The Washington herald., 1911-11-30

New York, Nov. 2o-Sobbing hys.
terically, Lillian Graham, who, to-
gether with her show girl companion
Ethel Conrad, is on trial for the shoot
ing of millionaire W. E. D. Stokes, on
June ! last was to-day carried from
the anteroom at the close of the after
noon session of the trial and collapsed
fainting in an anteroom, where her
sisters, Mrs. Stella Singleton and Mrs
Alice Andrews, worked over her for
half an hour before she was revived
sufficiently to be removed to her home.
FORTY LETTERS IN COURT.
The day had been a trying one for the
two defendants as we'll as for the mill
ionaire plaintiff. Forty letters, purport-
ing to have been written by the Graham
girl to Stokes. seeking his friendship,
were introduced in the cross-examination
of Stokes by Clark L. Jordan and Rob-
ert NJ. Moore, counsel for the girls, in
an endeavor TO show that the million
aire had endeavor ed to blacken the char
acter of the girl to protect himself. One
of these epistles was an alleged con-
fession, in which Miss Graham admitted
relations with other men.
Before relinquishlng the cross-eXamina-
ton, Clark L. Jordan, counsel for the
girls, made an attempt to associate
Stokes with two men whose deaths were
sensational events in New York within
recent years. These were Jim Fiske and
Al Adams, but Justice Marcus would
not allow this line of questioning. A
greater part of the morning session was
devoted to retelling of the story of the
shooting.
Alleged Confession Produced.
Mr.. Jordan in his cross-examination
of the witness went at once into the visit
of Miss Graham to the Stokes place in
Stokes refused to admit that
he knew the girl was not twenty-fouT
years old at the time of the visit, but
said that he had had a letter from her
in which she confessed her previous con-
duct. and said that he need not fear any
trouble from her. He absolutely denied
that this "exoneration" was penned in
Kentucky, and more vehemently denied
that he had extorted the statement by
to tell Miss Graham S
brother-in-law about her trip to Lexing-
ton. The fact that the date was omitted
Mr.. Jordan sought to make significant.
Mr.. Stokes admitted that Miss Graham
usually dated her letters.
Other letters were read to show that
Miss Graham had frequently asked
Stokes to call, and had addressed him
in endearing terms. Usually she had
something very important to tell you"
In a letter written in January. 1907, she
stated She would never see Mr.. Stokes
again. but meant to devote herself to
her chosen profession and rapidly forge
10 the front in the theatrical way. This
missive concluded with the assurance
that Mr.. Stokes was the only man she
had ever loved.
Wanted Money and Clothes.
Now" said Mr.. Buckner, tell US |
What the important business was that |
Miss Graham told you of on the occa-
lions when you complied with her
equests and went to see her"
Why" replied Mr.. Stokes, shed say
he'd seen a perfectly lovely hat that
he wanted, or a perfect dream of
Iress that she had told them to send
Ter, and she didn't have the money to
,ay for"
Stokes, who tried to give the impression
hat the young woman had persistent
y pursued him, was in very bad humor
t the close of the Cross-examination as
e stepped from the witness stand Mrs
andrews and Miss Graham both sobbed
throughout the entire time Stokes was
eStifying.