Chapter Fifteen
Both Frank and Judge Preston were surprised that the inquests for the four murder victims were scheduled almost immediately. The official word was that they wanted to get them over with before Christmas. And, the presiding judge more than complied.
Frank was relieved, because the sooner the inquests were done, the sooner he could ship the criminals off to Dubuque. And, the sooner they were out of town, the better. As it was, Frank was forced to house the three men in Manchester's one jail cell. And the ensuing arguments and bickering between the prisoners were driving the deputies insane.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Porter was locked up in a room above the saloon. That meant she had to be guarded day and night. And, not only did she require guards at all times, the sheriff had to hire more just to keep the curious away.
But then the word came down that the trials would begin immediately after the New Year. It was decided that Harding would stand trial first. Then, after all the testimony was given, Mr. Lee, Brumble, and Belle Porter would have a chance to plead guilty to the charges against them. And, no matter what Mrs. Porter pleaded, she would eventually be extradited to Louisiana for the death of her husband.
While everything seemed to moving quickly, Judge Preston convinced the others it was better than having things just drag on. They all agreed.
They also appreciated the judge's decision that the girls were too young and ill to testify. But that the defense lawyer could subpoena them. Even though Dr. Thorne had spoken passionately about the girls not being in any physical or mental condition to face Harding—in particular, or to be questioned. And, Colleen, the sheriff, Gus Gunderson, and Neil Sutton, all argued their support.
The inquests went quickly. But, it required that those people involved in solving the mystery refrain from talking to each other about things. This included Judge Preston and Jim Stuart, his clerk. Although, Stuart managed to complete a copy of Mr. Lee's journal before it was taken into evidence, which he passed quietly on to the doctor.
At the end of the inquests, it was decided that the three defendants wouldn't be needed for Harding’s trial. They'd all testified at the inquests and the attorneys for the prosecution and the defense agreed that the inquest transcripts could be read at the trial if needed.
Mrs. Porter pleaded guilty to prostitution, but claimed to have no knowledge of how the girls were acquired. She also said she did not know they were being drugged since Mr. Lee drank his own brew regularly. The inquest jury gave her the benefit of doubt. Especially, since she was being extradited to Louisiana, to stand trial for her husband's murder, and no longer Iowa's problem. Mr. Lee admitted that he kept detailed records of the girls, the clients, and the incoming monies. He also confessed to being addicted to opium and feeding the girls drugged tea throughout their time there. However, he denied any knowledge of any of the murders, except for Lori, the first girl who had been beaten to death. And he, like the others, claimed Harding told him it was an accident, insisting he'd never meant to kill her, but acknowledged guilt, even though accidental.
But when questioned about what had happened to the other girls, or where they might have gone, Lee said Harding claimed he had no idea. And, while he knew Wilfred Brumbell was connected to Harding, he had no idea what their agreement was. So, he accepted the sentence agreement he was offered, going to prison for five to ten years.
Brumbell had told everything he knew to just about anyone who would listen as soon as he'd been dragged from his saloon and dumped hog-tied in the street. He not only insisted that Harding had admitted to beating Lori, but later admitted to strangling Jeannine, and giving the ranch hand a fatal dose of opium.
However, Brumbell was adamant about not having any knowledge about the ranch hand that supposedly died from scarlet fever, but was found to have been poisoned. As well as any idea about where Lisa had gone. The only thing he admitted to knowing was that she'd disappeared one night. He agreed to a rather stiffer sentence of twelve to fifteen years.
Harding, on the other hand, denied everything. He claimed he was caring for the girls, and he had no idea what Mrs. Porter and Mr. Lee were doing behind his back. It was this that worried the doctor and the others the most. Because it might mean the prosecuting attorney would be forced to call Kathy and Lynn to testify at the trial. But Mr. Lee's ledger clearly listed what was going on.
