Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-07-11
ATTORNEY ASKED OFFENSIVE
QUESTIONS IN TRIAL ON
ADULTERY CHARGE.
ENRAGED THE HUSBAND,
VILLAGERS TAKE SIDES
Attorney 'Mccue Who Was Hanged in
EHisy by the Residents Of the Small,
Town of Oxford Threatens to Sue His
Assistants and the Villagers For
Their Alleged Conspiracy.
al 10 Republican.

Oxford. July because he asked
some very offensive questions of a
woman witness in trial on an adult
cry charge, Attorney J. J. McCue, %
this place was assaulted Friday even
ing by the wornan's husband, beaten
and later hanged in eshgy by the vii
Layers, who sympathized with the
assatlant
The preliminary hearing on the
charge of adultery was held Friday
afternoon and Mrs. Meci1ler and Mr.
Hall were bound over 10 the grand
jury and their bonds fixed at $500 and
$1,000 respectively, which they were
unable TO furnish and they were taken
70 Iowa City where they are now de-
tanned in the county jail.
Mrs. Cora Mechler, one Of the de-
PENDANTS. is a widow and has three
small children while J. j. Hall has a
wife and four children who reside at
Oxford. At the hearing held Friday
testimony was given which stated that
Mrs Hall went 10 the home Of Mrs
Mechler about the first of the month
and altho she did not find her husband
there at that time she thought she
recognized his voice and upon entering
the house found it deserted but dis
covered some Of his wearing apparel
Shortly after this Mr.. Hall and Mrs
Mechier came TO Iowa City and ii is
claimed that they have been going to-
gether TO several cities in this part of
the state. They returned TO Oxford to-
gether on Wednesday. In the mean
time Mrs. Hall had made a complaint
10 the county attorney and information
was fled accusing them of adultery.
Insulting Questions.
At the preliminary hearing held at
oxford yesterday County Attorney Nc
Donald represented the state and At
torney j. j. McCue of oxford repre-
scented the defense. About nine wit
nesses We're called. among whom was
Mrs. Fleunzer During the cross eX-
animation OF this witness Attorney
McCue asked several questions which
were deemed insulting and improper ny
the witness and her husband who hap
pened 20 be present. Immediately at
ter the hearing Mr.. Fleunzer made an
attempt TO approach Attorney McCue
but was prevented by the officers. The
defendants were bound over to the
grand jury. their bonds fixed and no:
being able to furnish bond they We're
taken 10 the county Jail at Iowa City.
Given Beating.
Later in the evening on the principal
corner OF the town Mr.. FVeunzer and
Attorney McCue met and in view Of
large and rapidly increasing crowd a
one-sided encounted took place. At
torney McCue was severely beaten
while F'leunzer received a sprained
thumb. The greater part OF the on
lockers sympathized with FIeunzer
and before the fight was over they had
made a collection of what might be
fine For the assault and presented it
10 Fleunzer.
Hung in EHigy.
Not TO be satisfied with this treat
ment of the attorney for the defense
Attorney McCue was hung in efigy
on the principal streets Of the town.
The figure was marked by the follow
ing words. You have received the first
degree, watch out for the second"
The prominence of Mrs. Hall and the
fact that she is so highly respected
and admired turnout oxford combined
with the alleged dese-tion of herself
and her children by Mr.. Hal! is the
cause for the high state of feeling
among the residents of the community
The feeling against Mrs Mechler was
so intense that no one could be secur-
ed 10 care for her three small children
and she was compelled TO take them
with her to the Jail at Iowa City.