Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-26
CEDAR FALLS suslhEss MAN
PLEADS INFORMATION IN
TRIAL FOR LARcENv.
G. J. II. MURPHY CASE
IN COURT Ar!wATERLoo
Attorney for psfsnss Makes Strange
and Peculiar Plea in sshs'f.ef cIisrt,
Prominsat Citizen Wine Enssrsd o.
flee Of Former Employs-says As
Was intoxicated.

usual features were contained in the
opening statement, BY former Attorney
General c. w. Mullan, for the defense.
in the criminal case entitled state of
Iowa VS.. c. J. HI. Murphy of Cedar
Falls. In reply to the opening state
state, who outlined what the prosecu-
ton would endeavor to prove in sup
port of its allegations that Mr.. MUIR
ply. on the evening of Sept. &c last.
feloniously entered the office Of the
William Lawrence implement house at
Cedar Falls with intent to commit a
public offense. namely, larceny. Mr..
Mullan declared:
"The people OF Cedar Falls have
created a tempest in a teapot out of
this matter"
Mr. Mullan admitted that Mr.. MUIR
ply entered the office at o'clock or
a little later. on the evening in ques-
ton, but denied that he had any
criminal intent, stating that he went
in with a key which he still retained
in his possession. to get some catalogs
to aid him in starting an implement
business on his own account,
Mr.. Mccoy briefly outlined what the
state would try to prove. He declared
that the som law Of Mr.. Lawrence
and another employee had discovered
Mr.. Murphy in the office after the trio.
Including Mr.. Lawrence, had locked up
the place and gone to do some chores
In barn on the next lot.
Claims Murphy Was Intoxicated.
In his statement Mr.. Mullan denied
that Mr. Murphy was guiltyof a. crime
expla lining that he had entered the Of
flee while his mind was. In, muddled
condition. to get some: catalogs.
MIR. Murphy has been a substantial
business man at Cedar Falls for more
than twenty-five years." continued Mr..
Mullan, land no man has borne a bet
ter reputation for honesty, integrity
and honorable dealing. No one can say
aught against him. and Mr.. Lawrence
must admit that during all the nine
years that Mr.. Murphy worked for.
him he was the soul Of honor. trust
worthy and faithful in. every duty.
when Mr.. Murphy went to work
for Mr.. Lawrence the latter told the
former to get key made. MI. MUIR
ply procured this extra key to the Of
flee door. Afterwards a third key
was found or made. and Mr.. Murphy
had two keys: The one he had
made was placed In bureau drawer
at his home three or four years ago.
and 1t had been forgotten until a few
days before the occasion in question,
when he placed the key in his pocket
with the intention Of returning it to
Mr.. Lawrence when he saw him.
r. -;
ployment a couple Of years ago Mr..
Lawrence made overtures to get him
back, but owing to some trouble be-
tween Mr.. Drohman and Mr.. Murphy
he did not return to work. This de.
PENDANT turned his keys over to Mr..
Lawrence.
ION the afternoon Of the incidents
in question two friends of Mr.. Muir
ply asked him to come with them to
Waterloo. This defendant was work.
ing about his, premises. He decided
that, since he had been working
hard. he would lay of for half day,
and the three came to Waterloo on
the Illinois Central at 2:30. 1t was
a hot day and they went to the Guyer
saloon where they took a glass Of
beer and then went to the Ellis
buffet. There Mr.. Murphy remained
until nearly O'clock. drinking gin
fixes about as fast as the bartender
could prepare them. Il guess The re-
suit was that Murphy became intox-
icated. and when his friends returned
for him they found him outside,
braced against the plate glass win
dow. He was staggering. His
1T Nd cd
him on radiator, so that he might
regain his self control. Later Mr..
Murphy took the s o'clock interur-
ban for home, and has no recollection
Of when he left the saloon, Of his
taking the car or Of his arrival at
Cedar Falls; He recalls that the
conductor shook him to get him to
pay his fare. Arriving at Cedar
Falls Mr.. Murphy sstarted in the di-
rection he believedy his home was.
but took a directt6n opposite and
found himself in front of the Law
renee implement house. He recalled
that he had the extra key and thought
there would be no harm in going In
and helping himself tosome pump cat
alloys, az he was expecting to embark
into business. He had no more than
got in the Office until. Mr.. Drohman
came and others and called to him. In
his befuddled muddleds condition MT.
Murphy became frightened. He thought
he had done something he ought not
to have done, and strisds.to hide or es-
cape. go, sf5s.:
FoRsEE BUSINESS BOOM. !.