Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-05
SIMPSON ON THE STAND
ALLEGED MURDERER HEARD ny
LONG ISLAND COURT.


Special Dispatch to The Star.
RIVERHEAD. L. l., February B.-Dr
James Waddell Simpson took the stand In
his own defense this morning at his trial
for the killing Of his father-in-law, Bart
ley T. Horner at Northport In 1906 He
was the first witness called after Mr.. Man
ton, his counsel, had moved that the indict-
ment be dismissed, motion that was de-
nsed by the court.
DR.. Simpson was cool and self-possessed
when he took the witness chair and an
swered Mr.. Manton's questions In q quiet
and calm manner. He said he was born
on April q, 1871, at Bridgewater, Va, and
tnat his parents were dead. AS boy, he
attended the public school, and after being
graduated went to a preparatory school
from there he went to the University OF
maryland, where he got his degree Of doc
tor OF dental surgery.
Asked about his relations with Mr.. Hor-
ner, the witness said that he was on friend-
~ terms with his father-in-law and that
they used to 60 fishing together during
often accompanied by Mr.. Blydenburg. The
witness said that he and Horner played
pool and billiards together and that he
taught Homer how to play pinochfe A
revolver was handed to Dr. Simpson and
ne was asked whether it belonged to him.
He said 1t did and that he had picked It
up In Galveston after the flood He kent
Il IN nus ONCE on 9TH avenue until he moved
revolver. the old lounge that he had used
as bed, and other belongings to his home
In Northport '
Simpson Breaks Down,
DR.. Simpson broke down and went Ia 81
evening when his wife was called to the
stand by the prosecution. His unrestrained
emouon lnterfered somewhat with the earli-
er portion Of Mrs. Simpsons testimony. for
sne couio see his every expression, the trem-
piihs OF MS hands and the efforts of his
sIS.er. MRS Charles L. Bowman, to COM
chair the Witness
Mrs. Simpson was much mora nert,,r,.s
while on the stand than her mother. who
preceded her, had been-even under cross
examination. Mrs. Simpson was moved
vnico s o ZINES 10 tears, and a catch in her
ticulatlon Those in the court room were
very quiet while Mrs. Simpson was givine
n mer greet testimony, which was but a
her mothers testimony, save in one inn
portant particular
Looked Through Gun.
The witness declared that she saw her
husband look through the barrels of the
gun before the shooting, and that he had
declared to her that 1t was unloaded Hers
was the sole testimony upon that point.
Lawyer Manton. attorney for the defend
ant, who had been very mild in his treat
ment OF Mrs. Horner, branched immedi-
Mrs. Simpson. She said, in response to a
question. that she had spent several DAYS
in consultation with the district attor-
ney and Assistant District Attorney Blue.
but had never talked with Lawyer ROW
land Mills the family attorney, regarding
the case.
Mr.. Manton called her attention to diff
ferences between her testimony and that
given before Justice Partridge. She said
she was too excited at that time to
r reeolieet anything m except just what hap
ceiving that the rigor of his cross-exam-
nation did not anger the witness, tenn
pered his tone.
You love your husband. don't you?"
asked the lawyer in a quiet voice.
II do replied Mrs Simpson in a low
tone. She denied that she had assisted
her asked sn
ton Of what was meant by the alleged
cheating at cards, she said that DR.. Simp-
son would not allow her father to have
two Of the games, and that that was all.
Laughed at the Lawyers.
The cross-examination was brought to
an abrupt termination. and Frank Wis
newski. the Polish choreboy who was
crazed by what he saw in the Horner
kitchen the night of the tragedy, was
called.
No efforts of court or interpreter could
prevail upon Wisnewski to swear, affirm
or assume any sort of obligation to tell
the truth. The young man, who had been
standing beside the witness chair sud-
denly sat down. and burying his face in
his hands, laughed. AS he understood
readily enough what was meant when the
Interpreter told him to leave the stand,
not few in the court room believed that
he could have told If he would, exactly
what happened in the HOrner kitchen. He
laughed as he crossed the press table.
With the exit Of Wesnewski the prosecu-
ton announced that it rested.