Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-03-02
7 HEARING
HOMER WRIGHT TRIAL TO COME.
AS ECHO or MARY cHEssER
MURDER IN SMOKY ROW.
Two Physicians Declare That Wright
Is in Good Health and Able to Have
Hearing-other Criminal Cases Set (
for Hearings. IL

The murder of Mary Chesser, one Of
the mysteries of Smoky Row and one
of the bloodiest pages of Ottum wa his.
tory, will come once more, perhaps for
the last time before the public during
the latter part of the present week
when Homer Wright, held for several
days as one Of the chief suspects In
the case, is to be placed on trial on
charge Of perjury. The charge is an
outgrowth Of two different stories told
by Wright when giving testimony be.
fore the corpner's inquest over the
grand jury during its investigation Of
the murder.
Wright, before the coroner testified
that he was not present at the Chesser
house at the time that the murder
was committed but that he came to
the house Just as the mysterious
stranger who was claimed to have
done the deed was making his escape.
Wright declared that he attacked the
stranger and Struggled with him, but
that the mysterious murderer made
his escape. This testimony did not
agree with that given by the other &C.
cupants of the house at the time of
the murder who declared that Wright
was in the house all the time.
Changed His Story.
Before the grand jury Wright
changed his story and admitted that
he was in the house all the time, that
when the sound Of the struggle In the
front room was heard he dashed in
and followed the stranger outside
where he unsuccessfully attempted to
hold him. Wright was under oath In
each case and the charge Of perjury
was based upon the differing stories.
Examined by Physicians.
Wright, claiming Ill health, has Sc
cured a continuance of his case from
time to time. County Attorney W. w
Epps, firing of this, on Saturday last,
unexpectedly to the defendant, sent
Drs. A. O. Williams and B. D. LaForce
/ to examine him to learn whether there
is any real excuse for continuing the
case. The physicians in their report
state that in their opinion the defend.
ant is perfectly able to come in to
court for trial and Judge Roberts has
set the case to follow Immediately on
the close of the present case on trial.
Under this arrangement these will
come to trial perhaps Thursday or Fri.
day.
| Farmer Also Examined.
John S. Farmer, who is asking q
continuance, was also examined by the
same physicians who reported that
there was no reason from the stand.
point of health why he should not
come into court at once. Upon the ad.
vice of Judge Roberts, who had heard
the evidence in the habeas corpus case
instituted by Farmer against George
halstead, 1t was agreed that the mat.
ter should go over to the next term
and be heard by another Judge.
I. Lille Dale Pleads Guilty.
Lille Dale. against whom the grand
jury returned true bill charging that
she was maintaining nuisance in
that she was conducting disorderly
house, pleaded guilty yesterday after
noon to the charge. A fine Of $500 and
costs was assessed against her. The
basis for this Indictment was the
same as in the bills returned against
Grace Johnson and Effie and Ora
James and was the selling OF liquor
contrary to the mulct law. The fine
was the same in each case.
| The trial of Ethel Boofter and Chas.
Roberts in which each is charged with
adultery and lewdness has been set
flor Friday, March 3D.. y, c. Erdlin,
Echargeds with having in his possession
safe blowers materials, is also set to
be taken up at the end of the present
week. The Daniels forgery case Will
be heard following the Erdlin trial.
Daniels, alias j. H. Wilson, is
charged with having forged the name
of w. W. Cummings to check for
/ s33, which he attempted to pass at the
Daniels shoe store.