Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-25
ON STAND
Mrs. Richardson Testifies in Her
Own Behalf in the MUIR
der Case.
Tells a straightforward Story
and Elicits Sympathy OF
Spectators.
A Sensational Incident Takes
Place in Which County
Attorney is Fined.

| Plattsburg, Mo, Jan. 25.-1ntereSt II
the trial of Mrs. Addie b. Richardson
| for the murder at Savannah of her hus
band, Frank w. Richardson, centere6
in the story told on the witness stand by
the defendant Mrs. Richardson appar-
emily produced a favorable impression
and before she finished testifying 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 a sensational incident took place
| that resulted in the court filming C. f.
Booher, leading attorney for the state
and father of the county prosecutor.
$50 and ordering the jury from the
| room.
Mrs. Richardson had been asked If
she hal told everything to this jury that
she had told to the coroner's jury.
No. she replied, mot to the coroner,
but to Mr.. Booher.''
What did you tell Mr.. Booher?''
"Your honor" interposed Mr.. Booher.
|
tears coursing down his cheeks II have
stood this long enough. l object to the
court allowing my name to be continu-
ally dragged into this case with insinu-
atoms that the witnesses have told me
more than 1 have made known. IL"
Mr.. Clerk" said the court, fine Mr.
Booher S25.''
II protest, your honor, that I am not
being treated fairly
Fine Mr.. Booher $780," said the court.
"and Mr.. Sheriff, ctake barge of Mr..
Booter 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. Dec. "a, 1900.
AT 7:15 in the evening Mr.. Richardson
and George Crowley had, she said, left
the house for Richardson's store She
was to go later to the Episcopal church.
where the children We're attending
Christmas entertainment. and from
there to the store to accompany her
husband to the theater. She told OF
leaving the house and remembering on
the way she had forgotten a brooch Civ
en- her by her husband. and of returning
to the house for 1t. Realizing II was
late, she telephoned Richardson that
she would not go to the church, but
would stay at the house and fix the
Christmas tree for the children and
await him there.
Then Mrs. Richardson told OF the ar
rival of her husband and of his death
II 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 sur
prise Frank. There seemed to be two
persons coming up the walk. Just be-
fore he reached the door leading from
the hall to the bedroom there was a re-
port and he fell backward When he
was in the hall heard some one say
Has 1t 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. I was star
tied, but at first did not fully realize
what happened. When lit the lamp
there was blood on my hands,"
Mrs. Richardson bowed her head and
wept before she was able to continue.
Mrs. Richardson was questioned close
ly about the condition OF her husbands
body and the manner in which he had |
fallen to the floor.
DO you know who shot your tus-
band?" she was asked.
II DO not"
did you see the person who shot
him?"
II did not"
Mrs. Richardson said that the meet
Ing Of Stewart on the church steps was
accidental. In discrimination, when
asked questions with reference to her
relations with Fife, she displayed both
pain an danger, but replied with en-
phasis She had she declared, consld-
cred Fife mere boy, and had not for
this reason paid attention to her hus-
bands accusation against her made
while he was Intoxicated.
A letter written by Richardson while
ne was in a drink cure institute at st.
Joseph, In which he had asked HE wife's
for making charges against
Ter while he was intoxicated, was adj
nitted as evidence.
The defense closed It's side yesterday
afternoon.