Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1914-06-05

The trial OF Amanua u baWsoh vi
the charge of manslaughter, adjourned
from last Thursday on account OF de-
fendantis illness, was resumed We'd
,asdav morning. Mrs. Lawson ap-
nssred dressed in the same black dress
and veil and accompanied by Miss
Nellie Appley, the trained nurse, who
administered medicine to her occasion
ally. The court room was only two
thirds filed, most of the spectators be-
ing from Woodstock.
DR.. Joseph Spaulding of Woodstock,
medical examiner, was the first and
only witness during the morning ses-
sion. He told of being called to the
Lawson home and viewing the body.
Mrs. Lawson was in the barn and
seemed sad and deeply grieved. In
the house she complained of severe
mains about the heart. He examined
her and found her heart trembling Vio-
lently. He saw drops of blood from
the barn TO the cellar door. The weeds
that had been cut and the chips had
not been disturbed. Many people
walked back and forth and when he
examined the place later it had a diff
ferent appearance. He stated that his
theory was that the assassin stood be-
hind the chimney at the foot of the
cellar stairs and struck Lawson as he
came down and that the body fell
back upon the stairs. The blow would
have made a dull thud and could not
have been heard far away. He stated
that In his opinion Mrs. Lawson in
her physical condition could not have
struck the blow that killed her hus
band. She could not have dragged
the body to the barn nor could she
have carried it there.
Cross examination at length failed
to shake the direct testimony given by
the witness. The defense called Mrs.
Lawson for the next witness and court
adjourned for the luncheon recess.
Mrs. Amanda U. Lawson took the
stand in her own behalf at the after
noon session. Her direct examination
consumed an hour and half. She
was cross examined for fifty minutes
when States attorney Searls saw that
she was physically weakening and
asked her if she was able to continue.
Miss Appley, the nurse, went to her
and made an examination and stated
of x.it
She was asked if she was on the verge
Of break down, and she replied that
the attacks came suddenly and that
Mrs. Lawson had been stimulated to
the "limit." The States attorney said
he would not question her further. AS
soon as abe left the stand she was Civ
en- treatment by the nurse.
Mrs. Lawson made an excellent wit
ness for herself and told an apparently
Straightforward story of what happen
ed on the night her husband was killed
so far as she knew. She stood the
cross examination we'll and her testi-
mony was not materially shaken. She
responded to many of the inquiries by
II don't remember" Some of the
questions If remembered would appar-
emily been in her favor.
1t was not until her counsel led her
up 10 tell of the finding of the body in
The barn that she broke down and
cried.
In hist N
ioiiows: Born in Sweden As years ago.
0ame to this country when q. Married
jonas T. Lawson in New York %
years ago. Moved to Woodstock Is
years ago. The night her husband
was Killed her daughter was at party
auu her son out camping. Ben john
sun came but stayed but few minutes
auu went away. She went to bed
'eaSlng husband reading in kitchen.
que awoke in night and went to sons
.0Oih where 1t was more quiet. Heard
nef daughter come in. She went to
nef room and when her daughter came
upstairs spoke to her but didn't re
1iemper what she said. Then put on
o'ack skirt over nightgown and went
uo~h TO see where husband was. Went
ous 10 barn carrying lamp. Heard
muse and thought perhaps Mr.. Law
son was in barn but didn't dare to go
in.
went Tor Mr.. May and walked back
win him. May went in barn AMI she
'UiioWed. Asked what she saw. Said
sue mad told it all before to coroner and
nun | see why she should tell it again.
cue broke down and wept. Told she
"ould have to tell what she saw, said
sue saw Mr.. Lawson lying in tie stall.
wv oown on her knees and put her
@'il under his head. Felt to see if he
was warm. Wasn't very cold but
"asn very warm. There was blood
ue'e she put her arm. Didn't cry.
LAY told her TO go away from there.
cue stayed there. Asked what she
.'u she said, "Must l tell that?n Was
'a sle must and said, 81 laid there
and prayed for few minutes. p Didn't
NJ much what she did then.
vent In house. Had severe pains in
sue put did not remember Dr. Spauld-
lug treating her. Didn't know any
A'ng about blood on the stairs. Wit.
1sss was shown the stockings put in