The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-06-25

At 1850 o'clock Wednesday the de-
tense in the Henry Willis trial announc-
ed that but few more witnesses, if any,
would be called. Court then recessed
in order TO permit attorneys for the
defendant to confer regarding the pre-
sentation of other evidence. 1t is
likely that the rebuttal testimony will
be concluded tomorrow and that the
case will go TO the jury Friday.
The first witness called this morn
ing was DR.. W. H. Kittrell, of Mt.
Pleasant, who was the first physician
to reach Willis after he swallowed
poison with suicidal intent. He stated
that he found the defendant uncon-
scious. He administered antidotes
and went away, returning later in the
evening to find Willis still uncon-
scious. He was of the opinion that
the carbolic acid taken by Willis
would have produced death, but for
the arrival of medical aid.
Mrs. Mary Ann Willis.
The next witness to take the stand
was Mrs. Mary Ann Willis, mother
of the defendant. She was clad in
black, with a black veil over her face.
Frequently during her testimony she
broke down and cried, the jury being
perceptibly effected by her grief, one
or two members wiping furtive tears
from their eyes. Mrs. Willis stated
that her dead daughter-in-law didn't
treat Henry right" that she rarely
ever addressed him in a kindly tone;
that she cut up terribly at the time
defendant returned late at night from
the fishing trip. She stated that she
had often urged her son to come and
reside with her. She described the
last visit paid her by Willis, on Sun
day preceding the tragedy on Monday
He had been morose, saying but lit
tie, and evidently greatly troubled. He
had carried her to one side and had
attempted to tell her of his troubles,
had choked down without being able
to say what he intended. Had stated
ri have got to move. Minnie said
that she was going to put a hole
through me if l didn't get out of her
way" She declared that her son was
heart-broken and had asserted that he
never expected TO see his mother
again.
Elmer Alexander
Elmer Alexander, the next witness,
is emploved at the Mt. Pleasant post
Office. He stated that he had charge
of distribution and general delivery.
Willis had come TO him and asked
that he withhold mail addressed to
Minnie Hood" He had stated that
he had no authority to do so. Had
told Willis that if he called for his
wifes mail in person he could get 1t.
The witness never personally gave
Willis any mail addressed to Min
ME Hood" The witness identified
the Minnie Hood" letter as one that
he had seen in distribution and but
had not delivered. He stated that the
handwriting was similar to that on
another letter also addressed to Min
ME Hood" Had seen but the two
letters. Mrs. Willis and Miss Massey
had come to the witness and objected
to his delivering their mail to Willis.
Mrs. Willis had said: He got one OF
my letters and is raising a stir about
t."
Or. Hill.
DR.. J. S. Hill, who attended Mrs.
Willis shortly after the shooting, and
who also examined Willis, testified
that in his opinion the acid swallowed
by Willis was sunicient to produce
death The defendant remained I'M
conscious number Of hours.
r. c. Willis.
r. c. Willis, brother Of the defen-
iant, stated that he was master me-
,hanic for the Tennessee Phosphate
company. Knew that the defendant
cooked his own meals.
Mrs. Willis pretended to be sick but
was all right at meal time" HIS
brother took the cooking good humor'
sdly and never complained. Acted
as II he thought there was not an
,ther woman in the world like her"
l.. ,,,tt,t .ait.al ra,,ub IN har huu