The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-26
KING CASE BEGINS
State Makes Opening Statement
This Morning.
Otis Hungate Gives Brief Out
line of Evidence.
OE, WITNESS CALLED TODAY
Securing of Jury Cost WabaHn-
see County $1,000.
Defendant Did Not Change Ex-
preston During Trial.

| Il
Lyndon, Kan, Oct. 26.--The trial of
Rufe King, who is charged with the
murder of John Woody, a young
farmer who lived near Paxico. Kan.
opened in the district court of Usage
county here this morning. In August,
1918, skeleton supposed to have been
that of young Woody and two others
supposed to have been those of Reu-
ben Gutshall and William Ringer,
were found in livery barn, which was
| operated several years ago by King at
Maple Hill
Otis Hungate Opens Case.
The opening statement for the state
was made this morning by Otis Hun
gate of Topeka, a prominent Kansas
| attorney. The defense waived an
opening statement until later.
In his opening statement Hungate
said, We are about to enter upon a
very important service and a great re-
sponsibility rests upon every one con-
cerned in this case"
| He briefly recited how John Woody,
a young farmer living near Paxico,
VINO was working for King in the liv-
/ cry stable at Maple Hill, had suddenly
! disappeared in March, 1909. In
August, 1918. the three skeletons were
found and one of these was identified
| by Dawson Woody, the father of John
/ Woody, as that of his son.
King Knew Guilty Parties.
Hungate also stated that after Rufe
| King was arrested he told officers
that he knew who the guilty parties
were and if he (King) was convicted
others would go to Jail with him. The
| states attorney also said that when
| the jury had heard all the evidence to
be presented by the state that it would
ha iY1cr
Woody in order to get possession of
| his property.
The first and only witness to be
called up to noon today was J. E.
ketterman of Alma, undersheriff of
WabaunSee county. He told of the
finding of the three skeletons in the
vicinity of the livery barn operated
by King at Maple Hill.
! Court Room Half Full.
The court room was about half full
| of spectators, the audience being made
lup of farmers from the immediate
vicinity and townspeople~ of Lyndon.
One of the first pieces of evidence
to be introduced was the bones of the
skeleton, supposed to have been that
| of John Woody. They were brought
| to the court room in suit cases and
placed upon the table before the jury.
All witnesses were excluded from
the court room when the case was
| called ard they were refused admit
tance during the trial. The jury will
not be allowed to separate during the
hearing and will not be permitted to
discuss the case with anyone.
Did Not Change Expression.
During the entire time the case was
in progress, King sat in about the
same position and did not change his
expression during the introduction of
! evidence or talks by attorneys. He
was accompanied by his wife. His
mother, sister and brothers are ex-
pected to arrive in Lyndon this after
noon.
1t was estimated this morning that
the cost to Wabaunsee county in the
securing of the jury would be about
$1,000. -
states Star Witness.
| Morris McNeill, former assistant at
| torney general, is assisting the state in
the trial of the case and is also looked
! to as one of the states star witnesses.
as he made several Investigations at
Maple Hill at the time the skeletons
of the three men were found.
Attorneys for the defense said today
that they have three witnesses. which
| they will present later, who will tell
the jury that they saw young Woody
alive. after the time he was supposed
to have disappeared from Maple
Hill.
The last Juror was selected Mon
| ".
| that the jurymen should be placed in
charge of the sheriff of Usage county.
They will not be allowed to separate
| or communicate with outside parties
during the course of the trial. j. j.
: Schenck, attorney for the defense,
asked that the witnesses not actually
being questioned, be excluded from
the court room. Judge Robert Heizer.
! before whom the case is being tried
granted the request.
! The jurors, the last OF whom was
! selected last night, after exhausting
venire of 1e5 men are: J. S. Oyler.
Earl E. Ritchell, W. H. Eager, F. NJ.
! Gilliland, Sam Ferguson, E. A. Elliott,
D. G. Arb. J. A. Collins. A. l. Herron,
w G. Gibson. Tom Schlink, B. B.
Jewell. They are all farmers or re-
| tired farmers.
| All Read of Case.
1t was impossible to find jury COM
posed of men who had not read of or
discussed the case. Both state and de-
fense compromised by accepting men
who said they had not formed an opIH-
ion as to the defendants guilt;
There are not enough hotel accom-
modations for the eighty-six witnesses
who have been brought to Lyndon. and
many of them are staying in private
homes until they are called to give
their testimony.
A formidable lineup of counsel ap-
pears on each side. For the defense
there are ]. j. Schenck of Topeka,
! Senator C. E. Carroll of Wabaunsee.
and A B. Crum of Wabaunsee-
I For the state there are: John Mar
! tin. county attorney of Wabaunsee
county; Judge Edgar Foster. assistaf {
attorney general; D. G. Messeriy.
county attorney OF Usage county;
John Mclaughlin of Usage City. Otis
Hungate and A E Crane OF Topeka.
Hold Student for Inquest.
Philadelphia. Oct. ct.~26.-William P.
Brines, Pennsylvania university soph-