Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-08
Clifford Murder Trial
Attracts Great Crowd
Continued From Page 4.

residence ON Washington street. He
was employed at something, had
something in his hand, was dressed in
denims, had no hat on. Witness said
to him "You are laboring." He
answered "I'm a laborer - as he did
so he looked up. his eyes very wild.
Witness remembered it, often spoke of
it. Was impressed with the stare of
his eyes. Appearance was unnatural.
MRS. H. B. MERWIN.
Lived here five years, leader of
Methodist church choir and teacher in
Sunday School primary department.
Her husband is assistant Superinten-
dent of the Sunday School. Knows
Clifford. He is member of Epworth
League, a regular attendant at church,
Superintendent of Sunday School. Was
very diligent in church work. Witness
noticed nothing peculiar about him
until last June, was always very
social and kind in disposition. After
the morning church service one Sun
day in June witness turned down the
aisle and spoke to Clifford, saying
Hello, Prof. Clifford and held out
her hand Clifford stood and stared at
her, he had crazy look at the time
"Inever saw him have similar ca pres
sion before, he faced me, eyes dilated,
showing the whites, with a staring
look, and did not speak. Had always
been good friends. Witness avoided
him after that, was frightened and felt
hurt about the matter. Has spoken
to him since.
MRS. JOHN WINCH.
Know Clifford, went to see him
about renting house about week be-
fore tragedy he was in the yard at
his home ON Washington street. Asked
about house, wanted to rent until
spring. He didn't know if he wanted
to rent the house, though he wasn't
afraid of not getting his rent. Final
ly witness said IF you rent the house
can 1 have it," He said Don't SPEAK
of it, don't mention it, don't speak of
it to anyone. - "His eyes were CLASSY,
had glary look. His expression was
first natural, then unnatural, eyes had
an awful look, look that frightened
me, he had crazy look in his eyes, as
near as 1 can tell, no man that wasn't
crazy would look that way On the
Sunday before the tragedy noticed
him walking fast past witness house
in West DEBORAH, acting peculiar; her
sister spoke about it, that it was very
funny for Clifford to act so.
MISS ABBIE DAWLEY.
Knows defendant, saw him Sunday
before the tragedy, pass her sisters
house in West DEBORAH about 3 90 p.
m., walked very fast, looked about
him, swung his arms, his head up,
looking quickly one way and then an
other. She called her sisters attention
to it, 1t was very unnatural for Prof.
Clifford; she had never seen him act
that way before. His hat was ON the
back of his head, he looked this way
and then that, jerking his head quick
ly.
DIR. M. B. FITCH.
Lives in DEBORAH; treats people for
diseases. Knows Clifford. Remembers
the time he began work ON the founda-
ton, he worked there during hot
weather, July and August. Talked
with him at times. One day in Sep
TENDER at the stone wall, witness
talked with him. Before that had at
times noticed him making gestures
and acting in peculiar manner. At
this time he appeared at first with a
blank expression for or seconds, the
contracted ON the tool in his
hand, had wild look or stare. After
ward muscles relaxed, he smiled and
seemed rational. The stare in his eyes
was not natural. Witness has had more
or less experience with insane people
should judge he had crazy look in
his eyes. Often at night he saw him
in the house he bought north of Har-
mons. with light in his hand, walk
ing up and down the room, looking
about the house. Often noticed an
unnatural palor in his face.
HI. B. MERWIN.
Has been a member of Methodist
church about two years. Is assistant
of Sunday School. De-
PENDANT was Superintendent and a
regular attendant; was prominent
socially.
Court adjourned to 80 p. m.
III. B. Merwin recalled. Thought
defendant very moderate in religious
views before last June, kind in man
ner and temperate, not arbitrary in his
views, not inclined to controversy,
but man of strong faith. Observed
a change in his conduct in October at
the close of Sunday school. 1t was
customary for him to go upon the plat