New-York tribune., 1906-10-16
BR0UWER TAKES STAND
LOVED WIFE, He SAYS.
Breaks Doscn While Testifying-
Denies Charges in Fail.

Toms River n. J.. Oct. Is CspeciaD-Dr. Frank
L Brouwer took the stand IN his own defence
here to-day. He declared that he had always
loved his wife and that the charge against him
false He broke down several times and wept
bitterly when. in relating the story of his life. ne
told OF meeting his wife when she was teaching
school and he was trying 70 build up a practice
IN country town He denied that he had had
any improper relations with Miss McC1enahan the
goyernees but admitted that he had taken Miss
Ksarns. a nurse for carriage ride, and was
about explain this point more fully when his
counsel stopped him. declaring that he could do
later.
Dr. Brouwer denied that he had ever threatened
10 get 8 divorce that mis- wife had threatened
10 get q divorce; he admitted thet they had had
frequent quarrels. but attributed them TO his
wtfes iritabiIity. He denied empha tically that he
had given arsenic to Mrs Brouwer, ana not
until the night before she died, he said' had ne
administered strychnine. and then only one
twentieth OF grain. IN brandy. He said he be-
neved his wife's sickness the result OF over
eating. and was not caused by impure focd lie
thought that q too Hearty meal had brought on
cholera morbus. He said he had no idea that ms
wife seriously I'll an hour OF 60 nefore
she died: otherwise. he would have summoned an
other physician.
The physician then described the beginning of
his vffe's fatal illness:
'on "wednesday September g." he said. lat
about 10 o'clock at night, my wife came into my
room and said she was suffering pain in her abdo-
men. The following Thursday, Friday and satur-
day my wife continued i'll
Did You ever strike your wife in the presence
OF Benjamin Hyer or at any other time?' he was
asked.
no; never," was the reply.
He said he had never told Trevonia Hyer that
his wife had Rright's disease.
Why did you suggest 10 Miss Dudley that your
~ife's symptoms were like those Of spinal menin-
gitis?"
1T occurred to me the symptoms might be-
Tie witness then went on TO say that he had
Dishrow, but they came 20 no definite conclu-
slon. He said that with the two nurses. Miss Dud-
ley and Miss Lippncott. he examined his wife for
spots 20 indicate meningitis. but found none.
Why old you 10 the nurse that your wife
might rot get well?"
Because I didn't think she would. Her heart
was irregular al through her sickness
Dr. Brouwer said that he administered 10 his
wife q hvpode-rnic prepared by a Phliaoeiphla Hrih
which WIS composed ~ strychnne. nitroglycerlhe
,nd citrophenc Immediately. he said. his wife
became calr1er snd queter. and her heart more
regular and stronger
He declared that he never told Miss Dudley. the
nurse that his wife had Brlght's disease. He did
NOT remember having met Mrs. Alonzo Hyer and
telling her that his wife was a sick woman, but
Mrs Fyer Was truthful woman, and if she said
DR. BrouWer saii it the usual custom for
trained nurse 70 S2sFe t the e neoone & bf @
Nrs Fl~0uvTer was his wife ne considered that II
sssT wIs as qGf ~ er 10 sne a a ne T T rss Why he pre-
pared the hypodermics and the medicines in his
The Rev Max S Rowland. retired minister
who was formerly the pastor OF the First Pres
byterian Church of Toms River which DR.. Brou-
v;er attended. testified that week ago Yesterday
he visited the defendant Jail and spoke TO him
about rhe ground glass that had been found in
some Of the organs taken from Mrs: Brouweps
body The physician the witness said, remarked
thai the finding of the glass did amount TO
anything. Then he began TO break of pieces Of
glass from Mason jar that he had in his cell,
and before tho witness could stop him he placed
rhe pieces a spoon and swallowed them.
Hs told - ne that a, The glass w9Hd t no, not hurt :"
I don't suppose that II did