The Forrest City times., 1901-01-11
MRS. RICHARDSON ACCUSED.
Finding or the Coronsr's Jury In the Rieh- ardson Murder Case at sa-
 vannah, Mo.

tound that "R1chardSon came to his death by a pistol shot fired by his wife, Addie l.. Richardson. or by some one known to the said Addie L. Richardson, but unknown to the jury"
 The coroner convened his court and waited for the arrival of the impor- tant witness. In few minutes it was announced to Coroner Berer that Mrs. Richardson was too ill to come to the court house, but that she was anxious to tell all she knew. Her counsel, At torney A. w. Brewster, of St. Joseph, asked that the coroner and his six jurymen proceed to the Richardson home and that there the widow would tell her story.
 At lo:40 the jury proceeded to the Richardson residence, five blocks from the court house, followed by a vast crowd of people. When the officers of the court arrived at the Richardson house fully 100 men and women crowded into the grounds.
 Prosecuting Attorney Booher. stand ing on the front porch, addressed the people, requesting all to go away, as only the coroner and those immedi- ately connected with the hearing and three representative of the after noon press would be admitted. "Please go away now," said Mir Booher. ''In the name of the Richard son family and the authorities I re- quest it."
 The first step of the coroner was to take the measurements of the hall and bedroom where the murder oc- cured. This occupied some time, and while 1t vas proceeding Mrs. Richard son remained in the parlor, under the care of her physician and relatives.
 Finally the corner convened his court and called upon Mrs. Richard son to testify. She was permitted to rehcarse the events of the tragedy in her own way and was not interrupted with questions until she finished. She told her story, much as it has been printed heretofore, in a straightfor- ward manner. It shed no new light on the mystery.
 Then, in answer to questions, Mrs. Richardson denied every important statement in the testimony of Bessie Phyllis, the servant girl, alleging that she (Mrs. Richardson) had frequently received the visits of men, who stayed late at night, in the absence of her husband. She testified that she was 1.l she said, when her husband entered the house about $40 o'clock.
 She continued:
 Il heard footsteps of two people on the walk leading to the house and on the front porch. l heard a buggy just C few minutes before Frank came in. Mir. Richardson was walking natural ly. l did not hear voices outside. As Frank came to the door 1 stood up. l had been lying upon couch in the bedroom, and l leaned against the wall, preparatory to saying boo to scare Frank and MT. Crowley, as | supposed it to be. When the door opened l only heard one footstep in the hallway. The door to the sitting room was open. He seemed to be walking in, and he said that he had come, or come on, or come in, or some thing like that, when a shot rang out. My recollection is that the body fell in the hallway.
 At first I did not know he was shot. 1 did not hear word or any other noise. My first thought was that he had committed suicide. 1 tried to get him on a couch, but could not I opened his clothes and felt for his heart. While I was doing this I re- member hearing a door or window slam in the rear of the house.
 II lighted lamp and looked for a revolver. When I could not find one l knew someone else must have shot him. I suppose l was very much eX- cited at the time. had no suspicious at that time of anyone but Goldie Whitehead. l do not know of an enemy of Frank in Savannah or else | where.
 He told me several times that he was afraid of Goldie Whitehead Several days before he was killed he said he was going to get revolver, as his life was in constan; tanger, but to my Knowledge, he had not got one. Charles Stanton told me the difficulty between Goldie White head and Frank was settled. It was several weeks before the shooting that Frank had last accused me of be | ing intimate with other men,"
 Mrs Richardson gave the names ot men with whom her husband accused her of improper intimacy. She did not | falter or waver in any statement. Mrs. Richardson was arrested a' her home last night. She gave bond for S1.Oo0. signed by her brother-in' law, John D. Richardson, of Chicago; w. $. Wells, cashier of the State Bank of Savannah, and her attorney, II. k White, of St. Joseph.
 The preliminary hearing is set fol lsns ary 16.