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
