Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-20
PRISONERS ACTIONS DETAILED
M other and Father Of tho Defendant
Placed on tho Stand to Give Evil
dence in Behalf of Their Accused
son-said He Often Threatened to
Commit Suicide.
snecia, to Times-Republican

evidence Is wholly along the line Oh an
attempt to show that Buck had peeh
mentally ailing for years, and was NJ
fact not responsible for his actions'
The first witness this morning was
M. C. Film. who was recalled, VINO tes-
titled that when Buck called at his
Mace of business in Des Moines, he
seemed out of sorts, discouraged and
even threatened suicide. Mrs. Scott
was also recalled. Her husband is a
brother Of Mrs. Buck senior. She tes-
titled that last year defendant visited
her home and while there seemed very
much discouraged. Declared all his
friends had deserted him and said he
had a notion to hang himself.
The mother of the defendant was
placed on the stand this morning. Her
testimony was quite lengthy She
went over the principal events in the
defendants life with special reference
to the two times he was badly hurt and
recalled many incidents when he had
acted queerly. Since the second injury
when Buck was IL years of age he had
not been himself and seemed to have
hallucinations. Often complained OF
severe headaches and sometimes talk
ed about the ceiling falling on him and
talked a good deal about Satan. SAID
defendant was compelled to leave
school when he was seventeen because
of his inability to make any Roadway
with his books. He had been more or
less Eighty ever since. Said he bought
a revolver six years ago. but had al
ways declared he would never use u
except for self-protection. Witness was
shown the gun and thought it looked
like the one her son carried.
Mr.. Buck, ST., father of the defend
ant, was placed ON the stand. His tes-
timony was largely a repetition OF that
Of the previous witness.
Monday Afternoon.
Mrs. Griswold, Des Moines. knew
Buck received injury; 1t was FEB. q,
1891; he was pale and had mouth open
when they brought him to the houses
the doctor was called while was
there: it was three weeks before Buck
was able to be cut.
Mr.. Buck, father of defendant, Live
at Prairie City. Buck (defendanD was
hitching up a horse; horse got fright
ened and ran around in front Of my
store in Des Moines; some boys came
running and told me that Milliard the
defendant was killed; I ran around
and found him unconscious with his
head on the curbing; helped Vandike
take him to the house; he was sick
about three weeks; I noticed that af-
ter this he stammered and often had
headache; once before he got over 1t
heard him scream Satan is after me,
he looks awful; after this he went to
school off and on for about year;
he is a twin of Miron; there was a
wound on head which was bleeding
when picked him up; every now and
then would be sent home from school;
Willard does not or did not drink.
Mrs. Scott. Live at 1928 East Grand
Des Moines. l was at Bucks house at
time of the injury; did not go out but
washed blood from him when he was
brought to the house; he was neon
scious for some time: there was a
wound on his head near the left side
and towards the back.
Mrs. Perly. Lived in Des Moines at
time Of injury; am sister of defendant;
he was 13 at time Of first injury; and
again at II; he was leading horse, l. e.
hitching up and horse ran away drag
ging him about block; he then threw
him: / ran out, he was unconscious;
they brought him to the house in de-
livery wagon; my father and some
others brought him, but do not know
who they were.
Frank Buck, Guthrie, Okla. Brother
of defendant. When Willard was Ia he
and / We're riding on horseback and
he was thrown from horse at Fifteenth
and Walnut streets. Walnut was paw
ed. I was home the Marcn after he
was injured the second time. / not
iced that he was strange at times
Once remember that he screamed that
Frank was trying to smother him with
a feather bed. Another time he scream
ed that the ceiling was falling on him.
Again said that Satan was after him,
and at another thought that big ami
NAL was after him. Would scream,
jump UP and start away. Appeared to
be scared. His eyes were CLASSY and
did not seem to know where or why
he was going.
M. G. Film, Des Moines. Am an-ar-
fist. Known Buck seven or eight years.
He came to my place Of business on
Walnut a few days prior to the shoot
ing. Acted different than usual. Usu-
ally would say Hello, Irishman," and
crack some joke, but this time just
came in and said Hello" His cheeks
were flushed. / said, Have you been
drinking?" Buck said, mo; you know
don't drink" His conversation was
broken, and told me about his troubles.
asked him why he did not send In
more work. He said have not done
much. My enemies are trying to do
me. / sold monument but they queer
ed me out of that" In my opinion he
was not quite right
Mr.. Sandberg, Des Moines, paper
hanger and painter. I was at Films
when Buck came in. Did not seem to
know me at ali. / did not hear what
was said as went to window and wae-
ons on pavement made too much rack
ct. He would jump up all of a sudden
and pace the floor. went out for an
hour and when returned he was gone
When I came back l said to Film,
What the hi is the matter with
Buck? Did he have a jag on?" Film
said, mo, he don't drink" I then said
He must have been dingy."
Malcolm Merchant Selling Out.
Special to Times Republican.
Malcolm, Dec. 90. E. McDermott,