The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-28
CODA MORRIS
WILL FIGHT
FOR FREEDOM
Bigamist and Grave Digger
Changes FickIe Mind.
REFUSES TO TALK NOW
For Womaa's Sake, He Says
Met Insane.
REFUSES TO TALK NOW

Guthrie. 0. T. August 27--It is now re-
rorted that Coda Morris, alias Pendleton.
VIII make defense. y dispatch from
Emporia says:
This morning when interviewed Mr..
Pendleton said he felt a little better than
ne did yesterday. When asked if he had
made written confession yet for publi-
cation, ne said no" and further stated
that he had made no confession at all.
Sheriff O'Connor today said that Pen
4 dleton was plain enough in the eonfcs-
/ sion he made to him. This morning a re-
porter asked Pendleton: DO you remem-
ber the conversation we had yyesterday
morning?'
Yes" was the answer.
But YOU do not remember making
a confession?'
Each time this question asked, Pendle-
/ ton to evade a direct answer, said he
was not going to talk any more for pub
licaton, that he had said too much
/ already. However. he would answer
questions he thought best 70 answer. He
took on a rather defensive mood today
and seemed to have got over the pros
trate stage he was in yesterday. 1t is
! evident that the prisoner Will make some
kind Of a defense although he said yes
to-day he would not defend himself. To-
day he has obtained the services Of a
lawyer.
He said this morning that he couldn't
put up the 81. .090 bond required TO keep
hin out OF jail until next October. but
remarked that II it was placed at $500 he
could put up the money. The prisoner is
characterized by kind Of uncertain man
ners. He said his head had troubled him
for nearly a year and that he had been
doctored FOR brain trouble. He admitted
Yesterday Of having too much morphine.
However he knocked out the insanity
idea when this morning after being asked
if he would plead insanity, he seemed to
be surprised and said, NO; never said
I was crazy
'AIr Pendleton declined to state
whether or not he would plead mot
guilty" but says he never made a con-
fession. The big prisoner this morning
said in a little while he would have ready
on article for publication Mr.. Pendle-
ton desires that nothing further Of this
case be printed, and as q reason said:
Grace" referring to Miss Oberly. lis
good girl, and I don't want to say any
thing thst would reflect on either her or
myself Pretty soon you Will learn lots
you don't know now. so you better wait
From the time Pendleton first reached
Emporia. he has feared lynching and has
told Sheriff O'Connor of his fears. Part
ly because Of Pendletons request, his
preliminary yesterday morning was held
in his cell in the county jail. Lynching
was not thought Of By Emporia people.
Sheriff O'Connor told the prisoner that
he was no longer in Missouri, so should
not fear lyncning. Pendleton says any
report that he refused to talk to Miss
Oblcy IS a mistake for he desires and is
willing TO talk to her. On the trip from
Albany, Mo. to Emporia, the two did
not spoak. but just before Pendleton was
taken from the carriage and placed in
jail Miss Oberly said: I want TO have a
talk with YOU" lie said all right. he
would bee willing TO hear her. As yet Miss
Obley has not been TO talk with Pendle-
ton. but she intends going 10 see him
soon Undoubtedly, judging from Pen
dletons actions he thinks much OF the
woman he wronged ard now feels he
wronged her.
County Attorney McCarty said today
it would be possible for Miss Obley to
sue Pendleton because of his actions.
but it was not worth while, as he has no
property 70 sue for.
This morning Mr. Pendleton sat FOR q
photograph. He did not hesitate in the
least and posed himself at the request Of
l. G. Alvord who photographed him.
The picture was taken for the cores
pondents OF several out-of-town papers.
( Pendlctons photograph is quite a con-
trast 20 The one he had taken just after
marrying Miss Obley last June. when
they We're in Colorado. Then he was
smooth shaven and "nobbny" dressed.
To-day b. looked ike tramp His stubby
beard which was partly grey and an old
'sunshade straw hat save him a de-
cidedly racky' appearance. lie wears
kindly smile and has d rather benevolent
look. but peculiar eyes.
"Pendletons lawyer IS Wll Kretsinger.
. who is Of the opinion that Pendleton VIII
+ put up "a defense. but on what grounds
has not yet beon made known"
For those who are nervous and run