Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1923-01-17
MRS. RICE BREAKS
DOWN ON STAND
Mother of Irene Van Brocklin Breaks
Down While ON the Witness
Stand and Was Carried
Out of Court Room.
FoRT MADISON PRISONER
TO TESTIFY
Herbert Steinz Serving Ten Years at
Fort Madison Brought to Test
ify for the Defense.


VanBocklin, of Shopiere, Wis, took
the stand Saturday morning at nine
o'clock. Irene met Charles Van
Brocklin in Iowa on a visit to rel
atives here.
Irene and Charles were married a.
Shellsburg, Iowa. Mrs. Rice said she
stayed with them in their home out
side Cedar Rapids for a short time
after the marriage. Elmer and
Gypsy Dan Van Brocklin were also
living at the Van Brocl1lin home, she
stated.
Elmer Van Brocklin and Irene quar-
relied there, Mrs. Rice said. In a
sobbing voice she related the details
ened TO kill Irene.
Elmer drew back his fist as if to
strike Irene, Mrs. Rice said
''I'll kill you too,' she said Elmer
threatened her when she interfered.
How many times were you where
your daughter and husband were liv-
ing near Castalia?"
Twice"
Charles and Irene visited her at
her home twice after their marriage,
she testified.
Elmer in Room
Elmer Van Brocklin was brought
into the court room at the suggestion
of the court, III order that he might
hear any accusations made against
him by Mrs. Rice.
Elmer and Irene quarreled at her
home, according to Mrs. Rice. y
lust don't know how to tell it, she
said. fShe came out and called him
name.
"She called him a dirty pup"
Elmer swore back at Irene, Mrs.
Rice testified, and Elmer again drew
back as IL TO striixc frecrs
Mrs. Rice, questioned further, broke
down sobbing. ''Judge, its hard for
me to talk about my little girl" She
was temporarily excused to give her
an opportunity TO compose herself.
Elmer was also excused from the
court room.
Mrs. Rice, mother of Irene was
placed on the witness stand again
Monday afternoon and the crcss-eN-
animation was not finished whe-
a recess was called at 3:15. She
told of a quarrel when Elmer
threatened Irene with poker and
another time when he is alleged to
have knocked her unconscious and
threatened her, Mrs. Rice, when she
stepped between them. Mrs. Rice
was more calm and collected than
when she was on the stand Saturday
at which time she was temporarily
excused because she could not con-
troll herself. A prisoner from Fort
Madison brought to Charles City yes
terday by Chief of Police Strong, is
expected to take the stand. He was
in Jail in Decorah when Elmer was
arrested for the murder and it is
claimed he will testify as to the con-
dition of Elmer's clothes at the time
Of his arrest.
Mrs. kneeskern Testifies
Mrs. B. F. Kneeskern, wife of the
defendant took the witness stand
Saturday afternoon to testify in be-
half of her husband oncernfng his
movements on the day of the double
murder. 1t was the first time in the
history of the case which now ex-
tends over years time, that she has
been on the stand. She was dressed
very plainly in black.
Her testimony was mainly In coro-
boration with that already given here
in explanation of Kneeskern's actions
on the day of the crime. She and
Kneeskern have been married for 13
years, Mrs. KneeSkern said.
On the morning of December IL,
1921, KneeSkern left his home about
10 o'clock, as his small son started
for Sunday school to go hunting. He
wore his cartridge belt and carried
his shot gun.
Kneeskern returned home, accord,
ing 30 his wife's testimony, between
5 and $50 o'clock that evening. His
shot gun was then laid on the front
porch, she stated, where it remained
until ne turned it over to John Schul-
te shortly after midnight when the
two returned from the coroner's in
quest.
She learned of the murders through
telephone call from her husband,
Mrs. Kneeskern told the jury.
Explains Pressing Clothes
Mrs. Kneeskern related the story of
the suit of clothes which her neigh
Dor Mrs. Martha Riggs, had testified
to pressing for Kneeskem although
they did not need pressing. There
was nothing suspicious in the incid-
ent as Mrs. Kneeskern detailed it.
Two suits were given to Mrs.
Riggs for pressing, she said. One
Was the suit worn by Kneeskern at
the preliminary hearing he had been
attending; the other had been worn
on the day Of the tragedy in the
Van Brockhn cabin.
'The clothes weren't dirty, but
they needed pressing" Mr.. Knees
kern said. 9
Concerning the Christmas day OF
1920 when Elmer Winn, state VIII
Continued on last page)