Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-30
WOMAN COMPANION OF ColFAx
GROCER, WANTED As WIT.
MESS, CAN'T BE FOUND.
NEW LINE OF EVIDENCE
At WHEELock INQUEST
pss Moines Companions Of York At
Time Of Whssioek's Disappearance
Rsvsaled-sanksr and Grocer Close
soeially-Frisnd rsstiHss WheeIock
Could Not Have Committed Suicide.

Des Moiues, Dec. 30-That NJ. B.
Wheelock and George W. York, Of Col
fax, were seen togeather near Des
Moines several times the part year was
testimony introduced in the Wheelock
inquest before Coroner james Lee.
The inquest was resumed Monday at
ternoon
This is the first testimony introduced
which has tended to link the two men
together in social way. J. L. Main,
formerly Of Colfax. testified he has
seen Wheelock and York together on an
1nterurban car between Granger and
Des Moines several times the past year.
He said he had seen them come to town
together and get off at Fourth and
Locust streets since July 1 last.
Fred Barnett Of Colfax, clerk IN
York's grocery store, testified that as
soon as York heard Wheelock had
skipped he went to the long distane\
telephone and called UP his son-ln-laW
at Granger. Among other things, Bar
nett swore he heard York say was me
and Mrs. York are walking the door"
w" 6IuO 0b 6viAVbSSs
Persons heretofore obscure except
for the mention Of their names en-
tered the lmelight In the probe Of the
wheelock case when Coroner James NJ.
Lee and County Attorney Thomas ].
Guthrie resumed the inquest. Six wit
nesses gave testimony that opened a
new channel for the investigation. The
officials will attempt to strengthen the
new trend Of evidence. They will seek
to further establish q connection be-
tween certain persons who have units
this time played but smail parts ii the
probe Both Coroner Lee and Mr..
Guthrie, together with the three Jurors,
declared that they believe they are get
ting nearer a solution Of the mystery
surrounding the finding Of Mortimer B.
Wheelock's body in the Des Moines
river on Dec. 8.
The cross examination brought out
the following which the officials say
throws new light on the case:
Works Woman Friends.
Mrs. Eta Graben, wife of q travelling
man with whom York said he passed
Monday afternoon. Dec. l. the day
Wheelock disappeared, told the jury
that she is friend Of Jennie Edwards,
who lives in the Baker block.
She further testified that George II.
York, Colfax grocer. was acquainted
with both Mrs. Graben and Miss Ed
wards, and had attended picture shows
with them.
York claimed dead letter in the
Colfax postoffice addressed ~. B. Ed
wards, Des Moines, Iowa." which con-
tanned a SO bill and which was signed
The Prince" The letter stated at
timony.
:. Mrs. Graben told the jury that she
has known York for four years and
that York became acquainted with the
Edwards woman thru her.
Coroner Lee on this statement i'm
mediately dispatched Deputy Sheriff
Sunberg to summon the Edwards wo-
man to appear before the coroner
jury at once. He found that Miss Ed
wards has left the city. Garfield so
informed Mrs. Graben when he met
her in the Baker block as he was
leaving the apartments Of Miss Ed
wards.
Graben Leaves City.
Coroner Lee then asked for Mr.. era
ben. He left the city this morning.
Mrs Graben testified that he had not
been served with a subpoena Coroner
Lee says he placed Graben's subpoena
in the hands Of Deputy Sheriff Cohen
last Friday and understood it was
served.
Further testimony Of Mrs. Graben
conflicted with statements made by
York when on the stand several days
ago.
York testified, so the evidence shows.
that he met Mr.. Graben near Seventh
and Walnut streets on the afternoon
of Monday. Dec. 1. He said he ac-
companied him home. where Mrs. Gra-
ben prepared dinner
Mrs Grabea said she met her 1us-
band and Mr. York at Seventh and
Walnut.
She said all three went to picture
show and then went home together
Coroner Lee declares he will attempt
to locate Miss Edwards and summon
her before the inquest to establish. If
possible, IL the letter signed "The
Prince" had been addressed to her He
will also summon Mr.. Graben on his
return to Des Moines to testify as TO
mis- meeting with York OH Monday al
ternoon.
Farm Hand Called.
Harry Hanks, farm hand. is ex-
pected to be one Of the main witnesses
at the inquest this afternoon He came
to the police station several weeks ago
and declared he could tell Tots" about
the Wheelock case. Deputy sheriff 8
were unable to locate him last week.
He was reached Saturday.
Frank S. Dow, Urbandale conductor,
who told the Jurors several days ago
that he saw Wheelock on Wednesday,
Dec. 3, two days after he disappeared,
declared when recalled that man who
he is positive Is George III. York and
another man made a round trip on his
car two weeks before Wheelock dis
appeared. He told the jury that the
second man resembled Wheelock. He
said he would make no positive state
uleI1t Tega riding his identity.
Doubts II Suicide.
J. W. Main, rich farmer and stock
buyer OF Colfax, made the positive
statement on the witness stand that he
does not believe Mortimer Wheelocl
committed suicide.
Il have waded in mud for years on
my farm and know there is not a
man living that can walk in mud
knee deep and carry 100 pounds of
rock one STEP"
Wheelock was found with a sack
containing about one hundred pounds
81 rock around his neck. The bottom
of the river IL composed Of soft mud
= at the place he was discovered There
vas 70 mud CT his shoes or his socks.
which the officials believe So very