Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-23
DEFENSE TO
SOLVE WHITE
HAT MYSTERY
MRS. C0RWELL'S HEADGEAR S
SUBJECT OF INQUIRY
WITNESSES SAY KNEW DEFEN.
DANT AS "MRs. BENNETT"
Interesting Testimony Brought Out in
Trial of Mrs. EsteIIe corwell and
Prisoner Exhibits More
Cheerfulness

The principal work of the defense for
some hours yesterday in the trial of
Mrs. Estelle Corwell charged with
the killing of George T. Bennett, APP
peared to be an effort to establish the
fact whether the defendant on the
night of her arrest wore a large white
hat with dropping feathers, and
number of witnesses were called to
testify concerning the defendants ap-
parei on that night. Some mystery
seems to attach to the hat worn by
the prisoner and this the defense is de-
termined to solve.
The defense seemingly lays great
weight on this testimony and the de-
fendant's attorney was not backward
in exhibiting irritation when answers
to his questions were given by men,
bers of the police department.
This was offset, however, in large
measure by the testimony of other wit
nesses, who said they had been intro
duced to Mrs. Corwell as Mrs George
T. Bennett and one witness who said
Bennett had expressed an intention to
marry her One of the most generally
known persons to testify in this re-
gard was Wyatt S. carp, whose name
Is familiar throughout the Pacific
slope and the southwest and who
comes from a family the name of
which is linked prominently with the
early history of Arizona.
What is expected to be shown by
the color and style of hat worn by Mrs.
Corwell on the night of her arrest has
not developed. but it is believed to be
the purpose of the defense to place in
doubt other testimony of witnesses
who may make conflicting statements
in this respect
Character Witnesses on Stand
A large number of character wit
of them old friends of Mrs. Corwell's
family who knew the defendant in her
early youth and later years. Each of
thees witnesses testified that her repu-
tation for peace and quiet was good.
Mrs. Corwell yesterday took more
interest in the proceedings than on
any preceding day. At times she ap-
peared almost cheerful and her lips
parted in a smile during the afternoon
when some part of the testimony was
given which she evidently believed ma
terially helped her case.
The prisoner was surrounded all day
by the same little group of black-clad
women who have been near her since
the beginning of the trial. Seated on
either side of the prisoner are her
mother, Mrs. c.. c. Welch. and Miss
Emma Quinones. a cousin. Directly in
front and near the defendants attorney
sits Mrs. George A. Gill, through whose
efforts, it is said. a great deal of valu-
able information, which is expected to
materially help the prisoner. has been
gathered. Mrs. Gill became interested
in the case because of her sympathy
for the woman on trial. and her tireless
efforts in behalf of her friend have met
with a large measure of success.
A fact brought out yesterday was
that Bennett, during his later
years. was negligent in the payment Of
I.1.A -s.s. Il,
they had received no remuneration for
services during the illness of Mrs. Cor
we'll following the incident at Ocean
Park when her limb was fractured by
being thrown or jumping from an auto
mobile in May, 1906.
Maie Benefits Name Introduced
The name of Miss Maie Bennett was
again introduced in the evidence given
yesterday when a witness testified he
had seen Miss Bennett accompanied
by man. whose description he was
allowed to give, eating dinner and
breakfast at a hotel in Ventura in
August, 1906.
The first witEess yesterday was Mrs.
Wyatt s. carp of Parker, Ariz. She
said she hal visited Mrs Corwell at the
city jail the morning following the
shooting and that the prisoners eyes
had a peculiar look. while she appeared
not to comprehend what was said to
her.
DR. W " Beckett of the Pacific hos
pital said he had examined the fracture
of Mrs. Corwelrs ankle at the hospital,
whittier she was taken by Bennett
There was some discussion about am
Dutating the foot, he said, on account
of the bad character of the injury. He
fnally decided the operation was not
necessary, but said the ankle would
always remain stiff.
Mrs Corwell remained at the hospi-
tai said the Witness about two months,