The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-09
BAD FOR THIS ONE
Witnesses Identify F. II. TillOt-
son in Kidnapping Trial.
Mrs. Burghart Saw Him Near
Thompson Home.
POINTED HIM OUT.
II. L. Stalker Also Saw the De-
fendant.
Clarence Bellnap Tells OF the
Assault.
POINTED HIM OUT.


tremeIy damaging and four confirma-
tory state witnesses were examined
and cross examined in their connection
with the incubator baby kidnapping
case in the Jackson county court this
morning in the case of the State OF
Kansas VS.. F. H. Tillotson of the Kan
sas City detective agency.
Three of the witnesses were positive
that they had seen Captain F. H. TIL
Iotson in Topeka Saturday morning,
August 81, 1909. at the time of the
LfdnaDine of Marian Bleakley. The
other four witnesses gave testimony
concerning the KIDNAPPING of the in
cubatOr baby.
Mrs. Frank Burghart and NJ. L.
Stalker, a farmer who 1--we near 10
peka at one time, were the two leading
witnesses who were used by the state
They testified that they saw Captain
Tillotson on the scene of the kidnap-
ing and described his personal appear
ance.
The other witnesses examined this
morning were Clarence Bellnap of
Memphis. Tenn, and Mrs. Ora Thomp-
son of Topeka, o. S. Perkins of To-
peka, A. T. Lucas of Topeka and IN
der Sheriff Ben Judkins of Topeka.
The court room was crowded for the
first real work in the kidnapping case.
The opening statement of County At
torney Schenck and the giving out of
the states testimony drew many more
spectators than the previous proceed
ings of the court.
Mrs Stella Barclay and Mrs Char;
lotte Bleakley were both absent this
morning Mrs. Bleakley was i'll at her
home in Topeka and is scheduled to ap-
pear later in the afternoon. Mrs. Bar
clay did not arrive from Kansas City
until early this afternoon.
When the call for the witnesses was
m lde it was found that over half of
them had not arrived in the city. ]. N.
Gentry had been excused on a misun-
derstanding and County Attorney
Schenck had an order issued for him
at once. 1t is not thought that he can
arrive untiI tomorrow.
Capt. Tillotson and Robert Randolph
were the only defendants in the court
today.
The opening statement by Mr..
Schenck was received by intense silence
and by the court, the jury and the
spectators in the crowded court room.
Mr.. Schenck spoke clearly and loud
and every word was absorbed. He gave
a condensed history of the kidnapping
case.
BeIInap on the Stand.
Clarence BellnaD. cousin of Mrs.
Bleakley, was the first witness in the
case. Bellnap was examined by As
sistant County Attorney Atchison for
LHc state anu AllOIISS II FIlGuDGIS lOI
the defense. He told a straightforward
story of the abduction of Marian
Bleakley from the Thompson home.
He said that he was in the living
room reading a newspaper when a
knock at the front door caused him to
go to the front of the house. He met
a woman who called for Mrs. ThOmp-
SON He went to the rear of the house
to call Mrs. Thompson when a man
entered the house just behind this
woman. Both the man, who is alleged
to have been ]. n. Gentry. and Mrs |
Thompson then ran for the baby, who |
was playing on the floor in the parlor
at the time. A struggle followed in
which Bellnap said he was hit over the !
mead by long revolver by Gentry and |
Knocked unconscious. He regained
consciousness and attempted to take
the child, but Gentry ran with her to
the back door and made his escape in !
a waiting buggy. An exhibit of the !
size of the big gun carried by Cen
Try how he placed it at Bellnap, the |
struggle in the house, and the very
misses of the kidnapers were given in |
the court room by the witnesses.
Mrs. Ora Thompson. mother of Mrs. |
bleakley, was the next witness on the |
stand. and her story tailed perfectly |
with that told by BeIlnap Mrs |
Thompson was confident that She knew /
sentry and also pointed out Bob Ran |
doIph IN the court room. In answer |
10 question from Attorney Fried |
perg with reference to the personal
appearance of Randolph, Mrs. Thomn- |
son created laugh when she said on |
pointing to Randolph: Randolph has
aoout the same face now as then
q. 5. Perkins, Topeka livervman |
toId OF hiring horse and bupev ont !
70 Gentry. His description conceded |
Win tldt gwen by the other witnesses. |
Mrs. Burghart Star Witness
Mrs. Frank Burghart of 1O4S Nor
rs avenue, was the star witness to-
gay. She described Tillotson from |
neaa to foot, and even saw him when
ne took off his hat to wine the ner-
Spiration from his brow, and told ~
ms scanty hair. She also knew Cen
try and David Gregg.
Attorney Friedberg for the defense
gave Mrs. Burghart a griIling cross
tsIsIll summation after the state had fin
ished. plat of the location of her
nome, the streets in that district and
the location of the horse and buegT-
on record. p'''0o"
Stalker Is Positive.
M; L. Stalker, farmer living
southwest of Washburn college vas
ileNT so;J called to the stand. Mr. Stalker
sald he was delivering eggs and b1,+
Yer behind the BleakIey home when
ne was attracted by the ilI-fated horse
and buggy. eA nurse
Mr.. Stalker was also of consider
aple e damage to the defense. He
Slallns Slns to have seen TilIotson in the
,puggy with David Gregg at the horsa,s
' lieau and pointed out Tillotson in the
court room Stalker described tbe
manner in which Tillotson was f1resso
ed. very much like the descrintiop
given by Mrs. Burghart. The rrav
hat worn by Tillotson in Holton csr1s
in as evidence again. anne
a. l. Lucas, Topeka real estate
man. and former sheriff of Shawnee
county, testified after few short
questions. that he saw Can't. Tillotson
N the Elks, club room Alle1,st 81 a.