davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
CHAPTER XVIII
And Now Comes the End.

There was more of the day of the
tragedy. Little that was new or diff
ferent than has been told was pro
duced.
He had not told Mrs. Hewitt of the
fact that he knew that she had said
he was poisoning her because his wife
had asked him not to- Much evidence
from the coroner's inquests was read,
and Mccormick generally denied that
he had made the statements attributed
therein to him. Once he said:
II am not trying to tell about the
suicide; l am trying to tell the truth
he persisted.
He had said in the inquest testimony
that he had got the pail of water and
Mrs. Mccormick wanted to go to the
toilet after he had brought it back and
not before, as he had stated in his di-
rect story on the stand only a few
hours previously.
When Gen. Sturdevant had received
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

Then Gen. Sturdevant went to the
matter of money that had been put in,
to the business at Grand Rapids. Nc
Cormck stated at first that Mrs. Nc
Cormick put no money into the bust
ness. The book showed that there had
been $4,000 loaned The book was
gone when he came back from Seattle
along with the safe and many papers
as we'll as the desk He showed some
mortgages he had collected. They
amounted to $3.50. Gen. Sturdevant
had them marked exhibits.
"As a matter of fact you never loaned
anywhere near $S,000," said the gen
eral
This the witness denied The gen.
eral asked him if he loaned 5000 to be
bet on horse race
Now the questions were as to the
leaving of the defendant after the di'
yorce case was filed, for Seattle.
Mccormick explained that there was
trouble at the mine over ventilation
and he wanted to go out to Seattle and
see about it.
Gen. Sturdevant referred to the testi-
mOny in the coroners inquest when
the defendant. had sworn that he had
had no trouble with his wife and you
said she was afraid II had deserted
her." when she was hunting him.
Mccormick explained again: "She
was dead then and / did not want to
say anything to hurt her.
You intended when you went away
never to live with her again did youy
IF I had / would not have thrown
away S75 on a lawyer"
you were afraid of being arrested
for bigamy?"
II never heard of bigamy."
He took his money from the savings
bank a few days before he left for
Seattle.
Where did you have the $4,000 you
took along?"
I'm my BELT
you wrote that receipt your wife
gave you after you came back from
Seattle?"s insisted Gen. Sturdevant.
mo sir said Mccormick He said
he did not pay all the money at once
The receipt was made on August "a be-
fore he went away. He paid part OF
the $3.50, the last payment was $500
$500 out of bank and $1,000 from the
belt.
"You had whole lot of money in
that belt said Gen. Sturdevant with
! that peculiar questioning infection
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

where l was kneeling by my wife and
said: oh, God, Jennie, speak and say
you forgive me- and Dear sister you
said you would do it so many times
but we never believed it.
II heard the doctor ask something
where my wife had been. 1 only heard
part of what was said, / know he went
out. l did not go with him. | saw the
bottle. The doctor showed it and said,
I've got it. or I've found it or some
thing like that"
In answer to the questions as to
whether he was out of the house or not
to the toilet before the doctor went, he
said he was positive he was not. The
first time was when the doctor took
him out and showed him where he had
found the bottle. He did not remem-
Der how long Mrs. Hewitt was at his
wife's side but it was only few min
utes when she went with the doctor to
get the old folks. The old people re-
manned. Mrs. COey and Mrs. Lover
and two or three others came. The
undertaken came in about an hour.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
CHAPTER XVI
Light on Many Little Corners