Besides, the other conspirators all testified about how Harding had admitted to them that he'd beaten the first girl, Lori, to death; bragged about the way he'd acquired the girls; and told everyone to pay close attention to make sure the girls drank Mr. Lee's tea to keep them compliant by continual drugging was enough for the jury to indict him.
*****
Christmas came and went with little cheer. The girls were snappish, restless, and barely eating. They all decided they'd have a celebration later.
However, Meg made the girls each a heavy, winter cloak, and the doctor promised to take them to dinner in the restaurant the first Sunday they were well enough to go to church. Eva even brought crochet hooks, knitting needles, and yarn so she could teach them how to knit and crochet. Although, they had little concentration.
But, at least they had something to keep them busy when they did. And, it made them both feel better to be doing something to prepare for their babies.
*****
Miranda stayed with the girls while the rest of the group reported to the trial.
In an attempt to avoid constant repetition, the prosecuting attorney, Ronald Lynchburg, had told 'the concerned citizens' as he referred to them, he would probably only call only Dr. Thorne, Sheriff Dunkirk, Judge Preston, Colleen Murphy, and Jake Kennedy to testify.
However, he took the precaution of subpoenaing Kit, Meg, Gus, and Neil, as well. And Jim Stuart. Just in case he decided he needed their testimony. This meant they all needed to be kept outside of the courtroom with the other witnesses, until they were called to testify, if the attorney chose to. Once they were finished testifying however, they could stay in the room and hear the other's testimony.
Ronald Lynchburg arrived in town three days before the trial was scheduled to begin, having left his family immediately after dinner on New Year's Day. He arrived late that night, but had previously arranged to meet with the 'concerned citizens'. They needed to go through their testimony. He hoped he could get through the case quickly. And, more importantly, without being forced to call either girl as a witness.
Chapter Sixteen
The trial began on the clear, bright, and frigidly cold morning of January 5th, 1889, presided over by Judge Hilton. Most of the town was expected to attend the trial, so they'd closed the saloon, because it was about the largest space to use that could be heated—to some extent—to use as a courtroom. There were also rooms upstairs that could be used to sequester witnesses until they were called to testify.
One of the first things that became a bone of contention between the prosecution and defense was Mr. Lee's ledger. Harding's attorney wanted it declared inadmissible as evidence. Mr. Lynchburg however wanted it included. He also wanted the defense attorney to stipulate that the ledger existed and was, in fact, a fair and accurate account of the brothel's day-to-day business. If the evidence was stipulated to, it would not need to be presented as evidence, and the jury would not be able to examine it. Everyone felt that the general knowledge of who patronized the brothel and when, opened up the chance of too many domestic problems.
And, surprisingly, Mr. Clarence agreed to the stipulation that it was what Mr. Lee, at least, believed to be an accurate account, and that the jury would not be allowed to look through it. At least, this way—the actual information in it would be kept private. After all, he couldn't hope to keep anything as salacious quiet. In Clarence's mind, if any specific information leaked out—which of course, it would, if the jury had access to the journal—it would only hurt his defense.
*****
The first witness the prosecution called was Dr. Thorne. And, once she testifi
ed to her name, where she was from, and that she was, in fact a licensed physician, the real questioning began.
"Dr. Thorne," Mr. Lynchburg began, "I'm going to ask you to go through the events concerning this matter since you arrived in Manchester."
"Certainly. I arrived in town at the end of May, and I couldn't have been here for more than about two or three weeks when my young assistant, Kit, came to the hotel restaurant and fetched me to the surgery."
"And what did you find when you arrived there?"
"I found a young girl of about fourteen or fifteen years of age who had been beaten to death. Her arm had been twisted so badly, it was broken in at least two places. She also had three or four old sets of bruises on her body, in various stages of healing, so this was not the first, or even the second pummeling she'd endured. Her belly was black and blue and swollen, which led me to conclude she died from internal injuries."
"Is there anything else you noticed when you examined her?"
"Yes, first she was not a virgin."
