Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-01
MRS. KINGS MOTHER
CARRIED TO COURT
Mrs. Anna l.. Robinson Braves
Lengthy Legal Storm While
Testifying at Means Trial.
DENIES SIGNATURE is HERS
White Haired Woman Closely
Guarded, but Speaks Will
lingly While on Stand.
tNy Asspciatc1 rrn.s- !

''' .'SSp'lTtl lF'S7.
CONCORD, y. C.. November 3c.-Car-
ricd up the stairway 10 the courtroom.
and then rolled down the aisle to tho
bar. whore, sitting in tho chair with
a colorcd maid beside hcr while :,
storm of legal tactics beat itself abou;
her for an hour ana half. Mrs. Anna
l.. Robinson mother Of Mrs. Maude y.
King. testified for the State late to-da y
in the trial Of CASTOR y. Means charged
with the murder Of Mrs. King near here
on August 80 last.
Til. appearance Of Mrs Robinson
had much Of tho dramatic aspcc.. Her
entrance into tho courtroom was un-
der protest Of Henry Dcitch, who had
been described in previous testimony
as CASTOR Means's "bodyguard" and
agent" He met the party at tn"
courtroom door and raised his hand.
and said:
Don't take that woman in there"
y moment earlier Mrs. Mary c. Mel
vim, sister Of Mrs. King. who has been
in attendance at the trial all the week.
but had not seen her mother since her
arrival here yesterday. walked out OF
tho courtroom. met the party at the
fort 10 get - her mother before she
WAS carried through the door. but was
not allowed to reach the white haired
and aged woman. nor 10 speak to her.
Airs. Melvin followed close behind her
behind her during the hour and "a half
she was being examined.
Following adjournment Of court a
80 .Ift pnhinSnh feft , lo
courtroom. Mrs. Melvin called at the
hotel and saw her mother in the lattcr's
room for about five minutes. No person
was present ~ the interview except
the mother and daughter and one at
torncy representing each. II. s. Will
Hams. or counsel for Means. accom-
panyinG Mrs. Melvin. and +. G. Me
Dufiic. Of counsel for the State. being
present with Mrs. Robinson.
PARTIES DISAGREE on
PROPOSITION BEFORE THEM
:<o others were admitted. and wha,
was said at the interview could not be
learned. The attorneys refused posi-
lively TO state. ana newspaper mel
could not see Mrs Robinson. who left
a few minutes later for Salisbury. ac-
companicd by Mr.. McDutIic. 1t was
learned. however. that there was dis
agreement on whatever proposition
was under discussion at the close OF
the interview.
While the appearance "f Mrs. Robin
son was dramatic and contained clc-
mcnts OF tho sensational. II is the
consensus OF opinion among those who
heard the testimony she gave that i,
was OF no great value. and that neither
side lost or gained much by her APP
pcarancc. She did deny the genuine
ness OF the signature purportinS To BE
hers. signed Jointly with Mrs. King on
paper which had been presented in
evidence by the state through \. Leon.
ard Johnson. secretary OF the Mcr-
chants Loan and Trust Company OF
ChicaG go. Oh tho authority OF which he
testified the trust company revoked a
trust of $4,000 which had been
created by Mr.. King Il year or Sc
earlier. by which Mrs. Robinson re-
ccivcd $500 Il month. The paper with
the two women's signatures WAS pre-.
scented TO the bank by CASTOR Is. Means
10 whom was delivered the securities
represented III the trust. On cross
examination, q number Of checks made
payable TO Mrs. Robinson and indorsed
with her name were presented 10 her
for identification, whercupon She ac-
knowlcdGcd that she received the
money for the checks. but said she did
not believe the Endorsements were
hers.
Mrs. Robinson also told a story al
how, during the last two years, CASTOR
Means had been instrumental in keen.
ing Mrs. King away from her, ncvc.
allowing her to see her daughter. and
always interfering and separating Them
if by chance they did happen 10 &c,
, together.
MEANS T0OI< HER MEDICINE,
SAYING 1T HAD REEN DOPED