The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-21


At times Mrs. Rickels was overcome
with emotion and swayed in the wit
ness chair. In the brief intervals be-
tween the questions and answers, there
was a solemn quiet in the county attor-
ney's private office. broken only by the
wonan's emotional sobs. There were
damp eyes among the jurors as the
wife and mother barred the daughters
life to the world and hesitatingly told
of the step-father's forced attentions
for the little girl in the country school
district. The little room in the court
house was crowded. Yet only six jurors.
the court officers and a half dozen
newspaper writer's heard the story that
was wrung from the woman's heart.
It was late in the afternoon when the
Jury was taken from the crowded court
room to hear from the woman's lips the
story Of sickening experiences in the
Rickels home. Leaning on the arms of
conducted to the county attorneys prl-
vate office She had barely recovered
from the sight of the gun that brought
death to her husband and daughter and
of bits of wearing apparel that vera
exhibited an hour before in the court
room. In her weakened condition her
voice was at times scarcely audible in
the small room, but as the examination
continued, her voice grew stronger and
her power to portray the secrets of life
in the modest country home seemed to
increase. At times she became almost
dramatic and persons in the stuffy lit
tie room leaned forward fearful that
they would miss some word of her tes-
timony.
For ten minutes Of the preliminary
examination, the woman told of Rick
els and his history. She told of mis-
threats, his suicidal tendencies, of the
death of his father by a gun shot, fired
by his own hand. Then she told of her
marriage to the man in Abilene eight
years ago. of their financial reverses
and Rickels disappointments and brood
ing when unable to find employment.
On these occasions Rickels threatened
he took chloroform while the family
was living in Abilene.
Threats to Kill.
Then the examination narrowed to
the year preceding the double tragedy
1t had to do more with Rickels and his
insane infatuation for the step
daughter and of the girls hatred for
the man.
ibid he threaten anyone else when he
said he would kill himself7'' asked
County Attorney Simon.
YES" said the woman, as she hest
tated a moment, The said. IF I shoot
myself, 1 will shoot someone else, too.
He seemed to be awful angry-angry 2 :
all Of us.
was 1t over his relations with
oh. yes. Yes. it was sobbed the
woman, as she hid her face in her
hands for brief minute and seemed to
struggle to collect her thoughts.
Then tell the jury what it was. -
continued the lawyer
TT was about o'clock one morn
ing We had quarreled all night He
Threatened to kill us if-if--''
1t was some time before the woman
could compose herself and continue.
lie said he would kill someone if
Clara didn't come to his room. I beg
ged him to kill me, but to spare my
dear little girl. He was awful angry.
I didn't know what he would do. So
we'll, I consented. Somehow
thought I could protect my darling
better if she was by my side. Then
she stayed in bed with US the rest of
the night
Did anyone interfere ~ was asked.
well. my son Albert lighted the
lamp and came to the door. He was
in the other room. He came to pro-
tect Clara and as he entered the
room, he said, I won't have my sister
ruined Oh. 1 didn't know what was
going to happen. So I screamed to nv
boy, oh, Albert, thou shall not kill