The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-29
SENSATIONAL CASE.
Women at the StOltzman Trial
Take Their Dinners.

Fort Scott. Kan, Jan. 29-At the trial
of William Stoltzman for the Morrison
murder the court ordered that women
have the preference of seats in the
court room. The audience was almost
went early in the morning so as to get
good seats and hold them. The testi-
mony brought out the fact that on the
day after the murder of Postmaster
Morrison Stoltzman had scratches on
the back of one hand. He said that his
dog had bitten him.
Two witnesses testified that one Of the
murdered mans hands when he was
found, had substance under the finger
nails which appeared to be the cuticle
from Stoltzman's hands Another wit
ness testified that Stoltzman had at
tempted to break jail by fling bars.
The sherif's men testified to taking
file and the jail key from Stoltzman.
The key had been taken from the door
by one of the prisoners.
The aged wife of the murdered man
was one of the most important witness
es of the day AS she arose from her
chair young Stoltzman politely lifted his
chair out of the way that Mrs. Morrison
might pass.
Mrs. Morrison said she was the widow
of the murdered man. She was asked
to tell the last time she saw her hus-
band alive.
Tt was about 10 o'clock on the night
he was murdered"
What was the condition of the store p"
The blinds were all pulled down.
Did your husband count any money
when you were present."
i saw him count quite a little money
I don't know how much there was, but
there was some silver and bills
What did he do with the money!
He put the silver in a shot bag and
the bills in a pocketbook."
where did he r11f the cacIr and fha
pocketbook?"
I think he put them behind a crack
er box"
Witness said that while she was in the
store her husband took the lantern and
went into the rear of the store and
closed refrigerator. She said she saw
her husband lock the front door of the
store while she was preparing to leave
the room. He used great precaution in
fastening this door. Mrs Morrison said
placing a number of things against it.
The door leading into the Masonic hall
was also locked. When the doors had
been securely locked Mrs. Morrison
said she saw her husband arrange his
cot as if preparing his bed, and that
he placed his revolver and few
matches near his bed. The old lady
burst into tears as she told of the last
time she saw her husband She said
that he accompanied her to the rear
door and held the lantern UP that she
might see her way to her home
Witness continued About midnight
I was awakened by a peculiar sound.
I went to the front window and called
my daughter. We saw the dog on the
front porch: he was growing I went
back to bed thinking that the noise
was made by Mr.. Morrisons horses.
remember hearing the clock strike 1
shortly after this"
Mrs. Morrison was asked to state the
condition Of her husbands body at the
time she saw 1t She said she took her
husbands hand in hers and saw a white
substance under the finger nails During
wife's first sight Of her murdered husband
young Stoltzman listened attentfvely to-
the testimony. He did not show any emO4
ton when Mrs. Morrison burst into tears
The question regarding the substance I'M
der Mr.. Morrison's finger nails ended the
examination by the state.
ON cross-eXaminatio Mrs. Morrison Wa8
asked who it was that prepared Mr.. Nor
rison's body for burial She replied that it
was couple or three neighbor men She
said that at the time she took her hus-
bands hand in hers she also touched his
head Every mention OF her husbands con
dition brought tears to her eyes and the
even the jury was nOticeabl
Mrs. Stoltzman, the mother of the &C
cused lad was seen to brush away a tear
and the alleged murderer himself turned
his head. as did Danv others.
Did you see Willie StOtzman in the
store that mornings"
Yes. sir
Did ne say anything to you about send
Ing messages to your sons2'
The defense registered an objection
which was sustained
This ended Mrs. MOrrison's testimony.