The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-21
SMITH SENT
 BACK TO JAIL Mississippian Who Killed Laurent. DEVELOPS INTO A SENSATION Daughter of Rich Man Causes Tragedy. Young woman Refuse. To Answer Polluted asessiess Ny Attorney -Graaa Jury VIII Take Up
 Case.


 Columbus. Miss. Jan, 20--fspeciaI)--- Sensational testimony was developed in the second preliminary trial of c. H. Smith who shot and killed E. A. Laurent at Artesia last Friday, this afternoon when the defendant, testify ing in his own behalf. told at length |of the alleged seduction of his daueh- ter by the dead man.
 The hearing was concluded at 6 o'clock and Smith was committed to Jail without bail -. As
 The triai began before Justice of the Peace Beverly Matthews and Mayor E. s. Donnell. sitting as a committing court and was the second preliminary trial defendant having been released on bond in the sum of ss,000 by Jus tice Mitchell at Artesia and having been subsequently, re-arrested on a warrant sworn out before Justice Matthews by J. s. Laurent, brother of the dead man.
 The state was represented. by Messrs. Betts and Sturdiyant of this city and K. T. McConnico of Nashville and the defendant by Hon. H. P. I4andrum of the local bar. who opened proceedings with motion to postpone the hearing until Friday. The motion was opposed by the state, and the motion was over ruled by the court.
 Tragedy is Described.
 Dr. Edward Lehmburg, a practicing physician at Artesia, J. C.. Graham. Mobile and Ohio Railroad. conductor and W. A. Rogers a carpenter employed by the same road, described the kill ing in detail, all three of the men hay ing agreed that Laurent was shot down without having been given chance for his life.
 Smith was placed on the stand in his own behalf and began his testimony with the declaration that he shot Laurent because he had seduced his daughter. He then proceeded to describe the killing, declaring that Laurent was facing him when the first shot was fired, but fell on his face, and that he then fired two more shots, both of which found lodgment in the head of the dead man having entered from the rear.
 The cross examination of Smith, which was conducted by Mir. McCon- nico was devoted largely to the alleged seduction of his daughter. Smith stated that Laurent had visited his home only upon one occasion, which was last June.
 Smith stated that his daughter was taken i'll early last summer, and in August went to Mobile, where she re- mained two weeks. She was i'll when
 
 firmary In this city. Smith sail that his suspicious were aroused and that when he questioned his daughter close fly she admitted that Laurent had ruin- ed her. He said his daughter was treated in Mobile, but could not recall the name of the attending physician.
 He declared that Dr. Edward Lehm- burg of Artesia treated her. but when placed on the stand Dr. Lehmburg de- a.A ta haA hA Anaaxg trouble for which he ever treated Miss Smith was an eruption.
 Miss smith Summoned.
 Smith was asked by Mir. McConnieo where his daughter was and was told that she was not in the city. Inquiry |developed the fact that she had been in Columbus until this evening. having started for her home near Artesia.
 Mr. McConnico asked that a subpoena returnable instanter be Issued and Miss Smith was intercepted at Artesia and returned immediately to Columbus. The train upon which she arrived reached the city at 5:1O p. m, and the hearing, which had momentarily halt ed. was proceeded with.
 The sheriff was ordered to clear the court room, no one except lawyers, newspaper men and others directly in- terested in the case being allowed to remain.
 Miss Smith proved to be most obstinate witness. refusing most posi- lively to make a statement regarding her alleged relations with Laurent.
 The first question asked the witness by Mir McConnico was When did you meet Mr. Laurent"
 The interrogation was met with the statement. T refuse to answer" The same words greeted practically every Iinterrogative pronounced by the attor- ney.
 Mr McConnico. while polite and diff ferential towards Miss Smith was per- sistent. and among the many questions which he propounded to her were the following:
 Did MT Laurent ever offer you any indignity?"
 "pid you ever have any improper relations with MT. Laurent?"
 Did you. as result of relations with Mir. Laurent ever have occasion to visit professionally any physician In Mobile, Columbus or elsewhere?"
 Are you refusing to answer these questions because you don't want to Injure your father. at the same time want to tell the truth?"
 Young Woman is Calm.
 Miss Smith was exceedingly calm