"But couldn't that be because she had a lover? Young though she was, those kinds of things do happen?"
"Yes, of course they do. But, no, sir. Sheriff Dunkirk suggested the same thing."
"So, how were you able to determine that this hadn't been the case?"
"Because she had fought back, or tried to. She had not willingly participated in relations, which resulted in internal bruising."
"I see. And, did you notice anything else?"
"Well, her pupils were tiny, like pin-pricks which indicates she had a high dose of morphine in her body. And, she was clutching a bottle of 'Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup' in her hand."
"And what did you do?"
"I sent Kit for the sheriff and, after discussing it, he contacted a photographer in town, to take pictures of the girl's face. Then we arranged for her to be buried. I hired the undertaker, and authorized him to do whatever needed doing, including purchasing her a nice dress.
"Both the sheriff and I tried to make sure as many people as possible either went to the viewing or looked at her picture, in an attempt to find someone who recognized the poor child. But, no one came forward with any information and, in the end, we buried her under the name of Laurie. Which, we have since learned was misspelled. She spelled her name 'Lori', that is l-o-r-i. We found out this from her younger sister, Lynn, when we eventually rescued her."
"Well now, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves, Dr. Thorne, do we? So why don't you continue from the time after the girl was buried?"
"Of course. After a week, with no information about the girl, we returned to all our normal routines. I mean, we knew nothing more, and had no idea where else to look."
"And what happened next?"
"Nothing, for a month or more. As I said, no one even admitted to ever having seen her.
"The next girl was discovered the morning of August first by the young man who delivers milk and eggs, and things from Mr. Gunderson's place, to the residence behind the workshop where Meg and Eva lived. He found the girl, lying on the ground, a few feet away from the porch steps. She had been dead for a time because her body was quite cold."
"And, could you tell what she died from?"
"Initially, no, we couldn't tell. She didn't appear to have any wounds. However, Meg knelt beside the child's body and, when she stood up, the bottom of her nightdress was saturated in blood.
"The first thing I did after I arrived was turn her over, and as soon as I did, it was evident she had bled to death. The ground where she was found was literally wet with her blood.
"At first glance, I thought she died from a miscarriage. However, soon after the sheriff got there, he found a blanket and a knitting needle in the bushes a few hundred feet behind the house. It was then I concluded she'd died from a botched self-induced abortion."
There were a number of groans from both the jury and the people attending. After waiting for things to quiet down, Mr. Lynchburg asked the question that was on everyone’s minds, "Are you sure, Dr. Thorne? Is it common for a young woman to resort to performing an abortion on herself?"
"I wouldn't say 'common', but it's not unheard of. And..."
"What?"
"It's just that anything I add will be my opinion and not fact."
"Well, suppose you continue. I'm sure that Mr. Clarence will object if you wander too far afield."
"All right. She was a very young woman, only a girl, held captive and forced to work as a prostitute. We can't know if Harding, or anyone else, realized she was pregnant.
"And it might be that she felt a pregnancy was something that would not be tolerated. After all, I don't suppose sickly or pregnant girls are very popular in brothels."
"Ah... no. I don't suppose they would be."
"She might even have feared they would 'dispose' of her, if they discovered her condition. After all, Lori had already mysteriously disappeared."
"Your Honor," Mr. Clarence said, jumping to his feet, "we really aren't interested in the doctor's suppositions."
"Yes, Mr. Clarence. Yes, let's get back to substantiated facts, if you please, Mr. Lynchburg."
"Yes, sir. Of course. Perhaps, you could tell us what you did after you found the girl?"
"Certainly. The thing is, I didn't get there until my assistant, Kit, fetched me. By that time, Davy had been sent to inform Mr. Gunderson of the situation. And he, in turn went to the sheriff.
"After I arrived and found Meg in apparent shock, I sent Kit to drive out to the Hendriksen place, and ask Mrs. Hendriksen to come to the workshop to care for Meg, since I was unable to rouse her from her... distress."
