Evening journal., 1917-01-25
father Of slain
Girl Sheds Tears
Tells of Visit to His Home
Of Ganges Charged With
Murder
STATE ABOUT
TO CLOSE CASE

Mrs. Edward Thompson, wife of the
postmaster at Brandywine Springs Park,
was the first witness called in the trial
of Samuel Ganges, charged with the
murder of Catherine Bodesl<i, in Oyer
and Terminer Court this morning.
While it was not stated just how
many more witnesses the State intend
ed to call. it was intimated that the
prosecution would terminate its case by
this evening.
After Mrs. Thompson had been called
she was questioned about the location of
the cafe at the Springs and her home.
The distance between tho two properties
she said was about 100 feet During the
questioning Of this witness Attorney
Reinhardt used strips of colored paper
TO design the various buildings and the
layout of the ground.
Mr.. Ball objected, saying he did not
want the witness prompted. Mr.. Rein
hardt said he could not get along with
out the use OF the paper.
The witness said at 1890 o'clock on
the night before the murder she saw a
man come from behind the theatre an@
lay down behind a mulberry tree, where
he remained 20 minutes.
At that time witness said she was
sitting on the porch of her home with
her husband and daughter. Later the
man left the mulberry tree and went
10 twin oak tree where he remained
until 11.3O O'Clock. Various lights
in the park we're then eXtinguished
and witness saw Catherine Bodoski,
the girl later murdered. close rear
window in the cafe. The man left
his hiding place at once. passing the
Thompson house about 20 feet away,
witness said.
I'VE then went to bed and were
awakened about 2 o'clock and / went
20 the kitchen window While there
] saw a man go into the rear door
of the cafe. This man was the same
one I had seen earlier in the evening.
] then found out what had happened
and there was a Are in the cafe. My
husband started towards the Are and
saw a man walking up the path
My husband called to him saying
Come. the restaurant is afire. The
man continued TO walk away.
while my husband was fighting
the fire | saw a man peeping into the
doorway and stand there. The next
instant all the park lights went out
and the cafe began to burn"
The witness admitted going to the
workhouse on last Friday and look
ing at five men, among whom was
Samuel Ganges. To the best OF her
belief witness said Ganges was the
size OF the man she saw at the Park
on the night of the murder and fire
Ganges, who was told 10 stand W
for the identification Of the witness
smiled as he stood in the pen.
Mrs Thompson said she could moi
swear positively that Ganges was the
man she saw at the Park during the
evening, prior to the murder which
question was asked her by Mr.. Rein.
bardt.
The witness was asked IL there
we're any points of similarity between
Ganges and the man she saw at the
park. She said, NO, only the height
and size"
Under cross examination the wit
ness said she took note of the time
the man remained at the twin oak
and remained outside while her hus-
band went into their home, although
she would rather he had stayed witt
her. as she was afraid an attempt
was to be made to rob the postofiice
The court sustained Mr.. Reinhard
when he objected 10 Mr.. Ball askinl
the witness If she had notified The DO
lice that a man was lurking abou
the postoffice saying it was an unfali
question.
State Detective Frank ". McCo,
told Of visiting the workhouse las
Friday when the previous witness wal
there. and was shown Ganges and foul
other men. Mrs. Thompson was tn,
last one to look at the men. and sh,
picked out Ganges as the man she ha,
seen In the park on the night OF tn,
murder.
James j. Henry, manager OF tn
park, described the electric sign bacl
of the cafe. which was lighted, ant
enabled patrons OF the DostOflice t
reach it from the park as well as 70
advertising purposes.
The witness told OF arrestinl
Ganges at the park in June. 1915. o.
that occasion, when asked what wa
the matter. Ganges said to him: "H
would get the girl, Nicholas and him
too"
Under cross-examination he sal,
there were 100 or more lights in tn
cafe and a person could see into tn
building from the boardwalk.
John L. Wright, clerk of the peace
produced the commitments of prison
ers for threatening to do bodily harm
showing that for Samuel Ganees
made out by the late Thomas s. Levi
who was the magistrate at the hear
ing and who committed Ganges a
that time.
Mr.. Ball opposed this, sayinl