The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-19
Relates Conversation With Hor-
ace Trosper, in Tennyson Case.
NIGHT Do MURDER.
Would Get EyenWith "Old Man,
If He Had to Kill Him.
Sick Juror Causes Court Ad.
jOurnment Until Thursday.

Marysville, Kan, Feb. 19.-The trial
Of George Tennyson, charged with the
murder of his aged father, was post
poned today until Thursday on ac--
count of the illness of Juror Dennis.
Marysville, Feb. 19.-In the Tennyson
murder case William McMinimy. pro-
prietor of the restaurant where Miss
Sylvester worked and George Tennyson
spent much of his time while in Frank
fort was placed on the stand by the
defense shortly after the resuming Of
court Tuesday afternoon.
McMinimy testified that some months
ago Sheriff Barrett was in Frankfort
and told McMinimy that he was there
to arrest Tennyson. He asked Nc
Minimy to give George a tip. Tennyson
was In the rear part of the restaurant.
McMinimy went back and told him
what the sheriff had said and George
said that the sooner the sheriff arrest ed
him the better he would like 1t, that he
was ready any time.
Howard Reed Of Frankfort said he
left home at sos to go to McMinimy's
restaurant to mail letter. Maude
Sylvester was sitting in the restaurant
with her wraps on when he entered On
his way from the restaurant he heard a
shot In the direction Of the Tennyson
home. He had known George Tennyson
15 years, and his reputation was good.
J. M. Rhodes, member of the legis-
iature from the Frankfort district, said
he had known young Tennyson a num-
Der of years and that his reputation
was good-that he had never heard OF
him associating with men or women OF
bad character.
Dave Backman, who was in the livery
business at the time of the murder,
said that q few weeks previous to that
time he asked Horace Trosper who a
young lady was he had seen him with
at dance. Trosper told him it was
Flora Tennyson, that he was going
with her. that the old man Tennyson
wouldn't let him come on the place
adding that he would get even If he had
Trosper at another time had said he
would go with the girl as long as she
would go with him in spite of the fam
lily. Trosper was in the habit Of put
ting his horse in Backman's barn. He
described the horse and rig.
Horace Trosper was then called
He was told by Judge Kimble that he
did not need to testify unless he
wanted to. Trosper remained on the
stand and was asked whether he was
left handed or not. He said he was
not. He was then excused. but was
told that he would be wanted later.
Miss Mary Puckett. with whom
George Tennyson had kept company
for two years previous to the muir
der of his father, was the next wit
ness. She and Flora Tennyson had
been schoolmates and great friends.
She said that George was good
natured, jolly, Of good character and
very sympathetic. David Tennyson
had asked her to try and persuade
his daughter, Flora, from going
with Horace Trosper, saying that he
had one Trosper in the family and
that was enough. About 4 O'Clock on
the afternoon preceding the night on
which Flora Tennyscn dfed, George
drove up in front of Puckett's. Mary
mother were expecting to make some
waists for Flora. George told her not
to start making them until Flora
either got better or worse. After a
little conversation, she asked him II
he did not think that there might be
something in the reports concerning
Horace Trosper regarding the MUIR
der of David Tennyson. George said
he did not know and asked her If she
could keep a secret. She said she
could and promised to 90 so.
George then showed her a note
which he said Flora had written. The
note was produced and she identified
it as the one shown her by Tennyson
that day. It reads: George: I was
the cause of Pas death Don't tell
any one unless you have to.
"Flora.''
.tWhat did you do it for?"
Sign your name.
The Last two lines were written by
George before the first was signed by
Flora The note is written on ordi-
nary cheap tablet paper with a lead
pencil. The writing is very light and
some of it can now barely be seen.
Miss Puckett was examined at length
concerning her relations with Flora
Tennyson and her knowledge Of the
relations of the members of the
Tennyson family.
Court adjourned at 4:16 on account
of the sickness of George Dennis. one
of the jurymen.
Mr.. Dennis has been suffering for
several weeks with rheumatism and
got so bad during Tuesday afternoon
that he asked to be allowed to go to
a doctor for treatment