The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1905-10-28


try William Kirst, the slayer Of his
sweetheart, returned into court at New
Orleans Wednesday night. The New
Orleans press says "the verdict was a
sumner to the accused and a disappoint-
ment to his attorneys" They had look
ed for an acquittal. But to the State
and to the vast audience that packed
every crevice in the courtroom the yer
dict was received favorably.
The case went to the jury at $50 on
Wednesday night and 9t 1870 the ver-
dict was rendered.
The case attracted more attention in
New Orleans than any since the trial OF
Louis w. Lyons for the murder Of J,
Ward Gurley. From the opening of the
court in the morning TO the hour when
the jury came into court with its verdict
the courtroom was crowded from door to
door with an audience that followed eye
ry movement and every word with the
closest attention. One of the features
of the night session was the brilliancy OF
the arguments by counsel. The argu-
ment of Lionel Adams was a noteworthy
effort. Assistant District Attorney
Montg omery spoke with much eloquence
and impressed his hearers forcibly. As
sistant District Attorney Mooney who
conducted the examination all through
the trial, also spoke with much force,
The State opened the second and last
afternoon of the trial by placing Mrs.
Manner, mother of the dead girl, on the
stand. Before the lady began her testi-
mony she was withdrawn.
Clerk John Feleu, of police headquar-
ters, was called and told of the inter
views between Kirst and Inspector jour
nee.
Officer Betheze described the finding
of the valise in the cabbage patch back
of the Sacred Heart Convent.
John Manner, the t6-year old brother
of Miss Manner, when called, said he
saw and spoke to Kirst at his home the
night of the killing. Saw the yaIi5e
which Kirst brought to the Manner
home. Identified the valise in court as
the same. Young Manner also identi-
fed mirror and some of the clothing
found in the valise as Kirst's property.
Detective Valley Woodwork identi-
fed postal money order stub found in
the pocket of a pair of trousers found
in the valise.
H. r. Strack, of the money order de-
partment of the postoffice, described the
method of obtaining a money order and
identified the money order stub as one
issued to VIM. Kirst for an IS money
order sent to Mrs. Kirst at Bay ST.
Louis, Miss.
A. Chris. Lindauer was recalled and
described how Kirst said he came down
town after leaving the Manner home.
Kirst, according to Mr.. Lindauer, said
he went out Jena street to Baronne,
down Baronne to Napoleon avenue, and
took the Carondelet car.
The State rested at the conclusion OF
Mr.. Lindauer's testimony.
William Kirst took the stand amid
the deepest silence.
Kirst said he knew Miss Manner
about four years. There was an under
standing between him and Miss Manner
about their marriage. Miss Manner
consented to marry, but Mrs, Manner
thought her daughter too young, and
the accused said he would wait until
Mrs. Manner was ready.
Kirst was employed at the Crescent
Theatre. Fields Minstrels were here
then, and the band got week off. kirst
went over the lake to see his mother
lie returned on Thursday of the same
! week with his mother. The train was
sixteen minutes late.
Kirst said he put his mother in Tu
lane car and then took a Peters avenue
car and went to the Manner home.
! When witness rang the bell, Miss
Christine opened the door. She re-
marked that it was a late hour to call
Miss Manner went out to call GeOrgi-
ana, who was in the bath. When Geor-
piana came in Kirsi said he sent John
Manner for beer and cakes. SoOr
after. Tina and John Manner left the
room.
Georgiana remained in the room with
witness. He played the piano. Kirst
then asked the girl to go to the theatre
the next night. Georgiana said she
was sorry, but could not go. Kirst ther
told her it would be long time before
he could take her again, meaning tina
he would not be off again for a Ions
time.
Kirst said, when he was ready to go
Georgiana walked to the gallery with
him and kissed him goodbye.
GAS started down the steps," sale
Kirst with faltering voice, "Georgian5
said: 'Oh, Willie, did you bring m'
the looking glass ?'"
"I said, yes, almost forgot it.; ''anc
I stopped and put my yalise down.
tried to open the valise, but it was hare
to open, and could not. asked Geor
giana to help me, and she took hold o.
one side and took hold OF the othe