Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-10
DEFENDANT 1[S1|F|ES|
Reynolds Concludes His Testi-
mony in His Own Behalf
in Crofton Case.
States Cross Examination Was
Severe. But Failed to Shake
Prisoners Story.
Accused Swears He Turned Crof.
ton Over to Two Men
Near Ireton.
Special to Times-Republican.

/
| Special to Times-Republican.
Orange City. April 10.-W. +. Reyn.
olds, who is on trial here for the muir
der of Rev. Crofton, the colored preach
er last August, concluded his testi-
mony in his own behalf today. He was
put thru severe cross examination by
the state, but stuck to his story.
| Reynolds was calm and collected
while giving his testimony and his
manner while on the stand was that oil
la man who Is innocent and believes
that his release from the charge OF
murder is assured. He denied that
he struck the old preacher, denied that
! the blood stained wrench introduced
in evidence by the state was his or that
he had ever seen 1t before and denied
that he had ever seen the sack OF
money, which it is claimed was the
incentive for the murder, If the states
theory is correct.
witnesses for the defense tends to
corroborate Reynolds statement that
he turned Crofton over to the negro
and white man whom he claims were
encamped at the forks of the road a
mile southwest of Ireton.
The court room was packed to suf-
location yesterday, for it had beer
announced that Reynolds would be put
on the stand. At exactly 1890 o'clock.
James M. Parsons, one of the attorneys
for the defense and relative of the
accused man, called out:
Mr.. Reynolds will take the stand
in his own behalf
Reynolds complied and in reply to
interrogatories told the following
story:
ut was on July 26 of last year that l
first met Samuel Crofton. the blind
preacher. On that date l was at the
home of Rev. Mr.. Case in Alcester re-
pairing piano. Crofton came to the
door and inquired the location of the
water closet. Upon his return he said
something about his harness breaking
down. l paid no further attention to
him while he was adjusting his cloth
ing aided by Rev. Mr.. Case. l did not
see the sack of money, but Mr.. Case
mentioned it after Crofton had gone.
We discussed the incident and came to
the conclusion he had good deal of
money.
That afternoon" continued Rey-
holds, II went to Beresford on business.
saw Crofton on the train and also
saw him when he got off at the Beres
ford depot. l did not speak to him.
After 1 got thru with my business at
Beresford returned In the afternoon
to Alcester 1 had engagement to
play tennis with Mr. Case, but finding
my boss. A. B. Paddock. in town, did
not go down. The next day | went to
Hawarden and from there to Sioux
Falls, returning to Hawarden July 80.
at which time l registered at the Brew
err hotel. August at Hawaruen sold
q sewing machine, and 1T was on that
day 1 returned from ride and Went to
my room suffering with chill and
headache.
"On August I | arranged to go to the
home of Dan Montgomery near Ireton.
I went to the bank and inquired as to
his financial standing, and afterward
went to the livery stable and was talk
ing with the liveryman about getting
team for the trip when Crofton came
along. He wanted to know if he could
ride with me to Ireton. and told him
he could. In the afternoon about 4
o'clock met the old man at the North
western hotel, where helped him into
the wagon by the arm, not feeling of
his back, as has been testified TIC by
some of the witnesses for the state
Crofton had one grip with him. l in
CURED the way to Ireton, and was told
to follow the telegraph line. We set
out at once. We conversed during the
trip, and then about mile west of Ire
ton we turned south for mile in the
direction of Montgomery's place. Just
at the forks of the road came upon q
outfit. A negro and white
man with a covered wagon was there.
l spoke to Crofton, telling him there
was member of his race, and he
wanted to get out and see him. / stop
ped and spoke to the men. Crofton got
out and passed the time of day. He
handed card to the negro, who passed
1t to the white man. The latter re-
turned it to Crofton with a piece of
The old preacher asked after
their spiritual welfare, and then asked
them if they were going to Ireton in the
afternoon. l had told Crofton that 1
was going to Montgomery's place and
would likely go from there direct back
to Hawarden. The men said they were
going to Iretoh, whcreupon Crofton
wanted his grip, and said he would stay
the party goodby. / went on but as I
afterward discovered, missed Mont
gomery's place and continued on 10 the
farm house of a man named Buck |
There was no one at home, and 1 then
went back by another road to Harvard
IN, stopping en- route at the home of |
Mrs. kleinefelter. and also at the home
IF Mrs. Leffert, both of whom saw. |
arrived at Hawarden between Z and 8 |
o'clock, had supper. and afterward sat |
On the porch with the guests playing
he guitar and singing for them.''
Did you strike the old man?' asked |
Attorney Parsons.
II did not"
Did you kill Samuel Crofton?"
mo sir; did not
Did you ever pitch his grip out of
he wagon?"
No. sir. / handed him his grip when
he left me to go with the two men,
southwest of Ireton.''
Continuing, the witness said he left
iawarden for Sioux Falls August 8, re-