Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-14

hNe days. On cross examination. he
testified the weather was favorable To-
decomposition, being warm and sultry.
ana that Martens might have died only
three days previous 10 the date OF find
ing The witness denied that Martens
mead showed signs of a blow having
been struck. when queried by John X
Scott defendants lawyer.
Corn Stalks in Evidence.
William Clineda.e. farmer OF South
Rock Island, said he found the body
ABOUT a quarter of a mile from his
nome in the middle OF corn field.
ANel Lebens. brother-in-law OF Mar
tens, came to Clinedale's home TO tell
OF having discovered Martens body.
Clineda,e and Lebens went together
10 recover the body. Martens lay face
downward. AID there was a pool OF
blood near his head, Clinedale assert
ed. The mans cap was lying near aud
double-barre, ed shotgun rested By
his side. His pockets were turned in
side out Near where Martens Law.
Clinedale said. corn stalks we're
streaked with blood and a bullet was
found lodged in one OF the stalks. The
state was unable 10 produce the bullet
IN evidence. Tie gun and corn stalks
We're introduced in evidence. Mr..
Cinedale was only able TO partially
identify the gun.
Coroner II. G. J. Meyer was placed
on the stand TO tell OF Investigations
connected with the inquest. He told
of visiting the scene OF the alleged
murder and securing the shot gun and
corn stalks as evidence.
Witness Missing.
When court convened this morning
II was found some of the states most
important Witnesses were missing. and
those called to the stand exhibited q
surprising lapse OF memory concern
ing the facts surrounding the murder.
il was necessary TO use an interpreter,
former supervisor Maurice Bockaert,
Moline, acting in that capacity. The
foreigners had great difficulty in I'M
ders,anding the questions, and their
answers were of little value. II is I'M
derstood some of those in a position
TO know OF the facts in the case have
fed 10 Belgium.
Tie two best witnesses for the state
were Melvin White. employed on a
farm adjoining the Martens place. and
Ca; Reddig, a plumber. who lives near
tie Watch Tower The former told OF
seeing Nens and another man leave
the Martens farm on the morning az
ter the murder and Reiilg testified
relative TO Nens calling al his home on
the same morning and asking for
direction to a street car.
Quarrel In Saloon.
Emil LOome bartender at the BOeck-
aert saloon on Seventeenth stree, tolt
about hearing Ne1s and Martens quar-
reling in the sa Don on the day before
the murder over some money Martens
had loaned Veins. Both of the men
had been drinking heavily.
Mrs A. Boeckaert testified relative
TO the men visiting her husbands sa-
Icon. but her memory failed her when
States Attorney Thompson questioned
her closely about what occurred in the
saloon. Both Mrs. Boeckaert and
LOome were under arrest for a time
in connection with the case. but were
later released. II is understood that
Boeckaert returned TO the old country
soon after the crime.
What little Mrs. Louise Verjeyle
knew about the visit Of the two men
TO the saloon she had trouble in di-
vulging. Although she has previously
informed the county prosecutor that
Nens was in the Boeckaert saloon late
evening. on the stand she
could not remember il. Charles Yer
ieyIe said Martens showed a big wal /
let filed with money in the saloon in
the afternoon. but knew nothing OF the /
evening visit
The state thus far has been able to
Introduce nothing but circumstantial
evidence. and unless some or the Wit
nesses still 10 be called have some
thing important to tell. it IS thought /.
that a motion by the defense at the I,
close OF the states case for an in .
structed verdict viii be sustained by !
the court.