The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-24
SENSATIONAL.
Testimony of Mrs. Richardson
Causes Women to Weep.
The Defendant, Herself, is Often
i'm Tears.
STORY WELL RECEIVED
Events of the Day of Murder
Related in Detail.
Explains How the Blood Came
Upon Her Hands.
Attorney Booher Interrupts
Court and is Fined.
STORY WELL RECEIVED

Plattsburg, Mo-, Jan. 24.-Interest to-
day in the trial of Mrs. Addie B. Ricil-
ardSon for the murder at Savannah of
her husband. Frank w. Richardson.
centered in the story told on the wit
ness stand by the defendant. Mrs. Rich
ardson apparently produced a favorable
impression and before she finished teS-
tifying the women in the court room
were in tears. Once during the recital
Mrs. Richardson herself gave way to
emotion and buried her face in her
handkerchief. While Mrs. Richardson
was on the stand sensational incident
took place that resulted in the court
ining c. f. Booher, leading attorney for
the state and father of the county pros
ecutor $50 and ordering the jury from
the room.
Mrs. Richardson had been asked if
she had told everything to this jury
that she had told to the coroner's jury.
No. "she replied. mot to the coroner's
jury but to Mr.. Booher.''
What did you tell to Mr.. Booher -
Your honor, interposed Mr.. Booher,
his voice trembling with emotion and
tears coursing down his cheeks, Il have
stood this long enough. / object to the
court allowing my to be cOntinu-
ally dragged into this case with insinu-
ations that the witnesses have told me
more than have made known. IT"
Here the attorneys voice gave out
Mr.. Clerk" said the court. fine Mr..
BooIer $25."
being treated fairly
Fine Mr. Booher $50" said the court,
land Mr.. Sheriff take charge of Mr..
Booher and remove the jury from the
room.''
A recess was taken. A few minutes
later Attorney Booher returned, apollo
gized to the court and Mrs Richardson
proceeded.
Mrs Richardson detailed the events
of the day of the murder. December "A.
1900 AT lis in the evening Mr.. Rich
ardson and George Crowley, had she
said, left the house for Richardson's
store. She was to go later to the Epis-
copal church where the children were
attending a Christmas entertainment
and from there to the store to accom-
pany her husband to the theater She
told of leaving the husband and remen-
bering on the way that she had forgot
ten a brooch given her by her husband
and of returning to the house for it.
Realizing it was late. she telephoned
Richardson that she would not go 10
the church, but would stay at the house
and fix the Christmas tree for the child
rem and await him there.
Then Mrs. Richardson told of the ar
rival of her husband, and of his death.
Il heard buggy drive up said the
witness, and then heard footsteps COM
ing up the brick sidewalk. I turned
the light down in the room and sat on
the couch near the door expecting to
surprise Frank There seemed to be
two persons coming up the walk. Just
before he reached the doorway leading
from the hall to the bedroom, there was
a report and he fell backward. When
he was in the hall I heard some one
say: Has it come to- or something like
that. When he fell I placed my hand
under his head and tried to raise him
up. I supposed he was trying TO fright
en- me. Then lit the lamp. 1 was
startled but at first did not fully realize
what happened. When I lit the lamp
there was blood on my hands"
Mrs. Richardson bowed her head and
wept before she was able to continue.