When, on Monday morning, Gen
Sturdevant began the cross examina-
ton of the defendant, it was to a
small crowd in the spectators seats
The witness had had comparatively
smooth sailing and had told his story
without hesitation under the direction
of Mr.. McGiIl. He had lost most OF
the nervousness which had been in
creasing for several days prior, and
one who had no bias or previous opin-
ions or knowledge of the past hearings
or testimony must say he had made a
good witness. He spoke with the all
of wearied man glad to have it over
with and in half-protesting voice
sometimes as though the questions
bored him.
But now came contact with the keen
trained mind, the very incarnation OF
Nemesis, in the person of the repre-
sentative of the prosecution.
After going drought the early life
and bringing the witness to Grand
Rapids
when you came to st. Paul to meet
Ida MathesOn?"
$6,500.'
Have it in belt!'
Yes SIR
Witness said he got the money from
ii safe deposit vault in Seattle.
when you got there your wife
bought you suit of clothes to get mar.
ried in didn't she?"
NO, / bought it in Seattle"
Then Gen. Sturdevant read from the
testimony in county court as to the
coat scene where the label had proved
to be wrong Also the testimony OF
the episode in court when after taking
off the Seattle table one giving the
name of Grand Rapids tailor was
| found
THAT suit was bought in Grand
Rapids?" asked the general.
1T was never bought in Grand Rap
ids bought gray suit there and that
was the label from it,"
You sewed on that label?"
NO sir, if l had I'd have taken off
| the other one,
The label was produced and offered
as evidence.
| There is no question about it, saiG
Mccormick. Some one else sewed il
on" insisted Mccormick. There haC
been some laughter and the court rap
ped for order.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

came from the state fair at Columbus,
O., to Ladysmith to visit and here they
bought the home for the Kimballs.
You bought that property then p
was asked.
Yes SIR
"And you had the belt full of money!
mot SO full as it might have been.
Mccormick told again of the trip to
Cincinnati. He bought some horses
He paid $4O0 for them.
Where did you get the money!
''Out of my belt
He left the horses with man named
Belknap in CoyingtOn, Ky.
Then they returned to Grand Rap
Charleston, S. C. And a letter came
from Mrs. Hewitt saying mother was
sick" and they came to Ladysmith.
On Jan. Z, 1915 he put $4,000 in the
Rusk County Bank. There were sew
eral other entries in bank book from
which Gen. Sturdevant read In an
swer to the questions as to where he
got the money Mccormick monot-
Onously repeated: "Out of my belt"
All this that followed was very tech
nical in figures, and very dull. The
general put many exhibits in the evil
dence
Mccormick said that all the testi-
mony of the persons that he tried to
get more money to put in the business
was false. AS to an overdrawn ac-
count at the bank he said he was
"Overdrawed several times" He had
paid the travelling expenses to- Charles
ton.
."Out of your belt?" sneered Gen.
Sturdevant
Yes SIR" softly replied Mr. McCOr-
mick.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

answers to some of the questions he
would turn away but the witness
would rattle along and explain il
much detail.
There was controversy between
the witness and the general over the
time of finding the note. With bat
terry of questions fired at him, he in
sisted that he had found the note q
week before the Monday of the final in
quest session.
CAS- matter of fact you found the
note on Sunday, Sept, 9Th, or said
you did,"
This was denied. When pressed tC
tell again the story of the dream and
the note he said it was dream and he
dreamed many times of his wife
you told the editor that you had
many dreams, didn't y0u?"
Its true" said Mccormick.
Gen. Sturdevant offered the letters
which had been marked as exhibit to
show the defendant had written to Ida
MatheSOn as early as Jan. 1912 were
put in evidence but by the direction of
the court only to identify dates and
not the contents.
There is no reason why you can't
write this letter anytime, is there?"
commented the general as he looked
them over. There is no envelope with
a date"
Mccormick said his wife had de-
strOyed the letters before he had left
Seattle. He had destroyed her letters
as soon as he had read them and had
none. Marsh, who called him to the
restaurant on the day he first met his
wife out there, was dead.
Defendant said he had not gone to
school since he was little boy in To
peka except a few times night school.
He had not gone to school in the
Clark and not he that had run away
from school to be married.
you have got a bank account in
Minneapolis haven't you?
Yes"
How much in it?'
about ST."
How much in the first placer
what do you have an account there
for?"
Il did it so that Ladysmith wouldn't
know everything / was doing"
There were few more odds and
ends. To one of McCormicks answers
Gen. Sturdevant said, Don't get too
fresh
Mr. McGill objected to the words and
the court cautioned the General about
it. The court had also told Mr.. Steb-
bins earlier to cease to make COM
ments on the generals questions or wit
neSSs statements.
A moment later Gen. Sturdevant said
That's all"
Mccormick drew a visible sigh of
relief as he waited for the expected
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
CHAPTER XIV
The Finding of the Dream Note