"You couldn't help her, doctor?"
"Well, perhaps I misspoke. What I should have said was that I felt I'd be busy with the sheriff, and unable to give Meg my full attention. So I decided it would be better to ask Mrs. Hendriksen to look after Meg."
"All right. So, let's jump forward to a time when Mrs. Hendriksen, Mr. Gunderson, the sheriff, and any or everyone else called for, had gathered. What happened then?"
"Once we'd all gathered, we sat around the dining table discussing the situation. Everyone there agreed that the two girls were related. Their resemblance made that much evident. And, we did consider having the photographer come again, to take pictures.
"However, we had already decided we needed to keep the girl's death, her very existence, a secret. And neither Mr. Gunderson nor the sheriff who'd been members of the community the longest believed that the man could be entirely trusted, to remain silent that is.
"I don't mean to suggest he was dishonest, just that he might succumb to the temptation of telling someone. After all, even if he only told one person, he was increasing the chances of more people finding out.
"So, I drew several sketches of the child, of her face from various angles, as well as how we'd found her.
"Eventually, those drawings were placed in the crate, along with the blanket, the knitting needle, and her dress."
"Can you think of anything else you all placed in the box?"
Dr. Thorne remained mute for several seconds, before she added, "Yes. Sheriff Dunkirk found a scrap of paper on or under the blanket. It had blood on it, but there was also a bit of writing, as well."
"And, were you able to read it?"
"There were only a few letters. As I said, it was a mere scrap. However, it appeared to read a capitol 'B', followed by a small 'r'. There might have been part of another letter, but it couldn't be read."
"And, did any of you perceive anything from the scrap?"
"Well, the obvious choice was that it was the beginnings of 'Brumble'. After all, he is a most unpleasant man, which resulted in a lot of speculation concerning him. I also believe he received a lot of attention from the sheriff and his deputies, since the saloon was the most obvious place for a brothel to be housed."
"Your Honor," Mr. Clarence said, standing up, "this is just more hearsay."
"Yes, perhaps. Please, Mr. Lynchburg, try to
keep your witness on track."
"I apologize, sir. Now, Dr. Thorne, to recap, you examined the girl and determined her cause of death; and carefully preserved the things found with her, including the sketches you made of her; decided her very existence needed to remain a secret; and arranged to have her surreptitiously buried. Correct?"
"Well, to be fair, the sheriff wanted to tell the mayor, at the very least. However, the rest of us agreed that we needed to keep this death a secret. And, it was I who insisted we bury the body."
"And, why was that?"
"Well, it was the first of August."
"Ah, yes... I see."
"The sheriff agreed that since we had no idea who might be involved, we couldn't risk telling anyone, even the mayor. The sheriff then wanted to wait until Judge Preston arrived in town later in the week. However, I felt that leaving her unembalmed body above ground was a potential health hazard."
"So, it was because of that, you'd insisted the girl be buried?"
"Yes. I forced the issue. Perhaps, if we'd found her later in the year, I might have yielded to Sheriff Dunkirk's recommendation to wait and put everything in the judge's hands. But, as I previously stated, it was August first."
"And..."
"Once we'd agreed that the child needed to be buried, we asked Mr. Stratton to 'discreetly' build a coffin for her and he and Mr. Gunderson buried her on a vacant corner of Mr. Gunderson’s place later that evening."
"Did you—No... had you done anything else?"
"Yes. We also asked for Mr. Stratton to construct a box or crate, in which to place everything we'd collected, to keep it safe until the judge arrived."
"And, would you remind us what was placed in this box? I believe I meant to ask you something, and at the moment, it escapes me."
"Well, there were several copies of the photographs of Lori, and several drawings I'd made of this second girl. And then the blanket and knitting needle, the scrap of paper, and her dress."
"Her dress—that was it. You considered that important. Why was that?"
Miranda Takes a Stand Page 11
