Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-28
MRS. RICE UNDER FIRE
Details of Life in Under World
Dragged Out by Defense.
WITH RUSTIN
Consented to Kill Physician Because
She Usually Did His Bidding.
SHE HERSELF TIRED OF LIFE
Prosecution Intervenes to Protect
Witness From 0rueling Personal
Questions Of Cross-Examiner.

OMAHA. Neb.. September 2S-Attorney
Gurley. who is defending Charles z.
Davis charged with the murder of DR..
Frederick Rustin, started the cross-ex-
animation of Mrs. Abbie B. Rice when
| the fourth day of the preliminary hearing
began before Judge Crawford in the
police court today.
1t was the third day Mrs. Rice had
been on the stand. but she gave no evil
dence of the nervousness which was ap-
parent in her manner Saturday. It was
plain that Gurley intended to take her
through a severe examination. The court
room was again filled to its capacity
when the case was called.
County Attorney English exhibited an
which were intended TO lay bare the re-
lations of Mrs. Rice and the dead physi-
clan. and forced counsel for the defense
to show. in each instance. the relevancy
of the questions to the case before per-
hitting the witness to answer.
Other Witnesses to Be Heard.
The county attorney stated before court
convened that he expected to place a
number Of other witnesses on the stand
whose testimony would have an important
bearing on the case. and indicated that
some surprises might be sprung.
The county attorney put one or two
questions before the defense took the
witness. Mrs. Rice. in reply to these.
said she had planned to shoot herself
after killing the doctor.
Gurley then began his cross-cuestioning.
He first took up the narrative of her early
life. following 1t until the time OF the
tragedy. She said she came to Omaha
with her sister. who was en- route west.
Her sister previously had lived in Oma-
ha. 1t was through her that Mrs. Rice
went to Grace Walton's resort. her sister
stopping at that place a short time also.
She declared that was the first she had
lived In house Of that character.
At this point several women were sent to
an adjoining room.
Her Acquaintance With Rustin.
Mrs. Rice said she had been unable TO
secure employment in Des Moines' and
| with her sister decided to come to Omaha.
She then told OF her illness and DR..
Rustin being called in a professional ca
| pacity.
Her first relations with him followed an
| operation he performed on her. During
| the months following the physician was
with her most of his time, she declared
and that he began drinking. but did not
use morphine
Mrs. Rice declared that the only in
ducement DR.. Rustin held out to her to
| take his life, which she came near doing
| four times. was considerations for his
| wife and children. and that her own SYM
pathy for him in his distress was the COM
polling cause of her consenting to shoot
him.
Question Why did you consent to take
the doctors life?
Il don't know. I was in the habit of
doing just what he told me to do
Were you tired OF life?'
YES"
Statement for Police.
Mrs. Rice said her first knowledge of the
shooting was received from the news
papers. She admitted that in her first
statements she had told the police and
newspaper men she knew nothing Of the
| shooting.
She then made a written statement for
| the detectives. This was the first men,
ton of such statement and the chief OF
police was asked to produce 1t.
Gurley asked about the $500 check. She
said 1t was to pay her funeral expenses. or
| to begin life anew, as she might choose.
On redirect examination Mrs. Rice said
| of his death to deaden his nerves In order
| that he might not lose heart and back
ou..
Mrs. Clara Gleason, at whose home Mrs.
Rice stayed several days prior TO DIR.
RuStin's death and on the night of the
shooting. was then called. She corrob-
| Grated Mrs. Rice's statement that Mrs.
Rice had stayed at the Gleason home on
the night Of the shooting.