Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-08
Clifford Murder Trial
Attracts Great Crowd
Con tinued From Page 5.

TO Un6 system VI JltHluS. Nllh0oo
knew of no system of tithing requiring
anyone to give all. The question OF
tithing did not come up at this time.
His face seemed very blank.
REV. E. G. HUNT.
Been pastor of Methodist church
here since year ago last October.
Known defendant since coming here.
At that time he was President of the
Epworth League, Superintendent OF
the Sunday School and Steward of the
church Also was elected Secretary
of the Quarterly Conference. He de-
clined reelection as President of the
Epworth League. He was very faith
full, usually attending services. His
conduct up to last June was remark
able for deliberation, carefulness,
slowness of speech, clearness of
thought, logical reasoning, perfect
control. Witness often visited his
home there he was very kind, con-
siderate, thoughtful. Observed moth
ing abnormal in his discussions on re-
ligious topics until prayer meeting
on Aug. H. 1904, when the subject
was Abraham and Isaac He rose
to address the company, seemed
agitated, spoke rapidly and excitedly
thoughts were incoherent, not well
connected. Failed to get any idea of
what he wanted to impress, except
when with a gesture he said to the
audience, "You are the Isaac" witt
ness then endeavored to show express
sion and indicate the manner of
Clifford at this time. 1t made a con-
siderable impression on witness
mind He used strange, unnatural
language, not that of a man of proper
mental balance At church during
October witness had noticed that he
left parts of his beard untouched by
the razor in shaving. Remembers 60
ing into Sunday School Sunday, Oct
23d, little before time to open; met
Clifford in the aisle, and expected to
greet him as usual with hand shake,
but as he passed defendant stood with
a blank stare in his eyes, and the eX-
preston of his face left deep impress
sion upon him. Thought it was very
unnatural, unlike Clifford. He had
crazy look in his eye at that time.
Noticed something peculiar in defen-
dant ON the Saturday before ChildIen's
Day. Mr.. and Mrs. Merwin, Prof. and
Mrs. Clifford, Mrs. Hunt and the wit
ness had been decorating the church,
and were eating picnic dinner in
the church. 1t was about the middle
of June. Defendant sat by side of
witness, and they were having pleas
ant social conversation. He noticed
conversation, looked into his face,
and wondered at his expression and
manner. Saw the defendant on day of
tragedy, after it happened. Defen-
dant talked about attending church
next day Sunday and asked wit
ness what he thought of taking charge
of the Sunday School. Witness thought
it not advisable. Clifford said he was
going right on with his work, no mat
ter what happened. He seemed I'M
concerned about Bigelow's condition.
Witness told him the officers would
probably be down for him, he said ''If
have broken any law, will take my
punishment. - Seemed unconcerned
about the matter. Saw him Sunday
night in Jail. Impressed with radiant
smile ON his face, there all the time
witness was present. Said little,
seemed unconcerned about his condi-
ton. Witness could not account for it.
Saw him Monday, he seemed contented
and happy. Witness and Gifford's wife
were present. Witness said, ''We're
glad to see you so content" to which
he answered "There is no reason why
| should not be, have done nothing
wrong, my conscience does not hurt
me. His eyes seemed to show a lack
of intelligence. Witness called in the
afternoon. He was in his cell, and
said can see now what good thing
it was you did not get those bonds
why, if you had gotten those so, 900
bonds, they might have gotten me
away, and what would they care, af-
ter they got those bonds" There was
"a wild, scary look in his eyes. An
other time saw him pacing up and
down in the Jail in an excited manner.
He would not speak to witness when
he spoke to him. After the third time
witness spoke to him he walked up
and raised his hands and said "God
has revealed to me that / must not
talk and so | am not talking to you"
Witness there many times since. Most
of time defendant appeared rational
and intelligent, occasionally would re-
peat dramatic sentences, closing his
eyes and going through unusual dila-
tions of countenance. He said once,
ITS all right, Gods hand is in this
20 ~