Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-24
DEFENDANT On
THE STAND today
w. E. Slifer, on Trial For
Murder, a Witness In His
Own Behalf
TOLD STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY
Goes Over tho Incidents Of the Day
and Night on Which His Wife Died
Some New Evidence With Regard
to the Cause of His Awakening to
Find His Wife Corpse.
;nec,a, TO Times-Republican.

w e. Slifer. on trial for the alleged
murder of his wife took the stand IN
his own behalf today. 1t had been a
topic of considerable conversation as
to whether he would be placed on the
stand and naturally the greatest IN
terest was manifested in his testimony.
The courtroom was jammed full today,
standing room being at a premium ana
many were unable to gain admittance.
The defendant made a good witness
for himself, answering all questions
without hesitation and telling
straightforward and plausible story. He
has not yet been oss-examined, but
it is not believed that the state will
succeed in shaking his testimony in any
way, as he appeared cool and collected
and did not hesitate to answer all ques-
lions promptly. In answer to the ques-
tons OF his attorneys he detailed the
trip to Marshalltown, which he said
was made at the request OF his wife.
He said they arrived in Marshalltown
about noon and after eating dinner
went at once to the ten cent store.
where he left his wife to go to the
feed stable to see one of his horses,
which had been subject to collie, and
which he feared might be sick after
the long drive. Later he went back to
the store and finding his wife gone
went to the store of his uncle, Harvey
Hoffa. where he found his wife. He
denied being in Powers drug store at
all that day. 1t was their intention.
he stated. to stay in Marshalltown all
night, but his wife changed her mind,
and decided she preferred to go nome.
They arrived home about 9 o'clock and
found the family all in bed. Witness
told about going to bed and Kissing
his wife good night. He said she ap-
peared to be in an unusual frame OF
mind, and requested him to tell her
good night, as she would sleep better.
Witness said he put his arms about her
neck, kissed her again and bidding her
good night turned over and was soon
asleep. He was awakened by the
whining Of dog which they had In the
room and after scolding the dog he
turned over when his hand came TN
contact with the vonait and becoming
alarmed he attempted to arouse ms
wife. Failing to do SO he hurrledly
lighted lamp and summoned the rest
of the family. From this point on the
testimony Of the defendant did not dit
fer materially from that of other MEM
bers of his family already given, and
was largely a detail of the incidents
following the finding of his wife dead IN
bed, the funeral, inquest, autopsy etc.
His story differed in some unimportant
respects from that given at the inquest
especially in relation to his having been
awakened by the dog whining.
In addition to the defendant DE-
Thieland, Attorney A. N. Wood, Mrs.
SITTER. mother of defendant, and jake
Slifer. were on the stand today. Iheir
testimony was brief and related to
facts about which testimony had all
ready been given and was merely cor
roborative of the evidence given by
members of the family. The exam
ination of Slifer, ST., father of the de-
PENDANT was concluded yesterday after
noon and in addition Miss Albright,
friend and neighbor of the deceased
woman: a Mr.. Meats, a neighbor, Silas
Gilbert and Mary Slifer, were also Oh
the stand. Their evidence was also
corroboratlve and brought out nothing
new beyond the finding of the last let
ter Of Mrs. Sitter to her husband, the
finding Of which was described by Mr..
Slifer's testimony given yesterday.
The text of the letter about which
there had been so much mystery is as
follows:
"December 10, $50 a. m.-My Darl-
ing will: No doubt by the time that
YOU find this letter your heart will be
very sad.
But 1 want to tell you that on the
goth of October l bought bottle of
chloroform.
.I have used part of it for a purpose
shall not tell.
"But 1 will this very night when we
get back from town and you go to
sleep swallow the remaining contents
of that bottle.
"You, dear Will, shall know nothing
of this until you find me dead.
"I have loved you dearly. You have
been too good to me.
ST shall not tell you why l want to
go to town today, hoping 1t will not
sadden your heart not to know.
Tell them all goodbye for me.
.And sometime, darling, come over
there where they all shall be spotless
and you will be welcomed with open
arms, by your loving
KATE"
1t now looks as if the case would not
be finished before the latter part of
next week. 1t is the general opinion
that it will take until Wednesday to
finish the evidence. 1t is possible the
defense will conclude its evidence a
bout Monday noon. but the state has
considerable rebuttal to offer. The in
terest in the case is growing and in
spite of the fact that much of the,
testimony was of a technical nature
men and women alike sat patiently
thru it all and every day has found
the court room crowded to capacity
That the taxpayers are taking an in
terest in the case is evident for the
costs in the case will be enormous The
grundy Center Democrat, in it's issue
this week. estimates that the trial will
cost the county $4,000 This estimate
It said. was made with the belief that
The trial will be concluded this week
Should 1t last longer the cost will go
above this mark. The trial is conduct
I'd at cost of between 500 and $500
, day large item In the expense is