The daily sentinel., 1906-03-10
me WELLS TRIAL
NOW IN PROGRESS.

This morning at nine O'Clock the
uial OF A. c. Wells, charged with
making a criminal assault upon his
step daughter, Mrs. Helen Wells
Moore, was opened in district court
before Judge Stevens and has been in
progress all day
The work of selecting a Jury 10 try
the case started Immediately after
court opened and consumed about
tTo hours, Eight men We're excused
leiore twelve jurors acceptable. to
both sides had been secured. The
jury was selected from the regular
panel and is made up of the follow
ing gentlemen.
p. f. Cartmel. A. Norrinue. NJ. c.
Coz cher, Daniel Mullen, r. NJ. Todd.
y l., Head. J.. p. Osborn Warren
Boise, A. l.. Collins. FRANC zee.
Lester Johnson and c.. NJ. James.
District Attorney Selg and Den
uty District Attorney y E. Coles
are conducting the prosecution
Judge c. F. Caswell is defending Mr.
Wells
Immediately after the jury had been
selected Mr.. Selig occupied about Gf-
teen minutes in making statements Of
what the prosecution expected to
prove. Judge Caswell only occupied
about five minutes in mailing his
statement.
At the request of the attorneys
Judge Stevens ordered that an wit
nesses be excluded from the room ex-
cept when testifying The prosecu-
ton endeavored to have II. b. Kerr.
the humane officer remain in the
room, but the defense objected and
Judge Stevens ruled that as the girl
and not Kerr was the prosecuting
witness he could not be allowed in
the room.
II. b. Kerr was the first witness
called. He stated that he was travel
ing agent for the society for the Pre-
yention of cruelty to Children and
animals. He had been instructed
to investigate certain circumstances
said to exist at the Wells home. He
then detailed his connection with the
case. Objections to various portions
of his testimony We're made by the de
Tense. a number of which were sus-
tanned and others overruled
Helen Wells. against whom the
crime is said to have been committed
and the leading witness FOR the prose-
cution was then placed ON the stand.
The examination of the girl started
about eleven O'Clock and continued
for over three hours During all this
time she held the baby, an innocent
factor and an unfortunate sufferer
In this sensational affair. in her arms.
She told the story of the alleged Grim
inal assault said to have been com
mitted in July 1904 and then gave
much other testimony purportng to
show that Wells had had criminal re
lations with her ever since she was
thirteen wears of age. She seemed
greatly illustrated at tines which
might have been attributed to the
embarrassing position she occupied In
testifying before the court and the
crowd of spectators Several times
she contradicted herself and IL Is
stated by some that regarding many
points her testimony at the prelim-
mary hearing and that In the dist
rict court greatly differed.
The cross examination was very
spirited and proved a great ordeal
for the girl.
Many who have watched the prog
ress of the case do not believe that
a conviction will follow. The girl
did not make as strong witness as
many expected she would make.
Again it is believed that It viii be
very difficult to corroborate her evil
dence.
Following the examination of the
girl. her aunt. Mrs. burlington, OF
Montrose. who claims that the girl
has told her much from time to time
regarding the actions of Wells, was
called 10 the stand. She was asked
only few questions and her evid-
ence was unimportant.
One other witness was called but
not allowed to testify.
The prosecution then rested its
case Judge Caswell then made a
motion to dismiss the case on the
grounds that the prosecution had moi
mad Mr.. Wells identified as the de
PENDANT by the girl or any other OF
the witnesses After much argu-
ment the court allowed the prosecu-
ton to reopen its case and the Cir
identified the defendant
Mr.. Wells was then called by the
defense. He was asked only a few
questions. He strongly declared his
/ innocence
Court then took an adjournment
OF thirty minutes.
The trial will not be concluded TO-
dav. There viii either be nigh'
session or there VIII be a continu'
ance till Monday.
-~O~
THE COLLINS RECEPTION.