The morning call., 1891-03-10
TAKING TESTIMONY.
The Du Rose Murder Case Now
Before the Jury.
Mitchell, the Paramour, Tells the Story Of
the Tragedy-His Despicable Appear
anee on the Stand.

The trial OF Robert du Rose, accused Of having
murdered his wife Elizabeth, IN an Ellls-street
lodgiug-house, on January 9Th last, was attrac-
ton enough TO crowd Judge TrOutpS courtroom
almost 10 sutfOcauon throughout the entire day,
Yesterday. Eleven Jurors had been secured on
SATURDAY, hence about the only preliminary TO
taking testimony was the securing OF one more
iBror. TIE third man examined WAS sworn in
to Try the case
Among Inc spectators were the relatives Of Du
Rose, not tile least prominent being his little
tLiee-year-old son. In the early stages of tile
trial The little fellow sat IN his fathers lap, not
at all Jolly or demonstfaIiYe, as might be ex'
pected Of a child of that age but apparently SAD
and thoughtful, as II IN fun sympathy with his
melancholy surroundings.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
The first witness called was Alfred Mitchell,
Mrs. Du Roses paramount, and one OF the pr0Xl-
mate causes Of the homicide, IN whose room the
shooting occurred.
Mitchell wore an air OF indifference and bra
yado that did not make him altogether pre-
possessing. Much that he said, too, left the i'm
preston that his moral growth had not Kept
pace with lis physical. Whenever II was con-
veuieuI or possible his answers were IN mono
syliabes, aud throughout the examination ne
displayed the peculiar tact thaL lawyers appLe-
c.ate above all else, that OF answering to the
point without wasting a word.
The details of the shooting were given as
asked for. lie told how the defendant visited
tie room at about o'clock in the evening and
demanded hat his wife return home with him.
her hat and coat She threw them away and eX-
claimed, Bob l wont 20 with you!" he
pleaded with her, but she told him that she did
not love him. He then pulled pistol ana nfeq
q shot at her The witness seized Du Rose ana
advised his wife TO run away. she started TO DO
so, but Du Rose broke away and fired a second
shot, this time With fatal effect.
A VILE CAREER.
On accumulation The witness said he was
born in England and was 81 years OF age. He
came to this country several years ago. and for
'afI. IA sr4r LsaFu a o "A Us
Were you not supported BY low woman In
SacramentO?" was asked.
Did YOU i've in Nellie MeDowelrs house
'No, but have stopped there"
The witness stated mat he ;came to this city
about four months ago. and at various times
since had worked as a drug clerk, peddler Of
patent medicines advertising agent and actor.
" -" hat IS your business?" asked Attorney
"0A, guess am general utility man." he
replied with grin.
When did you first meet Mrs. Du Rose?"
" About The l7th Of last December"
How did You make her acquaintance"
"Cu forget; l suppose found myself sitting
next 10 her at the theater."
" Did you know she was marTled2"
q" Not then; / found II out later"
Did you know she had a child?"
" found it out week before she died"
" Who tod yOU?"
q" Don't remember"
When he first met Mrs Du Rose the witness
said, he was leading juvenile at the BliOu Thea
Ire in Three Pairs Of Shoes" and that she took
part as Chorus girl.
wilson.
"T6e Friday night following December 14th."
"Why did she gO?"
"Oh, | guess II was mutual understanding"
cpd she stay ali nighi?"
e 81 believe SOL he said, with yawn.
THE FATAL INTIMACY.
It was aseertained by piecemeal that Mrs. Du
Rose remained with the witness from December
uyI n New Years when lie lFst learned
. that she was a wife and mother.
IND you tell her to go home TO her family"
asked the counsel.
"Dh. no. =iri'
"On, ala moi mind her presence" [Another
You were not built that way,u suggested
wilson, and The witness nodded smiling assent.
HIS first meeting with Du Rose, he said, was
one d y while walking along the street with Mrs.
Du Rose. Size stopped TO talk with her husband
while the witness stepped aside and waited. She
explained 10 him then that the man was ner hus-
band, and al his request they were introduced.
"What did you 10 then ?"
81 Invited lin over TO the Baldwin bar 10 have
a drink" was The cool reply.
ibid be accompany you"
Eyes"
"Dld he say anythlng?"
ION, yes; lie complained because his wife was
running around with a woman named ST. Claire
and another man."
Ibid lie know you were living with his wife2D
a'DH | don't remember the witness replied
with a bored look.
Mitchell admitted finally that Du Rose did not
know Just then where his wife was living. he
told OF many visits III company with Mrs. Du
Rose TO The Louvre, where they INDUCED In nu-
merOus DRINKS.
SHE LOVED HER CHILD.
Ibid she often mention her child? asked
Wilson.
Sometimes"
''she didn't care rap for the child, did she ?"
yes; she seemed quite fond OF II"
'Still she didn't want TO see II? Sne was more
fond Of you, was she notY"
oh don't Know" he answered lndtherently.
Where was your pistol on the night OF he
shootiBg?1
"On my bureau, believe"
why aid you have u theTeY
Just so it would be handy"
why did you want 1t handyP'
con, l wanted 10 lake hand with my gu Il II
there was any Trouble"
- You expected trouble then Pr
We'll. Dn Rose told me once that he had
slt0t at his WIFE"
and you bad determined that he should not
do il agaih?'
son, ] thought I would take a hand, you
know" dTawled the Witness
He finally admitted that lie took his pistol out