Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-23
DROWNING OF GRACE BROWN
Deputy Sheriff TestiHes to eillstte's
Account Of the Tragedy,
NE SAYS BOAT ACCIDENTALLY UPSET
Defendant Unable 60 Rescue GirI
Because He Was Afraid Both
Might GO DOwn-saves suit
CRse and Camera,

IERKIAfER, n. V, Nov. 21-chester Gil
lette's own story OF how his sweetheart
came to her death in the waters Of Big
Moose lake, July II. as related by him TO
the sheriff who arrested him at Arrow
head the Saturday morning following. was
refold today TO the Jury which is trying
the young man on the charge of murder
il was brought out that Gillette knew that
the girl had been in a delicate condition
since May. He said he and she had been
intimate for year.
when the boat upset accidentally. as
you say, and she was houndering help.
lessly IN the water, why did you not go TO
her assistance?" Under Sheriff Klock swore
he asked his prisoner.
''Because," the young man said, Il was
afraid she might struggle 80 that we both
might go down"
District Attorney Ward followed up this
lead by presenting in evidence the suit
case, the camera and tripod. the tennis
racquet and other articles which are sup
posed to have been rescued from the water
by the young man after the boat upset.
Gillette told me-" continued the wit
ness, that he shouted to the girl to hold
on to the stern of the boat and he would
try TO get her ashore. He said he did not
get near her, for he was holding on to the
bow"
ISlocks story was the only testimony of
interest presented during the afternoon SEES
sion. lie declared that since his arrest
Gillette had given three explanations as to
how the boat was overturned When asked
II he or the girl was 70 blame for the al
legged accident. he replied, according to tho
witness:
Il guppose am TO blame for It."
Aside from this. interest centered in a
statement by Rev. CuthberS Frost, pastor
OF the First Presbyterian church of Low
willie. He WAC at the Arrowhead inn with
a party on the Friday following tho
tragedy.
Il saw Gillette coming downstairs from
Ills room that evening said Mr. Frost
land overheard him ask two men If they
had heard of a tragedy on Big Moose lake
In which q young girl had been drowned
I did not hear what reply. IL any, was
given"
Under Sheriff Klock said that when Gil
lette was first arrested and Informed OF
Billy" Browns death by drowning he pre-
fessed great surprise and said he had not
heard of the accident.
AFTER a few minutes" said the witness
II told him he knew as wen as I did that
the girl was dead. He replied, Yes. the
boat upset He said the boat tipped ovel
about G p. M. Wednesday. The girl cam'
10 the surface and he told her to cling e
the stern and he would try to get he
ashore"
Asked as to what the defendant said ha'
caused the boat to upset, Klock replied
at first he said he was standing up doini
something with his hat and the boat wen
ove. The next time l talked to him h
said he was standing up trying TO reach
pond lily The third time he said he wa
walking toward the stern TO talk to tn
girl when the boat upset"
Klock admitted that Gillette told him tina
he expected to be married. and he under
stood the defendant to mean that the cere
mony was to take place during the Adirou
dnck trip.
Sheriff Richard told Of finding the tenni
racquet behind log. Gillette had told hiI
he had placed the racquet there, finding
too much trouble 90 carry. The racau'
was put in evidence. A number Of tn
strings are broken. It WAS in that cond
ton the sheriff said, when be found
KIock was recalled TO say that when /
took possession Of Gillette's suit case 4