This is an old story. 1t is part of
the history of the case. 1t was first
printed in the News-Budget on Aug.
26, 1915. Except in a few minor de-
tails Mccormick told it in his testi-
mony as he told it at the time of its
publication. He found it on Sunday
before the last inquest. He took it to
McGill & Williams office and left it
there until the following Monday when
the inquest was still beNg held. He
had been told by his attorneys that if
he was called he should show it to
Dist. Attorney Kirwan. After the
hearing in which he was not called he
had taken it back to the store and la
ter TO the office of McGill & Williams
where he had left it. Later he had ii
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
FARM FOR SALE
FOR SALE-A farm of so acres,

FOR SALE-A farm of so acres,
miles north of KEENAN, on fine
road, telephone line and close to
school, Improved with new S-fOom
Splendid pasture fenced. Good well of
water. Soil unsurpassed in this sec
ton for productiveness in clover, pO-
tatOes and other crops OF Upper Wis
consin. About Is acres ready to be
plowed for next year. / want $500 for
this place; $4,000 cash. This is the big
gest farm bargain in this county. Adj
dress, Rene Smith, KEENAN,, Wis, r..
1; or see Mr.. Bolles at the News-Bud-
get office. 26-tf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

further examination but his counsel
stated to the court that they would
like a conference with their client be-
fore deciding. Recess was taken. A
little later McCormick's attorneys came
again into the court and said they had
no further examination and the de-
PENDANT and the chief witness in his
own behalf after being on the stand
for 13 hours and q minutes, went back
to his seat behind his lawyers.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
CHAPTER XIV
The Funeral and Home Again

Mccormick was going now into the
details of the day of tragic results all
of which had been heard many times
but now came with added force, en-
phasis and Importance of one who was
fighting for freedom.
What he now saw was the dead body
of his wife lying on the couch. He was
sitting at the table. The defendant
said he saw Mrs. Hewitt get up from
the couch, open his wife's dress and put
her hand in her bosom. She opened
drawers of the dresser There were nc
clothes there Il think | locked up the
trunk when l heard she was looking
through things. l did this when ]
came in the evening after | had been
to the office with the DOCTOR"
Did you ever have any strychnine
in your possession" asked Mr.. McGill
NO sir
Did you administer to your wife
strychnine or poison of any other kind
at any time?"
NO sir"
did you ever administer any arsenic
or any other poison as has been inferred
here?"
No SIR
did you ever give her anything to
make her ill?'
NO SIR
These questions were answered in a
voice deviOd of emotion. There had
been no more tears.
Then for half an hour he told of his
coming home from the funeral and go
ing back to work. He went to Grand
Rapids and saw Mr.. Shaw the attorney
and engaged him to look after some
cases. Shaw did not read any letters
to him. referring to the letters offered
to show that there had been infOrma-
ton given to the attorney that Mrs. Nc
COrmick had asked in case of her death
to have an investigation. The first
time he had heard of them was when
they were read in court.
Mr. McGill put in evidence two let
tiers to show that Shaw, who testified
for the state had been employed by the
defendant on the murder case to look
up evidence. One of his jobs was to
hunt up the man Nix, who was men
toned in recent issue of the News
Budget as stating that he had inform
alton of value to Mccormick and want
ed $500 for fee to tell it.
Mccormick made categorical denials
of practically every item of testimony
that tended to damage him. His bust
ness with the Dumas was very limited.
He did something for them in 1909 but
not III 1910. IL or II. He told that
when someone had paid his wife $500
for piece of property it had been
given to her at Kimball's i'll White
Cloud. They only had a few minutes
to catch the train and he had taken
the money and counted it for his wife.
Then they ran for the train.
He said Mrs. Hewitt never men
toned nurse to him in her life 1t
was Mrs. Hewitt and not Mrs. Kim
ball who opened his wifes dress. He
stated that on the evening of his wife's
death Mrs. Hewitt said she thought he
ought to give her husband the bill of
sale ana mortgage MIS-. McC0fmlck
had held. He asked Mrs. Hewitt about
taking the tablet away When Mrs
COey came to his house it was to get
or bring laundry and Mrs. Lover was
always with her.
How did you come to take Hazel
along to st. Paul.
We'll [ knew she had been watch
ing me here and took her along to st
Paul to let her watch me there
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

