Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-17

lemployed by Constance Craig, a young
man for out door work, the house
keeper and herself inside. The young
man was her cousin. He spent Monday
might at the same house where she did.
He was dead now; was drowned about
five years after the time Of the murder.
1.-The housekeeper was absent during
that night; she had been absent for a
week prior to the murder; she did not
return until after the funeral of her
mistress.
Redirect examination: Miss Webb
had always had the highest opinion of
the housekeper; the housekeeper had
Ibeen a very old lady; she had been
dead now for several years; Miss Webb
had herself attended her funeral. Miss
Webb had been engaged to the young
man who was accidentally drowned; no
question regarding his character and
Integrity had ever been raised. Miss
Webb had been on the best OF terms
with her employer; never had any trou-
BILE with her; had permission to be alb
sent The witness knew that Con-
stance Craig wore the silver ring with
the red stone regularly and constantly;
she did not know where she obtained
it, nor whether it was a gift.
The prosecution called DR.. Oscar
Welton:
Il am q physician and surgeon; am
a regular graduate in medicine; l have
practiced my profession for over thir-
ty-flve years: am siXty-one years or
age; | have testified on several trials
in this state as a medical expert l
was the regular medical attendant Of
Constance Craig, if it is correct to say
she had any; l was always called when
she needed a physician; she was usual
" WE'LL I attended her but seldom. 1
was the first physician at the house af-
ter the discovery Of the murder. was
the first person who touched or moved
the dead body after she was discovered
by Matilda Webb. Constance Craig did
not die a natural death. 1 insisted from
the first that she was murdered. She
was smothered to death. There was no
other post-mortem examination of the
body than was possible without the use
of instruments. l feel certain that she
was killed by the placing and holding
over her face of something which pre-
vented the access Of air to her lungs.
! DR. Oscar Welton was cross-exam-
ined:
Il was not the only physician called
in, in connection with this case; there
were two others present: one was an
older man than I: each had had advan-
tages in education and in practice,
equal TO mine. One of them, the young
man. agreed with me; the other insisted
that the death was a natural one.
Neither of the other doctors is living;
at present there are only two persons,
Miss Webb and myself, to be found
who were there that Tuesday morn
ing" All this, Of course, in answer to
ques tons
WAS a post-mortem examination
proposed, and if so, by whom?"
Il proposed a post-mortem examina-
ton"
"Why was none made?'
"The other physicians objected
"On what grounds"
THE reason, as l remember it now,
had something to do with the probable
wishes of surviving friends and rela-
tives who had not yet been notified Of
the death"
What did the physician who regard
ed the death as due to natural causes
say was the immediate cause of
death"
Il do not remember. Perhaps he
made no suggestion; l really cannot
say"
What sort of natural cause would
produce death in such a case?"
NO natural cause in such a case.
Constance Craig was murdered"
You seem very certain?"
Il would risk my professional repu-
tatiOn upon it."
"A post-mortem was not a necessity
them"
mo. sir; that is"
you proposed one?''
| Il did. but"
Never mind; that will do" said
Walter Aldrich.
Wait a moment" said the prosecut-
ing attorney: Il have a question or two
t. ask: Did both the other physicians
| ah;oo+ 30 . ,oc+-r,ortap, examination Q"
YES. sir"
And for the reasons you have stat
ed?"
Il so remember it."
You told my legal friend minute
ago that an examination was not ne
cessary. Will you state why you pro-
posed one, that being the case?"
Simply for the satisfaction Of 9TH
ers. l had no doubt whatever regard
ing the cause of Constance Craig's
death. l do not see how any one could
doubt that it was the result Of vio-
llence"
do YOU remember whether all three
of you remained in the house for long
time"
only two of us did"
(Which went away, the one who
agreed with you or the other?"
1.-The other"
why"
Il do not remember"
II mean to ask whether it was the
result of the disagreement, or because
he had other duties elsewhere?"
1T was because he had duties else
where"
How long was he in the house?"
Il cannot say exactly"
WAS it more than an hOur?"
mo. sir: it was less than an hour
And how long were YOU and the 9TH
er doctor there"
Ten or twelve hours
Very we'll. You say you were GER
tain Constance Craig was murdered;