Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-02-27
MRS, BELLE LEWIS IS
DECLARED NOT GUILTY
BY JURY AT SlCOURNEY

that Lewis did not say a. WORD. MT.
Broadhead described Mr.. Lewis face
as being dark pale color and belng
asked in the cross examination what
he meant by this, he said he meant
bad yellow color and kind OF sunk
en- around the eyes. He was asked a
number of questions in regard to the
appearance of Mr.. Lewis - the express
sion of his eyes, ETC., but could not give
an answer that would be admitted by
the court. In the cross examination,
it was brought out that neither he nor
his son had spoken to Lewis.
James Roach who lived about a mile
from the Lewis house, was called but
was not allowed to answer any OF the
material questions asked him.
Ben Peppers, travelling salesman
of Ottumwa. testified that he knew the
Lewis family about year and knew
them quite well. He never heard any
thing against Mrs Lewis character,
while she was in Ottumwa = her rep
utation as to being peaceable, quiet
and virtuous woman was good. He
says Mr.. Lewis was Of rather pale
yellow. unhealthy color, and did not
look to be healthy man.
Mrs. Lewis in OttumWa.
Joseph Boyles of Ottumwa, son-in-
law of William Fisher, testified that
he had known Lewis about six years.
At one time they worked together on
the ice for John Morren & Co. Lewis
had quite cough and complained of
his stomach a great deal at this time.
He was of rather stupid disposition
very still and quiet, but was industri-
GUS and good worker. Mrs. Boyles
also knew Mrs. Lewis and says she
had a good reputation as to being a
food. quiet and peaceable woman. He
saw her twice after she moved from
Ottumwa once at his home and
once on the street. The first time she
came to his house on Sunday and
about dinner time Glassford came. Aft.
er dinner they started away together.
The next time was on show day.
She was standing in front of the st.
Louis store in Ottumwa and Glassford
was a little way down the street.
Used Laudanunn.
w. H. Rhany of Ottumwa testified
that he had known Mr.. Lewis since
September 1900. In the spring Of 1901
he was suffering with asthma and
stomach trouble, he said, and Lewis
asked him what he used for his stom-
ach. saying that he also had stomach
trouble and used laudanum. In Sep
TENDER 1902 at Rhany's house Lewis
again said ne used laudanum and at
still another time he said that he had
to take laudanum for his stomach,
Tells Of illness.
Il sfx<>ss
three-quarters of mile south of
Lewis testified that he was at the
Lewis house quite frequently and
Lewis had been at his home several
times. He said: II was at Lewis the
day of his death about o'clock in the
afternoon. Glassford and Tom Lap
pin, Mrs. Lewis and the children were
there in the kitchen. Mr.. Lewis was
at my house once when he became
sick went out and vomited. When he
left the house he was quite weak. He
was yellow and pale"
| In the cross examination 1t was
brought out that Mr.. Alderman had
been very active in the interest Of
Mrs. Lewis - had Intercepted wit
nesses and reported to her attorneys,
When Mr.. Baty and Mr.. Hamilton
were at the Lewis house making out
the plat he drove in there and stayed
with them. He admitted that he had
a conversation with DR.. Morgan al
his Office and also admitted that he
might have been intoxicated at tha
time but denied saying that he was
working for Steck and that he didn't
want Mrs. Lewis to go to the peniten.
/ or Inc D,. yo,s
number of questions and pretend.
ing to take notes and saying that the
doctor had better be careful what he
said as it would all come up in court
Mr.. Steck thought the state was try
ing to prove by Alderman that he had
been hired by him to help him as a de
tective, and tried in the re-examinatioI
to get him to say that he had not, but
was unable to put a question to this Ell
| feet that would be allowed to stand.