The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-01

| vVlt0GS6
each talesman by the attorney for the
plaintiff. McKeever asked each juror
four formal questions in addition to his
regular preliminary examinations.
Hungate's questions were:
Have you any prejudice against
suit for damages?'
Are you a Democrat?"
would the fact that the defendant
is the governor of the state cause any
prejudice or bias?'
would the fact Of his being gover-
nor cause you to give any special
credence to his testimony?''
will you give the test of credence
| to all witnesses as to the governor"
| do you or any of your family or
relatives hold any appointive state Of
lfice?"
would you have any hesitancy in
returning a verdict against the de-
fendant II you found that he had
committed an assault and battery?'
| McKeever asked:
What are your political affilia-
| tions?"
would the fact that the PLAINTIFF is
woman. have any more effect on your
verdict than though she were a man?'
will you try this case as fairly and
conscientiously as though Governor
Hodges were Republican governor in
stead Of Democrat?'
the testimony Of Mrs. West and Mrs.
Buckwalter than though they were
mem"
Jury Selected Early.
At 1880, a jury was selected and
sworn. Attorneys for the plaintiff and
/ defendant each challenged one Of the
two negro ta1esmen. They were ex-
cused- OF the jurors sworn to try the
case eleven are republican and one a
Democrat. Fritz Luenberger is the
an Lap 49, rsa& 80 -
A majority Of the jurors are farmers.
The jury is composed Of H. n. Leese,
J. M. Beaf. A. H. Purdy. r. NJ. Mar
tin. Charles e. Cox. George Anthony.
F. Dennison. John D. Corneilson. ]. ].
Huyett and Fritz Luenberger.
Story OF Mrs. Vests Visit.
e. r. Simon of plaintiffs counsel
stated the case for Mrs. West. He out
lined the evidence upon which Mrs.
West asks judgment for $3.50 against
Governor Hodges. He said that Mrs.
West and Mrs. +Buckwalter came to
Topeka representing Frank Sullivan
who sought a parole from the state
| Ireformatory, where he had been sent
upon conviction for criminal assault
| then told of the interview with Gov
ernor Hodges when the executive OBJ
jected to the carrying away Of private
papers in his office. It was following
l )
that Mrs. West seized copies OF letters
and was struck by the governor. For
injuries, humiliation and mental suf-
fering, Simon asked $3.50 judgment
against the governor.
The Governors Case.
s. n. Hawkes. stated the case for
the governor. He told the jury that
the two women attended the Sullivan
trial in Wichita and knew Of the evil
dence against the young man. Attor-
neys for Mrs. West objected to re.
view Of the Sullivan case in Hawkes.
statement to the jury.
THE court will regulate these mat
ters as they arise" said Judge Dana.
as he told Judge Hawkes. to proceed.
Attorneys for Mrs. West then asked
the court reporter to make a record
Of the statement and later asked that
the statement be Withdrawn from con-
sideration of the jury. Motion was
Overruled.
Two Women Witnesses.
. In his statement, Judge Hawkes.
the arrangement of the governors Of
, flee. F. r. Simon in his statement to
the jury said that the alleged encoun-
ter was witnessed only by the two
women, Governor Hodges and Adtu-
tant General Chas. 1. Martin. Hawkes.
added two new names to the list. He
. said the executives story would be
, Substantiated by z. G. Hopkins OF the
state LABOR bureau ana Dy MISS NUN
Williams, a stenographer in the gov
ernor's office.
The most courteous treatment was
accorded the two women by the gov
ernor, Judge Hawkes. said, although
the situation was most trying. When
Mrs. West seized the papers and let
ters from a desk in the governors pri-
vate office, said Hawkes., the governor
held to them a few seconds, but at no
time did his hand touch her or did
their bodies meet. After a few sec
l onds Mrs. West and Mrs. Buckwalter
, left the room with the Sullivan parole
letters and copies Of other private cor
respondence in their possession.
, Il think that as the governor walk
ed around his desk he said, Such con-
3 duct as this is what prejudices the
t Hawkes.. And then Mrs. Buckwalter
. replied. so you admit that you are
T prejudiced. Then they left the office. -
Told Story to General Martin.
Out in the corridor near the cigar
stand, said Judge Hawkes. Mrs. West
sought General Martin and asked his
! name and the things he saw To him
: she claimed that her finger was injur-
ed or broken. General Martin asked
. to see her finger, but she refused to
: snow 1t. Later. so the lawyer said,
Mrs. West said her wrist and shoulder
were injured Still later, she contend
; ed she had been struck above the
: breast.
!, torney closed his statement outlining
the defense. He asserted that the tes-
timony would show that Governor
Hodges did not strike the woman or
! tn1ure her In any manner and that Z