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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1915)
I! w w ,V h Jtorilt Uu Wxbnm mux THIRTIETH YEAR. NORTH PLATTE, NEB., JANUARY 29, 1915. No. 3 WLnkh r Roy Roberts on Trial for Murder of Vern Connett Two lajs Consumed in Getting Jury After working for two days on se lecting the Jury to sit on tho caso of tho state vs. Hoy Itoberts, charged with the murder of Vernon Connett, tho cuso was opened at tho night session of court Wednesday after supper. Tho taking of testimony was begun yester day morning and before noon Coro ner Maloney and Mrs. Vernon Connett, wlfo of tho missing man, wero both put on tho stand. Tho selecting of tho Jury was tho hardest task. Tho entire panel called for tho January term was examined and only one of them was accepted as a Juror. In addition to this forty-one talesmen wero examined before they succeeded in getting through with the pre-emptory challenges. Twenty-three men wero selected from which tho Jury was drawn by lottery and the attor neys drew tho Jury Just before supper Wednesday evening. Tho following men wero drawn on the Jury: Louis Carlson, T. B. Burgner, Homer Wel liver, Jacob Bristol, Gcorgo Macomber, Hugh Songer, Biring Baker, Louis Roflor, John Snyder, Scott Shanor, F. E. Kronquist and Orson Covell. The Opening Statements At tho opening of the case Wednes day evening both attorneys mado their opening statements to the Jury, Attorney Glbbs speaking for about twenty minutes and 'Attorney Keefe, who appears for the defense,, speaking about seven minutes. After this court adjourned until yesterday morning on account of tho illness of one of the Jurors. In tho opening statement Attorney Glbbs told briefly what they wouhl at tempt to prove, dwelling largely upon the sudden disappearance of a ydung man of twenty-four years of ag who left a wife barely eighteen years old and a flve-months-old baby. He gave the facts up to their coming to this city and going to the Sund place in company with Roberts, later coming back to North Platte where Vernon Connett for the last time kissed his young wife good bye as Bho took tho train for MaBon City. Also some facts following this. Attorney Keefe dwelt upon the de famatory statements made in tho news papers and through gossip and of the small chance Roberts- had, with, public opinion against hiifll Ho stated that Roberts Is a young man (of barely twenty-two years arid pleaded for jus tice, admonishing tho Jurors to lay aside all prejudice and to decide in favor of right upon the facts brought out in testimony. Coroner STnlunej First Witness Yesterday morning before a crowded court room with people assembled in tho halls rapping for admittance Coro ner W. R. Maloney was called on the witness stand. Before him sat Roy Roberts and his attorney, James T. Keefe, on one side of the table and County Attorney Glbbs and Presi dent Maggi on the other side. The first evidence Introduced was the finding of the body on January 13th and the care It had been given. After this the gaping skull with the teeth partly missing was introduced as evi dence. The clothes which were found on tho body were also introduced and tho coroner testified that they were the clothes which were found on the body. Ho also told of tho three frac tures in the skull, ono in front, above and between tho eyes, and the others on either side of tho head above tho ears and back of the temples. Jlrs. Connett on the Stand Mrs. Vernon Connett was then call ed. She stated tho facts of their com , ing here In a covered wagon, leaving Bird City, Kansas, July 25 and arriv ing in North Platte on July 31st. She told of their meeting Roy Roberts and of his accompanying them to tho Sund place, of their camping there over night and of her return to this city and departure for Mason City. She was then asked to identify the clothes that were found on the body and Identified them as having belonged to Vernon Connett. She stated that she had last seen them when her hus band was wearing them and that she was positive they had belonged to him. She -was then handed tho skull and lower jaw and Identified them by the teeth. Coroner MalonBy was then called back and produced as evidence the hair found with tho body nnd stated that it was human ha'lr and had been in his possession since ho hod picked It up. Mrs. Connett later identified it as being tho samo as her husband's in both color and texture. Mrs. Connett testified that sho had visited the morgue on Tuesday and had carefully examined all tho ex hibits produced and know them posi tively ns those having belonged to her husband. Sho