The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-02
Topeka Doctors Are Placed on
Witness Stand.
TO PROBE HER DISPOSITION
Defense Will Insinuate That
Woman Is Quarrelsome.
DR.. Ryder Said Pinch Would
Cause the Wound.
Grilling by Schenck Brings Out
Contradictions.

With many contradictions in their
case in chief, attorneys for Mrs. Lucia
West this afternoon swung into the last
lap of their suit against Governor
Hodges for $3.50 damages for an al
legged attack upon the Wichita woman.
It is probable that the plaintiff will
rest her case late this evening. A day
may be required for introduction OF
evidence for Governor Hodges and with
a half day for oratory and the read
ing of instructions, the case will prob
ably be submitted to the jury at noon
Thursday.
Recalled to the witness stand for
further cross examination today, Mrs.
West was subject to a further grilling
at the hands of ]. ]. Schenck, Of gov
errors counsel. In her testimony, Mrs.
West had several times contradicted
herself as to events in the governors
office and the time OF consulting physi-
slams and an attorney. Her testimony
was further shattered under the cross
examinations of Drs. L. A. Ryder and
c. NJ. Hensley. In some OF the testi-
ncny there was a variance of from one
to three hours as to the time Mrs. West
visited doctors and a lawyer. Mrs. West
denied that she had an attorney, E. r.
Simon, called to DR.. Hensley's office.
Dr. Hensley said he calledethe lawyer at
the plaintiffs request.
Much of the examination of physicians
went to possible causes of an injury
such as Mrs. West exhibited. The gov-
ernor's counsel sought to show that a
fall or collision with any solid object,
even severe rubbing or pinching, might
J. We produced the red spot-syxlteh~ the
doctors found on the woman's shoulder.
Keen interest surrounds the trial of
the case. All day the first floor of
Judge Danas court rom was crowded
Judge Dana's court room was crowded
and at times standing room was taken.
Case of the Defense.
That the defense in the West
Hodges case will seek to prove that
Mrs. Luella West, the plaintiff, is a
woman of quarrelsome disposition
was indicated near the close of j. ].
Schenck's cross examination of the
complainant. On direct examination
Mrs. West had testified that her en-
counter with the governor was the
first incident of that nature in her
life.
Didn't you once threaten to kill
Chief Of Police Cubin?" asked Schenck
questioning.
why would I want to kill him %
asked Mrs. West in reply.
Counsel for plaintiff objected stren-
uously to the question. but since the
plaintiffs character had been laid
open in direct examination, the objec-
ton was overruled.
Didn't you go to Chief Cubin's Of
flee in Wichita and tell him that If he
allowed your boy to get drunk any
more, that you would shoot him or
kill him?" persisted Schenck.
II did not" said Mrs West
Cubin was in the court room at the
time of the examination. He will be
used as a witness by the defense:
Hint of q Libel Suit.
Didn't you threaten a libel suit
against an officer of the state institu-
ton at Parsons?" asked Schenck.
IT did not was the reply.
do you want the jury to believe
that you consulted Drs. Mum, Hens
ley, Joss and Ryder merely to ascer-
tain the extent Of your injuries and
not to use them as witnesses in a
damage suit if convenient"
Witness replied that she recalled
consulting only Drs. Hensley and Ry-
der.
Didn't DIR. Mum tell you. this is
q put up job and 1 won't have a -
thing to do with it?'''
II don't remember"
Didn't you hear DIR. Hensley ask
DIR. Joss what he thought about your
case and he said he thought it was
blackmail and DIR. Hensley said he
thought so too?"
mo, didn't hear that. I remem-
Der seeing but two doctors"
Didn't DR.. Mum tell you that you
were taking and that you didn't have
a tender spot twice in the same
place."
II don't remember"
The cross-examination of the West
woman covered nearly three hours and
the plaintiff was on the witness stand
an entire half day. Following the
cross-examination, a few questions
were asked in redirect examination
and court adjourned as the witness was
excused.
In w. G. r. U. Circles.
In the last cross-examination Of Mrs.
West. Schenck brought out the admis-
sion that the plaintiff never took an in
terest in the Sullivan case until after
the young man had been convicted in
the Sedgwick county district court. 1t
tional differences and rivalry among
W. C. T. U. leaders regarding the case
and that Mrs. West refused to follow
Mrs Mary Dobbs ard her workers
when they planned to attend the trial
in body and salute the Judge.
Pinned down as to why she had sought
only the Dobbs letters and not other
evidence in the governors office bear
ing on the Sullivan case, Mrs. West
gave a vague and indefinite reply. She
admitted that at least a part Of the ex-
penses in the pardon case had been
paid by Sullivan's father. although tho