The Topeka state journal., 1901-11-14
ON FATHERS SIDE
Klusmire Children Take Wit
ness Stand For Defense.
Tell of the Queer Actions of
Their Mother.
SHE TRIED TO SUICIDE.
Once Had Meat Knife and An
other Time Revolver.
Started to Leave Home Several
Times.
klusmire Gives His Version of
Wife's Death.
SHE TRIED TO SUICIDE.

| Oskaloosa, Nov. 14-The defense in
the Klusrnire murder case began late
Wednesday afternoon with the testi-
mony of the Klusmire children and was
very favorable to their father Their
testimony was the occasion for surprise
for they clearly esta blished the fact
that their mother had often acted
queerly and had several times threaten
ed to commit suicide.
The testimony concerning their faith
er's treatment of their mother was
! somewhat conflicting for they said that
he never abused her but Carrie admits
ted that there had been frequent quar-
rels.
The case was continued after the
noon recess by the recall of Mr.. Kin
man, the Kansas City police officer,
and the continuation of the cross-ex-
animation by Attorney D. H. Morse of
OskalOOsa, bringing out first the point
that the story of the tragedy had been
told to the witness in straightforward
way and that he had tried in no way
to evade any questions but acknowledge
ed that he had made a mistake in con-
cealing his wife's death.
TESTIMONY FOR DEFENSE.
The state here rested and the de-
fense put May Klusmire on the stand
as the first witness.
Attorney A. E. Crane of Holton,
questioned the witness. She stated that
last January her mother had been dis
cOntented and had attempted to leave
home the plea that the boys wor-
ried her; later. in February she had at
tempted to get revolver to shoot her
self, as a result of a slight misunder-
standing with her father. At a later
time in March she had insisted upon
stabbing herself with meat knife but
was deferred from doing so by May and
her father.
At one time, May had seen her out
walking up and down in the yard and
suspecting something the matter
went to her and said: Mamma, what is
the matter. dear?"
She said: "Oh, 7 going to hang
myself. l guess papa leaves that rope
hanging in the tree on purpose for me-"
I said, why, mamma, what are yOn
going TO do that for?'' ''Why, May, 1
have nothing to live for There is moth
ing here-this old house and everything
make me tired
But l told her that she had all these
dear little children and they needed her
care and finally pacified her and later
she appeared happier.
Then, again, one morning when papa
was complaining of being sick and wish
ed to rest from work she told him that
that was no way to earn a living for
family. Later in the morning she
deavored to hurt Pearl by taking her
around the neck, leaving red places
which l saw later.
AS a result of further questioning by
Attorney Crane witness stated that her
mother had repeatedly asked for a di-
vorce from her father, saying:
I'll go away where you never will
see me again." and expressed herself as
being tired of "these little devils"
May Klusmire was questioned
by Attorney r. B. Welch, he using copies
of statement taken by the county at
torney and himself at the Klusmire
home June 18, and it appeared that she
had forgotten some of her statements
made at that time She certainly grew
confused and at times appeared much
affected when speaking of her mothers
troubles and condition.
Attorney Cranes questioning how
ever, brought out the fact that she had
never before been a witness in a case
nor had she ever been in a court room
before
ACTIONS.
Jno. Klusmire, a boy of II, was next
called and testified that at one time he
had seen his mother leaving home on a
cold winters day, clad merely in an or
binary calico dress and with nothing on
her head.
His stories in regard to the revolver
and meat knife corroborated in the main
those told by May.
Speaking of his mothers trying to
leave home he said, again, "She went
field and pasture and went down by the
hedge, looking for a place to get through.
She couldn't seem to find none, so she
came back and sat down on the frozen
ground south of the house."
The witness said later in his testimony
that his father had told his mother when
she insisted upon leaving home, We'll,
I'll take one thousand dollars and leave
and YOU can stay here and take care of
the children" but that she said, Il
don't want to stay here"
Attorney Crane then said John, did
your father ever curse your mother?''
John replied, Never
Did your father ever strike your
mother?"
Did your father ever threaten your
mother?'
Never
Did your father ever in any way
show violence to your mother?"
Never
These replies were made by John in
a very positive tone of voice, the en-
time the reply Never was given.
CARRIE KLUSMIRE TESTIFIES.
After a short recess the defense called
Carrie Klusmire to the stand, and she
was questioned by Attorney Sydney
Hayden.
She told, as did John, of her mothers
attempting to run away on a cold day
in January, dressed merely in a calico
dress with nothing on her head. She
tempts on her mothers part to run away
from home.
The questions again as to any cursing,
abusing or threatening to abuse the
mother by defendant were replied to in
almost identically the same way as
Johns replies had been given.
fr.ontin,,a5 on sixth Paeel