was then handed tho blanket, gun, trousers and hat as thoso which had been In tho wagon, tho property of Vernon Connett. Tho post NOTICE! All' purchases of $1.00 or more will be delivered free to any address within the city limits. The Ten Cent Store, card was also produced as evidence. She testified that cho had received it on August 3rd and that it was not in her husband's hand writing. Tho post card read as follows: "Dear Girlie I havo got a Job teaming and will bo hero for somo tlmo. I will bo moving around nnd do not know what my address will be. Don't writo to mo until you hear from mo again which may bo sovcrnl days. I hopo you and tho baby rfro well. VERNON." Mrs. Connett later introduced as evidence a vest which had belonged to Vernon Connett and testified that it had belonged to the samo ouit ns tho trousers which wero found on tho bady. Sho stated that they bolonged to Vernon's wedding suit and that she had first seen tho Bult when they wore married. Hor testimony in tho Irial was quite pitiful. Sho bore up bravely through the ordeal, not breaking down once. When tho worst testimony was Intro duced Efho would blto her Up and give a short hysterical laugh and would then bo composed and able to go on with her testimony. Tell of tho Sale of Team After tho cross-oxamlnatlon of Mrs. Connett, Frlond Carpenter, proprie tor of the livery barn at Hcrshoy where the team was sold, was called to tho stand. Ho testified that Rob erts camo to his livery barn on Mon day morning about eight-thirty and left hlB team for feed. That Roberts then left to get breakfast and upon his return asked if ho (Carpenter) would not purchase the team. Upon Car penter's refusal ho asked for a buyer and that several men camo to look at tho, team. That Mr. Jenkins later pur chased tho team. After this he told of Roberts throw ing tho bed springs, blankets, gun and othor things from tho wagon and of fering them to him. Ho accepted the blanket and a lantern but refused the other things He stated that others camo along nnd picked up tho gun and springs from where they had been thrown on tho ground. He then brpught Roberts and i trunk and suit cage to North Platto and they left tho baggago In tho depot. Roberta then, ho stated, gave hint a five dollar gold pieco for selling the team and asked him. t,o dinner. They went to the Pal ace cafe-and had dinner after which Roberts bought him a cigar and paid him three dollars, two and a-lialf for livery work arid 'fifty cents for feed. He stated that ."Roberts asked for a train to Grand Island and then stated that ho wished to seo a man and loft. That was the last seen of him by Car penter. Carpenter pointed out Roberts in the court room to tho Jury and iden tified him as the man. Heretofore ho has claimed to remember nothing of therman and repeatedly has failed and refused to identify him. O. H. Eyerly, president of the Hor shey bank, was tho next witness called. He testified that Roberts camo to the bank during tho forenoon of August 3rd and asked him to make out, bill of sale for tho team to Mr. Jenkins. He stated that ho made out tho bill of sale and that It was signed by the man representing himself as Connett. He also told of tho man endorsing Mr Jenkins check and presenting It for payment and that ho paid tho man $250 in koIu. The cancelled check nnd the bill of sale wero Introduced as evidence and identified by Mr. Eyerly. Ho identified tho hand writing on tho bill of sale as his own and tho check as Mr. Jen kins'. Ho also pointed (out Roberts to the Jury and Identified him as the man who represented himself to bo Vernon Connett at tho bank. After dinner Mr. Eyerly was agin called to the stand for a few minutes and he was followed by George Mcln tire. Mr. Mclntlro Identified Roberts as soon as he saw him. He testified that Roberts had approached him at Horshcy and had offered him tho team for $250. He stated that ho offered ?200 and that Roberts then offered to come down to $225. He refused and left and later came back and found that Roberts had sold the team to Jen kins. Ho also testified that Roberts gavo him the bed spring and tho gun and that ho, had kept them until they were taken by the ofilcers In the fall. Mr. Jenkins was then called to the stand and told of buying the team. Ho stated that ho could not Identify Rob erts as ho did not remember him. He told of purchasing the team and ask in i fnr the bill of salo and of taking tho team home. Ho stated that ho left Mm wnirnn stand In tho yard for pos sibly threo weeks before examining tho contents anu no men mium -oral cooking utensils, an oil stovo and somo patchwork quilts