Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-01-20
ABSENT WITNESS
DELAYS HEARING
Policeman Cooper Re-
ported to Have Fled;
Found by Sheriff.
TO CALL MAYOR TODAY
Sensations Promised in Of
ficers' Trial; Town
send Implicated.

Hearing Of the preliminary triAl OF
the five members Of the Tulsa poiice
department. charged with murder FOR
the killing OF Vernon Hatfield taxi
cab driver, was halted abruptly yestcr.
day afternoon at 2.55 O'Clock when
County Attorney George Reeves re-
fused 10 proceed until Tom Cooper.
policeman. a states witness. who was
reported to have fled when summoned
To- court WAS located
Cooper, night pntrolmau. Is wit
ness 10y whom the prosecution expects
10 prove that the five Officers now
charged with murder went into tho
chiefs office at police hendQuartcrl
shortly after TIA, killing, before any
conference was held with the county
attorney, Tor the purpose Of carefully
going over the details of the tragedy
among themselves.
Located nv sheriff
When Cooper failed to appear NJ tho
police station for roll call last night
a. o'clock the report that he had
fled rather than take the stand against
his brother officers gained strength
VI
Mccullough located the man at his
home. ON the promise Of Cooper 10
hc In COZ at o'clock this morning.
sheriff 'Iullough agreed not to serve
the attachment that had been Issued
on request OF the county attorney.
1t was declared by attorneys for
the prosecution that Cooper had told
state detectives he was in an ante
room in the chiefs office when II "a.
fHAUnannI 1
Dick Nelson and Ramcy Miller. the
five defendant officers. entered that
apartment directly after returning TO
tho station from the scene OF tho
tragedy. Cooper is declared To have
asserted that he heard one Of the Of
flccrs say:
What lie Heard.
Come on In, boys, and we'll find
out who started she shooting"
Cooper first was subpoenaed yes
tcrday morning at II o'clock. When
Deputy Sheriff Frank Bowlin In
formed him over the phone that he
was wanted at the courthouse to take
the stand for the state In the pre-
limlnary hearing he fatty refused TO
appear
We'll. therc'll be someone out to
get you right away" Bowlin told him.
here" Cooper replied.
Immediately after noon an attach
ment was issued for the witness by
Judge Standeven. when an officer
went TO the Cooper residence to serve
II he was Informed that Cooper had
gone TO Sapulpa.
Last night Cooper told Sheriff Me.
Cullough that he didn't know It was
a deputy sheriff that called him yes
tcrday morning lie said II he had
really known who wanted him hs
would not have refused to go TO court.
Cooper probably will be the first
witness called by the prosecution AZ
this mornings session. which will he
at Q o'clock
Mayor To he Jscd.
County Attorney Reeves announced
last night that he would call Mayor
j. II. simmons to take the stand TODAY.
He did not indicate what was the ma
turc OF the evidence he hoped to So
cure from the city's chief executive.
chief OF Police Lucas. who was III yes
tcrd0v, when summoned 10 the court
house, also will hc used today Il sut-
iiciently recovered
Attorneys for the defense Informed
the county attorney that they. today.
would Insist on contnuing their ctusf-
examination Of Miss Hazel Robertson.
sweetheart OF Vernon Hatfield. who
swooned on the witness stand during
the firs, day OF the preliminary trial.
Miss Robertson collapsed again at
hatfiold's funeral Thursday and Is not
completely recovered
\ Day of Features.
Features of Yesterdays hearing %
the case, which proved rather brief
because Of the Supposed disappearance
Of Cooper were many including tho
that Mayor Simmons
and chief Lucas would be called as
the appearance of n
lNrrcll. president Of the Y. NJ. G. A.,
rs Il witness more Tits between coun-
,el for the state and defense, and
Of evidences introduced
10y the state show that the accused
police officers were not fired upon
from the automobile.
County Attorney Reeves announcer
last night that he probably would cali
Mr.. Tyrrell OF the Y. NJ g \. TO the
stand again today for additional ques-
tioning
The testimony Of Lee Moneyhan. a
barber, furnished the sensation or tho
morning session. Moneyhan declared
he heard some one shout Come on,
boys, we'll get him vet" lust after
three shots were fired. He said he
saw Ford roadster going west on
Third street and several me In tho
street. ono Of whom made ~ state
nent he gave.
Moneyhau lives in quarters IN the
rear of the barber shop whore he was
on East Third street II,
aid he had retired, but had not roio
10 sleep when he was startled hy tho
sharp report Of pistol Running ~
d window ne saw several other shots
md heard the shout Come on. boys
wen get him yet"
No shot, From Auto
If any shots were fired from tho
speeding automobile at the officers
didn't sec them. accoroigb
To- his testimony llC said the mcn
In tho street were the only ones ne saw
shoot
ON cross examination Attorney Bid
lison asked Mouoyhan II ne hadn't
.een arrested and convicted of Nio-
atne the law. An objection hy At
orney Crossland of the prosecution
CONTINUED on PAGE SIX