The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-18
TELLS HIS STORY
Rev. Beers on Witness Stand
All Day.
Tells Story of His Married Life
to Jury.
DENIES BLACKS TESTIMONY
Says Ohio Lawyer Witness
Made False Statements.
Wife Left Home Solely Because
of Religious Differences.

That despite the troubles in his fam
lily he loved his Catholic wife and at all
times was anxious that she remain with
him and live with him, was the repeated
statements of the Rev. w. L. Beers, who
is being tried for the murder of his
wife, who spent the morning testifying
in his own behalf.
Beers also denied any mistreatment
of his wife, and declared on several oc-
casions that statements made by the
states witnesses were absolutely
false where they stated or insinuated
that the minister had in any manner
mistreated his wife.
Telling of the incident of the visit to
the office of Attorney Harry Black in
Tiffin, O., Beers denied that he called
the pope an anti Christ; denied that he
said the priests were masters of the
nuns, and in answer to a question de-
clared that such testimony from Black
was absolutely false He made the
same statements regarding portions of
the testimony of other witnesses of the
state wherein anything concerning his
alleged i'll treatment of his wife had
crept in.
Beers talks slowly and carefully.
Many times during the morning he
answering a question, and has been
a stickler for trivial facts. The name
of a hotel at Tiffin where he stayed
several days with his wife, where they
went on the day they called at B1ack's
office, before the conversation in the
office, and many other matters OF
minor importance the minister lays
great stress upon, and insists upon be-
ing permitted to give full answers.
Most of the time he sits on the wit
ness stand smiling. a broad, genial
smile, talking slowly in his heavy
voice. But every now and then, when
some question relating to his w1fe's
leaving him, or to his finding her
scrubbing a restaurant floor in Tiff
fin and when questioned about the
events leading up to her death, the
preacher has broken into tears, and
has answered for a moment or two in
a choking voice while he fought back
his feelings.
During the morning session there
were a couple of times that the attor-
neys engaged in tilt. John j.
Schenck had asked Beers with refer
ence to his visit to Father John P.
Kunert, at New washington, o., if he
did not go early in the morning be-
cause he was afraid the neighborhood
would talk.
This was objected to by the states
attorneys as leading, and the court
interfered to warn Schenck that by the
infection of his voice he was putting
the answer in the witness mouth.
..Isve got a right to ask that ques-
ton, legal right to ask it," Schenck
said. Il know why this man went to
the priest early in the morning and l
intend to see that it gets before this
jury"
Counsel says he knows" commented
Attorney Hayden, "and if the witness
will not testify counsel expects to tes-
tify himself as to the incident"
Beers Called on a Priest.
Beers said he went to see Father
Kunert early in the morning in the
winter of 1907.
what time did you go?" asked
Schenck.
1T was early, while wife was get
ting breakfast I think"
What was your purpose in going
so early?"
"I thought the community might
talk"
you were afraid the neighborhood
might talk about you, weren't you?"
demanded Schenck. This brought out
the tilt.
Did you see the priest?"
Yes"
What did you go for?"
ct went to talk to him about my
wife being disturbed about her re-
Hgion."
What was said ?'
81 said my wife was disturbed. I
asked him if he couldn't advise her
so she could be satisfied
Tell the jury what he said.
He said my wife must have the
privileges of the Catholic church and
that to secure them she must secure
from me an agreement that my child
the Catholic faith. He said he could
MT advise her as I wished because of
the laws of the church.
was the conversation friendly?'
"Yes. entirely friendly"
Did he tell you that your wife told
him you had abused herr?
''He did not"
Did you talk about that at an?''
1--WE did not
."That story then. as told on this wit
ness stand. was absolutely false?"
saws Blacks Story Was False.
eft was absolutely false and a fic-
ton"
Beers then said that four to six
months later he saw Father Kunert
fluence to help the witness and his wife
live happily in their home. He said the
priest told him he wished he might be
of service. but that the rules and laws
of the church prevented.
.'Did he ever give Mrs. Beers such
advice?' Schenck asked.
HE did not.
In the fall of 1907 they moved
from New Washington to Republic,
the minister said, where he had been
stationed. He said later he noticed
that his wife seemed to be troubled,
although she had seemed very happy
while they lived at Republic at first.
They talked over separation agree
ment and decided upon what the
agreement should comprise, and went
to Tiffin to see an attorney to have
the agreement drawn in legal form.
Did you try to dissuade your wife