Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-01

Herkmer, n. Y, Nov. 3O.-The trial
Of Chester Gillette for the alleged mur-
der of his sweetheart, Grace Brown,
practically came to a close To-Day so
far as the taking of evidence IS con-
ccrned. The defence, while reserving
the right 10 swear one witness if it
sees fit, tomorrow. rested just before
$50 O'Clock. The remainder of the af-
ternoon was spent by the district at
torney in calling several witnesses
back to the stand in rebuttal.
The defence swore several witnesses
today, but SO little was expected of
each one of them that it was less than
two hours after Gillette himself step
ped down from the stand that Attorney
Thomas announced that the defence
rested. There We're no really striking
features of interest in the case today
outside Of those furnished by the de-
PENDANTS own testimony. Gillette went
through the ordeal of cross eXamina-
ton without wavering in his testi-
mony as to the actual death scene on
Big Moose lake. He apparently had
made up his mind TO take his time in
answering the district attorneys ques-
lions.
Gillette WithStood the searching
cross discrimination at the hands of the
district attorney astonishingly well.
He sat with legs crossed and coclly re-
sponded to his questions. even if with
nothing more definite than Il can't
say, which proved his pet expire ssion.
When he finally stepped down from the
box he was calm and unruffled
Gillette today swore that many of
the things he said and wrote and which
the prosecution took as links in its
chain Of evidence We're simply false
hood concocted for one reason or an
other and that many of the things he
had done, and that the prosecution
took as indications of guilt were mere
ly acts Of cowardice.
Giliett" left the stand at $50 and then
the tefence called its eight or 10 wit
nesses i'm quick succession. One Of them
was tennis player, who simply gave
the weight of Gillette's tennis racquet
as Il ounces. He proved a witness for
the prosecution instead of the defence.
because he afterward swore that il
would be impossible to break the string
in the racquet by striking hard with it.
Other witnesses for the defence were
called TO give their opinions on Gil
lette's character and reputation. Most
of them testified that his characcr was
good. but the district attorney compeil-
ed all to admit that they were not then
aware Of Gillettes relations with Miss
Brown
few persons employed in the skirt
factory al Cortland where Grace Brown
nd 70
heard the girl say that she did not want
to live and that she was going to leave
Cortland perhaps forever. To these Dis
trict Attorney Ward said: You didn't
see Gillette trying to comfort her, did
yOu?' and they replied in the mega
tive.
There was some surprise among tho
spectators when the district attorney
allowed Gillette to leave the witness
stand without a more minute descrip-
ton of the incidents Immediately pre-
ceding the girls fatal plunge into the
lake.
One feature Of Gillette's testimony to-
day was his swearing that a certain
roll Of camera film found in his suit
case had never been exposed. The dis
trict attorney then showed Gillette a
picture made from the roll. 1t was
picture of Hattie Benedict, the Cort-
land girl. who was said to be Grace
Browns rival.
Herkimer. n. Y, Nov. 30-Refreshed
by the Thanksgiving respite after the
ordeal through which he passed at the
hands of a determined prosecutor on
Wednesday, Chester Gillette today re-
sumed his seat on the witness stand,
prepared to adhere to his story that
Grace Brown, whom he is alleged to
have slain and left in Big Moose lake,
died the death of a suicide.
There was big crowd at the court
house today, much larger than the spa
cious courtroom and it's old-fashioned
gallery were capable Of accommodate
ing The suriosity of the public has
been aroused by the announcement
that Gillette would be on the witness
stand again. and people focked to Her.
kimer by train, trolley and farm wagon
Immediately upon the resumption OF
the trial. Gillette took the stand. seat