Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-11

Had Been Drinking.
The evidence brought out was prac-
tically unanimous to the fact that both
men had been drinking heavily during
the day and at the time of the fatal
quarrel were well under the influence
of liquor.
Mrs. Williams Story.
Before the coroners jury today Mrs.
Williams stated that yesterday after
noon William Slater came to her home
and with abusive language demanded
an explanation of the rumors he had
heard to the effect that she and her
husband had been talking about him.
Mrs. Williams stated that when she
tried to talk with him he became more
abusive and thinking to leave the
house she caught up her baby, but as
she started to pass Slater, she states
that he made slash with a knife cut
ting the clothes of the child
Hunts for Her Husband.
After this Mrs. Williams states that
she made her escape from the house
and went in search of her husband,
whom she found at the home of John
Berry. Mrs. Williams then returned
home while her husband went to the
residence of George Thomas, where
Slater had preceded him. The next
Mrs. Williams saw, according to her
statement this morning, was when the
two men were in the garden back of
the Thomas home, Williams drew back
his hand from Slater and little later
saw the latter fall to the ground.
Inquest Continued.
This morning Sheriff Cremer and
Chief Gray made another trip to Keb
and secured additional witnesses in
the case who will appear before the
coroner's jury this afternoon
Evidence for Grand Jury.
1t is stated by the officers who have
been looking into the case that Viii.
liams will undoubtedly be held To
await an investigation by the grand
jury and that large number of wit
nesses have already been secured who
will doubtless give much valuable evil
dence and insure thorough investiga-
tion by that body.
Thought to have been implicated in
the killing of William Slater at Keb
Mrs. Carrie Williams, wife of Frank
Williams, was taken into custody by
Sheriff j. H. Cremer today and will
be held at the county jail pending the
preliminary hearing. Information viii
be filed in Richland township and il
is expected that within a few days
both Mr.. and Mrs. Williams will be
given their preliminary hearing before
Justice of the Peace Stannier.
At 1:3O o'clock this afternoon the
coroner's jury began taking testimony
and at 2:15 o'clock, the case, having
been carefully gone over, the jury re
tired to prepare it's verdict.
Trouble at Thomas House.
Probably the most important testi
mony taken this afternoon was that o
! Joseph H. Blanchan, white man from
Keb, who resides near the homes o
John Berry and George Thomas MI
Blanchan confirmed the fact that th
trouble between Slater and William
occurred at the home of Georg
| Thomas, instead of originating at tn
home of Williams as stated by Mrs
Williams this morning. He stated tha
he had noticed the woman passin
along the street yesterday afternoo
and heard her making threats, bu
/ against whom he was unable to state
He stated that according to what h
saw OF the quarrel MI
Slater, though considerably ur
der the influence of liquor, made re
1 peated attempts to get away iron
4 Williams and that just previous to tn
time. he was struck by the accuse
hA ha.l mo off 10 G
or in any way provoke the quarre
Mr.. Blanchan states that he sa'
Frank Williams raise his hand an
: strike Slater, but that he was so ia
away from the two men at the tim
that he could not tell whether Wi
liams had weapon of any kind in hi
hand.
Saw Slater Fall.
Just previous to the consummatio
of the quarrel Mr.. Blanchan state
that he heard Mrs. Williams pleadin
; with her husband and saying, &C
,, don't do it," After. the blow wa
struck the witness testified that MI
Slater stood for possibly two minute
! and then fell face downward in tn
snow. He stated that later Slater
i, WHO WAS SUN apparently DTSaJnlDs
was put in wagon and taken to tn
house where he had been living.
Words Passed at Berrys Home.
, According to the evidence brough
, out this afternoon it seems that tn
two men quarreled over some matte
| earlier in the day while they were {
e the home of John Berry. This fax
l was brought out by the testimony {
3 Mrs. Scott, who kept boarders in whs
is known as the old Hatfield place, {
the house now occupied by John Berr
Mrs. Scott states that she did not pa
sufficient attention to the dispute
, learn what it was about
Woman Had Dirk.
| Mrs. Anna White, who was at IL
Y Berry home at the time Mrs. William
5 came after her husband stated th;
j. she had seen Mrs Williams carrying
Q weapon in her hand. When QUESTION:
3 closely she stated that it looked to h,
{ like a dirk knife and Mrs. William