Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-10

contents OF the first letter was some
thing to the effect that everybody was
quiet now and that father had buried
the stuff. The second letter there was
something said about taking pa and
ma to Mason City to take them before
some attorney. These letters were
written at home and were to Eta Lar
son. Mr.. Rhodenbaugh mailed these
letters.
"Mr. Rhodenbaugh kept these pow
ders in the barn After our last sick
ness I saw him go to the barn. get
didn't bury the yellow powder. These
ten letters that Marean received from
different people signed by Eta Lar
son. to my best knowledge and belief
weer written by Eta Larson
Testimony 10 Attacked.
1t was at this time Attorney Stiger
made his last desperate fight to pre-
vent the admission Of this testimony
and also to prevent these letters going
to the jury. He attacked the admissa-
bility of Mrs. Rodenbaugh's testimony
in regard to the letters by stating that
her name was attached to the indict-
ment and In the very nature Of the
case, being one who suffered from the
administration of the poison and hold
ing the relationship to Eta Larson she
now does she would be the last one to
admit from testimony Of this nature.
Judge Clyde overruled the objection
stating that the jury were the COM
petent ones to judge of the merits of
her testimony. When the lady was
turned over to Attorney tSiger he man
aged to get from her the statement
that the handwritings of Marean and
Eta are much alike. Also that in the
admitted writings of each of these the
capital DIS were very similar. guess
was spelled CESS and nor. more. Mrs.
Rhodenbaugh explained that both girls
seemed to have about the same trouble
in spelling these words.
Immediately upon the call of the
afternoon session the question of de-
Gliding upon the admission of these ten
letters came up. Attorney Marley Of
fered them as evidence. Attorney Sti-
ger then began his attack. making a
number of citations on recent decisions
along this line. He said that there was
not a word in the letters which refer
to the crime alleged in the indictment.
The letters were written long after the
time when it is said a crime was COM
nlitted and that these letters were no
part of the resgestae or the circum-
stances surrounding this affair
Judge Clyde oyerruled the motion,
the letters were admitted and Attorney
Markley read them to the jury.
Rhodenbaueh on Stand.
Douglas Rhodenbaugh. the complain
ing witness in the case. was called to
the stand. His age is SO years and
occupation farmer. Have lived on the
farm I now occupy for twenty five
years My first wife was Mary Whit
more She died in 1895. Have FIVE
children from my first wife and four
from my present wife Eta Larson. the
defendant. is my Oldest daughter. She
lived with me until she was married
seven years ago. Christian Larson, the
husband Of Eta. knew OF the presence
Of drugs where kept them in case
in the barn. Eta did not, that know
of. neither did Marean never wanted
my children to go into the barn.
Mr.. Rhodenbaugh could not testify
regarding who wrote the letters. stat
ing that he was not we'll enough posted
on either the writing of Eta or Marean
He did say that he held no ill-feeline
toward Eta Larson.
The case is progressing very slowly
At the present rate it will take at least
two weeks in getting the evidence to
the jury. The court room does not be-
gin to hold the crowd. ladies coming
early and standing in the aisles during
the entire half days proceedings.
Those discriminating Letters.
Following are copies of some OF the
discriminating letters Marean claims &c
have received from Mrs. Larson, in
which threats were made to kill her
if she told of the poison plot, and
which have been Introduced in evil
dence. Defense will seek to show these
letters are forgeres. There are eigh;