The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-11-07
Prayn Girl Says She Lied at
Hail Trial at Defendants
Dictati0n.
REFUTES TESTIMONY
AS TO FALSE CHECKS
With But Two Witnesses
Defense Will Complete
Case Thursday Noon.

Helena, Nov 6.-Special.-At the
close of the presentation of testimony
in the trial Of Mrs. Nan Thompson in
the district court here on the charge
Of procuring and placing l4-year-o old
Ellen Lucetta Pruyn In the custody OF
Frank c. Han, former city treasurer OF
Missoula. for immoral purposes. the
attorneys for the state announced that
their case was complete, and no further
direct testimony will be presented on
the charge which County Attorney
Fred r. Angevine and his colleagues
hone will send Mrs. Thompson TO the
state penitentiary.
The states case, however. Is not for
mally closed. in that w. L. Murphy
chief counsel for Mrs Thompson. will
recall me little victim of the lust Of
Hall back to the stand tomorrow morn
ing to complete his cross examination
Of her. This examination. Mr.. Muir
ply announced will confine itself to
the indication for the jury OF discrep-
.ancies between her. story as told yes
tcrday and today and the one she re-
lated when Hall was on tIial on the
charge of statutory rare In Missoula
last March. Hall Is serving n prison
term OF from IA to 20 years at Deer
Lodge.
Says She Falsified.
Tho entire day yesterday was tense
with terrible tragedy and with corrob-
orative testimony OF the other wit
ncsses. half hozen of whom were
called~to the stand by the prosecution to
support Lutie's story OF the financial
rro cti which formed Of
her fearful life while member of the
Matheson and Thompson households.
But the most startling incident Of the
day comes from the little girl herself.
when. replying to Mr.. Murphy. she an
nounced that she had lied from the
witness stand during the progress o!
the Hall trial in Missoula. :
Much of the punch" was taken out
of this admission, however when. or
redirect examination by Mr. Ange-
vine. the girl said she had told un-
truth after untruth only as regarded
the signing OF checks and orders with
Hairs name for cashing and for pres
entation at various Missoula business
houses in exchange for clothing ant
other goods. In fact. the admission
attained something OF the proportions
Of a boomerang against the defense,
for Lutte swofe that her lies were told
at the urgent suggestion of Mrs
Thompson herself. who had told hei
not to reveal anything whatever re-
garding the forging of Halls name to
checks and orders. or to altering tho
orders above Halls own signature.
Jurors Evince Keen Interest.
ho n,,sc Inc i'm
ors constantly evidenced consuming
interest in the story Of the little girl!
damnation, and their questions did no
serve to cheer the defense. Wher
Lutte told of the disgusting frame
up" which had been designed, she said
by Mrs. Thompson. whereby the latte
arranged to see her and Hall while h
was assaulting her, Juryman Reihe,
interrupted long enough to ask ques'
tions about the date of this occur.
renee, and all the jurors exhibited
great interest in this particular event
The story as told by Lutte on thi
occasion was to the effect that Mrs
Thompson had instructed the child +
&, into the kitchen with Hall and sub
nit to his embraces.
Defendant Witnessed Act.
And" said Lutte. "shc said sh
would walk in while We were there $
that she could see us. So did wha
she told me to do and while we wer
there in the kitchen and In the act. sh
opened the door and walked in"
And that" asked Mr.. Murphy. y
your solemn and truthful declaration
Lutte, in accordance with your deter
mination. arrived at since you came I
live with Mrs. Wade, to tell nothin
hut the truth?'
Yes, sir" said the little girl firml!
This reformation, concerning whic
Lutte spoke. followed her being placed
as Mr.. Murphy expressed it. under tn
good influences of the officers OF Mts
soula county," 1t was not spontan
cous and immediate. TRANSFORMATION
b,t rather. she said. a gradual castin
off of the evil things which had i'm
pregnated her soul while she lived hi
life of degradation and shame. Jul
how far this reformation has gone. ca
best he seen by a look Mt the little 81
herself.
Another. juror, Mr.. Buor. also aue'