The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-21
vOLSTEDT CASE.
Woman Who Shot Conductor
Daniels Tried Today.
She Used Revolver on Street Car,
Cause, Unrequited Love.
PLEA OF DEFENSE.
is That Daniels THRILLED With
WOmen's Affections.
Daniels on Stand Today Tells
Story of the Shooting.

Mrs. Mary VoHstedt was placed on
trial today charged with intended
murder in the shooting of Lee Daniels,
a street railway conductor. A defense
of insanity was outlined by her coun-
sci, Waters & Waters, who admitted
that she fired the shot. Mrs. Vollstedt
has lain in the county jail eight
months since the shooting. Her hus-
Herman H. Vollstedt, laborer, has
been unable to supply her heavy
bond. ----'--
The defendant was tried for her
sanity in the probate court soon after
the incident, but was found sane. The
commission of Drs. L.. A. Ryder and
o. P. Davis, which sat in that trial
are subpoenaed in the district court
as witnesses
Mrs. Vo1lstedt, who is but % years
of age, appeared neatly dressed as on
former occasions. She is a pretty lit
tie woman, but possessed with the
mind of child. She does not grasp
an idea quickly and answers questions
with hesitancy and only half under
standingly. 1t was that peculiarly
which led to her former trial by lun-
acy commission.
Her victim, Lee Daniels, is the only
witness examined thus far today. He
told on direct examination of Mrs.
VollStedt riding on his car and making
love to him in the method of notes.
His run was the Cemetery-West
Fourth street line. It was at the Gem
etery end and turn that she shot him
in the back.
Daniels said he had destroyed the
letters she wrote him but told of their
contents. One in particular he de-
scriEed as asking him where he had
been with his sweet face. 81 have
missed you off your car. Why don't
you come with me and 1 will scatter
your pathway with flowers sine wrote.
1t was because Of his refusal to heed
these love notes, aIlege the state, that
she finally got on his car, rode east to
tie end of the line and. as he reached
up to reset his cash register, shot him
in the back.
1t is the contention of Capt. ]. G.
Waters in his ss-examination that
Daniels had been in the habit of maxi
ing love to the ladies who rode his
car and that Mrs. Vollstedt was no ex-
ception.
Did you show that letter to your
wife," asked Captain Waters.
mo- I tore it up
Did you show her any of your
notes?''
mo. SIR"
Did you ever tell her about your af-
fair with Mrs. Vollstedt?"
| YES"
THAT was after the shooting, though.
was it not?'
Yes"
! MT. w dI6TS Is attempting TO snow III
| the balance of his cross-examination
that Mrs. Vol1stedt in her simple mind
| edness was rather victim of Daniels
than he of her.
The conduct and habits of the de-
| PENDANT in the county jail which will
| be introduced by the defense are cal
culated to show that the woman since
childhood has not been right mentally
and has developed only physically. Her
| husband. who leads her about and
gives her every attention, may be
called to the witness chair, and If 50,
is expected to give some sensational
| testimony.
Some trouble was encountered in Sc
| lecttng a jury and two hours time was
consumed. The panel consists of J. p
| Zimmerman, S. r. Kutz, Geo. B. Elliot,
| F. L. Alderman. James Flowers. w. L.
| Hancock, w. c. Heron, E. J Linda
mood, L. Fl. Gest, r. d. Montgomery,
| r. K. Wallace, H. w. McAfee.