private room and
read them out Of curiosity and that he
was well acquainted with Reds writ
ing. He examined the letters but would
not say positively that he thought the
Wolff letters were written by Laird.
+. M. Bonebrake, assistant cashier of
the Central National bank was sworn
as hand writing expert, and testified
that it was his opinion that the Wolff
letters We're written by the same hand
as the Darling Bessie letter, which
Laird acknowledged writing to his
wife.
Speed" Hughes. assistant cashier Of
the Bank OF Topeka gave the same
opinion.
Mr.. Chas- Wolff was then put os tie
stand to testify that he received the -
ters in evidence.
The state rested. and Attorney Reed
for the defense examined the prisoner.
his wife, and his father Z. E Laird,
who is government meat inspector.
now employed at VOLTS packing
house Laird emphatically denied
writing the Wolff letters, but admitted
all the others. and his wife and father
sWOre that the letters bore no trace of
Reds handwriting.
In the cross examination County At
torney Nichols attempted to show that
Laird could write with his left hand,
but failed although he admitted that
he was naturally left-handed.
Laird seemed to be unable to remem-
Der dates. Among other questions by
the prosecution We're d few relating to
the paper on which the various letters
were written. Attorney Nichols asked:
After your return from Wichita did
you frequent the Fifth Avenue hotel?'
mo, sir
did you not borrow some letter.
heads from Mr.. Pigg, the proprietorT'
Il did not"
Did you ever get any paper at
Klingaman's drug store?"
Yes. I wrote a letter to Mr.. Crane |
paper"
You don't admit then that you got
any letter-heads from the Fifth Avenue |
or Kingaman's."
mo, sir
Did you write to Grubbs on yellow
paper, and also to the Moeser Ice COM |
pany concerning work."
mo, sir; did not"
DO you know who wrote to Wolr?"
mo. DON'T
do you know man named CaveY'
DO you know The place where this
money was to be left2
mo, I have never been any closer to /
that place than two streets northeast of |
the Union Pacific depot and that was |
Attorney Reed then asked Laird If he
had not been in the asylum. and he said
that he had, but couldn't remember the /
Attorney Reed then asked for the con
tinuance. and viii have the following /
in the court room at 10 o'clock Thursday
w. s. E-berle C. s. Bowman, W. J. Stod-
dar5. oscar Swayze
If ta.Sir report is favorable they viii be
put on the stand for the defense
THE WOLFF LETTERS.
No. 1. P. Marked K. c. La J. R R Po.,
Mr.. Charles Wolf.
Care Wolfn PcIz. Co. 6Persona1.)
Mr. Charley Wolf, take warning and
follow these directions: I need some mon
ey and viii have it or death You may de
eide Tor yoursetf, but u you ran 20 90
this, YOU or your son will not live over
one month. I am forced to do something
MY wife has left me on account OF my
losing my money in business. so ] don't
can go to my wife and be happy again.
but if l do not death viii pc pleasant L
bis niaee f Il is sbot sl onef nae north Of
North Topeka There is three bridges
Is a wagon bridge and the other two are
railroad bridges. and you will find a
marked by the exaniners) whole dug
about two feet north OF 2 crossing post,