THE TESTIMONY

As in the former trial, Wm. Bremner, county surveyor was the first witness examined. A large plat produced in evidence was identified by him as one he had drawn, by order of court, showing the scene of the murder, with the principal parts bearing upon the case, especially the residences of Henry Russie, Arthur Hill, E.N. Hill and C.A. Bennett. He described the various points of interest on the map, and gave the dimensions of Bennett's house, the interior arrangement, size and location of rooms, etc.

Coroner David testified relative to being called to hold an inquest on the body of Anna Wiese the night of the murder. He described the condition in which he found the body. The face and clothing were very bloody, there was a blood stain on the second wire of the fence a short distance from the body. The girl's hair was partly down and disarranged; her hands were partially clinched and were also bloody; there was a bruise on the right hand; was much blood on the body; some on the skirt, but not so much as on the waist. I found some hairs, twelve or fifteen and possibly twenty, in the girl's left hand; it was between the fingers and in the palm; also found a small tuft of hair on the front of the left shoulder, larger than the other bunch of hair. Delivered the hair to the sheriff. A broken club lay near the body, had blood on it. The wounds were inflicted by a sharp knife; held an autopsy on the body Tuesday afternoon following the murder, in the school house at the Vienna cemetery; also examined the body for wounds; found five distinct stabs on front of the body, some were slight, while part were deep; there were also three surface wounds on the left side; garments were slashed on the left arm and shoulder. Think the girl was standing when her throat was cut; there was a pool of blood near her feet and two close to her head; diameter of the pool of blood near her feet was probably six inches. My judgment is that this pool of blood came from the girl's neck. Her face was bloody; saw no cuts on face; my judgment is that the throat was cut by a left handed person. She was quite tall and muscular and of medium flesh.

SATURDAY MORNING

Cross – There was a bruise on one of the hands, as if it had been pounded. The skin was broken for about two inches in a wound at the base of the skull, evidently made by a club, seemed to be a cut as if made by a knife on the head. The girl had a heavy head of hair. Don’t know that the medical works distinguish between the degrees of dullness of a knife making an incision or wound; a sharp knife makes a smooth wound – a dull knife leaves the edge ragged or rough. Think the head was held by one hand while the throat was cut by the other. If head were held back the blood might spurt out two or three feet, but if the person were standing it would not scatter over much ground.

Dr. A. F. Walters, of Gladbrook, was the second witness this morning. Was called to see Mrs. Bennett about the 13th and 14th of October following the murder. Said she didn’t feel well. Gave her calomel; seemed to have no effect; would have produced purging if taken. Also examined her left shoulder; she complained that she had had pain there for some time; she said it had been troubling her since her teeth were extracted, the previous summer. I did not discover any abnormal condition of the shoulder; gave her inspection without result. Was called the day or her arrest, November 9, but she was not at home; was told she had been taken to Marshalltown. The first time I was called she told me she had always been well and strong, except for a few days, some years previously.

Mrs. Henry Russie was the next witness. She testified relative to Anna Wiese’s preparations for going to Arthur Hill’s, the evening she was murdered; that she did up the work after supper, took a bath and changed her clothes. The last thing Mr. Russie and Perry Griggs did was the milking. Think Anna went away between 7 and 8. The men folks did not come in until after her departure. I was alone about three quarters of an hour after she went away. The last thing they did before coming in was to give a dose of medicine to a sick horse. He then came in and put me to bed. As he was helping me on with my night dress I heard a scream; while putting on the last sleeve I heard another scream and told my husband that it was Anna and to go and see what was the matter. He then called to Perry Griggs and told him to “get there.” Perry said he was afraid to go and for Mr. Russie to come with him. They both then went down toward the slough. (The corset and clothing worn by Miss Wiese the night of the murder were here offered in evidence and were identified by witness.) Anna’s body was brought to the house between 3 and 4 in the morning. Her hair was brown and done up that night with two rubber hair pins and two wire pins; she wore bangs, crimped. (Two wire hair pins were here submitted by counsel to the witness for inspection.) Being asked whether they belonged to Anna witness said she thought not, that Anna’s pins were heavier. Never examined defendant’s  hair closely. Think there is quite a difference in the color of Anna’s and Mrs. Bennett’s hair.