The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-14
BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT

LEBANON, Ind, Oct. 14.-Sup-
ported b va ruling Of the court, de-
tense attorneys in the murder trial
of Mrs. Carrie Simmons, alleged poi
son slayer of her daughters, today
reopened their attack on Horace
jackson, Hancock county farmer,
intimating he may be the poison
murderer
When the state objected to testi-
mony of Harry Short, New Palestine
druggist, who, it is reported will
claim Jackson bought strychnine
from him Judge John w. Horna-
day ruled out the objection.
I'm a trial of a case of this kind
1t is proper that the defense try
to show that some other person
may reasonably have been consid-
Grad as having committed this act"
he declared. The defense appar-
emily is trying to show that Jack
son committed the offense.
I'm not expressing any opinion
on the truth or falsity of the evil
dence. This evidence is to show if
there is any' reasonable hypothesis
that some person other than the de-
tendant committed this crime"
Short was to tell his story this aft
ernoon.
Told of Crows Dying
Miss Louise Moffett, 20, picnic
guest, said on the stand today that
she was with Jackson the day fol-
lowing the picnic when he was
stricken by the poison. She said
she aided in the houSework.
Jackson. she asserted, said he was
positive the children died from
Strychnine when she suggested per
hapS the capsules did not contain
the poison.
He said the children died from
eating the poison and that he and
Charles Davis, farmer, had put
Strychnine on corn and watched
crows fall dead in similar manner"
she told the jury.
Mrs. Charity Simmons, 80, one
of the honor guests at the tragic
picnic, said she saw jackson two
weeks before the outing and he told
her he had "a bad cold from lying
on the ground, watching Davis
poison crows"
She testified Jackson told her:
Nav, they were trying to get you
and they'll get you YET
From every corner of Hancock
county today came witnesses who
will aid the defense in building its
ratification against the states
charges against Mrs. Simmons.
Denies He Was Paid
AS witnesses testified that Mrs.
Simmons asked regarding the care
her daughters were receiving at
the Lebanon hospital, and cried
at times during her stay at the
hospital, the state hit at establish
ment of her devotion with severe
cross-examination of each witness.
Prosecutor Ben Scifres and Spe-
clal Prosecutor Roy Adney were
quick to interpose objections to any
testimony that savored of hearsay.
Lon Faulkinbury, Lebanon barber.
bore the brunt of the states fire OH
cross examination when he recited
Jackson's alleged remark at the
fatal picnic.
Were you paid anything for that
testimony" Scifres shouted at
Faulkinbury.
NO." retorted the barber.
Did you tell the grand jury of
your statement" questioned Scifres.
Il never thought of it before the
grand jury" retorted the barber.
Who did you first tell of Jack
sons remark?" Scifres asked the
absent-minded barber.
Il told my wife,
Told Judge Parr
And next?" asked scifres ala
barber style.
Judge Parr," answered the wit
ness, as he looked at the defense
table and w. H. Parr ST., counsel
for Mrs. Simmons.
That's ALL" dismissed Scifres 40
ruptly.
Earlier, Faulkinbury admitted
that he reported for witness duty
at the Boone county courthouse
several days in advance of taking
the stand, that he might confront
Jackson with his own words.
He said jackson and his wife
denied that the words had passed
between them as Jackson lay on
the picnic ground, i'll from poison.
DR.. o. G. Higgins of Lebanon, re-
lated Tuesday and today how Mrs.
Simmons asked as to the condition
Of her daughter.
He testified she had a kerchief In
her hand and seemed fearful as she
talked to him at the Lebanon hos
pital
Scoop" Is Established
AS the state closed its case. the
defense firmly established the fact
that newspaper "scooped" its COM
petitors in bringing Charles W.
Indianapolis druggist. to
The witness stand, positively TO
Identify Mrs. Simmons as the pur-
chaser of sixty grains of strychnine
three days before the death Of her
daughters.
Charles Tindall, defense attorney.
TO skin the hide" on
the witness stand, of the reporter
for bringing Friedman
10 Lebanon to identify Mrs. Sim
mons.