Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-17
CRnWDER'S wife
WITNESS AT THE
STRATTON TRIAL
Blind Widow Of the Murdered
Silvis Banker Takes Stand
at Morning Session.
JEFFERSON TELLS STORY
Pal Of Defendant Swears Yeggman
Led Assault on Victim-Doe-
tors Give Testimony.

Supported On the arm of her physi-
clan and assisted by her two daugh-
tiers, Mrs. Lucy Crowder, widow O:
Banker J. L. Crowder Of Silvis, whose
place of business was robbed and he
so severely beaten that he died sew
eral months later, tottered to the wit
ness stand this morning at the STRAIT
ton murder trial. The aged woman is
blind and ii was quite an affecting
scene as she slowly entered the crowd
ed court room and made her way to
the stand.
She testified, however, but few
minutes. She told of the time in the
morning when her husband had left
for work on the day of the assault and
OF the time of his return when he was
brought home in a helpless condition.
She was as,,ed as TO the amount OF
money her husband had at his place
of bushes but did not know and she
was excused.
IDENTIFIES RIB.
James Higgins, special agent for the
Rock Island, told OF the incidents fol-
lowing the assault and the village
marshal was recalled TO testify as to
the full name Of the deceased. The
physicians were then placed on the
stand to testify relative to the autopsy
which was performed the day follow
ing the death. DR.. A. T. Leopold Of
Moline described infinitely from a sci
entifc standpoint the extent of the in
turies, claiming that death resulted
from gangrene caused by the fracture
of the ninth rib. He said there we're
adhesions at the third and fifth ribs.
He identified the rib Of Mr.. Crowder
which he had taken from the body and
preserved in a bottle DR.. Chapman
of Silvis also testified relative to the
autopsy.
KNOWS STRATTON.
This afternoon Coroner Meyer OF
Moline was on the stand to testify
relative to the inquest and autopsy
Miss Lena Brooks of Davenport, who
runs rooming house, identified Clyde
Stratton as having been at her place
in that city in November and Decem,
Der.
William KilIip, Silvis, special police
officer, told of the happenings on
the night of the assault and Horace
Wilson told of the escape of Strattor
from the county jail. Hugo Alvin
turnkey who was brutally assaulted by
both Stratton and Louis Kleinau 81
the time of the jail delivery, was next
TO be heard. He told of the escape Of
Stratton and his pals and Of the severe
beating which he got.
STAR wITNI3sS.
The cardinal feature of the tria
yesterday afternoon was the testimony
of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was
the star witness for the state and &C
Cording to the testimony produced by
him Stratton was with him and two
other companions on the night o.
Dec. when the Silvis bank was rob
bed and J. Lee Crowder received in
juries that resulted in his death. JET
ferson claimed that the quartet lef
the Manufacturers hotel at Moline FOL
Silvis on the street car and after ar
irving at the village went straight t
the bank and effected an entrance. HI
stated that while he was back OF tn
cage searching for the money, Stra.
ton and Jimmy Callahan attacked tn,
old man. who was in the bank al tn,
time. and beat him when he refused {,
produce the money. He testified tina
he heard the old man begging for meI
cy and that he saw Stratton an
Smithy holding him on the floor in al
obscure corner in the little room.
KNOCKED OUT LIGHT.
When asked II there was a light Fl
the bank. Jefferson stated that vher
the four entered there was ligh
burning but Jimmy knocked It out
After the old man had become quiet
Jefferson claimed that Stratton start
ed to search with the rest OF the part,
TT11