The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-30
And UndergOes Cross Question
ing by the Prosecution.
MUCH LARGER CROWD
Was Present Than the Court
House Would Hold.
Says He Would Tell if He Had
Struck Grace Brown.


f. Gillette told his story of Grace
Browns death again today. this time
in response to questions put to him by
a prosecutor who picked out every flaw
in the accused young mans testimony.
For three hours District Attorney
Ward questioned Gillette and to the
surprise Of everyone in the room Gil
stte was as cool and confident when
he stepped down to go to dinner as he
was when he walked into court this
morning. Gillette replied in the af-
flrmative when District Attorney Ward
asked him If ne swan 10 shore anu
left Grace Brown to die in the lake
Witness describing the girls act IN
leaping into the water 70 her deash.
said she jumped from the stern of the
boat; that he shouted for help; that
no one responded and that he found
out how deep the water was there
Did you try to reach her
yet you say you swan in the Pa
cifc ocean2' 2'
''I did
And you did not swim to this girls
aid?"
When she leaped into the water
from the boat what did you say you
did"
7 reached out my hand towards
her then the boat tipped over.
"And you who had swan in the lakes
in Washington and in the Pacific ocean,
left Grace Brown there without SWIM
ming to her aid %
II did"
A feature of this mornings proceed
iugs was the discovery of picture OF
Hattie Benedict on a roll of film in
64iiiette-s suit case. Gillette had sworn
that the film was unexpOsed- Miss
Benedict is the Cortland girl whom 1t
was first claimed Gillette wanted 10
marry. Miss Benedict swore on tne
stand that she was not engaged to Gil
lette. Gillette during the examination
stated that his version of the tragedy
as narrated to Under Sheriff kiock a
few minutes after his arrest TO the
effect that the affair was an accident
and that he had tipped the boat over
accidentally while they We're picking
pond lilies was a lie.
Nov did your attorneys tell you TO
tell a different story than the one you
told Under Sheriff klOck2' asked the
district attorney.
They did"
There was a big crowd at the court
house today. much larger than the
spacious court room and its old fash
ioned gallery were capable of accom-
mOdating.
on the witness stand, looked intently
at his counsel and District Attorney
Ward cautioned him that he must face
the jury when answering questions
Nfr Ward read q letter from Gill
cite TO Grace Brown under date of
June 25. in which he said he had been
to Little York Lake in bathing with
some boys
Gillette if you had struck Grace
Brown at Big Moose Lake and stun
ned her. would you have told the Of
fcers ?" asked Mr. Ward.
"Gillette.~ asked the district attor-
rey. ''if you struck Grace Brown with
that tennis racket. would you come
here and tell this jury you did?"
4 can not say
Did you hate this girl?" asked the
prosecutor. reading from a number Of
letters Grace Brown had sent the de-
fendant IN which she complained of
his apparent neglect of her.
Did Not Hate Her.
NO. I did not hate her." answered
Gillette.
Here Gillette for a second diverted
his glance from the jury and Mr.. Ward
shouted: Look at the jury and not
at your counsel"
Attorneys Mills and Thomas inter
posed objection to the district attor-
news manner toward the witness and
the court sustained thems holding
that Mr.. Ward had no right to so di-
rect the witness in his gaze.
The district attorney taking up the
matter of Gillette having received a
letter from Grace Brown in which she
referred to his contemplated visit to
Deruvter previous to their departure
for the Adirondacks in July. the wit
ness denied he was ashamed or feared
Aaa be seen with the Girl there.
Didn't you want the girl to 60 to
Hamilton with you?'
Il don't know; I believe she wanted
to GO to Hamilton"
ibid you know any one in HamiI~
ton p
she had relatives there. had she
not2"
''Then. you wanted to meet her in
Hamilton where she was known but
where you were not known. and start
from there to the Adirondacks instead
OF from Deruyter ?"
Il can not state"
'TWhen did you first know she was
to become a MOTHER
Il don't RENE en- ber.
WAS it in April when she left Cort-
land for South Otselic, that YOU first
knew it2"
4 can not state
Gillette said his attitude toward the
girl had not changed when her condi-
ton became known to him.
did you still love her2" asked the
district attorney
II did answered Gillette with a
Rharp nod of the head. Gillette stated
with Grace intending to not return he
left everything in his room undis-
turbed and said nothing to his land
Iadv about rot coming back The dis
frict attorney asked him if he had
planned to use the rirl's own money IN
making away with her inasmuch as
his own purse was rather depleted.
Gillette answered: NO"
Didn't Gre fC- Expenses.
Asked BY the district attorney if
when he rented the boat at Big Moose
lake ana went out on the lake with