The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-08
In the Trial of DIR. H. HI. Grip
pen for Murder.
THE FIRST WITNESS
Says They Are Similar to Those
Worn by Belle ElmOre.
Chemist Testifies to the Pur-
chase Of Hyoscin.


today of the trial of DR.. Hawley H.
Crippen and Ethel Glare Leneve for
the murder of the formers wife, Pub
lie Prosecutor Humphreys introduced
evidence to establish the claim of the
crown that the parts of the mutflat-
ed body found in the Crippen home
once formed part of the person of
Belle Gilmore, the missing wife and
to so strengthen what has been pop
ularly regarded as the missing link in
the chain of evidence against the ac-
cused.
Adeline Harrison, whose acquaintance /
with Belle Fillmore had extended over
period of IL years. Mrs. Harrison /.
was asked to examine strands of hair
found when the dismembered body
was uncovered and having done so,
she swore that she recognized the ex- /.
hibit as similar to that worn by Belle l
Gilmore.
A torn bit of feminine underweari
also discovered by the searchers. in the /
cellar was next introduced and the
witness declared that she had seen Belle
Fillmore clothed in under garments of a
like texture. Testimony had been offer
ed before, showing that the lower part
or the body bore scar, the result of
an operation. Mrs. Harrison testified
that she had seen a similar scar on tie
body of her friend.
The accused were seated in the dock
doctor took advantage of the opportun-
ity to speak to the girl. Miss Leneve
presented woebegone appearance and
did not seem anxious to converse. Grip
pen, to whom his spectacles had been
returned for the first time since his ar
rest, appeared as the Crippen of early
photographs. He spoke to the girl
anxiously and she replied in monosyl-
tables.
Evidence Is Weakened.
On his cross examination of Mrs.
Harrison, F. Newton, representing
Crippen, detracted from the strength
or the evidence and incidentally indi-
Gated what is believed to be the line OF
defense. In reply to Newton's oues-
tions, the witness assented to the sug-i
gestion that the hair. the portion of q.
woman's vest and the curling iron
| found in the Crippen cellar were not
only similar to those worn or used by
the missing woman: but also ''re-
sembled thousands of others
| When Mrs. Harrison left the stand
the prosecution called the chemist who
claims that he sold hyoscin, a deadly
poison, to Crippen. The witness testi-
grains of the drug on January 10. ex-
planning that he required the poison
for use in homeopathic preparations.
| AS is required of purchasers of pois-
| ons, he signed the registry book of tho
store, making this inscription mum
yons. per H. H. Crippen."
inspector Dew, who arrested tha
| fugftives and brought them back from
| Quebec. re-entered the witness box to-
| day and read a lengthy Statement
signed by Crippen when the police first
asked him to make an explanation OF
| his disappearance from London after
suspicion had been directed against
| him. The gist of the statement had
already been covered by Humphrevs in
| his opening address,.
Inspector Dew also testified regard
| ing the search of Crippen's house and
told Of finding there a loaded revolver
and box of cartridges.
The statement which Crippen made
to Inspector Dew concluded:
MY belief Is that my wife has gone
| to Chicago to Join Bruce Miller
In cross examining the inspector. So-
1icitor Newton drew out the statement
that through the earlier stages of the
I investigation of the crime Crippen ap-
peared perfectly cool and collected and
was courteous. affording the police
every facility for searching the house.
Counsel tried to get the witness to
say that the parts found might have
| been buried long prior to the dfsap-
| pearance OF Mr.. Crippen, but Dew in
sisted that though portions were de-
| composed other bits Of flesh remained
quite firm and when cut appeared
| fresh. Some pieces had been petrifiet8
by the action of the lime in which they
were buried. The trial was adjourned
| to September IA.
Munyon Repudiates Him.
London, Sept. 8.-The testimony of q:
London chemist in the Crippen trial to-
| day in which the witness stated that
Crippen purchased five grains Of
hyoscin on January 10, for use in
homeopathic preparations and that
| Crippen signed Munyon's per H. n
Crippen' in the chemists registry hook
was shown to ]. M. Munyon Of this
| city. by whom Crippen had been en-
ployed.
Mr.. Munyon stated that the deadly
poison was never used by him in his
preparations and that Crippen never
put up any remedies for him. as all
that work is done in Philadelphia
Mr.. Munyon further said that Grip
pen severed his connection with the
| Munyon interests in December, 1909 He
had been engaged only to answer medi-
cal correspondence for the company.