Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-10-28
against the continuance of the legal

against the continuance of the legal
proceedings. which might send him to
the electric chair. asking only that his
little girl-his DorlS-be spared the Or
deal Of the witness chair?
Throughout the appearance of loan
Trask on the witness stand her testi-
mOny had been followed with the clos
est attention by judge and jury. by
counsel for both sides and by the
throng in the courtroom. 1t made the
deepest of impressions. Especially
when the money was mentioned. $1O.-
900 in cash, large sum to the great
majority Of the audience. it was no
ticeable that Mrs. Trask's audience
leaned forward in their chairs.
Here. it seemed to their minds. as
the district attorney had asserted in
his opening address to the jury. might
be found sufficient motive fcr murder
Strickland:s financial difficulties set
tied SO short y time before the shoot
ing. if really settled at all: his eager
ness to pay in cash: his possession OF
the combination to the safe: his drl
matte appearance in the Trask home
only Il short time after he had seen
'Trask in his own home: the elusive
accompice. Who had disappcared-all
pointed. in the minds Of the hearers of
Mrs. Trask's testimony. to Willful. de-
liberate murder only to be eXpiated in
the chair of death.
Having told her story Of the shooting
itself. Mrs. TraSk was retained in the
witness chair to tell Of the subsequent
happenings in her home on the fatal
night and to undergo cross eXamina-
ton by the attorney fer the defense.
a few minutes after the shooting the
police arrived. she said. but her hus-
band was dead by that time. He died
instantly. the doctor said.
"Now, Mrs. Trask. did you observe
the safe before the police arrived?"
asked District Attorney Gray.
Yes: the safe was opened"
did you notice if any of the con
tents were missing?"
Yes. sir: the $4,000 were gone"
That's all. Mrs Trask.' And Mr..
Gray turned to David Arbuckle. chief
counsel for the defense. with. You
may cross examine the witness.
Then the district attorney, his mill
tant air giving way to il relaxation that
told of relief and satisfaction with his
witness, settled back in his chair to
watch the proceedings closely. He was
a faithful prosecuting officer, intent on
safeguarding the rights of his client,
''the people Of the state of New York.
1t was now the turn of the defense.
"Mrs. Trask," said Arbuckle, rising,
Ibid you recognize your assailant. the
man who opened the safe?'
mo-" replied the witness. HE came
upon me so quickly. And the room was
in total darkness"
"Are you sure that no one but Mr..
Trask knew the combination of the
safe?'
Was there momentary pause by
the witness? Did it enter her mind
for a brief fraction Of second that
the question and answer would be
marked "important'' in the minds of
the jury!
The answer came. Mr.. Strickland
knew it.
Il move to strike out the answer as
not responsive" said Arbuckle.
With that the district attorney sprang
to his feet. The point made by Ar
buckle was too important to be per-
mitted to go unchallenged to the jury.
"I-yOur honor he exclaimed
In the cold. quiet manner which
marked him throughout the case Judge
Dinsmore made his ruling.
The motion is denied
Il respectfully except said Ar
buckle, and he turned again to the wit
ness. Mrs. Trask. did any words pass
between Strickland and your assail-
ant?''
Il can't be sure There was d ring
ing in my ears. He almost strangled
me-
But to the best Of your knowledge
they did not speak to each other?"
Il can't say one way or the other"
Dropping this line of questioning and
taking up another. Arbuckle asked the
witness:
Mrs Trask. do you know who