Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-10
STATE INTRODUCES TESTIMONY
in WILKERsoN CASE TO PRE-
SERVE RECORD.
MEN SAY THEY WERE
HIRED BY DETECTIVE
Tell Of Attempt to Enter Jones Store
Il viIlisea to Secure Papers and Of
ssins Frightened Away--Witnesses
say Plot Was Hatched in Atlantic
Havner Appears For State.

Corning, July 10.-Corning became
the center Of interest in the latest
phase OF the v51lisca AK murder case
yesterday when J. N. Wilkerson for
mer Burns operative, who has been
working on the case, was arraigned for
conspiracy in connection with plot
70 break into the store of F. IF. Jones
at villisca to get papers having to do
with the Jones Wilkerson scandal case.
Wilkerson waived preliminary exam :
inaticn, the state asked to present evil
dence for preservation of the rec
ords," and the testimony Of four wit
Nesses was taken. The hearing is in
justice court OF G. F. Shepard. County
Attorney A. Raye Maxwell took care
of the states case up to the time Of
the examination Of the witnesses, when
Attorney General Havner took it up
Wilkerson, in the absence Of attorneys,
acted for himself, and said he would
NOT object to the state giving testf-
mcny, and would not demand cross ex-
animation OF witnesses. However, he
reserved the right to demur to evil
dence given and did not concede that
the state had Q case.
The first witness was william Walk
er. OF Atlantic, one Of the alleged con-
splratcrs. He gave a detailed story OF
the alleged conspiracy from the time
he says he met Wilkerson in Atlantic
in February, 1917, to the time the men
were frightened away from Jones'
store and took their car back to Cres-
ton. According to him he met the
detective at the city hall in Atlantic
where he came at the request of Will
kerson. Others present were F. Boiler
and Harry Nave, the other alleged
conspirators. The four got acquainted
to an extent there. Four or FIVE days
later Boiler asked him to come to Red
Oak, saying that Mr.. Wilkerson has
a Job he'd like for US to do" They
johnson hotel.
After Jones' Papers.
They were told there that there were
valuable papers and books in Senator
Jones' store In villisca that the detec-
tive wanted and 1t was suggested that
they go over 30 Vllisca and look over
the building. They went over and ex-
anined the place and came back and
reported to Wilkerson that the store
could be entered by breaking into the
back door or using a jimmy on the
front. It was planned to pull loft the.
Job" the next night, but Wilkerson
could not leave the town that night
kor some reason. He wanted to be
away, witness testified, that he might
have a complete ahbi. 1t was also
thought that the two men might need
some help, so Wilkerson gave Boiler
b dollar to call Harry Nsve at At
alantic.
Transportation for the three men
was to be furnished by Bob Ford of
Corning. according tos'Walker's story.
Just previous to the date set for the
postponed sob" Wilkeson paid the
fare of Walker and Boiler to Corning,
and gave them an old envelope on
which was the address y. n. .Wilker-
son, Red Oak, Iowa. This envelope
was to be given to Ford. On it the
detective had penciled Bob, these
parties are o. K.-Wilkerson.' They
stopped at the Victoria hotel in Corn
ing and met Wilkerson there in the
afternoon, when he gave them his re-
voiver for use If necessary. But for
some reason the men could not get the
auto from Ford and! leaving Walker
in Corning, WilkersonN and Boiler went
to Creston to arrange for a car. That
evening Boiler returned and picked up
Nave and Walker at Corning, and the
three drove to Villisca.
Were to "Touch" Nightwatch.
Wikerson had told them, witness
testified, that he thought it would be
hest to get the night Waterman land
lock him up in his own JAIL" and that