The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-21
w. G. Farmer, Who First Knew
of Brennan Tragedy, Corro-
borates States Theory.
HEARD SOMEONE WALKING
ABOUT BETWEEN REPORTS
Little Tommy Refuses to Be Con-
fused by Severe Cross-Ex-
animation by Lawyer.
For yesterdays late proceedings I'M
Brennan murder trial see page 5.

With the testimony of Tommy Brsn-
nan, entirely mistaken by Mr.. Cary's
three hours Of most strenuous cross
examination, as foundation, County
Attorney Al J. Smith this afternoon be-
gan to build the superstructure Of what
Mrs. Stella Brennan must expiate the
murder of her stepchildren for which
she is now on trial before Judge II. D.
Dickinson and jury.
w. G.. Farmer, who lived in the store
below the Brennan rooms at 1922 Fifth
after Mr.. Smith had completed his re-
direct examination Of Tommy, and he
gave some very damaging testimony
/ against the defendant.
The witness did not hear any one
around the house or entering it, but he
cession, about clock. He then heard
| footsteps that sounded as tho some per-
son walked from one room to another
above him. In short time he heard
a fourth shot, other footsteps and final
ly a fifth shot. Ills
Then Came Calls for Help.
Then came the calls for help and he
says he ran to see what was the mat
tire. He also carried the alarm to fire
station No. l6. where Mr.. Brennan was
on duty.
The witness saw what has been testi-
fed to before in the Brennan rooms.
He saw the dead bodies, the third child
dying and Tommy with a bullet hole
thru his face. He swore positively that
the windows and the window curtains
of the Brennan rooms were down and
that there were no signs Of anyone hay-
ing. made an entrance thru the window,
as is contended by the defendant.
Detective Ed Helm was called and
corroborated the testimony Of the Other.
witnesses in regard to the condition OF
the rooms, the closed windows, etc.
George H.. Smith, captain of engine
company No: 49, and one Of the first
! gave important corroborative evidence
in regard to the closed windows, the
smoking gun, etc.
Purchase of Cartridges.
The state will attempt to prove by
, nan bought the FIVE cartridges fired
Il that night at Kennedy's sporting goods
, store the day before the murder, and
that previous to this she had asked for
z the cartridges at Powers Witnesses
from Chicago are also in readiness to
trouble the defendant had with Mr..
Brennan over the children and the neg
} lect which the little ones suffered while
they lived in Chicago.
: Defendant Still Unmoved.
AS the web of the states evidence
r tightens about the defendant she gives
! no sign of weakening or of apprec1at-
l ing her precarious position. Today she
seemed little paler than on the prevl-
Gus days Of the trial, but she was
dressed with her customary care, and
during Tommy's long cross-examlnatIon
she showed no signs Of being effected.
> Her black-haired. black-mustached hus-
band sat close by her side. He was
evidently the more nervous of the two.
He was continually moving about In
his chair, and his shifty glance was
continually lowering between the wit
D ness, his wife and the county attorney.
Once or twice during the morning he
said something to the defendant that
made her smile.
The theory of the defense is still an
enigma. Mr.. Cary's attempts to break
down the evidence of the state have SO
far proved futile and his intimations of
, the stepmother IS kind care and love fol-
{, the children, of nickel-plated revolver
i found in the Brennan rooms and his In
q situation that the states case has been
r carefully built up by the detectives are
J. the only signs Of his defense There
n has SO far been no mention of insanity
and the defendants attorney is evi
d IDENTIFY still uncertain as to whether he
d will make that defense.