Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-03-23
MRS. FOSTERS STORY
Damag inl Evidence Against the
Defendant in the Trial at
Alsona.
Witness Curtis Gives the Horri.
Bile Details Of Mrs. Fosters
Confession.
Story Of Her Relations With Rob.
inson and ConspiracyAsainst
Foster Told.

Special to Times Republican.
Algona, March 23.-Rapid progress is
being made in the Foster case here.
Mrs Lucy Foster, the defendant, her
self was on the stand yesterday after
noon. Her testimony was not import
ant, she being put on the witness stand
for the purpose of Identifying the writ
ten confession made by her in the pres
ence of the county attorney and other
witnesses. the question of its admission
as evidence being held in allegiance. The
judge, however, in.:mated 1t would be
admitted unless it could be shown by
the defense that the same was obtained
under duress or by promise of reward
Much of the testimony OF the prosecu-
ton has been directed toward showing
that her confession was voluntary.
After hearing several of the witnesses
who We're present at the time the de-
PENDANT made her confession and the
court decided that the written confes-
sion was proper evidence in this case
and it was admitted. This Is regarded
as distinct victory for the prosecu-
ton.
The star witness of the afternoon was
#. NJ. Curtis. who was recalled and wasi
allowed by the judge to tell what was
said In his presence relating to the con-
fession, Curtis having been present
When the confession was made In his
testimony he said he was called to the
Foster home on or about Feb. %, and in
the presence of Charles Cohnour, county
attorney. DIR. E. w. Gay and defend
ants husband and Mrs. Foster, the de-
PENDANT, the said Mrs. Foster made the
confession and in his presence she
signed the same. Her confession - re-
lated by Curtis was substantially as
follows: That Clarence Robinson. who.
did the shooting, had been coming to:
her home for nearly a year and quite
frequently, at least once week and es-
pecially on Saturday night That he.
would stay sometimes until they would
hear Foster, the DEFENDANTS husband,
coming home and before he would un-
lock the door he (Robinson) would
make his escape thru a cellar window
which had been fixed by Robinson 40 he
could get out without being heard. That
Robinson had said to the defendant,
Mrs. Foster, if Fred. meaning defend
ants husband. ever caught him he
(Robinson) or Foster would have to die,
and that at this Mrs. Foster said: You
are afraid to do that" that Robson
told her he had bought a revolver and
he could not stand it any longer. She
further stated that she and Robson had
talked about getting Foster out of the
way. and after matters had Quoted
down defendant and Robson would go
away. marry and live together. That
defendant had stated in her confession
that she agreed to this and that on the
might of the shooting Robson met the
defendant on the street and walked
home with her and had explained how
he would kill Foster; that he left the
Foster home, arriving at heis fathers
home about $50 p. m. and went up
stairs and to bed; but that before enter
ling his father 8 house he had put lad-
l.der to his bedroom window; that short
lily after going - bed he arose and left
| his fathers house by way of the vim
dow and ladder and returned to the
| Foster home and stayed there until
| 1880. when he went out and lay in wait
| for Foster. Witness, further describing
defendants confession, said that Mrs,
\ Foster. in her statement, said when
Robson left the house she went to bed,
but did not sleep: that she lay awake to
hear the shot that was to kill her hus-
band; that shortly afterward she heard
the shot and that she then knew Fred
her husband. was shot and who shot
Ihim: that the next she heard was hel
husband coming to the door and tina,
she let him In and called in the neigh
bors. so they would not think she had
shot him.
DR. Gays testimony and that OF the
4 county attorney followed Curtis anc
was substantially the same as the lat
tiers
There seems to be little doubt tina,
Mrs. Foster will be convicted. as thu
Testimony SO far has been very conclus-
ike The court house is packed to suf.
4 location at every session.
4 This morning Fred Foster was agar
/ rut on the stand. He denied that hi.
wife had made any confession. Thi.
concluded the testimony and at II
O'Clock the attorneys began their APP.
peals to the jury. The county attorne,
4 tor the state opened the pleadings anc
he was followed by F. M. Taylor and E
" Sweeting for the defendant and til,
closing argument was by George T.
Clarke. who assisted County Attorne,
Cohenour. They closed their argument.
at 1880 and court adjourned until !:
e