The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-21
Defense Assumes Burden of
Proof in Libel Suit.
Statements Made in Affidavit
to Be Verified.
CAREY BLACK ON STAND
Tells of Long Standing Love
for Anthony Attorney.
He Secured Services of Erics.
son, He Tells Jury.

Assuming the burden of proof, this
defense in the Gillett criminal libel case
today undertook the verification OF the
sensational affidavits and Corey Black
was called to the stand to tell of his
employment of Detective Ericsson
Black went to the stand at 11:15, fol
lowing a two hours parade of char
acter witnesses for Ericsson and VIII
cox.
True to every detail of the case as
outlined to the jury, Major A. NJ. Har-
vey showed the bosom friendship o.
Black and Wilcox and went into Blacks
employment of a detective to assist his
friend in the disbarment case. In the
As minutes that Black was on the
stand in his own behalf at the morning
session, he was regarded by the score
of lawyers watching the progress of
the case, as good witness. Just how
long Black will be under fire. is but
a matter of speculation. His direct
examination will doubtless be length-
and the tilt with the lawyers for the
state is expected to occupy a half day.
With an assuring smile on his face
and ar evidence of unusual composure,.
Black went through the morning exam
ination withou. a hitch. No statemen
of his friendship, love and admiration
for the Anthony lawyer seemed too
strong. 1t was this love and confidence,
Black declared, that caused him to hire
a detective to investigate the facts in
the dsbarment case and brought to
light affidavits concerning Judge GIL
lett's alleged intimacy with 17-year-old
Leta Foster.
Has Long Known Wilcox.
How long have you known Mr..
Wilcox" asked Major Harvey, who
| conducted the direct examination.
ffv1,n in II ruf r1nf
! him in Anthony. He came there from
Missouri with another young man and
opened a law office"
Witness said that. neither himself
nor Wilcox was then married, that a
close friendship sprung into existence
and no incident of the last "a years
had broken that fellowship. They
have visited often since Black moved
| to Council Grove, nine years ago, and
when in need of legal advice, the wit
ness always sought the counsel of his
old friend.
1t was while Black and his wife
were guests in the Wilcox home dur
ing the 1911 holidays that the witness
first learned of the facts in the dis
| barment suit against the lawyer. He
saw there was considerable feeling in
the Harper county town and when he
returned to Council Grove the first
of the year he decided to help Will
! cox.
Then He Sought Ericsson.
What did you do after returning
home ?" the witness was asked, fol-
lowing several preliminary questions.
Il remembered that 1 heard men
ton of a detective named Ericsson
possibly at Anthony in connection
with the Firestone case-and ] wrote
to the State Temperance union ask
ing Mr.. Ericsson's address:
did you receive reply?"
Yes. A few days later Ericsson
| came to see me-.
| "Did YOU get a letter from anyone?"
From Mr.. Stahl. 1 think
| A letter from Stahl to Black under
date of January % was then offered in
evidence without objection from the
state.
prior to that time. had you had any
conversation with Wilcox in which you
indicated that you expected to employ
detective?"
you say Ericsson called few days
later?"
He did"
did you have a conversation in
which some business arrangement was
made?"
Yes, sir
Ericsson called on me and 1 ex-
planned the situation at Anthony. How
| ever, he knew something of it having
been down there as testified to. / tol6
him of Wilcox's activity in enforcing
the prohibitory law, his integrity and
that the disbarment proceedings, were
| as I believed, a direct result of enforc-
| ing the law. Then / told him to go
| ahead on his own methods to learn the
truth or untruth of the charges"
other Names Were Given.
did you give him names of any DAr-
ties?"
"I don't know In the conversation
names were mentioned"
"Who?"
ut was mentioned that Mr.. Blake
Mr.. Noftzger. Mr.. Couch and possibly
Mr.. Ffrestone had been very active in
this matter
was anything mentioned that these
enemies of Wilcox had been trying to
get Judge Gillett into the fight to help
them?"
II don't think there was
After Ericsson went away, did you
communicate to Ericsson that you haG
made such arrangements?'
After that did you see Ericsson or
temp"
Ibid you have any talks over the
phone?"
was that the first visit after his
employment?"
''It was"
'.when he called did he make ary
! report account your employement?"
Did any one come with him?"
Did he have any documents of any
character"
''Yes."
Did he present those as being
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