Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-27
sLIFER MURDER TRIAL

CONTINUED From Third Page.)
and last of same letter, but difference
was thought to be from the haste OF
the writer, and the characteristics Of
the nanu remained the same. =.
Nora Haskin, called, was familiar
with Katie Slifer's handwriting.
Was handed exhibit 10. Thought
Mrs. Slifer did not write it.
Cross examined.
l judge from the looks of the writ
ing and from the composition Of the
letter, being SO well acquainted with
the author.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, recalled, and shown
exhibit I" and -" and asked if in
his opinion the same party wrote ~
and "J'' that wrote exhibit 10, ~ and
~ being letters of the dead woman.
Re-cross examined.
The writing in the seven page lets
ter differs some from page / to page
z, but the characteristics remain the
same.
Redirect.
find that exhibit 10 has been writ
ten with exceptional carefulness.
Clara Hoffa, called.
1 was familiar with the handwrit-
ing of Katie Slifer. Knew her all my
life. She was my sister.
Witness, shown exhibit 10, and
swears that in her opinion Katie die
not write it.
Cross examined.
1 first saw exhibit 10 last week. DID
not know or had not formed any opin-
ion as to the genuineness of the let
ter until I saw it.
Asa Rodd, called, brother Of deceas-
ed, was familiar with Katie's hand
writing. In my opinion Katie did not
write exhibit 10.
Cross examined.
Am twenty-six years old. had
heard about the time Of the autopsy
that a letter had been found. I heard
it the day before the autopsy.
Redirect.
I had conversation with defendant
before January 1s, 1904. The defen~
dant told me they had found letter
dated October 20. 1908, written by
Katie.
Re-cross- examined.
I have read the letter. exhibit 10.
I remember of defendant telling me the
letter referred to Katie buying a bot
tie of chloroform, October 30. / have
not got the dates mixed up.
Mrs. Rodd, called.
am acquainted with Katie's hand
writing. don't think exhibit 10 is In
her hand.
No CROSS examina ton.
Thomas Rodd called. L remember of
Mr.. Ed Slifer calling at my place the
day before the autopsy; he said they
had found a letter dated October 20,
that would clear this whole matter up
No oss-examination.
George Haskins called. was at
Mr.. Rodds when the defendants IA
ther came to Mr.. Tom Rodd on the
evening before the autopsy, and heard
Mr.. Slifer say that they had found
a letter dated Oct. 20, 1903, written by
Katie, that would clear the whole mat
ter up.
Mrs. Haskins sworn. Sister of the
deceased. l was at my fathers house
the evening before the autopsy and
heard the defendants father say they
had found letter written by Katie,
dated Oct. 20, 1903, which would clear
the whole matter up.
Susan Mower called. Mr.. Ed Slifer
came to our house on the evening be-
fore the autopsy, and said they had
found a letter written by Katie and
dated October 20, which would clear
the whole matter up, and there was no
use going on with the autopsy.
Cross exanina ton. There are two
dates in the letter exhibit no." could
not have mistaken his language.
liver Hoffa sworn. live in Melrose
township; Katie Rodd was my wife's
sister; Mr.. Ed Slifer is my uncle. I
remember of having a conversation
with the defendants father in the road
about three miles west of Grundy Cen
ter on the day before the autopsy, in
which conversation he said they had
found letter that was written (by
Katie which would clear the whole
matter up and there was no use going
on with the autopsy.
Cross examination. Mr.. Slifer was
going from Grundy Center when 1 met
him. / did not have but one CONVEX
sation with the father of defendant,
about the matter: he said they had
found a letter dated Oct. 20, 1908; l do
not know what had been found only /
know what Mr.. Slifer told me that
day.
County Attorney Reisinger called.
saw Mr.. Slifer, the defendants father,
In Grundy Center on the day before
the autopsy, in which conversation Mr..
suffer said they had found a letter
which he said would clear the whole
matter up.
Cross examination. | did not see the
letter exhibit 49," or did not take any
steps to get possession Of the letter.
At the conclusion of the testimony
Of Reisinger, court adjourned Till y
a. m.
Chairman Cortelyou Of the republic
can national committee has left New
York for Washington. but will return
In :