Clark Williams Faces Accusers

WILLIAMS, DELONG

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 5/5/2016 at 14:05:10

The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
May 03, 1906, Page 1

ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE

Clark Williams Faces His Accusers in the
District Court. Hordes Attend Trial.

The trial of Clark Williams for the murder of L. L. DeLong was called in court Wednesday morning. The forenoon was spent in empaneling a jury consisting of J. R. Trobaugh, C. H. Calfee, E. C. Faxel, Homer Folger, W. S. Rankin, H. . Bell, L. A. Wolf, J. M. Weaklend, J. Wm. Harrison, C. E. Hermane, L. O. Carlton, O. D. Binford. Afternoon the opening statement was made by County Attorney Banker, that the state would prove that Williams had strychnine in his possession, that he had the opportunity to give him a drink and that a bottle was found near where he was taken sick, half filled with whiskey which was strongly impregnated. Also that there was strychnine found in the stomach in sufficient quantities to cause death and also found in other organs of the body. They will attempt to show that Williams was in need of money and that he would benefit financially by the death of his father-in-law, who was quite wealthy.

Temple made the opening stated for the defense and claimed that Mr. Williams knew nothing of the strychnine and that he could establish his innocence.

Mrs. DeLong was the first witness and testified that he seemed in his usual health and was cheerful less than an hour before his death.

J. L. Deitrick testified that he was talking to Mr. DeLong back of the Harrison's store when DeLong was dying.

Dr. Armstrong testified that he was present and assisted in the autopsy when the stomach was removed and prepared for chemical analysis. They did not examine other organs carefully although the heart was partially uncovered.

T. B. Webster testified that he was the county coroner and was present when the body was exhumed and opened the casket. He affirmed the story of the autopsy and the preparing of the stomach for analysis.

Dr. Lawrence testified that he assisted at the autopsy when the stomach was removed on September 21st and also later when on November 20th they removed the liver and kidney. On cross examination he admitted that he considered the condition of the heart which was apparently enlarged and weakened, sufficient to have caused death.

Deputy Sheriff Keeran testified that he took the jars containing the liver and kidney to Des Moines and delivered the same to Prof. S. R. Macy, taking his receipt therefore. The jars were carefully scaled and kept under lock prior to their being taken to Des Moines. This was November 24th.

Dr. Douthett assisted at the autopsies and told how the jars were sealed and marked so that they could be identified. He identified the jar in which the stomach was placed and the cap and said the package was sent to Des Moines by Adams Express. Keeran was recalled and identified the jars in which the kidney and liver had been placed and which he had taken to Des Moines.

T. B. Webster also identified them and described the method used in sending same.

Prof. S. R. Macy, analytical chemist, identified the jars and said that they had been received by him He did not at this time tell of analysis. Court was adjourned until tomorrow.