Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-18

mar on direct told of conversation
which Wilkerson had with him on the
front porch Of his home in Charlton,
in which he testified the detective said
Senator jones' money was responsible
for the murder of Joe Moore. Lemar
also said that Wilkerson asked him
what George Cosson had sent him to
ViNisca for. Attorney Mitchell spent a
long time in cross examining Lemar
and bit by bit drew from him the fact
that he had gone to Villisca about six
weeks ago to talk over the murder
dea" with Senator Jones. This con-
ference, the witness said, was held in
the city hall and attended by himself,
Senator Jones, Albert v. Jones. and
Hank Horton. "That rivals Wilker-
sons meetings." was Attorney Nit
chells comment.
Mr.. Lemar appeared reluctant to di-
vulge the purpose of his visit to Viii
lisca. "If you had any business in the
world that took you to ,Villisca, please
tell this jury" said Mr.. Mitchell. After
some hesitation Lemar responded that
he "just went down there to see about
this murder deal" He said he told Mr..
Jones of the conversation he had had
with Wilkerson in Charlton.
Letter Offered for $500.
The manner in which WiIkerson
claims he got hold of the substance of
q letter alleged to have been received
by Senator Jones and imputing that
the investigation of the Villisca mur-
der would be dropped was told by Ell
mer Hyde. who concluded his testi-
M Inr To-,
lated Wilkerson's story of the Kansas
City newspaper reporter who is
claimed to have gone to Senator Jones
and offered to sell to him evidence ac-
quired blythe Burns agency in its
search for the perpetrator of the Viii
lisca tragedy !. Five hundred dollars is
understood to have been the sum men,
toned as the price of the evidence. It
was while the reporter In the role Of
an employe of, the Burns agency was
supposed to have been negotiating for
this deal, that Senator Jones showed
to him a copy of a letter from George
Cosson promising that the investiga-
ton into the murder would be dropped.
The reporter later reproduced this let
ter in writing, the witness testified
Wilkerson told his crowd, and read the
substance of the letter which had been
brought out by former witnesses.
Denies Grand Jury Spy Story.
When Bert Porter, of Grant, was on
the stand Attorney Beeson, Of Jones'
counsel, asked him il Wilkerson didn't
tell the crowd at the Grant meeting
that he had listened at the keyhole Of
the door to the grand jury room. that
he had coached witnesses who went
before the grand jury. that the third
degree" had been used on Vina Tomp-
kins Porter said he didn't remember
OF such statements being made.
John Smart, also Of Grant, told the
jury that the idea he had gathered
from Wilkerson's speech at that place
was that Senator Jones was RESPONSE
BILE for the Moore crime. Attorney
Beeson asked Smart il Wilkeraon had
MT related some Of his other expert
ences in ferreting out crime, among
which was one in the search for a Ne
braska murderer when he had to
leave town at night to escape the fury
OF the citizens". The witness replied
he didn't remember Of such stories be-
sx sSOo AkenWoftny, OF Grant, VINO teStl-
ned thGt 1t the meeting In his town
Wllkerson said "F. E.sJones furnished
the money to pay for the murder Of
Joe Moore was not subjected to Mr.
MitchelPs cross examination.
Weldon Hadley, farmer living near
Villisca, was the last witness exam
ined today. From him Jones counsel
sought to obtain statements that Will
kerson's speech at Grant tended TO
show he was familiar with the secrets
Of the grand jury room when William
Mansfield was given hearing.
WiIkerson Accuses County Attorney.
Referring to Wilkerson's speech, At
torney Ralph Pringle asked, did he
state that vina Tompkins had been be-
fore the grand jury?"
Yes" Responded Hadley.
Did he state what she testified to
before the grand jury 2" continued MT.
PrinRle.
I'm not sure but he said he was dis
appointed the way her evidence was
brought out and said the county attor-
ney had gone back on him." was the
reply.
I'm response to questions as to wheth-
er or not Wi1kerson said anything
about tampsring with witnesses, the
witness declared "he said they had
been trying to get at his Witnesses.
What did he say with respect to
vina Tompkins." inquired the attorney.
He thought her evidence was not
brought out" Hadley replied.
Hadley said he couldn't remember
Wilkerson said anything about
listening at the keyholS Of the door to
quested that the evidence Of vina
Tompkins be taken before him ana the
foreman Of the grand Jury in private.
Didn't Walkerson say he had been
informed that about 2 o'clock on the
night OF the murder lady in Villisca
had heard car going very slowly
around the school house block and
when 1t got to the corner near the
Moore house Il started rapidly north ~
asked Wilkersons attorney on cross
mo" replied the witness. Other
witnesses who have been on the stand
have told of a story told by Wilkerson
that on the night OF the murder, AL
bert v, Jones and W. B! Mccall had
left Nelson's garage in villisca with an
automobile and did not return until
the following morning.
Many Women Present.
The interesting feature respecting
tlle crowd that filled the court room,
Was the nuHfbeT q women present. T.. The
crowd which is following this trial has
not the makeup Of the usual court
room audience. Many are business
men who steal away for an hour or two