The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-07-21

Last week was set for the exam
ination of all the parties accused OF
completely in the murder of H. j.
Ledbeter, near Mankato. The ex-
animation of Mrs. Ledbeter and the
Schwandts, set for the 18th, result
ed in a postponement. The attor-
neys for the prosecution asked for
more time on the ground that the
evidence was largely circumstantial,
was scattered over large territory
and not easily to be obtained. The
prosecution further urged that
Frank Smith was sick with the
jaundice and had said that he could
not stand the ordeal. Attorney Will
son, for the defense, referred to the
fact that Smith had been taken out
to the Ledbeter farm only the day
before. The court resisted the adj
journment until at the afternoon
session the prosecution produced a
physicians certificate that Smith
was sick, that he had been placed on
milk diet and that he was in such
a weakened condition that an exam
nation in court would be a menace
to his health and life. The court
then yielded to an adjournment un-
til today, when it is probable that
the examination will be taken up
and the facts brought to light which
will at least establish the truth in
regard to the murder being the out
come of a conspiracy or not.
On the 10Th, the date set for the
examination of Frank Smith, Arthur
Schaub appeared as attorney for
Smith, who waived examination af-
ter the court had explained his
rights under the code and was re-
manded back to Jail without bail,
the court proceedings being brief.
On the 18th, in probate court,
Judge Hughes took under advise
ment the matter of appointing a
guardian for the four Ledbeter
children, P. A. Ledbeter having pc
titioned for the appointment of
Lewis Anderson of Medo, while Mrs.
Grace Ledbeter asked that she, the
mother. be appointed guardian.
The court pointed out that if the
latter was held to the grand jury he
would not think of appointing her,
and reserved a petition of the ap-
pointment until the examination set
for today should decide that point.
Smiths visit to the farm on the
18th was with a party containing
the sheriff and his deputy, P. A.
Ledbeter, and attorneys Geddes and
Benedict. The special administra-
tor in charge of the farm claimed
that he had no keys to the Ledbeter
bedroom, whereupon tbs sheriff and
party forced an entrance. The bed
room was found stripped of every
vestige of furniture. even the mop
boards having been removed.
Schroeder said that he did not know
who had taken the articles unless it
was the attorneys for the defense.
P. A. Ledber had another interview
with Smith during the day, and ac-
cording to the Free Press, Smith
told the same story that he did at
first, and the brother of the MUIR
dered man does not now believe that
Smith actually committed the muir
der.
The theory which the attorneys
who are defending Mrs. Ledbeter
and Mr., and Mrs. Schwandt advance
is that Ledbeter was murdered in
the barn, and they claim thrt they
will be able to show this. They
claim to have discovered much blood
upon the flooring and joists at the
little hatchway at the head of the
steps leading from the basement to
the first floor. Here, they say, Led
better was struck the fatal blow. as