4
photographed under the instructions
of L. E. McGill
The note had fallen from the dining
room table on which they had taken
dinner, the day of his wife's death.
| Mccormick stated that in his opin
ion the note was in his wife's writing
He had not asked Mrs. Washburn fol
any of his wife's writings but had
asked Mr. Kimball and that some days
before the last days of the inquest. He
said he was acting under the instruc
lions of Mr.. McGill.
He said he stayed at the store late
before and after his wife's death and
after her death as late sometimes as 2
o'clock. He did remember having a
conversation with Mrs Washburn
and Mrs. Hewitt at the city hall but
did not say that the note would be
shown only to save his neck
AS to the other note, the carpet
note, he said Roy Gown came to the
Here is something that may be of
value to you sometime" or something
like that.
1t was noted that all through the
more than two days of Mccormick S
testimony that almost invariably he
did not attempt to quote any of the
conversation or statements of others
verbatim, but qualified with "or some
thing like that"
Did you put it under the carpet?'
NO"
did you ever see it until Roy Gown
brought it to your"
No" said the witness.
He said it looked like his wife's
handwriting
He had not been at the house when
the carpet was being taken up. He
had rented the house before that to
various people and was taking up the
carpet for a new tenant. He put the
furniture in his store.
Then he was lead back to Exhibit
6O-the dream" note. He said he had
not showed it to Mrs Hewitt and Mrs
Washburn on the Monday of the in
quest because, and he sObbed out the
words, Il did not want any one to
know that my wife had committed sui
cide'
On the matter of spying, at the time
he knew they were spying on him. 1t
continued until Mrs. Washburn went
home in September, Mrs. Hewitt was
always unfriendly Mrs Washburn
came into the store to introduce her
husband to me last winter"
He had made the contents of Elk
hibit 60. the dream note public at the
instructions of Mr.. McGill. He had
never INSTRUCTED the officers of the
law and had turned over to them all
papers and had been ready to testify at
all times. 1t was the habit of the de-
PENDANT to burn the garbage in the
garden back of the toilet.
Mccormick said he had used the
phone in the Nate Hand barn probab-
ly twice He did not know at the
time that DR.. Enger had an office there
or that veterinary was there. He
didn't know Enger or about a medicine
cabinet there. He never saw or took
anything out of a case in the office or
from an automobile.
Witness stated that he had intro
duced Mrs. MathesOn to Harry Rich
mond and to Wright the attorney in
1911.
That was the end of the direct test
imOny A mart of the cross eXamina-
ton is shown in the first chapters of
this life but now they constitute an
appendix of even more tenseness of in
terest than the main book itself.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
WANTED-FARM LANDS

LIST YOUR FARM PROPERTY
with us. Our constantly growing
list of prospects covering many states
and sections enables us to give you
the service in selling both improved
farms and lots as we'll as wild lands
which brings, results. Upper Wisconsin
Land Co., Ladysmith, Wis. 26-tf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
MISCELLANEOUS
WANTED to buy-1OO head of cattle.
STELZMAN & HAND.

IF you want to sell your farm or
city property, see KilgOre & Ander-
son. 43-tf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

HOLSTEIN COWS Having failed to
build my barn on account of bad wealth
er this fall, / must sell at private sale
smith, all or any of my Holstein cows,
several just fresh. If you want good
COW, here is your chance. Will give 6
months time on bankable note-W. G.
VOIGT '2Stf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

LADIES' GOLD BAND RING, with
words "SOlid GOld'' on inside. Find
er will please leave at News-Budget
office. Reward "A121." 2t*
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
LOST

LOST-A Yale Key on key ring
with clasp. Finder please return to
ws-Budget office. 2-29*
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
INSURANCE

1 WRITE Fire, Lightning and Tor
nado insurance onsCity and Farm
property, lowest rates and prompt at
tentiOn.-B. e. FRENCH.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

