February 7, 1906
[McConnell was examined by Defense Attorney Lewis Shepherd:]
SHEPHERD: Do you know or have you met Will Hixson?
McCONNELL: Yes, judge. I know him.
SHEPHERD: Where do you know him ftom?
McCONNELL:Well, judge, the morning before Ed was arrested ...
SHEPHERD: That also would be the day after the St. Elmo crime?
McCONNELL: Yes, sir, judge. Will Hixson came to my coal yard and inquired of me concerning a man working at the rock" church. I told him I know the men only by sight and not by name, except one. That is Ed Johnson. I know Ed pretty well. That's when Will Hixson told me that Ed was the man the sheriff wanted for the outrage the night before.
SHEPHERD: And what did you say?
McCONNELL: It can't be Johnson. He's like me. He may have enough sense to do such a thing, but he isn't brave enough.
SHEPHERD: What did Will Hixson say?
McCONNELL: He wanted to know what Ed Johnson looked like and I was describing him when Ed and another fella walked by the office headed toward town. I pointed Johnson out to Hixson.
SHEPHERD: And then what?
McCONNELL: Hixson left the office and followed behind Johnson toward the city.