The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-27
Preliminary Hearing of Atchi-
sons Magnetic Healer.
Is to Be Tried for Murder Of
His Wife on July IL.
A WOMAN IN THE CASE.
Defendant Said to Have Been In
fatuated With Mrs. Birkinbine.
Witnesses Testified That They
Were Very Friendly.

Atchison. Kas., July 27.-Prof.
Albert PeasIey, the magnetic healer
whose wife died July Il of strych-
nine poisoning, had a preliminary
hearing before Judge J. P. Adams. of
the city court. and was held under
bond of $1,000 for trial in the district
court on the charge of murder. The
hearing consumed the entire day,
twenty witnesses being introduced by
the state. among them Mrs. Minnie
Birkinbine. a married woman of As,
with whom Peasley is alleged to have
been infatuated during the six or
seven months preceding his wife's
death
One Of the states best witnesses,
however, was Dr.. Walter NJ Cross,
city chemist OF Kansas City, who tes-
titled that the dead Woman's stomach
contained strychnine enough TO kill
several persons. The most sensa-
uonal evidence was given by Mr.. and
Mrs F. H Tobin and Miss Gladys
Ptttman, of Frankfort, Kas. Tobin is
proprietor of the Savoy hotel of
Frankfort. and Miss Pittman is a
dining room girl in his employ. Each
of these witnesses stated that Prof
at the Savoy in Frankfort last Janu-
airy IS as Mr.. and Mrs. Peasley,7 and
remained there three days, occupying
the same rooms When asked to
identify the woman who was with
Peasley, each without hesitation point
ed to Mrs Birkinbine.
Peasley did not take the stand in
his own behalf nor did the defense
introduce any witnesses
Mrs Birkinbine was on the defen-
sive from the time she took the stand,
and was very much agitated. She de-
pied that she had ever been alone with
Prof Peasley. except when he went
10 her home TO treat her. and declared
that his visits to her house were
always purely professional She al
most broke down under the fire of
questions by the states attorneys.
Her husband, who is a bridge con-
SIructor and away from home most
OF the time, and who has all along
expressed the greatest confidence in
his wife's purity. sat near the railing
ana heard her testimony as we'll as
that of the witnesses who accused
ner. Mrs Birkin bine did not remain
70 near what the others had to say
She told the court she was sick.
The object of the states ATTORNEYS
IN attempting to show intimate rela-
tons between Peasley and Mrs. Birk-
lnbine was to esta bIish a motive for
the alleged murder.
Women Plentiful.
The hearing began at O'Clock in
~--- --ACAAAA4AE- ne court room
crowded, women being largely in the
majority. J. NJ Challis, county attOr-
ney, was assisted by Sheffield ingalls,
son OF the late John J. ingalls,. in the
prosecution, and the defendant was
represented by B. P. Waggener. of
Atchison, and Judge E Willard. of
Atlantic City, Iowa. who is both half
brother and brother-in-Iaw of Peas
ley. the Two having married sisters.
PoIIce Officers Wallace and Wilson
who were attracted to the Peasiev
nome Dy the dying Woman's cries Of
agony, were the first witnesses. They
resumed that Mrs. Peasley was alone
When they reached her apartments
ana appeared to be suffering the most
exeruc1ating agony. She could NOT tell
them what was the matter. and lived
but short time after thew arrived
Meantime, Peasley, who had gone 70
summon Dr.. Baudry, returned and the
doctor arrived shortly before Ms
6easley died. The officers then Iefr
Both stated that PeasIev Seemed
overcome with grief
Dr. Cross was the next witness ua
said that he had not vet comu1efed
q chemical analysis OF the stomach
out mat a preliminary examination
showed that 1t contained a very large
quantity of strychnine
After DR.. Cross, DR.. Baudrv of A+cL
ison, who had treated Mrs. Peaslev for
ABOUT three days before her death was
called 10 the stand. DR.. Baudrv testi-
field that Mrs. PeasIey's health vas
mucn improved the two days preceding