The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-14

4 WAR Of MEDICSI
The Beers Murder Trial De.
velOped Into II.
Ernest Versus johnson, Van
Horn and Lindsay.
SWALLOWING OF Teeth
Experts Disagree on Whether
Could Be Done or Not.
Evidence Most Favorable to
Beers Presented Today.

Medical authorities. are at war IN the
Beers murder case. Expert testimony
Of physicians who radically disagree
has been presented. DIR. F. ]. Ernest
testified for the state that Mrs. Beers.
teeth could not have been swalioweu
without the application of externai
force. DR.. 8. A. Johnson, DR.. C. b. van
Horn and DR.. Merrill Lindsay asserted
on the stand that the teeth could have
been swallowed voluntarily. The jury
must weigh the evidence. and make US
own decision. DR.. johnson quoted the
famous sauerkraut case this morning.
though the county attorney oec!areo
fatty he die not believe the report.
All the evidence for the state was IN
on Thursday Several of Mr.. Beers.
Wakarusa parishioners have testl1leo
10 the clergyman's good character. me
doctors. with their list Of technicadties,
took the stand.
Beers Brother Here.
! Mr.. Beers brother, E. NJ. Beers,
former mayor OF Mount Union, "a, re
Gently elected associate judge OF Hunt
ington county, is in Topeka. A second
brother J. p Beers Of Marion, Ohio.
arrived today. The clergyman's two
daughters, Grace and Cora. will TESTIFY
this afternoon. Charles, the paoy,
played about the room. then grew
bored, and curled up in his sisters lap.
The court will have a recess tomor-
row. 1t is probable that MI Beers VIII
take the stand in his own defense. on
Monday. Part Of the evidence this
morning was unintelligible. The doc
tors patiently explained medical terms
to the jury. The judge YEARLY closed
his eyes.
When DR.. S. A. johnson. 421 Kansas
avenue, took the chair. Mr.. Hungate
plunged so to speak. into the anatomy
of the throat.
Are you generally familiar with the
organs of the throat. mouth and back?''
Generally familiar, assented the
witness.
The four attorneys, the judge, and
the jury crowded about the physician.
who opened a book and displayed a dia-
gram of the pharynx.
DIR. johnson Says Can Be Done.
"Is it possible for an ordinary adult
to swallow an ordinary set of false
teeth such as 1 hand you?" asked Mr..
Hungate, producing the teeth.
In my opinion" responded DR.. john
son. lit is"
F"Can you name one case where any
person mas ever swallowed set Of teeth
the size Of this?" demanded Mr.. Atch-
ison.
Not from my own experience. but
-" and DR.. Johnson quoted medical
writer.
ty attorney.
DR.. johnson believed 1t was.
A German woman is reported to
have swallowed her teeth with a
mouthfull Of sauerkraut, experience
ing only slight scratching sensation
as the set slid down her throat
do you believe the professor is w.
ing?" Mr.. Hungate wanted to know.
II do" said the county attorney,
do you actually believe it true ?" he
asked the doctor.
The doctor did.
Barber Who Found Scratches
AL Alexander, the barber who
shaved Beers at the county Jail, tes-
titled he had found scratches on the
preachers face and neck. Mrs. S. T.
Meller of Wakarusa, who called Mr..
Beers to the phone when his wife
summoned him to Topeka, took the
stand.
The courtroom was not crowded
this morning. On Monday it will
probably be full. AS the trial pro-
crosses, Mr.. Beers becomes more
cheerful. Hechats with his witnesses
during the recess. and shakes hands
with his former ovic