The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-21
GHOSTS OF TRAGEDY
 LAY BARE SECRETS
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1.) >---~--~-->~~------~---- ------~-~-~-~--r~~~----- | Landrum told h.m to tell why and how he killed Edward A. Laurent.
 His testimony began with these words. | T killed E. A. Laurent for debauchtng my daughter which know he did" Smith Takes the Stand. AIr Smith, when he took the stand, re- sembed a piece of marble. His face was | pale and his eyes firmly set. Immediate | ly after the statement his face grew red, 1 his eyes filled with tears and his voice noticeably changed. His feeling and emo- 1 ton was unquestionably strong. He regained his composure very quickly
 Witness stated he hadn't seen Laurent | for about three months; stated that last | Friday afternoon he went to Artesia to ] meet his daughter whom he expected to arrive In Columbus from Artesia. She dId not arrive and he was leaving the station for his conveyance when he saw Laurent for the first time since this diff ference arose. Hoped he would never meet MT Laurent again, but as soon as he saw him, on the spur of moment, this uncomfortable passion took posses sion of him and he struck him. Followed him into baggage room drawing his pistol
  a finish. Shot him three times.
 Witness Cross-Examined.
 It was 2:45 when this statement was finished and MT. McConnico took the wit ness for cross-examination. MT. Smith stated he did not see Laurent offer to shake hands with him. Stated that Laur- ent krew there would be trouble if they ever met Stated he struck him with um- brella and thought sufficient evidence lnao a hght was on. Said he felt sure of danger when he entered the baggage room. Said he shot him first somewhere in the breast and shot twice more at his head Turned his pistol over to the sheriff on the following morning. Then MT. Smith entered into an account of many details and said that Laurent had coms to his home only one time and that time was a Sunday last June. He stated that on that Sunday Laurent came at 10 o'clock in the morning and left at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Several other young ladies and gentlemen were also guests at his home that day and that one of the ladies had invited MT. Laurent to his home.
 He then told about his daughters condi- tion and many other details without the concealment of a single private thought Witness then gave many dates, which un- der the brilliant cross-fire of questions from MT McConnico, somewhat contra dicted themselves
 He then brought Dr. Lehmburg, his family physician, into the story, and said that physician had given his daughter medicine last summer.
 At this juncture MT. McConnico called loudly to the physician in the audience, Don't go, doctor; we will want you again."
 Witness stated that his daughter was 26 years old, had been educated in many schools throughout the south and east and spent three years in Paris.
 Doctor Testifies.
 Right at this juncture came the asking of the instanter for Miss Estelle Smith. Pending Miss Smiths arrival pr. Lehm- burg came into the witness stand. Stated he only prescribed for Miss Smith once since early spring that he could recall, but that if he sent her any prescription later on his prescription file would show it. He promised to hunt for the prescription. Both prosecution and defense seemed anx- ious to know about this point.
 An instanter was asked for Joseph Dom oghue, one of the prominent business men of Columbus, by the prosecution, but he was not used at the hearing. Court adjourned for 45-minute recess.
 Court reconvened at 5:30 and Miss Es- telle Smith, accompanied by Mrs. E. B. Sdnson, came into the courtroom. The courtroom was cleared of every one ex- cept lawyers, kinspeople of the defend ant and the reporters
 Miss Smith Silent.
 MT. McConnico was lenient and most kind to the witness by his tone of voice. He stated his position was the most deli cate one he ever was placed in. He began his questions with asking how long she had known Laurent, how many times she ever saw him; where. if ever, she had seen him except at her home or friends home, and to every question she replied, "I refuse to answer"
 Only once did she vary to the answer, and that was after McConnico pictured Laurents home in Nashville, where the mother and sister were sobbing over his death. Miss Smith broke into tears, point ed to her father, saying. He is all I have in this world. I have a mother In the cemetery who has been there 26 years He is all have. I am all he has, I live for him and he lives for me-"
 She was excused from the stand. Just before leaving the courtroom she em- braeed her father and kissed him twice
 Both sides rested their cases without ar gument After about two minutes whis- pered conversation, Justice Matthews said he was sworn to do his duty He said he was pained at his position, but must pro- tect his oath as officer, and in view of the evidence presented he would commit +bo dafapdapt n iail without hail