The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-09-20
Charge of Assault and Bat
terry Is Being Hard Fought
By Defendant.
MRS. EVANS ON THE STAND.
SHE MADE A GOOD WITNESS FOR
THE CUTiON-cONSIDER
ABLE TIME WAS REQUIRED TO
GET A JURY.

Alonzo E. Kepler, the well known To-
cal real estate man, is on trial today in
the city court, charged with having
committed assault and battery on Mrs.
Laura L. Evans. a Cuban woman, who
lives with her husband, John Evans,
eolored. on the old Pardieck farm south
of the city. Mr.. Evans is well-todo
gardener. and formerly lived in Foun-
tain City. Mrs. Evans is well dressed,
nice appearing little woman, with the
sa1low complexion peculiar to her race.
She also appears to be refined and well
educated.
| Considerable time was employed by
the attorneys on both sides of the case
| in securing jury. One juror was the
subject of much debate He said that
his family is now living in Minneapo-
| lis and that he intended to make that
place his home, but that he is at pres
ent residing here SO that he could dis
pose of his business. The question
arose as to whether or not he is a resi-
dent of Richmond. Attorneys t. J.
Study and J. F. Robbins for the defense
argued that he is not a resident. but
Mr. Jessup and Mr.. Johnson. who is as
sisting the prosecutor in the case,
claimed that he is still resident. The
juror was finally excused. Mr.. Study
demanded of Juror John Peltz il he
could give a fair and impartial hearing
of the evidence because of the friend
ly relations he bore toward Prosecutor
Jessup. Mr. Peltz became indignant
at this question. answering Mr.. Study
sharply that when he was sworn in he
had pledged himself under oath to give
a fair and impartial hearing and that
he did not think it necessary for him
to repeat this pledge.
Mrs. Evans Testifes.
Mrs. Evans was the first witness
called and she proved an excellent one. |
Mrs. Evans stated tha- her husband |
had retained Mr.. Kepler to dispose of |
the farm they are now living on. She |
said that on Sunday, September s, Mr.. |
Kepler brought Mr.. and Mrs Landis
of this city, to the farm SO that they |
could inspect it with the object in view
of purchasing the properly. Mr.. Ev-
ans was at that time in Chicago on
business Mrs Evans stated that on
the following day Mr.. Kepler called
alone at the farm. Mr. Evans was still
out of the city and Mrs. Evans received
of the house. She stated that Mr..
Kepler Immediately began to talk of
the deal and after measuring one of
the downstairs rooms he asked her if
she minded him measuring one of the
upstairs bed rooms. Mrs. Evans told
him she had no objections and follow
ed him up the stairs. She said that
after measuring the room she started
to go out the room and down the
stairs. She said that Mr.. Kepler step /:
ped in front of her and placed his
hands on her arms with the remark, /.
DO you know, Mrs. Evans. you are
awfully attractive?" Mrs. Evans stat
I'd that she replied that she had done '
1othing which would make her attract i
We in his eyes. She said that Mr.. ,
>epler then said that she had attracted
1fm the first time he had seen her. Mrs.
Evans stated that Kepler then tried to !
embrace her, but she repulsed him. He
)lead with her. she stated. but she al I
ways answered him in the negative. I
drs Evans said that when she ordered
kepler to go down stairs he told her
lie would allow her to go down if she $
would kiss him. She said that she told t
Iepler that she was a lady and that
he would not stoop to do anything dis t
honorable a
Letter in Evidence. +
After Mrs. Evans and Mr.. Kepler had
eturned downstairs, she stated, he told
Ter that he was a gentleman and asked
Ter to overlook his actions on the
rounds that he had been overcome by
is emotions. The following day Mrs.
.vans stated. Mr.. Kepler called her up r
yer the telephone and after discussing
he deal told her not to say anything
bout that little matter Sunday be-
ause it would interfere with the deal.
Irs. Evans stated that she wrote TO
er husband. telling him of the affair
nd Mr.. Johnson offered the letter as
vidence. This brought on wrangle.
Iessrs. Study and Robbins objecting to
ne introduction of the letter 1t was