and a bed tick In tho wagon. Ho also tqld of finding somo letters but stated that ho did not remember to whom they wore ad- dressed. mii0,i nnd Mrs. Connett was then recalled anil ldontlficd somo of tho clothing which Hurns Stacks to Keep Warm had been found at tho Saunders homo With determined farmers lying In at Brulo. Tho clothes had been given ambush around him armed with load to Sheriff Beat as those of Roberts and cd rides, and a burning hay stack on somo of them she identified ns having cither sfdo of him an unknown bclotrged to Vernon Connett. j "Weary" of about Blxty years of ago Moe to Keith Theatre peacefully slept in contort Tuesday tfi,tiv ni na i, n,i tn m, evening nt tho Trovilo farm in tho stand and tho court then adjourned to movo to thd Keith thcatro building. Tho crowd around tho doors of tho court houso was so largo that people could scarcely get In and out. When the court arrived at tho theatre build ing It was already comfortably filled down stairs and ho instructed tho bail iff to let only enough In to fill tho scats and send tho rest up stnlrs. In a very few minutes tho upstairs was crowded and many wore standing in tho aisles. Sheriff Beal was tho first to bo call ed to tho stand In tho thcatro building, He testified to getting Roberts' clothes from tho Saunders homo In Brulo arid expressing them to Mr. Maggl at Lin coln. Ho stated that he know Roberts by sight previous to this time, ho hav ing been paroled to Mr Saunders and been employed nt Brulo on a drny lino. Ho identified tho clothes as thoso ho had collected by reason of some red ink marks he had made on them. Chairman Maggl on the Stand E. G. Maggi, of Lincoln, chair man of tho board of pardons, was then called. Ho went over tho facts of Roberts Incarceration in tho pcnlten-. tiary, his parolo from that placo and tho rovoklng of that parole. Upon cross examination tho attorney for tho defenso put him through a hard grilling regarding certain data and matters touching his qualifications as an attorney and as a membor of tho board of pardons. Tho state then again took tho witness and questioned him regarding tho statements which ho had taken ffom Roberts at tho penitentiary and at, tho county jail here. Mr. Maggl told of the first statement mado at Uio prison and of the change' of testimony Roberts gave hero nnd of his exonerating Clayton while ho was in tho county Jail here. Ho also told of the conflicting state ments that had been made by Roberts since the investigation first began Regarding tho post card presumed to havo been written by Roberts from Hershey and signed with Connett's name ho related that Roberts had at first denied having written It but tho comparison of tho writing thereon and of Roberta' monthly reports was bucIi t.hnt it was easily Identified and that Roberts later admitted having writ ten it, That he. alsio first denied having sold tho team and executing tho blU Sf sale 'but that lie later acknowledged It when a facsimile of tho signature on the bill of sale was produced Tho next witness to bo placed on tho stand was Georgo L. Mudd of Hcr Bhey. Ho testified to hovlng met Rob erts In Horshcy nnd to Roberts offer ing tho team to him for ?250. He said that Roberts represented that his mother was 1H in Iowa nnd ho was try ing to get back. He described the team and identified Roberts in tho court room. Warden Fenton was next put on the stand and testified to Roberts hav ing been an inmate of the penitenti ary. H6 also told of tho statement that Roberts made on January 13th at tho prison to him, Mrs. Fenton, Mr. Trout and Deputy Harman, telling of the crime and of the location of tho body. Also of tho fight that Roberts stated occurred at the Sund place. Ho ofntoH Mint. Roboi'ts' testimony im plied that he and Clayton engaged in a quarrel over Mrs. Clayton and that Clayton threatened to kill her. That rnniinft. then "butted in" and a light ensued between Roberts and Cqnnett In which ho was knocKeu uown anu xvaa lining clinked when ho called for help and Clayton came up and struck ti,n fntni liinw with a hammer. Mrs. Fenton was then called and gavo practically tho same testimony, stating that she had taken Roberts' statement on a typewriter. Sheriff Salisbury was then called and told of his various conversations with Roberts regarding tho caso and of the finding of the body on January 14th. Ho identified the clothing and the skull, also a picture of tho placo where the body was found. Court was then adjourned for supper A'fter supper the first witness called to tho stand was Roy Connett, brother to tho murdered man. He Identified the clothes of his