Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1897 — EVIDENCE IN NOVAK’S TRIAL. [ARTICLE]

EVIDENCE IN NOVAK’S TRIAL.

The Jury Is Secured and Witnesses Are Called to the Sf and. The trial of Frank A. Novak, who is charged with the murder of Edward Murray at Walford, lowa, last February, was begun at Cedar Rapids Tuesday. The work of securing a jury was completed by the noon recess. Immediately after noon the jury was sworn and County Attorney Tobin made the opening statement to the jury. He said that the State expected to prove that Novak was on the brink of financial ruin and insured his life for large sums of money, and that in murdering Euward Murphy, which was a part of the preconceived plan, it was for the purpose of causing the people to believe that ne (Novak) had perished in the ruins, and that it all was done with the intent of defrauding the insurance companies. Judge Ney, assistant counsel for the defense, made the opening statement forthc defendant. The taking of testimony was at once commenced.

The steamer Diana, which went to the Hudson Bay coast last spring with a party of Canadian Government surveyors and scientists to determine the feasibility of Hudson Bay route for ocean steamers, passed through the Straits of Canso on her way back to Halifg*. Hiram L. Holden, 27 years old, cashier of the Central National Bank of Pueblo, Colo., killed himself during a fit of temporary insanity. He had a severe attack of fever a year ago, from which he never fully recovered. Exa mi nation of his books shows them correct to a penny. Read, Parssns & Co., stock brokers in New York, have suspended. It is said that they have no outstanding contract* on the exchange. The firm was composed until a few weeks ago of W. G. Read Jr., and George B. Parsons. Mr. Read committed suicide.