The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-15

There was broad grin on Mrs.
Thomann's face as she calmly told OF
| her intimacy with Medlock, the de-
tective. The mere fact that her hus-
band was in the room at the time the
staten ent was given did not bring the
blush of shame to the woman'S
cheek. AS she admitted that she and
Medlock had registered at Topeka no.
tells under assumed names, playful
smile fitted across her face and she
appeared as calm and se1f-possessed
as though she had just related the
incidents of a social gathering in the
tate. 1t was when her visitor asked
rather pointed question and the
woman turned pair of searching
eyes on her husband Thomann him.
vousness as his wife waited. All the
color had left the mans face.
$50 on, Charlotte, go on" said the
man in a low tone. eff you are going
to tell anything, for Gods sake tell
And Mrs Thomann did tell all.
Then leaving the details of her trips
to Topeka when the detective was her
companion, the bankers wife dropped
back to the affairs that led up to the
II don't talk about my affairs
around folks who aren't friendly"
snapped Mrs. Thomann, as she shot
furtive glance around the room to
make sure she was acquainted with
her audience; and more especially to
make sure that Leta Foster was not
present. Some folks lie and when
say they lie, I mean it and am usually
willing to back up just what I say.
Now, what do you want to know
about, anyway? ?"
1t was explained that the newspaper
reading public wanted to know just
what she knew about the Gillett affair.
Mrs Thomann grunted. perhaps Just rs
a means of expressing disgust. Then
she complained that it was a horrible
season she had spent with the worst
case of rheumatism she had harbored
in years.
Tells Story of GiHett Affair.
Now. that Gillett affair. eh?" sighed
Mrs. Thomann, Eyes. I see. Well, it's
precious little know about it. Only
Just what I'VE been told. but I'm going
to stick to that. Yes indeed. And then
likely we'll know just who's lying. Now
what did you want to ask, anyway"
"Oh Just start and tell the whole
thing right through" suggested the Wis
itor. And Mrs. Thomann did just that
thereby shattering several whole
pages of perfectly good afhdavits, the
contents of which Mrs Thomann and
solemn facts. Mrs. Thomann hadn't
read Medlock's affidavit, admitted she |
didn't know just what was in it and
told the story which she said she would |
relate from the witness stand in To- |
peka.
well. I don't know just the day of |
the month this affair of Leta's and the |
judges occurred. Only remember that |
1 did have a lawsuit in Holton that day |
and Medlock was one of my witnesses. |
You see we had been in Topeka several |
days-that is Medlock and the girl and |
land I guess we had seen Ericsson |
a few times, but am not sure of that. |
Well, when I got all ready to go back |
to Holton, Leta said she wanted to stay |
over and do some shopping. I think |
she wanted to get some dress goods. |
She went up to that big hotel at |
and 1 suppose she got room there.
Anyway, 1 didn't see her any more |
until 1 came back from Holton. either
the next night or the morning of the
second day, I am not sure which,
Didn't Know of Plan TO Trap Judge. |
The woman was encouraged to go on /
and tell it all. The reporter wanted to
know what Leta told her when she /
next met her and if she knew of a plan l
to entrap Judge Gillett.
Certainly I didn't know of such q
plan," snapped the woman. when
came back 1 saw Leta- She ran up and
said. lust sort of kid like, oh Mrs
Thomann, you ought to have been
there. 1 had a h of time while you
were gone Then she told me about
the par1or and going to his room. 1
said just Whit she told me
when 1 made that affidavit I was
never in the National hotel in my 1ife
never saw Judge Gillett and never
heard of this fellow Wilcox or Black
and was never in any DEAF or frame
up. Neither did I talk to Ieta about
the matter or encourage her to go to
the National. I don't know why she
went over there. No one went with her,
so far as I know and 1 am sure she
went of her own accord and without
from anyone"
Not only had Mrs. Thomann knocked
all the props from under the Medlock
testimony, but she had contradicted
herself in a manner that may arouse
in restoring harmony.
In her own affidavit-the one on which
she must stand trial-she said:
''Affiant further states that she d.
rected Leta Foster to 70 to the ladies'
parlor of the National hotel and there
wait until she would call for her later
n the day
AS for Medlock-whom both Leta
Foster and Mrs. Thomann now say was
out of town at the time-he swore to
these facts:
Il again saw Judge Gillett early in
he morning of January 80, talking to
Leta Foster who is personally known to
ne, in the ladies' parlor of the National
1otel. In a short time, / saw Gfllett re-
turn to his room, No. 507 on the fifth
1oor and in q few moments Ieta II