The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-14

/ Elbridge w. Stein, the
states second handwriting
expert to dissect the ransom
notes, testified to his conclu-
sion that they were written
by Hauptmann.
Albert S. Osborn, the highest
priced handwriting expert in the
world, stoutly maintained his con-
viction that the ransom notes were
all the product of the Bronx car
penter's hand, despite a vigorous
cross examination by Edward j.
Reilly, chief of defense counsel.
Miss Alexander's testimony came
as an electrifying surprise to the
trial fans, who had settled down to
listen to what they believed would
be nothing but repetitious and dull
handwriting testimony.
The states first surprise witness"
was subjected to bitter cross
examination for 20 minutes by the
id-faced defense chief, but she
sweetly and firmly insisted upon the
truth of her story.
Saw Hauptmann in Station
Miss Alexander related how she
had gone to the railroad station to
telephone her mother from a public
BOOTH She walked to the far side
of the writing room, she said, and
saw Dr. Condor talking to a tele-
graph operator.
Hauptman, she said, IVES about to
feet away from Jafsie. watching him
intently.
After she made her telephone call,
she left the station and went to a
night school where she was taking
a course.
Under cross-eXamination she said
she had not seen DR.. Condor pre-
viously since 1926 She could not
remember the exact date of the
railroad station scene, but declared
it was some time in March of 1882.
Suspect Denies Charge
Three days after that incident,
she said, she saw the man she iden-
titled as Hauptmann, walking along
Fordham road.
Hauptmann turned to United
Press correspondent and said:
Il was never in that station. I
tho 1odvy 1Onl-if1cr for =
movie contract"
He smiled and guards escorted
him to his cell, again with pinioned
wrists.
Shortly before the luncheon re-
cess, Handwriting Expert Stein ex-
planned his examination of the ram
som notes and the request writing
done by Hauptmann after his ar
test, together with the "acknowl-
edged" handwriting, and announced
his firm conviction that Hauptmann
wrote all Of it.
Jury Inspects Exhibits
He presented Photographic ex-
hibits similar to those previously
submitted by Mr.. Osborn, and these
we're being shown to the jury when
the noon recess was taken.
The handwriting of the late ISL
dor Fisch entered the trial today
in a defense move to prove that the
one-time friend of Hauptmann
wrote the notes demanding $4,000
ransom for the return of the baby.
Mr.. Reilly demanded Mr.. Osborn
tell whether he had examined any
of the late Fisch's handwriting.
A quarrel over possession Of
+ Sch's handwriting then arose be-
tween opposing counsel, and the
handwriting remained in the GUS
tody Of the prosecution.
Evidence Is Overwhelming"
Three minutes before Mr.. Osborn
was asked the question, he had
closed his testimony on direct ex-
animation by declaring:
In my opinion, Bruno Haupt-
mann wrote the ransom notes. The
physical evidence is irresistible, un-
answerable and overwhelming"
Mr.. Reilly. using a schoolmaster's
pointer, went to the great black-and-
white handwriting charts hanging
on the wall by the judges bench,
and carried the expert through
every dot and cross, every letter and
every curve, on the magnified SAM
pies.
He forced Mr.. Osborn TO admit
there were some differences" in the
various notes, but the expert graph
ologist insisted the differences were
slight.
Like Couple of Cronies
Mr. Osborn, handwriting expert,
and Mr.. Reilly got along like cou-
pie OF cronies during the cross-ex-
animation.
There was little of the bitterness
that has characterized Mr.. Reilly's
previous clashes with state wit
neSSes.
Can you hear me all right" Mr..
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