Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-04-09
COLORED NURSE GIVES
DAMAGING TESTIMONY
Tells Of Relations Between
Welch and Mrs. Thomason Be-
fore Killing Of The Latter's
Husband

chester house, at the time he was
found delirious driving his car near
Red House, was brought out at the
trial Thursday of ]. S. Welch, who
shot him to death in Lexington, sew
eral weeks after Thomas had returned
from the Richmond hospital. Is
year-old negro girl who worked in
the Thomason home was the principal
witness for the prosecution at LeXing-
ton Thursday. She gave damaging
testimony against both WeIch and
Mrs. Susie B. Thomason, widow of the
man We1eh slew.
= a letter and post card, Colo
mel John r. Allen, Commemorative
attorney, said he could prove were
''ffom this woman to Welch." were
Introduced as evidence. The letters
together with other papers. were
taken off Welch's person when he was
taken to police headquarters.
The letter. which is written in PEN
lows:
Lexington, Ky,.
Feb 4th., 1912.
aly dear Sweet Heart:
Just finished talking to my sweet
glad to hear from You once more
Well this sure is one gloomy day and
l certainly do feel more than sad and
lonesome, with one that | love so far
away, but if God is on our side [ do
hope that the time will soon come
when we can be together and there
will be no parting until God calls one
of us home. l hope when this reaches
you it finds you true to your promise
and remember / viii be true and
faithful to you. dear heart.
Well. [ will close for this time.
Burn this. Safety first-as ever your
own.
On the back of the first sheet of the
letter are written the words: Sweet
heart, she asked me to order her
1-2 pint of w. & | did" On the back
of the second sheet. written in ink are
the names, Mrs. Susie B. Thomason
James Welch." There also appears on
the same sheet: ITO my own sweet
heart. James Welch Do you love
me CD No-Yes-No'' \ kodak pic
ture of a woman was fixed to the let
ter in the upper lefthand corner
The postcard was mailed in the Lex
ipston postoffice on July II. 1919. The
postcard had picture of the kentucky
river at High Bridge and on the oppo-
site side were the words: Just to
let you know l was thinking of you as
l always am. Hope to see you soon.
AS ever, your own"
Neither the letter nor the postcard
was signed. Maury Kemper, one of
Wclch's attorneys. objected to them
being introduced as-eTT6ence -
a bankbook, showing the George
town National Bank in account with
James Welch, was also introduced as
evidence. 1t contained several ex-
pressions, written in pencil One of
them says: Sweetheart often
wonder if you think as much of me as
/ do of you" + --..-
The picture was identified in the
afternoon as one iof Mrs. Thomason by
Lucy, the Colored girl, who also iden-
titled the handwriting as that of Mrs
Thomason in the letter which had
been presented in the morning. The
housegirI declared that Welch fire.
quently visited Mrs. Thomson and re-
mained until midnight or later, during
The absence of Mrs. Thomason's hus-
band.
The girl told of conversations be-
tween Mrs. ThomasOn and man
named Smith. concerning "dirtywork'
to be done, which was inferred by the
Commonwealth to have heen an at
tempt to hire the man to kill Thoma.
son.
Repeated reluctance was shown by
the girl while she was on the stand
Only by the closest questioning wa:
Commonwealth's Attorney John r
Allen able to get her to verify state
ments she had formerly sworn
when examined before the grand jury
and in interviews. .rs.
That Welch was a constant Visito
OF Mrs. Thomason's home during tn
absence of her husband was stated b,
the girl who told of Welch's numerou
visits. The first few times the gir
said, Welch had brought his children
and sister.
Shortly afterward' and at least one
week and some times oftencr Welc
came alone to the Thomson home a
about 10 o'clock at night. during tn
absence of Mr.. Thomason. remaining
until midnight or 1 o'clock.
On these visits. the Hockaday gil
said, she would take care of the tw
children while Mrs. Thomason woul
entertain Welch.
- Some times she would see them sit
ting on the edge of the bed talking
at other times the lights in the ROOF
in which they were would be turne
out. Welch often kissed her when h
arrived or just before he left, til
girl declared.
On several of these visits, the HocI
aday girl said, Welch came arme
During the months in which Welc
visited the Thomason home she sa
three different pistols, carried by IL
man on trial, two of which opened
the top and one that opened at IL
side"
The weapons usually were carrie
sby Welch in his overcoat pocket al
then placed in his coat pocket wht
--lle took off his heavy coat, she said.
Once during visit of Welch, Thor
pason came home unexpectedly. Il
girl declared, and found the two
the house. Thomason knocked at Il
front door. and then started for t
back door. leaving his valise on t
i.front porch.
Mrs. Thomson told him to come
in as there was nobody there but y
WEIGH the girl said. Mr.. Wei
Shook hands with Thomson and tn