The Washington times., 1904-06-20
SHAFFER TRIAL
ON SECOND WEEK
Judge Administers Sharp
Reprimand to Counsel.
SON AT HIS FATHERS SIDE
Prisoner Seems to Have Recovered Self
Control-Mother on
Stand
SON AT HIS FATHERS SIDE

The second week of the trial Of Au-
gustus Shaffer. in Criminal Court No. 1.
charged with the murder Of his divorced
wife, Katherine Ivey Shaffer. began this
morning
The prosecution called a number Cf
witnesses in rebuttal and their examina-
ton occupied the whole Of the morning
session. and nearly all Of the afternoon
session as well. The first hour of the
day was taken up with the examination
Of witnesses by whose testimony il was
desired TO prove that Shaffer was Of
sound mind. Later a sister Of the dead
woman was called to identify HRS.
Skaters handwriting in the letters al
legged to have been written by her to
her divorced husband.
The session this morning was enliven-
ed by a flash of repartee between the
opposing counsel and prompt squelch-
ing Of the same by Justice Wright
Today's scene in the court room was
much the same as those of preceding
DAYS of the trial. The Shanfer and Ivey
families were both present in court
Little Willie Shaffer, the twelve-year-old
son Of the defendant. whose testimony
created such a sensation on Saturday,
sat beside his father throughout the
day. He appeared to have recovered
MS Stll-tOnlfOl. ana remained perfectly
quiet and. to ali outward appearances,
unconcerned in the proceedings.
Shaffer. himself. showed no visible
effects Of the weeks strain he has un-
dergone. and he was less nervous today
than he has been on former occasions.
As he sat sunk in his chair. his eyes
cast down. a slight nervous twitching Of
his hands was the only evidence he gave
of any interest whatever in what was
going on.
Mother on Stand.
Mrs. Susannah Shaffer. the mother Of
the defendant. was the first witness
called by the defense She was asked
II Augustus Shaffer had ever been en-
ployed as an altar boy. She said he
had not.
John q. Knox. of Knox's Express
Company. under whom Shaffer worked
at different times. was again called by
the prosecution. In answer TO a ques-
ton from Mr.. Turner. the witness said
he did not think Shaffer insane. Asked
by Mr.. Davis If he considered defen-
dant's mind above or below the average
Mr.. Knox expressed the opinion that it
was below
A number Of other persons who had
worked with Shaffer at the Blue Line
Government Printing Office were called
10 the stand and questioned along the
same lines. Their testimony was 10 the
general effect that Shaffer was Of sound
mind.
Handwriting Witness.
Miss Agnes Ivey, a sister Of Mrs.
Katherine Ivey Shaffer, was called by
the prosecution to testify as TO the
handwriting of letters received by the
defendant during a period OF several
months preceding the murder.
These letters were introduced by the
defense, and are alleged to be written
by the murdered woman making APP
pointments TO meet her former husband.
Two different handwritings are shown
in these letters.
Mrs Sullivan. a sister Of the defend
ant. testified when the letters were pro-
duced in court that Mrs. Katherine
Shaffer wrote two different hands. and
that she spelled Shaffer sometimes with
one e. and at other times with two
rs"
When shown certain Of these letters
this morning, Miss Agnes Ivey said
positively that they were not in her
dead sisters handwriting. Mr.. Davis
objected 20 the letters being shown to
the jury one at a time. asking that they
be given 70 the jury at tie conclusion
Of the testimony.
Mr.. Keigwin said he had no objec-
ton 10 this. but Justice Wright ruled
that the letters should go TO the jury
one at a time
Seeks a Suspension.
AS the letters were being examined by
the jury Mr.. Davis made another OBJ
lection. This time he asked the court
that the examination OF the witness be
suspended until the jury had finished
looking at the letters. Mr.. Keigwin
said he was willing TO conduct the case
in any manner agreed upon.
Il have noticed that inclination on the
part Of counsel for the prosecution" re-
torted Mr.. Davis.
Il do not want any more cross-tabls
talk between counsel" said Justice
Wright sharply.
Today was not the first time Mr.
Davis has taken rap at the opposing
counsel during the course Of the trial
but until the above mentioned inciden
occurred the repartee had not taken or
a tone 20 call for intervention on thu
part Of Justice Wright.
Miss Ivey identified some Of the let.
tiers shown her by Mr.. Keigwin, as be
ing in her sisters handwriting, but
number she stated most positively were
not.