The San Francisco call., 1907-06-14

after having confessed to Detective
MCFARLAND his connection with the
Steunenberg murder and some other
crimes because he had grown desperate
and was thinking of suicide. he began
clusion from that reading that it was
yet possible for him to be forgiven for
his sins and made up his mind TO tell
the fun truth about the whole history
Of his life as he has now given it In
testimony. His telling of it was as
simple, as straightforward. as mani
festly sincere as has been his recital
OF the terrible story from its begin
ming, but for the first time in all the
narrative he was completely over
mastered by his emotion.
Despite the sneers and taunts of
Lawyer Richardson, who strove TO
break him down, Orchard held his grip
on himself uncil he had told Of aban-
doning the thought of suicide and of
the formation of his determination to
make full and public confession as a
duty that he owed to society, to God
and to himself" There he broke down.
WEEPS ON STAND
His lips ouivered, his voice trembled
and failed and tears filed his eyes. He
ceased the attempt TO speak and for
moment covered his face with his
handkerchief. But almost Immediately
he recovered and went on through TO
the end Of the ordeal unshaken.
In perfect silence and with rapt at
tention the audience that filled every
available place in the room listened to
Orchards dramatic declaration Of his
purpose IN becoming a witness against
his old associates. The gaze of every
person in the crowd was fastened un-
waveringly upon him. The jurors
leaned forward and stared with parted
lips and quickened breathing, fasci-
mated by the man and his words. Judge
Wood rested his arms on the desk In
front of him and watched the scene
with intense interest
OF all those in the room only Rich
ardson and Darrow, on whom falls the
difficult task OF breaking down the ef-
feet Of that simple but powerful
story, seemed able to hold themselves
free from its influence Even Hay
wood. the most of all concerned, who
had been staring at Orchard steadily
throughout the sessions Of the last few
DAYS. as II wondering how he could re-
establish something Of his old power
over the witness, sank back in his
chair, convinced at last that it was a
fruftless hope And when the crisis
other. less vital matters, there came a
deep sigh from all over the room and
a rustling Of skirts and shifting Of
feet as the tension was relaxed.
MEETS INTENDED VICTIM
Five minutes later the noon adjourn
ynent was taken and almost imme-
diately Orchard was called upon to
face the most trying and difficult sit
uation that he has met since his ar
rest for the Steunenberg murder He
was driven downtown to the Office of
Lawyer Hawley, where he has usually
been kept while in town and waiting
for the time to appear in court.
AS he sat there talking with some
Of the lawyers and guards and wait
ing for his luncheon to be brought in.
former Governor Peabody, one Of his
intended victims. whose escape was Of
the narrowest margin, came in with
Bulkley Wells.
Here is a man you know, Orchard" I"
said Wells.
AS he caught sight OF Peabody
Orchards face went suddenly white.
He got up from his chair, trembling
from head to foot, and with the utmost
difficulty maintained show Of self
possession.
Peabody stepped up to him. and. TAX
ing him by the hand, shok it cordially,
saying: How DO you do. orchard?"
The tears welled up In Orchards eyes
and ran down his face His voice
broke and he could hardly speak.
Il am ashamed to speak to you" he
said. Il am only glad that I did not
succeed in what I tried to do" Then
he broke down completely and cried
like child.
PEABODY FORGIvEs HIM
IT'S all right, Orchard" said Pea
body, II understand how II was with
you and how 1t is It's all right now"
An hour and a half later. when Or
cnard returned to the courtroom for
the completion Of the cross exami-
nation. he still showed the effects of
this meeting. The long strain in the
courtroom had not shaken him up as
did that encounter with the man he
had done his best to murder.
II took Richardson only about an
hour in the afternoon to complete his
examination, with the exception of the
formal impeachment questions. which
he will not be prepared to ask until the
arrival Of some of the witnesses whom
he expects to use for that purpose
The prosecution declined to go into its
redirect examina alton until the defense
had asked those questions, and Or
chard was excused, to be recalled some
time next week
No failure IN All OF OrcndrdS aS-
founding story OF brutal, inhuman,
dendish crimes approached in abb
sorbing interest this final examination
Of motive for telling it He has at all
times been singularly free from any
attempt at the dramatic in his recital.
only once or twice in all the eight
davs that he has been questioned did
his story reach that quality, and that
was when the incidents that he re-
lated were of such character that no
telling could rob them Of.
HIS STORY STRAIGHTFORWARD
Horrible as the story was intrinsi-
callv. he told IL always simply. plainly,
striving evidently only to express the
truth as he saw ii, and never working
for effect. A mass Of strong native
mortality, he is unskilled in the use Of
language. He realized that, and
clearly counted it as handicap in his
cross examination, where he was
noatched against a trained lawyer
nracticed in the art Of making and
snrinrfng word traps. He watched
himself. therefore, and the lawyer as
-r-eIl with anxious, constant care.
If was no part Of Orchards purpose
rv, 1.fs lfac