brother and in later testimony Identified the skull and jaw as thoso of his brother. Upon cross (Continued on page eight.) imrcotv HtenwA 1 uuuuu zonon HE xnsL UP A c XJEOL -innnr tfi Air. j-.. TOWN FARM Tho nboo 3"0 net on of flno alfnlfn vnlley land adjoining llemliej, Neb. (Pop. COO), onw-tlilrd under plow, 1 acreH In Kro, balance In kooiI liny, nil linn llko n Turkish riltr. No wot BunlflH or jund dunes, no buildings The land not to alfalfa Is well worth $1G0 per Cre, plHc town lot feature. Tho lnnd Is under tho oldest canal In tho statu, and IrdKatlpn with a numplmr plant Is practicable from wuter 8 foot down. The town 1 ijrow lnn. two now mills, and an Electilc LlBht nnd Water Works, built In 1914.' Tho abovo land must bo Hold to pay debts, and the prloo has been reduced to $22,000. On-lmlf cash. Or near SCO per acre. Will divide. Write I). CJ. PATTIIUSON. Trustee, 102:1 rnrnnm Street, Oninliii, Neb. A VlalU River j Nichols vicinity, Shorlff Salisbury was nroused about midnight Tuesday night and nsked to como out nnd stop a man from burning up tho country nnd such wns tho spec tnclo ho and Deputy Wilson found up on arrival. Tho man wns arrested and brought to this city whero ho ro fused to give his nnnio. He stated that ho hoped to get twenty years for the offense. Ho had set fire to ono stack and fearing that it would not send him tor tne required tlmo ho set nnothor Ho is being held at the county Jail to await trial and tho officers do not know If ho Is mentally unbalanced or slmplj plain "nutty." KlkH Ilioc I'llie "Feed." About seventy members of the B. P. O Elks assembled last evening at G:45 in tho banquet room at their homo to onjoy tho supper which was given by tho losing side In the recent billiard tournament. Captain Rlncker nnd all his rc-lnforcemcnts contributed cheer fully toward furnlBhtng tho excellent supper which was served by Steward Smith. The supper was of tho real oyster variety and oysters wero much In cv ldcmco In various costumes. They wore flrdt served raw, then a lino stow was served to each present and this was followed with oysters of tho fried variety, and coffee. In all It out Smithed all tho previous feeds given by the Jovial toward. Sheriff Bcals of Ogalalla, and Warden W. F. Fenton, Chairman E. G. Maggl and Secretary J. W. Shahan of Lincoln were guests of the club nt the supper. After suppoV Mr. Smith ask ed all who wished to enter tho next tournament, which begins tomorrow evening, to leave their names with him. Tho spoils of battle for tho next tournament will he n steak fry at the New Vienna Cafe. Deprhod of Another Sensation Now that the body of Vernon Connett has been found intact, with tho excep tion of natural deterioration, what about the Jawbone that played such a mysterious part during tho search for the missing body. Tho man claiming to find this Jaw bono was only re cently arrested and taken to Colo rado on a chargo of removing mort gaged property from that state, and, wo understand, received a ten year sentence His real name was Gcorgo Alley, hut ho had two aliases, Allison and Ellis. Thero would be somo sat isfaction in having this mysterious "find" cleared up. Too bad he waB taken away so suddenly wo might soon havo got a thigh bono, arm bones, skull and finally a whole skeleton and then you know tho doctor said that jaw bone was green, and that of a young person, alBO It had been through fire. It Is somowhat mysterious, Isn't it? Hershey Times. Do You lVunt to liny A coat, suit skirt or dress at tho greatest saving over offered? At less than one-quarter tho real value? To morrow is your last chnnco this sea son. Our "Last Call" salo closeB to morrow, Saturday, January 30th. Hur ry if you want to get in on it. BLOCK'S, Tho Store That Keeps tho Prices Down in North Platto. No Muslcale This Evening. The musical program which was to have been presented by tho music de partment of tho Twentieth Century club this evening at tho homo of Mr. nnd Mrs. E. F. Seeberger has boon postponed on account of Mr. Seoberg er's Illness. It will bo held at a later date. A nlco program was prepared for this evening and it wll probably bo given later. Saturdii) Onlj 2 lbs spare ribs nnd 1 quart saner kinut 2"c cash. MARTI MARKET. Writing from Arrow Rock, Idaho, R. R. Royer, formerly of this city says "Had a ten-inch snow yesterday, mak ing fifteen inches for this senson, but notwithstanding this our boy killed tho last of tho flics this week with his Christmas pop gun." Mrs. L. W. Walker and daughter Margaret left last night for Sioux Falls, S. D., to visit Mr. Walker who is producing tho Buffalo Bill Indian pic ture shows. COL. 3L L. MoDEIlHOTT (1KNERAL AUCTIONEER Stockand Farm Sales a Specialty, Phiono Ited 404 North Platto, Neb. fflMewtsr.Jtf.ta' "JLWamsmmt m!m-uunpan?MmszmB2i m yrM mmLmummw&?