The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-02-26
ABSENT WITNESSES
DELAY FIFE'S TRIAL.
Two Boys of Murdered Man Left
Savannah After Being Sub
poenaed by the State.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

St. Joseph Mo. Feb 25.-The unusual
spectacle of an attorney for the defense in
a murder trial Offering to bring forward abb
sent witnesses for the State In order that
his client might be tried for his life was
witnessed in the courtroom at Savannah to-
day when the ca So of Stuart Fife. charged
with the murder OF Frank W. Richardson.
the wealthy Savannah merchant. was
called. Prosecuting Attorney Booher filed
a motion for a continuance until the next
term OF court on the ground that two or the
states most important witnesses. John ana
Frank Richardson. sons of the deceased.
We're absent and could not be gotten to Sa-
vannah In time for the trial 70 take place
at this term.
1t was hinted by the prosecution that the
boys had been spirited away to Texas so
that they could NOT testify.
Protest Against Delay.
James ". Boyd of ST Joseph. leading
counsel for Fife. protested against the cas-"
going over. claiming that the testimony
of the Richardson boys was not especially
important. as they had alrendy told all
they might reasonably he expected to know
abou: the case. and that their evidence
was contained in the written transcript of
former hearings. But Prosecutor Booher
insisted that his case would be materially
weakened if the sons Of Richardson Were
not present. After referring rather acri-
monousy TO th,. States tactics. Mr. Boyd
addressing Judge Burnes. said:
III the Court please. ! will agree 20
get his witnesses here for him II he Is
able or unwilling to do so. | Will have
them here by Saturday or this week.
You are certainly entitled TO trial
under such circumstances" said Judge
Burnes This case will be continued until
next Monday"
Another statement concerning the absent
boys is that they Went to New York with
their grandfather shortly after they were
subpoeraed by the State.
Evidence of the Boys.
The Richardson boys are supposed to
know considerable about the cass-as much
perhaps as any other two witnesses the
State could find. one of them testified at
the trial of their mother at Plattsburg. and
was Il good witness in her behalf. One of
the boys was in the store the night OF the
tragedy and. according to the evidence Of
other witnesses. held 4 whispered conver-
sation with his father. immediately after
Richardson started for his house in a fast
walk The boy was not allowed to tell what
the conversation was between his father
and himself. although it is generally under
stood that he told his father that his
mother was not at the Christmas enter
tainment at the Episcopal Church.
Aside from that episode the boys are be-
lieved to know something about Fife and
his connection with the family.
Everybody in Savannah is talking about
Flies defense and wondering what it is to
be. but nobody knows. The general belief
is that his lawyers will rely alib..
and in connection with that theory all kinds
of stories aoat. one of them is TO
the effect that woman Of Savannah will
swear that young Fife was in her house
at the very moment Richardson was killed.
Two or three women in Savannah have
been mentioned in this connection.