Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-06-20
GIRLS CRIES HEARD
FROM ROOM UPSTAIRS
sensational Testimony by Mrs.
UdeII, Nearest Neighbor Of
Mrs. Kaufman.
SAW THE GIRL PURSUED
Mistress Runs Into Yard to Fetch Her
Back-Day Agnes PoIreis Died,
Mrs. Kaufman Afraid to
Stay Alone.

l 0tay AiON0.
Flandreau. S. D., June 13.-Yesterday
MAS an eventfu. n in the Kaufman
murder trial. Features of the day We're
the direct and cross examination of
Peter Erickson, the former hired man
Of the Kaufmanns, and the star wit
ness for the prosecution, and Kisses
and two other demonstrations on the
part OF the immense audience In the
court room, the Kisses and applause
operating to the distinct advantage OF
the cause OF the prosecution.
That the bane of the Kaufman
case. which already has divided sew
fral communities in the state. has been
cast over this community is shown by
the practical unanimity with which
The hundreds of spectators who
crowded the court room gave spon-
sympathy with the state and resent
nent towards the defendant.
Brings Storm Of Kisses.
The Kisses came while Erickson was
!estifying in reference to the pool OF
water incident. Coming from the
brewery one day, where he was en-
ployed, in response to a telephone mes
sage from Mrs. Kaufman he found
Agnes Polreis lying on the hoor in a
pool OF water.
What do you think of that?" Mrs.
Kaufman, he stated, asked him.
The witness then went on to tell hi
other things
that Mrs. Kaufman told him she had
put hot water on girl for the purpose
OF getting her up.
No sooner had Erickson concluded
telling of the incident than the vast
throng of people, who had been keyed
up to the highest pitch, gave vent to
a storm of Kisses. The demonstration
was suppressed as quickly as possible
by the court.
Applause for Witness.
another sensation came soon after
Judge Frank X. AilSens, leading coun-
sci for Mrs. Kaufman. commenced to
cross examine the witness
Are you paid to testify?" asked
Judge Aikens.
II am not" was the prompt en-
phatic reply of Erickson.
upon being pressed to state whether
or not he had been offered a monetary
consideration to influence his testimony
Erickson stated h a the only ones who
had attempted to influence him as a
witness were Judge Aikens and Mr..
kaufmann, husband of the defendant.
When asked as to whether he had been
approached by anyone in this connec-
tlun, the exact answer of Erickson was:
Only by you II Mr.. Kaufmann."
The turning of the tables upon the
DEFENSE in this unexpected manner
was instantly greeted by a great burst
of cheers and h~andclapping from the
spectators. who crowded every seat.
aisle. nook and corner of the room.
Judge Smith vigorously raped for
order, and as soon as the demonstra-
tons had ceased earnestly reproved the
audience ana cautioned the spectators
not 70 mak another demonstration CT
the kind.
Distinct Change in Sentiment.
The third %outburst. which came later
in the day, only a short time before
a"dJoU.nnnent last evening shows q dis
tlnct change in sentiment on the part
of the people of ~Fiandreau towards
Mrs. Hartmann.
h the trial commenced there was
no pronounced sentiment one way or
the other. but the evidence in behalf
of the state has had q telling effect.
and IN addition to winning the syinpa-
thy of the hundreds in the court room
has unquestionably greatly strengthen
ed the cause OF the prosecution.
Don't You u her. as she can get
up herself If she wants to-she is OILY
working on your sympathy
These words. spoken by Mrs. Kauf-
mann to Erickson. as testified to by
Erickson, were one of the sensatjona,
incidents of the remarkable chapter in
h trial of Mrs. Kaufman.
Mrs. Naufmann. Erickson testified.
said these words to him after she had
1ostled Agnes Polreis to the floor and
when, being so weak she could not rise
to her feet unaided. and during which
efforts h sought to aid herself by
grasping a screen door. which was
roughly jerked from her grasp by Mrs.
Kaufman. When Erickson attempted
to go to her assistance Mrs. Kaufman
as testified by Erickson, interposed
with the words quoted.
Flandreau, S. D.. June 1s.-On the
afternoon OF the day that Agnes Pol
refs died. Mr.. and Mrs. Kaufman
went to the home of their nearest
neighbor. Mrs. John T. Udell and MIR.
Kaufman asked IL his wife might
stay there during the afternoon. saw
ing:
She is afraid to stay at home alone"
The evident purpose of the state I'm
bringing out this testimony at the muir
der trial of Mrs. Kaufman was to
show q guilty conscience.
Mrs. Udell occupied the witness stand
during the forenoon. She was the best
witness the state has had SO far and
the showed some excitement
during her neighbours recital and dur
ing the recess she gazed about her upon
the room full of spectators as II to see
what effect the witness had had on
them. This was the first time she has
paid any attention whatever to those
about her. She still appears as one
confident Of clearing herself Of the aw-
ful charge on which she is being tried.
the murder OF her maid servant by
means of torture and neglect.
Heard Girl Call Mistress,
Mrs. Udell lives in what is known as
the Kaufman COTTAGE" which Is lust
at the rear Of the Kaufman home,
While In the yard one evening witness
sale Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman came