Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-01-18
The Clark Case.

Probably no criminal case has
been tried in this county, for the
past forty years, that created as
much interest as the case Of the
State Of Iowa VS.. Lester CLARK, which
was on trial at the present term of
our district court.
This interest was not created by
the facts in the case, but was largely
caused by false and defamatory
statements sent broadcast over the
county, by word of mouth and by
publication in some Of the county
newspapers. ME: Clark vas ass charged II
with having -, 'ne &c in
causing the death 5, solrteen
year old son, by brutally beating
him, failing to provide him with
shelter, food, clothing, medical at
tendance and nursing, and by ex-
posing the boy to the seventies Of
the weather, and compelling him to
work beyond his strength.
An effort was made to indict Mr..
Clark at the October term 1908 OF
the district court, but after hearing
the States evidence the grand jury
refused to find an Indictment. AT
the March term the case was again
brought to the attention of the grand
jury and an Indictment found charg-
ing the defendant with manslaught-
er. Upon the trial, the state was
represented by County Attorney
Cloud, and d. @. Perkins, who was
appointed by the court to assist
him. The defendant was repre-
sented by Durham. Norris & Stiles
and Bronson & Carr. The material
facts as proven at the trial were:
That the defendant is man with
a large family Of young children and
very limited means. His property
consisted, at the time of Harry's
death Of farm Of less than 40 acres,
three acres of which was wood lot,
two horses. two COWS, two hogs, one
colt and ordinary household goods.
And at that time the family consisted
OF the defendant. his wife and seven
children, five Of whom were under
eleven years Of age.
Harry's mother died of consump-
ton when he was between two and
three years old. About one year
thereafter the defendant married his
present wife. Harry's health was
never Of the best, and he was never
required to do any work, except it
was shown that on a few occasions
he had been seen pumping water at
his fathers we'll and carrying in a
few sticks Of stove wood. He went
to school with sister and brother
younger than himself. Two of his
teachers whose school he attended
for about three years prior to his
last sickness testified that he was in
the winter time well and warmly
clad, and at all times as well clothed
as the children would average who
attended the same school, and in
this they were fully corroborated, by
the neighbors Of Mr.. Clark. 1t was
shown and not disputed, that Mr..
Clark had never struck or in any
manner abused or misused Harry.
That during the winter or spring
before his death he had twice taken
the boy to his family physician at
Edgewood for examination and
treatment, and that medicine was
given the boy for months up to and
prior to his death. That Harry was
confined to the house from ten to
fifteen days preceding his death, but
that he was up and able to be about
until the day before his decease,
that at the time Of his death his step
mother was confined to her bed and
had been for several days, that the
defendant was also sick at the time,
and that nurse and hired girl did
the housework and cared for Harry.
That besides the hired girl and
nurse, neighbor woman came to
the house every day for several days
before, and including the day
of Harry's death, and assisted in
, airing for him. That Harry mental