The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-11-09
Give Testimony for Defense
In D. C. Stephenson
Murder Trial.
Continued From Page u


not mention Deans name.
Rigdon, who is man of gigantic
stature retaliated with the promise
that if Kane asked him that question
on the street, it wouldn't be so well
for him.
Innuendos and insinuations passed
by Kane at the first of the cross-ex-
animation got under the witness
skin and at times he had his feet on
the railing around the witness stand
apparently ready at any moment to
pounce on Kane.
Kin Queries
Kane darted in on Rigdon, by ask
ing him about his family con-
nections. Rigdon told him that State
Representative Joshua D. Carney, Of
Morristown, Ind, was his wife's
cousin.
Kane asked Rigdon a series Of
nonsensical, but irritating questions
and Rigdon replied:
I'm just human. I can't re-
member everything" Instead of
quoting Kane, the answer seemed to
1rk him.
''Who are you working for?"
"Clyde A. Walb." RigdOn said
that Walb, who Is chairman of the
Republican State committee, pays
him salary.
Whom did you work for before?"
1.-THE Great Southern, Producing
& Refining Co., of Shreveport, La"
Was Registered
Were you registered under the
Indiana securities law?"
Yes, sir. My license was number
$685."
Kane asked RigdOn if he could
name some of the persons to whom
he sold this oil stock. RigdOn
named Ora j. Davies, former State
Treasurer; S. S. Parkes, Shelby
vile, and DIR. ID. l.. Dill, LOgans-
port.
Rigdon said he met Stephenson
three years ago at the home of Ed
ward E. Schultze, Laurel, Ind. who,
with his wife, appeared as defense
witnesses Saturday. Kane wanted
TO know why Rigdon had been down
to Laurel.
II was joining the knights of
the Ku-KluX-klan when met
him." Rigdon said, laughingly, and
then looked over toward Stephen
son and shook his fist at him.
when did you begin to work poll
tics with him?"
Last Primary
During the last campaign, the
primary"
How often did you visit him?"
"Three or four times a week, some
weeks
"Have you ever ben employed by
Stephenson to do political work?"
mot in any capacity" Rigdon's
answer was drowned out in a
symphony of objections from the de-
Tense and a wrangle at the State
table. Judge Sparks had to ham
mer vigorously with his gavel..
'SWhat were your political schemes
with Stephenson" Kane asked.
I'VE were trying to elect our
friends" Rigdon said, after the de-
fense's protest had been overruled.
"VVho were your friends?'
"Most every one that was
elected" There was a mingled
murInur which finally developed
into general laughter.
Judge Sparks warned the witness.
II wish you'd refrain from laugh
ing. If you laugh these people here
will laugh" Judge Sparks said, in
stern voice.
81 beg your pardon, judge" Rig
don said.
Are you on Stephenson's payroll
now" Kane asked.
Wishes He Was
"OuIy that I wish I was"
what particular thing brought
you to the Legislature every day?"
I'D say the things that brought
hundreds of others. I enjoyed see
ing the manipulation"
what manipulations?"
'Your friends and my friends"
ooh, don't care about my
IFleILeLS, ndllc IHitTJctboO. All
mother wrangle between Kane and
the witness followed.
Judge Sparks again was forced to
WELD the gavel.
Judge Deplores
II don't want to be hard, Gentle
men, because this relates to my
home folks, the Republican party,
but 1 don't want to cover anything
up Kane protested and Sparks had
to inform him that he had already
ruled in his favor in order to quiet
the fiery attorney.
Manipulation! ManipuIationw
Kane seemed to like the word
Rigdon had used. "What did you
see manipulated. Answer yes or
no."
Rigdon tried to argue with Kane
that his question was unanswerable,
but 1t awaited him nothing.
Laughs Again
II saw bills introduced passed, ana
defeated" he explained, bursting in.
to laughter.
you think this Is a joke. don't
your"
On defense objections the last re.
mark of Kane's was stricken from
the record.
did you every. see Stephenson
at the legislature"
81 don't remember single oc-
casion."
''yUaII than did Won avar sao oux,
members of the Legislature in
Stephenson's office"
YES"