Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-02
FOR THE DEFENSE
Witnesses on the Stand in Behalf of
Mrs. Bonine.
THE DANCES At The KENMORE HOTEL
Testimony That Defendant Had
Lectured Ayrss for Drinking.
ILLNESS OF A JUROR

Shortly after court convened this after
noon In the BONNIE murder trial. and before
the members of the jury had taken their
seats. Justice Anderson received word by
a messenger of the court that George Bury,
one of the jurors. was seriously i'll in the
jury room. Bury is a druggist, and lives IN
Anacostia. 1t was developed that the juror
was attacked by chfIIs followed by fever last
night: that he had slept little through the
night, and had been unable to take for
nourishment at breakfast more than cup
of tea. which he was unable to retain on his
stomach.
Justice Anderson directed that Dr. D. Il
Shute. the jail physician, be called. DR..
Shute visited Bury in the jury room and
pronounced him, after a careful diagnosis,
not in a dangerous condition although he
was weak. Counsel on both sides held
hurried conference with Justice Anderson
Justice Claybaugh was called into the con-
ference For time it looked as if the case
might of necessity have to be postponed In
definitely.
A few minutes before o'clock. however
# was announced that Bury. had recovered
sufficiently to appear in court. He walked
slowly and his pallid face showed conclu-
sively that he was far from well. Bury
took his accustomed seat at the extreme
left of the front row.
Judges Announcement.
while it is highly important that we
should go on with this case without I'M
necessary delay, 1 will adjourn court if the
juror will inform me that he does not feel
able to sit here and listen to the testi-
mony," Justice Anderson said, addressing
both counsel.
Il think / shall be able to stick it out
this afternoon" Bury replied but the weak
ness of his voice suggested that he would
rather do otherwise.
1t is a question as to whether or not
we would not gain time by adjourning for
the afternoon; that by allowing the Juror
to recuperate now We would save a more
extended postponement.'' suggested District
Attorney Gould
Il will leave it entirely to the Juror"
said the court. IF he desires to rest will
adjourn
L think I shall feel better in the morn
Ing Bury told the court, and the exanina-
ton of witnesses was resumed.
The crowd that was eager to gain en-
trance to court room No l TODAY was
greater than at any time since the Bonnie
trial began. For fully two hours before
court convened men, women and boys lined
up at the door much as they do at the
gallery door of a theater when some I'M
usual attraction is on the boards Through
out the forenoon the line extended far
down the big stone steps of the main en-
trance to the city hall. A few Of those
nearest the door were finally admitted
when some one inside became tired of the
proceedings and withdrew A considerable
majority of the spectators of the trial at
the morning session We're of the weaker
sex.
Mrs. BONNIE looked remarkably fresh and
vigorous for one who has been so long in
connnement There was everything about
her appearance to indicate desire to enter
heartily into the great fight in which her
counsel were about to engage in their effort
10 prove her innocent of the grave crime OF
which she is accused. the result of which
may deprive her of her freedom or of her
life. She took her accustomed seat beside
her husband, near her counsers table
The first person she greeted was her
youngest sister, Miss Pearl Henry who
arrived last night from her home in ST.
Joseph, Mo, and who would have been
here earlier IN the trial only for the sert-
Gus Illness of their mother. She drew her
sister to- her and kissed her affectionateIy
Miss Henry is about eighteen years old.
glrllshly pretty and much the same slight
type OF the defendant and Mrs. Meachem
the other sister. who has been a constant
attendant at the trial. Another person who
Z. G. De Witt, head Of the drug firm of
De Witt e. Co, Chicago for whom the de-
fenGants husband Travelled number of
years Mr.. De Witt is heavy set, partially
bald and an excellent type OF the solid
chicago business man. He sat directly
back of Mrs BONNIE, and gave close atten-
tion to the proceedings. The jurors seemed
fresh and anxious 10 proceed with the
trial. Their usual morning walk had had
an exhilarating effect
Defense Opening
The witnesses on the stand at the fore
noon session Were called by the defense to
show that 1t was the custom at the Ken
more Hotel to have dances every week
and that Mrs. Bonine was generally rec
ognized by the guests as the leader and
sponsor for these social functions. In the
effort TO show that Mrs. Bonine was ac-
cIStOmed TO dance with the male guests
both married and single, and that she be-
slowed no more attention on James Sey-
m0ur Atres than on others, there were nu-
merous objections on the part of District
Attorney Gould. and considerable areu-
ment was INDUCED in as to the compe-
tency or relevancy OF the questions.
Several OF the questions in the direct ex-
animation of witnesses as TO these points
We're ruled out as leading. In some in
stances Attorney Douglass who did the
greater part of the interrogating with
drew the questions modified them so
tnat the court considered them admissible
Mrs BONNIE watched carefully the pro-
nesses who had lived In the Kenmore Ho-
tel. and who knew her. spoke kindly words
OF her manner and department at all times.
Nhen the proceedings were fairly under
way the defendant whispered to Attorney
keene Of her counsel and asked for a mad
of paper She took this into her hand and
with a pencil occasionally wrote questions
that she passed TO Attorney Douglass, and
which the latter used In whole or in part
In conducting the examination of witnesses
The defense developed the fact that Mrs
BONNIE taught TO dance a number of young
men, guests at the hotel, including young
AyreS
ManifestatiOn of interest
Justice KimbaI occupied seat on the
bench beside Justice Anderson, the presid-
ing Judge, at the forenoon session. When
court took a recess at 1890 pm, a number
of the witnesses subpoenaed for the defense
gathered about Mrs. Bonine and shook her
hand and spoke words of comfort Mr. De
Witt assured the defendant that he be-
heved her innocent OF the crime Of murder
that he placed implicit confidence in her
story OF the tragedy, and that he should
remain In Washington, II possible until the