Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-24
DEFENSE INTRODUCES ONLY
TWO WITNESSES IN MURDER
TRIAL At vlNToN.
STATE ABLE TO PRESENT ONLY
clRcUMsrANrlAL EVIDENCE
Defendant Goes on Stand and Denies
Testimony Of States witnesses -
Prosecutions Case Not Considered
Very Strong Closing Arguments in
Progress.
pecial to Times-Republican.

murder trial all Of the evidence was
in and Attorney w. f. Snyder, of the
prosecution, had made his argument to
the jury and it is now thought that the
case will get into the hands of the jury
| this afternoon. The days trial brought
forth several sensational features. The
| state finished with their evidence about
2:30 and an effort was made by the de-
Tense to have the case dismissed, and
| being unable to get the dismissal in
troduced only two witnesses, one be-
ing the defendant, George L. Eddy. and
the other Tom H. Miner, one Of the
attorneys for the defense.
While evidence Of circumstantial
nature wholly was introduced by the
state many of the statements made by
the state witnesses were absolutely de-
MED by Eddy himself when on the
stand and the story told by Tom II.
Miner would strongly substantiate the
finding of the coroner's jury at the
time Of Mrs. Guthrie's death in Decem
Der, 1900, that she came to her death
by suicide.
The first witness called in the morn
ing was Mark Fisher, of Belle Plaine,
who stated in substance that a week or
so prior to the death Of Mrs. Guthrie
that Eddy had told him in a converse
ton that he had a chen on" and when
that hen came off he would have $500.
Later in the same conversation Eddy
told him that Guthrie had hired him to
"get rid of that woman" meaning Mrs.
Guthrie, and placed his hand within
his right coat pocket with the state
ment "this is what will do it, but did
not exhibit any revolver. Two months
or so later Eddy told the witness that
he had secured $3.50 Of the amount and
that was all Guthrie would pay of it.
Tom Marshall, negro barber, of
Belle PLANE, was next upon the wit
ness stand and he testified that on the
day of Mrs. Guthrie's death about a.
m. he saw Francisco Guthrie leave his
home and lock the door after him.
Marshalrs testimony was later strick-
en- from the records by consent of all
attorneys.
Frank Hevener, father-in-law Of the
defendant, was called next and stated
that Eddy had told him the story Of
having hen on and the testimony
given by the witness was substantially
the same IN respect 10 tHdI STORY DIS
told by Mark Fisher.
States Principal Witness.
d. II. Stuckenbruck, the principal
witness for the state, followed Heve-
ner and while he gave his testimony in
the direct examination without hesita-
ton he became considerably confused
in the cross examination which was
conducted by Mr.. Miner. In substance
1a rx,ifn cfo cd a. time no
had come upon the defendant in his
(Eddy's) home lying upon the bed and
praying to the good Lord to forgive
him for what he had done; for the
murder of Rose Guthrie; that later
on May 20, 1907, he had again talked
with the defendant in his yard and at
that time he stated that he "had killed
her" and that Guthrie had hired him
to do it for $500. He stated that he
talked with Eddy one time after that
when Eddy" called it a joke and that
they couldn't do anything with him
because he was one armed and that
he was thinking of giving up Frank
Guthrie" Judging from later state
ments 1t is thought that the witness
meant by giving up that he meant
turning states evidence in the case.
Gus DIR, former deputy sheriff Of
this county and in office at the time of
the death of Mrs. Guthrie, followed
to the stand. He stated
in part that he was called to investi-
gate the Guthrie home on Dec. q, 1900,
and while on the way there he asked
George Eddy to accompany him; that
they found the house locked with the
outside blinds closed and the curtains
drawn; that it was about 5 o'clock in
the afternoon and that it was dark in
the house; that when they entered the
bed room where the body of Mrs.
Guthrie lay that Eddy proceeded him
into the room and made the statement
'shere she is" and the witness said at
that time he was unable to see the
body in the room altho he was stand
Ing at the foot Of the body wherein the
body lay; that the defendant told him
that If Guthrie did not set
tie with him he would "squeal on him"
and also that Guthrie had offered Eddy
$500 to dynamite house while Mrs.
Guthrie was within.
Testimony For Defense.
With the conclusion of Dirr's testi- |
mony the state rested its case and the
license took up the rebuttal and placed
The defendant on the stand In his own
0e0alI. Inc W1LueSS SldI0u Ill SUI
stance that just prior to Mrs, Guthrie's
leath that he had been employed by
Guthrie for $500 to secure evidence
against Mrs. Guthrie sufficient for
Guthrie to secure a divorce, which he
lad done by the time of her death and |
vas paid $3.50 on account; that it was
hat that he was referring to in the
testified to by Fisher and |
aevener. He denied absolutely that
re had told iStuckenbruck that he had |
.illed Rosie Guthrie; that Stucken-
,ruck was not in his house at any time
when he was praying as was testified
o by him, but stated that Stucken-
,ruck came into his home one day last
all while he was asleep on the bed
I'd that che grabbed me by both
wrists and fell over me and said" In
drunken way, you wouldn't kill poor
I'd Dan, would you?" and further told
he witness that he had killed Rosie
Guthrie which the witness stated that
e denied; that he had considerable
lifficulty getting away from him and
citing him out OF the house at that
Ime. In the cross examination Eddy
tated that he did not at any time tell
rus DIR that Guthrie had offered him
500 to dynamite Mrs. Guthrie as was
estified to by Dir.
Eddy appeared cAlm and arm thru
Il tn. diEect-Ap6 croa9 examination
=