RAMBLER Touring car, in good run
ming order. Will sell at very low
price in order to dispose of it quickly.
MARK r. BELL, Ladysmith
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
FOR SALE-AUTOMOBILES

TWO 5-passenger Automobiles for sale
cheap.-E NJ Worden. 26tf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
FOR SALE.
FOR SALE-REAL ESTATE

SIX-ROOM HOUSE with large lot, 10
Gated near new high school; also 40
acres of land. Easy terms. e. III.
RYALL, Ladysmith, Wis. 13tf
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
NJ CORM|CK TELLS
STORY OF HIs.L|FE

Continued from Page ~
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
FOR SALE-LTVE STOCK.

YOUNG PIGS; also some young, full
blOoded ROse-Comb Brown LeghOrn
COckerels. Enquire of Geo. Wander
loop, Il 1, Ladysmith. Phone 1855.
26-29*
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
POSITION WANTED

POSITION WANTED as Butter or
Cheese-maker Several years exper-
fence in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Two terms at dairy school. Address
Lock Box III, Staples, Mimi. 29-33*
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

MONEY TO LOAN-T. NJ. THOMAS,
Ladysmith.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
MONEY TO LOAN

$4,000 TO LOAN ON REAL ESTATE.
Easy terms and low interest Falge
& Slime, Attorneys, Postoffice build
ing, Ladysmith, Wis.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-15
THE AMERICAN STEAMSHIP
ALGONQUIN TORPEDOED

London, March IA. The Amer
lean steamship Algonquin has
been torpedoed by a German sub
marine. The crew was saved. The
Algonquin was storpedoed without
warning at S O'Clock on the morning
of March II, according to report
made by the American consul at
Plymouth. The consul says all on
board were saved. The submarine
refused assistance according to the
consul.
According to later advices from
Plymouth the German submarine
opened fire upon the Algonquin from
a distance of 4, 900 yards firing about
20 shells. These were no. sufficient
to sink the steamer so she was
boarded by men from the submarine
who placed four bombs and the AL
gonquin was then blown up. The
crew was given plenty Of time to
leave the vessel.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-15
BUILDING BURNS
ON WEST Side

Last Saturday morning about 5
O'Clock fire was noticed by Hanse
Polling coming from the house of
Charlie Price, occupied by MINI
rod Yeager and family on the
West Side. The alarm was given
but too late to save the house for
the inmates narrowly escaped
all household goods were burned.
Mr.. Yeager was not at home at
the time as he was night watch
man at the Handle Factory, but
his son-in-law, Mr.. Swisher, was
there and assisted in getting the
family out with some clothing.
The Fire Department was notified
too late to do any good.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-15

Washington, March IL. The
State Department to-day notified
all nations with which the United
States maintains diplomatic in
tercourse that this Government
has determined to place upon
all American merchant vessels
sailing through the barred areas
an armed guard for the protection
of the vessels and the lives of the
persons on board"
The statement tn a t armed
guards would be placed on board
munition ships caused the utmost
surprise. 1t was generally in
terpreted as meaning that guns
would be placed on munitions
ships. Opposition in the Senate
to approving any measure that
might leave the way open for the
Government to arm munitions
ships played a large part in bring
ing on the filibuster which killed
the armed ships bill,
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-15
EXTRA SESSION APRIL SIXTEENTH

The call for an extra session of
Congress has added to the air of
Unusual activities in official circles
Yin Washington.
The Presidents call summon s
Congress in extra session on A
pril 16. The move was fore shad-
owed, many officials believing the
President would need the help and
counsel of the legislative body in
the extremely strained situation
with Germany.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-15
HARRY K. THAW ADJUDGE INSANE

Philadelphia, Mar. 13. Harry
K. Thaw was today adjudged
lunatic by the Common Pleas
Court of this city and under the
law cannot be taken to New York
on requisition to stand trial on
charges of assaulting Frederick
Gump, Jr., a high school student
of Kansas City, Mo. Thaw will
be kept in a hospital here pending
his removal to a Pennsylvania
asylum. The action was based
on the report presented today by
a lunacy commission which yes
terday took the testimony of
Thaw and his mother.