Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-12
ROY FARMER LOSES
IN SUPREME COURT
Conviction Of Manslaughter
A6lmed---Eight Other
Opinions

Rov n. Farnum, who was convicted
o. manslaughter in the killing of Edna
Morgan in the Cow Creek Canyon on
December 8, 1914, when her charred
body with five months foetus beside
it was found in the smoking ruins of
a barn, lost his appeal to the supreme
court, according to the decision render
ed this morning by Judge Mcbride,
which decision affirmed the sentence
and verdict of the lower court. Judge
Harris eoncurred and Judge Burnett
dissented.
Edna Morgan was 13-year old girl
who lived short distance from Glen
dale, Douglas county, in the Cow Creek
valley, and in an attempt TO commit
an unlawful act by violence in order
TO conceal the results of their illicit
intercourse, the court declares it is sat.
isfied be either shot her or killed her
bv other means.
The decision of the court covers 81
typewriter pages and reeounts' the
story of the crime in all its Sruesome
details. In brief, Roy Farnam was con-
victed after all the evidence, circum-
stantial though some of it was, tended
to show that he alone had been init
mate with the girl, that he alone took
her to parties, games, etc, that he pro-
cured drugs Of poisonous nature from
druggists for an alleged cousin who
was in "trouhle with q girl" that his
actions all tended to show he was re-
sponsible. On the night of December,
he lured her to the barn, out of which
she never came alive Shots were heard
and pieces OF melted lead were picked
up beside her charred body. Figuring
in the evidence were the tracks of a
womsn's shoes which fitted with the
shoes the girl wore, the tracks of the
heavy, hobnailed shoes he wore, the
tracks of horse, etc.
In giving his dissenting opinion,
Judge Burnett states there are clouds
on the evidence, that .hearsay evidence
was allowed to 60 on record, and he
believed another trial should be grant
ed the accused.
Other Opinions
Other opinions handed down this
are as follows;
S. G, Sargent, as superintendent of
banks of the. state of Oregon. on behalf
of the creditors of the American Bank
tHu iuSI CoHiPduy U. oiblnhO5 AAooA7
vent, respondent, against G. w. Water
bury, @. W. Miller, ct al, appellants;
appeal from Multnomah county, Judge
Morrow, an action to recover from GER
tain stock holders for unpaid sugscrip-I
tions; dismissed by Judge Benson.
State of Oregon. respondent, against
Scott Goodall, appellant, an appeal
from Union county, Judge Knowles; a,
was granted on the charge
of cruelty to animals in tormenting a.
COW; former opinion dismissed the.
case; error admitted, and Judgment af.
firmed Judge henson, ~
Mount Emily Timber company, APP
pellant, against the Oregon Washington.
R. K. and Navigation company re-
spondent; appeal from Union county,
Judge Knowles; an action for damages.
to trees growing on the plaintiff s land
damage caused by fire; affirmed by
Judge Bean.
Jonn Hodges, respondent, against s.
E. Blaylock, ct ux., appellants; an ap-
neal from Malheur county. an action on,
a promissory note for $638.75; affirm
ed bv Judge Moore.
J. A. Best, appellant, against Joe H.
Parkes, justice Of the peace for Pen
dleton. respondent; appeal from Uma-
tilla county, Judge Phelps; mandamus
proceedings to change place of trial;