Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-19
Formally ChargedWith Heinous
Murder of Thomas Callahan,
the Aged Cobbler
THE STATE HAS A STRONG CASE
Nearly All the Evidence Which Has
Bonn Gathered In, Points Direct to
i aaIderson's GuiIt-GirI Gives Strong
q Testimony - Defendant Alleged to
[ Have Made Damaging Statements.

pea Moines Nov. 19-Dell Balderson,
whose name has been used numerous
times in connection with the Callahan
murder case, was indicted yesterday by
\ the Polk county grand jury for the
heinous murder of the aged cobbler,
Thomas Callahan. He is now in the
county Jail awaiting trial.
The indictment was returned yester-
day afternoon after more than a week
had teen consumed in the gathering OF
sufficient evidence to warrant the true
bill More than dozen witnesses have
been called from time to time to testify
before the grand jury, and the state is
believed to have strong case against
the accused man.
The Investigation has been conducted
qby Chief Of Detectives Eli Hardin and
/. Patrick Burns, foreman of the grand
Tjury All the members of the city de-
j tective force have been heard from and
END that Thomas Callahan was MUIR
hammer and cobbler's shoe knife.
Both the hammer and the knife are
in possession of the authorities and
show unmistakable signs Of having
takerl part in the killing The ham
nner is an. ordinary carpenters ham
mer, such as Balderson is known to
have had in his possession at about.
the time of the awful crime The knife
"a
pieces of leather with, and has razor
edge. 1t still bears blotches of blood
on its blade, and few gray hairs in
the CONCEALED blood. The blade now
gives the appearance of being very
rusty. but a chemical test applied by
DR.. Charles Hoffman, has proved that
the rust spots are the result of blood
stains.
The hammer, according to DR.. Hoff-
man is also marked with blood spots.
but there is no trace Of blood on the
TOOL at this time. 1t has been in the
gsince the discovery Of Callahan's body
and has only been seen by DR.. Hoff-
man, who made an extensive examina-
Zion Of the blood spots on it.
Girl'o Strong Testimony.
Ore OF the most damaging pieces of
evidence was given by Miss Eta Fultz.
cashier at the restaurant where Dell
Balderson was employed in the ca
Z pacity Of mental. She had made clear
that there is a discrepancy between
The statements of Balderson and his
wife as to the whereabouts of the ac-
cused man on the night of the murder.
The crime is alleged to have been COM
nitted on Friday night, and Balderson
gave. number of tales purporting to
show where The was on the night in
question. At one time he stated that
he vras at work at the Heefner restau-
rant and later on said that he was at
different places.
Miss Fultz stated before the grand
Jury that Mrs. Balderson came to the
restaurant soon after the crime had
been committed, and asked regarding
the whereabouts Of her husband on the
Friday night in question. She was told
that Balderson had not worked that
night.
MY God" said the woman, lis that
so?"
She then showed great perturbation
and went from the place. On subse-
Querlt occasions Mrs. Balderson show
ed signs Of great mental disturbance
when told that her husband had not
been near the Heefner restaurant on
the night of the murder.
Rev. Hooks Evidence.
The evidence Of Rev. J. w. Hook,
pastor Of the Church of God, in South
Dos Moines, was equally surprise and
showed that Balderson was greatly
disturbed subsequent to the murder.
He stood In great fear that he was be-
ing hunted by the police and could not
rest nights, but spent his time away
from the little shanty next to the CORY
11ouse in which Callahan was killed.
On the Sunday night following he
spertt some time at the home of Rev.
Hook and while there gave vent to
some very curious statements.
Rev. Hook stated that Balderson had
said to him that he was being watched
by the police and that he was very
much exercised about it.
Il have q notion to go and give my
self up to the police" Balderson is re-
ported to have said to Rev. Hook, when
the matter was brought up at the Hook
residence.
'e'1hat is the very thing you should do
II you did it." replied the pastor,
who had no thought that Baldersoa
was serious in his remark. But later
in the evening Balderson made num-
Der Of very startling statements relat-
ing to the crime, which caused the
pastor to start considerably
Then Balderson began lamenting on
his misfortune at being logged" as
he expressed it, by the officers and said
that he had almost made up his mind
to give himself up as the man VINO had
committed the crime. 1t is believed
that his wife prevented this action on
his part by force, as she appears to
have a great power over her husband,
he always obeying her to the letter.
Miss Jessie Hook, daughter of Rev.
Hook, also stated that Balderson had
made some very damaging statements
in her presence, which might lead one
to believe that he was the person who
had committed the murder. He told
her that he wanted to plead guilty, to
the crime, but could not gather cour-
age to do so.
TRUMAN GlLcHRIST INDICTED.
Trial to be Commenced Next Week.
Pleads Not Guilty.
Special to Times-Republican.
Hampton, Nov 19-Four indictments