The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-12-20
SHE DIDN'T
SHOOT YOUNG
Nan Patterson Tells Her Story
Of BOOkmaker's Death
NEVER. SAW REVOLVER
Actress Goes on the Stand and
Makes Splendid Impression
With CourtandSpectator

NEW YORK, Dec 20.-While every
eye in the crowded courtroom was fas.
tened on her and every ear was strain
ed to catch the smallest word, Nan
Patterson, former "Florodora" girl
yesterday afternoon told her story OF
the shooting of Caesar Young in the
cab in which she was riding with him
to pier, where he was about to sail
for Europe. 1t was thrilling recital
and full of dramatic interest, and the
actress made a splendid impression
on the jury and spectators.
There was haSh-the end"'
Thus, in a voice low and tragic with
emotion, did Nan Patterson conclude
her story of the death of Caesar
Young, the bookmaker, who either kill
ed himself or was killed by the girl
on trial for murder during that fatal
ride in the cab.
The courtroom was rs still rs q tomb,
though there were crowds there.
Throughout the early part Of her tale
the girl had spoken in low, even
voice, impressive Unconditional So low
were her tones that even those near
the witness stand were obliged to listen
intently TO catch what she said
As she told of the ride in the cab
and the tragedy there her voice was
still low but the tones more tense. I'M
til ii was almost cry as she finished.
Il did not kill Caesar Young" she
said in answer to "A direct question by
Mr.. Levy. II would give my own life
to have him back again. | never saw
the revolver with which he was shot"
Judge, jury, the prosecutor with his
intiexible and stern face. witnesses and
the whole courtroom full of spectators
listened breathleSsly. II was the dra.
matte climax of the accused woman
fighting her own battle and telling her
own story of the ride with death. The
slightest sound i'm the whole room
would have sounded like a thunder
clap. but there was no sound EXCEPT
the low, quivering voice of the girl as
the tragedy unfoded itself.
Regarding the struggle in the cab on
the night of the tragedy the witnes.
said:
He looked ut me awhile. and then he
grabbed me by my hand nearest to
him and pulled me over toward him.
He hurt me so that ! tried to pull
away, but | could not get away from
him. put my other hand up, and he
grabbed me in that way" initiating.
Somehow or other got away from
him. told him that he hurt me.
He said: If you don't come over
there and | have to wait until the Sara
toga meeting | may never see you
again. My horses have gone back on
me. I've lost all that money Now I'm
losing my little girl Do you mean
thatT
He grabbed me and hurt me so bad! 4
ly that the tears came to my eyes.
tried to struggle away from him again
and had to bend away over.
There was flash-the end"
you heard reportT'
Yes"
WAS the pistol in Young's hands,"
II had not seen the pistol. Mr.
Young fell over my lap, got halfway
mp, fell again. and | thought he was
having spasm. He kept twitching
and twitching. called to him and
tried to make him answer, but he
wouldn't | believe put my hand up
and told the cabman TO drive to the
druggist | don't know whether did
That was my idea. and it seemed. oh.
ages before | could get any one TO pay
my attention TO me and help me-
"A policeman got in the cab and
'elt so relieved. | knew he would take
are of Mr.. Young seemed to he
iazed in my memory after that"
The witness then denied that she
shot Young in the language above
quoted.