The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-03
BLACK FOR WALLACE.
Charged With Murder of Girl, Faces
Strong Chain of Evidence.

Fearful of many threats of violence,
Andrew Wallace is still held at the
county Jail, pending an investigation
of the Mabel Morris killing. Almost
hourly the chain of circumstances
against wallace grows stronger. Fol-
lowing the inquest next Monday, the
man will probably be formally arrest
ed charged with the murder of the
Topeka girl.
Tennesseetown is deeply stirred
over the death OF the high school girl
Last night and today many prominent
colored people expressed apprehension
of Wallace's safety If he were re-
leased. The man is being carefully
guarded. No one has been permitted
to see him since he was taken to Jail
Wednesday night Even police Off
GERS, lawyers and reporters are ex-
cIuded from the cell where Wallace
Is kept a prisoner.
That Wallace had two accomplices
in the killing of the Morris girl, is be-
lieved by some of the officers. This
theory is strengthened by the proof
that Mabel Morris was seen at the
Rock Island depot at IL o'clock the
night she left home. With her was
Wallace and two strange negroes
whom the officers have been unable
to locate. A woman who saw Wallace
and the girl, was called to the court
house today and later went to the
county Jail, where she identified Wal
girl. 1t is believed that one of the
two men has been located. He may
be picked up this afternoon and held
for investigation. The third man is
not known.
Against this theory of three access
series to the crime, is a glazing as
sortment of widely different opinions.
Some of the officers believe that Wal
lace was alone in the murder of the
girl. Then there are divided theories
of motive for the crime That rob-
berry and perhaps assault were the
causes of the killing, are believed by
many. Again many people believe
that the girls life was sacrificed to
avenge an enmity against her father.
1t is this latter opinion that John
Morris, the father, has supported
since April Il, the night his daughter
disappeared. Tt was the testimony of
John Morris that sent Robert Ches-
ney to the penitentiary. Morris re-
ceived many threats from Chesney's|
friends and he believes that the per-
sonal hatred for him was responsible
for the daughters death.
f'They didn't dare to face me- de-
clared Morris, who is a veteran Santa
Fe Waterman, land they got my girl
instead"
But Morris theory is not generally
accepted. wallace lives near the Nor
ris home and has known the girl for
some time. The fact that Wallace
and the Morris girl were seen walking
arm in arm the night she left home,
removes the theory that she was alb
Quoted.
With the additional testimony secur-
ed today, Wallace is traced almost to
the scene of the killing. After leaving
her home, the girl was seen walking
north on Buchanan street near Sixth
avenue, arm in arm with Wallace. Two
hours later they were seen at the Rock
Island depot. From the depot, it is pre-
stunned that Wallace and the girl went
TO the Civ mark, then in a mort Invest
erly direction to the Rock Island bridge.
From this bridge, it is believed. tbs
girl was hurled to the river after be-
ing assaulted and robbed. Ten days
later her body was found in the river.
Following the finding of Mabel Nor
ris' watch in the pool hall where Wal
lace worked, Charles Lyle, a deputy
sheriff, found a gold locket that the
girl wore the night she left home. 1t
also was in the pool hall.