The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-03-15
DENIES He KILLED GIRL
FRANK BRINK AT PONCA ENTERS
mot GUILTY" PLEA.
FOR BESSIE NEWTON MURDER
Frank Brink, the Young Man at Ponca
Who Shot Himself Just After He is
Charged With Having Shot Sweet.
heart, is on Trial.

Charged With Having Shot Sweet
heart, is on Trial.
Ponca, Neb., March 13.-"Not gull
ty' is the plea of Frank Brink whose
preliminary hearing for the murder of
Miss Bessie Newton on the eve of her
wedding, February 5, last, began here
yesterday before County Judge j. c..
Brown.
And not one of the dozen or more
witnesses examined could say that
Brink was at the Newton home the
day of the tragedy.
The prisoner, pale and evidently ex-
cited, sat intently listening to the tes-
| timony of the killing of his former
sweetheart He has never discussed
the matter with any one.
Three hundred people, many from
the country districts, packed the court
room evincing lively interest in the
proceedings. The prominence and
popularity of Miss Newton and Brink
makes this case one of the most SEN
sational in the criminal annals of
Dixon county
The Only Facts Known.
If Frank Brink is convicted of MUIR
der it will be upon circumstantial ev-
| idence, unless he himself chooses to
throw some light upon the mystery
All that is known is that Brink was
] t1N tn hot
when she announced to him she was
going to marry Edward O'Donnell, of
Humboldt, Iowa, Brink insisted she
would never marry anybody but him.
! The day before the wedding date,
Brink came to town, and remarked to
Town Marshal Beller that there would
be no wedding next day. A half hour
later he left a cigar store when Miss
Newton's father entered, and a short
time afterward, Bessie Newton stag
gered from her own home, mortally
wounded.
| Before she died she said simply, Il
didn't do it," Two young women who
saw Miss Newton fall noticed the form
of man retreating and called, Frank
come here, quick" but got no response.
Ten minutes later Brink was found in
the street having shot himself three
times, it was thought fatally The
bullets taken from the body of the
dead girl corresponded with those
probed from Drinks wounds.
Yet no one saw Brink go to the
Newton home or saw him there.
What Witnesses Say.
Edward Newton, father of the girl
alleged to have been murdered, was
the first witness. He told of Drinks
attachment for his daughter and spoke
highly of the accused. He testified
that while Brink was in Lincoln serv-
ing on the federal grand jury, witness
received a postal card upon which was
the picture of a man pointing re-
volver threateningly. There was no
writing thereon, save the single in
itial 3D." Mr.. Newton said he had
other letters from Brink, but burned
them up He could not remember their
contents, but none contained threats,
| oliver Newton, brother of the dead
girl said he was at home when Brink
called during a visit of Mr.. O'Donnell,
to whom his sister was engaged. Wit
ness aid Brink shook hands with both
and congratulated them. He had new
er heard of any threats made by Brink,
and had always liked the young man.
Warren Beller, town marshal, testi-
fed that Brink said to him the day of
the tragedy, Bessie Newton will new
er marry O'Donnell."
:" Didn't Do It."
Mrs. T. H. Hodgins saw Miss New
ton rush from her home and fall in
the street. Witness hurried to the
girl and asked her what the matter
was. The only response was, "Oh!"
Witnesses Trenn and McLary testi-
fed to seeing Brink leave the cigar
store when Mr.. Newton entered and
walk toward the Newton residence
Sitting beside Brink in the court
room are his father and two brothers.
The prisoner talks to no one an dis
but infrequently consulted by his at
torneys, ex-Congressman McCarty,
William McCarty and C. A. Kingsbury.
The state is represented by County
Attorney John Pearson and G.. A. Ir-
win of Denver, formerly of Sioux City.
1t is thought the hearing will be end
ed late today or early Wednesday
Today was the first ime Brink has left
the Office of Dr. Young, where he was
carried after trying to kill himself