The Washington herald., 1908-06-10


cock, the actor to-day told the jury
which is to decide whether be attempted
10 assault Helen von Hagen, that the
reason he took Helen and another young
girl. Elsie Voecks. to the house in West
Forty-first street was 10 warn them that
they were circulating stories about him
and "a friend that were scandalous: thar
II they told the truth 1t would be plain
that he never wronged either Of them.
and he feared an attempt would be made
to blackman him. He had heard these
stories. he said. after trip to the West,
but the girls denied that they had ever
accused him.
1t was the only time Helen Won Hagen
had ever been to the house. he said. She
had never been there with Flora Winston.
II was untrue that he ever had improper
relations with either Helen or Elsie
voecks. He had taken them for an auto
ride 10 Great Neck. but he understood
that they had told their parents, who had
given their consent.
Actor Nervous on stand.
He was nervous at times, but soon be-
came at ease. At times he dropped his
TO ask him TO repeat the answer. HIS
wife. who testified in his behalf at the
close Of the session. played q better
speaking part. Her testimony was 10
the effect that Hitchcock couldn't have
been with the girls at times when they
said he was.
ross-examlned by Assistant District
Attorney Garvan. Hitchcock had an un-
comfortable session. and was forced 10
plead several times that he did not recol-
lect the details demanded OF him.
This followed upon his general denial
made during his direct examination, that
he had done anything improper. either
/ IN the house In West FOrty-frst street.
where he occupied rooms, in the winter
Of 1906. or at his summer residence. at
Great Neck. Long Island.
Two Statements Conflict.
At one time the actor said that he had
| first met Flora Winston. the young girl
/ who is under bail on a perjury charge
/ for her testimony at Hitchcock's former
trial. during the preliminary police court
! proceedings. and later he seemingly con-
] tradicted himself. asserting that he met
/ the girl In Newark. although he then
knew her, he said. under another name.
/ II was brought out that Hitchcock. on
| the occasion Of the first visit Of Helen
Won Hagen and Elsie VOecks 10 the West
I Forty-hrst street house. had his valet.
! Herman, hide behind a portlere In the
parlor, so that ne might overhear what
was said IL was at that time that Hitch
cock asked the two girls about the stories
| which had been circulated about him,
and they denied having told the stories.
During his cross-examination. Mr.. Car
Vow CN az ~ n
have been made by Hitchcock in the dis
trict attorneys Office last fall. and asked
the witness about his answers at that
time. in so far as they did not seem 20
exactly coincide with his testimony to-
day.
Questions stenoErnpher's Report.
More than once Hitchcock questioned
the correctness OF the stenOgrapher's re-
port Of his statement as produced in
court.
Mr.. Garvan, pressing Hitchcock as 20
his acquaintance with several girls, par
ticularly Flora Winston. asked the wit
ness whether he had ever sent any money
10 the Winston girl.
No" was the answer.
At this Mr.. Garvan showed the actor
a money order. dated November 6. 1906
Charlottesville. Va. IN favor OF Miss
Flora Smith. New York.
Did you send that?' the witness was
asked
81 am sure that l did not" replied
Hitchcock. He admitted little later that
he had been playing at Charlottesville in
November. 1906.
Hitchcock said that he did not know Of
his indictment until he reached Montreal.
where he went for n rest He saw a
bulletin of the indictment on one Of the
newspaper bulletin boards.
Elsie Voecks. a chum OF Helen Won
Hagen. fourteen years old. also alleged 20
have been ill-treated by the actor, was
called as the first witness of the day
After Hitchcock left the stand his wife
was called and corroborated much of the
testimony he had given. She said she
was playing in Chicago in September and
part Of October. 1906. and that her hus-
band visited her there.
Hitchcock. in HIS redirect examination.
accounted for every night from December
Il 70 December %, 1906, the time he was in
the city and in which the alleged crime
was committed.