&?mwm LOCAL AND l'ERSONAL Tho record keeper of tho Lady Mac cabees will bo at Nowton's store all af ternoon tomorrow, Saturday, January 30th. FURS AT HALF l'HICE AT IILOCK'S. Editor Fred Rasmusson of tho Hor shcy Times arrived in tho city yester day aftornoon to attend tho trial of Roy Roberts. Miss M. J. Stewart, deaconess of the Church of Our Saviour returned Inst evening from n trip of sovcral wcekB visiting relatives and friends. Sho was called home by tho illness df n brother In Texns. Misses Minnie Siomnn nnd Lillian Hoppo of North Platto wero tho guests of honor at a party at the Sudmnn homo on Thursday evening of last week. Tho evening was spent playing progressive GOO. Refreshments wero served during tho evening. Chappoll Register, Frcsli Frozen Fish from now until lifter Lent nt TRAMP'S GROCERY STORE. 2(2 Jas A. McMlchael and Chas. Boyco returned Tuesday from a two wcekB' stay at Excelsior Springs Mo. This Is a trip Mr. McMlchael has taken for flvo or six consecutive years, and ho Bays he always feels benefitted. While at tho springs ho met Mrs. J. H. Hor shcy nnd daughter Helen, both of whom nro looking flno. Next Tuesday is ground hog dny and tho old saw Is that If ho sees his shad ow ho will rctlro to his burrow for six wcoks to escapo the cold nnd stormy wenthor. Whethor tho hog sees his shadow or not, this far In ad vance wo aro willing to wager a year's subscription to Tho Tribune that tho weather for tho coming six weeks will not bo so sovero ns that of tho past six weeks. FURS AT HALF PRICE AT BLOCK'S. Eugene Johnson and Howard McCon ncll of route 1 both won second prizes of $5 ench for their exhibits of ten earB of corn nt tho Annual State Contest of boys' and girls' clubs held during Organized Agriculture week at Lin coln. The prizes wero offered by tho Union Stock Yards Co. Howard also won tho third prlzo for tho western division for the best single ear of any variety. Closing Out Sale ON Hardware, ! Galvanized Steel Stock Tanks Gasoline Engines, All at Cost or Below Cost HERSHEY'S Opposite Post Office. Why Not Have a Gas Stove in Your Home? North Platte Light & Power Co., C. R. MOREY, Manager. Weather forecast for North Platto and vicinity: Partly cloudy tonight and Saturday; slowly rising temperature Highest tompornturp yesterday 31, a year ago 43; lowest last night 2,, a year ago 2, Somo of our farmer friends who sought admission to tho trial whllo It was In progress at tho court houso and failed, woro ready to admit that a now court houso Is needed. It Is certain that a new court louso will bo built if tho lcglslaturo passes tho bill now before it providing that upon petition of fifty-ono per cent of tho taxpayora tho commissioners lovy an annual tax for four years, instead of holding an olcctlon to voto on tho Issuanco of bonds, Arranges for Deanery Mcctlnp. Dean J. J. Bowkor returned last ev ening from a trip through tho north western part of tho North PlaCto dean cry whero ho had boon arranging for tho mooting which will begin next week at Bridgeport. Tho final ar rnngomenta wero mado and everything 1b in readiness. Tho mooting will begin Saturday evening, February Cth, with a banquet and musicalo in tho I. 0. O. F. hall at Bridgeport, Tho choir from tho local Episcopal church will furnish music for thla mooting, somo of them leav ing Saturday morning and othora in tho evening Delegates will bo In at tondnnco from all over tho dcanory which extends from Lexington west to tho state lino. Auk for More Clothing Tho residents of this city aro asked to again donato clothing to tho Associ ated Charities for tho uso of tho needy. Tho liberal donation which was mado tho foro part of tho season was much appreciated nnd was put to good uso but is now all used. Calls como in dally for clothing wltoro It is really nocded and there Is nono to glvo. Anyone having clothing to donato can leavo it at tho library building on Tuosday, Thursday or Saturday af ternoons of each weok and It will bo given to the needy. If you havo cloth ing to donato and do not havo timo to take It to tho library building, notify ono of tho membora of tho comralttco and they will call for It. From tho ro sponso at the first of tho season tho cqmmltteeo feels that North Platto people will again rlao to meet the needs , Don't wait for some ono olso to act. AT Every Woman will appreciate the quick hot fire at a moment's notice. No coal or ash es to handle, no dirt. A Clean Kitchen All the Time
