The Washington herald., 1906-11-28
BLOW FOR GILLETTE
Medical Experts Strong Wit
nesses for Prosecution.
STATES CASE IS NEARING END
Physicians Declare Injuries to Grace
Browns Head Were Infected Before
Girl Fell or Was Thrown Into the
WRter-Line of Defense Is still
Kept secret-Fncts Chiefly Negative.

Herkimer. n. Y, Nov. 27.-The prosecu-
ton in the case Of Chester Gillette neared
its close to-day. with the introduction of
more medical testimony, in an attempt
to prove that Grace Brown was dead be
fore her body went into the water OF Big
Moose Lake.
The cross-examination of Dr. L. II.
Douglass took up the greater part Of the
morning testimony. When he had left
the stand, after the most thorough ex-
animation possible, three more Of the
experts who had performed the autopsy
on the girls body were called. They
were Dr. George II. Smith, DIT. ". H. 5.
Hayes. and DR.. S. S. Richards. DR..
Richards was still on the stand when the
afternoon session closed to-day.
The result Of the days session was
simply to add TO the weight Of the evil
dence brought forth by the prosecution
in an attempt TO prove that the drowning
theory was untenable, and the girls
death resulted from injuries received be-
fore she fell, was thrown. or threw her
self into the water where her body was
found Each physician. as he took the
stand. described the injuries found on the
girls head and face
Wound Received Before Death.
Each explained that the wounds were
received before death. and they were
unanimous in the opinion that the clot on
the girls brain was sufficient to cause in
sensibiIlty or death, either Of which would
be sufficient 10 place the burden OF her
killing on the defendant
The defense spent an immense amount
Of time in cross-eXamining the witnesses
II is plain that GHette's attorneys are
laying the foundation for their case. but
both Mr. Mills and Mr.. Thomas are as Sc
cretive as ever as 20 what their case
will be
You will find out when We open. prob
ably tomorrow. end then you will be sur
prised." they say.
There was good deal Of discussion
concerning the holding Of court on
Thanksgiving Day before Judge Deven-
dorf decided that there would be no ses-
sion on the holiday.
Facts Chiefly Negative.
The facts which the prosecution
brought out to-day were for the most
part negative going 10 prove that symp-
toms usually found in the bodies Of
drowned persons were lacking one Of
the few additional positive facts was
brought out in the examination Of Dr.
George II Smith. He testified that ne
had found some coagulated blood n The
girls nOstrils.
Would blood coagulate If it mingled
freely with water?" asked the prose
cutor
No" replied the witness.
This bit OF testimony may be OF con-
siderable Importance If the defense, as
seems likely, puts forward the claim that
the injuries found were received after
she was submerged in the water Of Big
Moose.
An incident which broke into the regu-
lar medical examination was the recalling
/ for cross-examination by the defense OF
Rev. Mr. Cuthbert Frost. In his direct
testimony. he had said that on the even
! ing Of July 13 he had heard Gillette say
10 a number Of men playing cards in the
/ lobby Of the GlenmOre Hotel:
Have you heard Of the tragedy at Bis
/ Moose2"
On cross-examInation, which was very
thorough, ne said that the word "trag-
edy' was a slip Of his tongue, which he
had tried 10 correct with the word
drowning" He also apparently wanted
10 explain that on further thought he
had decided that he was not absolutely
sure that il had been Gillette who had
asked this question, although it still re-
mained a distinct impression on his mind
Since giving his testimony, he said. ne
had met Mr.. Miller one Of the parties "a
the conversation. who, he thought. had
told him that one Of the other members
OF the card party. and not Gillette. had
been the author of the remark.
Early in the day the prosecution intro
duced evidence TO prove Grace Brown S
condition. The defense. as usual. object
ed strenuOusly 10 the admission OF the
testimony.
The Introduction Of the exhibit was al
I lowed II is said that among other wit
nesses the defense will bring forward
some Of Gillettes former friends from
Cortlandt TO testify that he had honor
able intentions toward the girl. Several
witnesses who We're subpoenaed by the
prosecution and have not as yet been
used have been re-subpoenaed by the
defense