The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-05
copies Of the letters without authority
or permission from his chief. was the
governors statement.


"You are the GOVERNOR"
"Yes, SIR
DO you have printed blanks for par
dons?"
mo, sir.''
ANY formalities?"
| mo. We discourage applicants for
pardon employing counsel
Did you meet Mrs. West and Mrs.
Buckwalter relative to a pardon?"
II did,"
| "When?"
In April-the 9Th and Sth.''
What was the occasion Of their
visit?"
They called for a pardon for Frank
Sullivan, convicted Of rape upon young
German girl in Wichita
No Introduction.
did anyone bring them in and in
troduce them?"
! mo-
"who introduced them?"
"They introduced themselves
"Who did the talking?"
Mrs. Buckwalter did most Of the
| talking"
when was that?"
Monday. April g.
"What was said?'
Called Halt on Hodges.
Wanted to take the case up with
me and to leave papers in the case.
Told them not the province OF an ex-
ecutive to retry cases. that after g
man had been convicted by q jury and
sentenced by the judge. we did not
rehear cases unless some new found
evidence. They were in my office
half or three-quarters of an hour and
we discussed the case from every
angle. The case was SO Vicious
Here the governor was interrupted
by objection from plaintiffs counsel.
Continuing, the governor said:
Il asked If they were relatives Of
Sullivan and they said they were not.
I asked who was paying their expenses.
They said We are paying every cent
Of our expenses
Wanted New Evidence.
after a talk" continued the gov
ernor, the women said Then you
won't interest yourself in this case?' I
said No. but If you have any new evil
dence, will be glad to investigate it. D"
WAS Mr.. Seaton in the Officer"
mo. I said to ladies. leave your
papers here and Mr.. Seaton will look
them over and you can go home. as
case will receive same attention as
though you were here"
What said about attorney gen.
era1?"
Wichita to Investigate case?"
''The morning of the sth. did you
see the ladies?'
Yes
who was In the Office with your"
"Adjutant General Martin"
Now state what was said and
DONE"
Il was telephoning. Completed
conversation. Mrs Buckwalter asked
II had any blanks for pardon or pa
! role. Said had not. Asked me how
to proceed. Told her to go lack and
get recommendations from Judge.
jurors and county attorney and will
take case up.
What else?'
MRS. Buckwalter took letter
from hand bag. Asked me II wrote
1t. Pointed to a portion. I asked
Mr. Seaton gave them to us. I said
he should not have done 50. They
are a part Of the files and should not
go out Of the Office"
She Seized the Papers.
What else?'
Mrs. Buckwalter said: Mr. seaton
gave them to us and they are our
copies I said it makes no difference.
you have no right to them. Just then
Mrs. West stepped up and seized the
letters"
Did you have hold of them with both
hands?''
Thought Something Was Wrong.
Yes. She seized the letters and
swung around. I held on for an in
stant. felt something was wrong and
let loose my hold"
Governor Illustrated 1t.
Governor showed jury relative posi-
tions of himself and Mrs. West at time
OF alleged encounter and positions in
which letters were held. He then
identified the copies of letters taken
from Ibis office by Mrs. West.
Did Mrs. West take anything other
than Dobbs letters from your desk ?"
"Yes. Copy Of letter 1 had written
to Senator IOrfng TrOtt,"
Did Not Strike Her.
Did you at any time strike Mrs.
West?"
mo. SIR
Wrench her wrist?'
mo, SIR
Grasp her hand?"
Did you raise her hand high above
her head?"
Did not"
did you get her hand behind. herr"
NO, sir"
Did you reach your arm behind
Did not"
Bodies Didn't Touch.
Did your bodies touch?"
They did not
Did you in any manner touch herr"
"No-not unless my fingers might
have touched hers as we held to the pa
pers.''
How long did you hold to the pa
pers?''
Just long enough for them to reach
this height" The governor then indi-
Gated line just above the waist.
The governor then walked to coun-
sells table and demonstrated manner in
which Mrs. West took papers from the
governors desk.
Il had my hands on the papers," said
the governor. and as she grabbed them
i swung around and tried to hold to
| them. but she lifted them from the
table"
What Hodges Said.
What was then said ?"
"As woman took the papers. walk
ed around my desk and said. It Is