The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-02
ANOTHER DAY OF
HODGES TRIAL

| CONTINUED from Page Two.)
Mrs. Buckwalter ON Stand.
Mrs. Laura Buckwalter took the
stand at 1870, Immediately after the
lopening of the afternoon session. She
Is the companion of Mrs. West. the
plaintiff, and on her shoulders fell
the responsibility Of corroborating the
plaintiffs story. The two women
came to Topeka together in April to
urge the granting of pardon for
Frank Sullivan. 1t was as a result of
the efforts of the women to secure this
pardon that the attack on Mrs. West
by Governor Hodges is alleged to have
/ occurred.
on, Mrs. Buckwalter said she had
known Sullivan for number of years
and that the two families had been
Ineighbors in Wichita She was asked
in detail about the Sullivan trials and
the attitude of the Wichita State Tenn
perance union affecting the case. She
said that the lawyer who defended.
Sullivan was trying his first criminal
case.
| About rs or 80 ladies attended the
How did you become interested
in Sullivan's pardon?' asked Simon.
Didn't Believe He Was Guilty.
| Because 1 did not believe he was
guilty"
What did you do?"
Circulated petitions for a pardon
| Witness said she was assisted by
petitions and to secure affidavits.
These were presented to the governor.
After securing affidavits, petitions and
letters. the women came &c Topeka
Saturday. April 4. They called on
Gov. Hodges Monday. April 6. They
also called on Attorney General Daw-
son at the governors request the wit
ness said. The following day they
| talked about the case with g. +. Sea-
ton, the governors pardon and parole
clerk. With Seaton they made a sec
ond trip to the attorney generals Of
flee.
Story of ATTACK"
AFTER you and Mrs. West had re-
ceived copies of the Dobbs letters what
| did you do?'
Started out and went back to see the
governor. He was in his private office
telephoning. There was a man in the
office with him.
Witness told about reading extract
from Dobbs letter to the governor and
his refusal to permit the copies to be
taken from the office. Mrs. Buckwalter
said the governor seized the letters and
placed them on his desk. Mrs. West
then picked up the letters
What did the governor dog"
HE lunged at Mrs. West"
Where did the governor seize Mrs.
West?"
HE seemingly grabbed her with both
he nds."
Did he take hold of her hands?"
Took hold Of her with both hands.
Both were using both hands. He was
trying to get the papers. Her hand
was in the air like that (indicating) and
then he lunged forward and struck her
with his fist. right here indicating
her right shoulder.
Governors Adm0nition.
what was said?"
He says to Mrs. West. You are no
lady and I would not consider any
pardon or parole you would bring me- .
Where did you go when you left the
governors Officer"
1--WE walked into the hall. Mrs. West
saw she had taken g. yellow sheet Of
paper from the Office and took it back"
Mrs. Buckwalter indicated on a blue
print the relative positions of persons
in the governors office during the
scene.
Mrs. West in Hodges ONCE.
Late yesterday afternoon Mrs. West
was asked:
Went to the governors private Of
fice." was the reply.
'Who was there?"
Governor Hedges and Mr.. Martin"
What did you and Mrs. Buckwalter
do?"
"said our attorney has said to ask
for form of request SO we can make
our application
Now tell just what was DONE"
Mrs. Buckwalter had letters in
up and read them to him real low.
Governor said, Where did you get
those-those are private letters and
none of your business. Mrs. Buck
walter had papers in her hand and
the governor snatched them from her.
he ste hoa nd 7 oof
just copies. He said they are not
yours. I said. yes. they were given
to u.s.
What did governor do?"
Caught hold of my hand and wrist"
use both hands?''
She Said He Struck Her.
Yes. With one he held my hand
and wrist. With the other he held the
papers and tried to take them from
me. He wrenched and twisted my
struck me. I threw my hand back OF
me. He was excited and talking loud
and says you are are no lady and this
action won't get a parole Mrs. Buck
walter says Governor, don't get ex-
cited. This has been published in
Wichita paper and we sent you
| copy"
Did you leave after that?"
! Witness said she found she had
eohcH dHotneT letter curing the en-
counter and later handed it back to
Governor Hodges.
Sick from the Blow.
Simon then read to the jury the
Dobbs letters protesting against the
Sullivan pardon.
Tell jury where the governor
struck your" said Simon
Right here" said the witness, in
dicating top of her right shoulder.
Did you suffer any pain; II so,
what"
Il did. My shoulder and arm and
nnger were sore. was sick and
vomited'
Did you go to a physician?'.
I'VE lid
refore going to a physician the wo-